July 20, 2011|By Baltimore Sun reporter
"Sherwood Gardens holds a special place in my heart. Everyone knows the gardens for the tulips in the spring. But it's just as beautiful, in its own way, in the dead of winter when life appears to be dormant. When I first found out I was pregnant with my son, I would go there and reflect about the amazing creation of life about to bloom. My son is almost 4 now, and we enjoy Sherwood Gardens all year long, with picnics, bubbles and snow angels." Greenway and Stratford Road | 410-785-0444. | guilfordassociation.org/sherwood
The National Aquarium on Monday
Bryan Voltaggio, restaurateur and "Top Chef" finalist
"Here's a little secret, go on a Monday to avoid the lines. I like to take my 4-year-old there so we can both run around like kids." 501 E. Pratt St. | 410-576-3800 | aqua.org
Lexington Market
E. Faye Butler, actress and frequent star of Center Stage productions
"I love the historic nature of the market. As an African-American, the rich history of that market means so much, as well as the fact you can get some of the best food in Baltimore, from produce to fish, fresh meats and oysters. You can also pick up a purse, some socks, vitamins, and, of course, peanuts and candies. It's one-stop shopping." 400 W. Lexington St. | 410-685-6169 | lexingtonmarket.com
Kooper's Tavern
Billy Cundiff, Baltimore Ravens kicker
"There are so many great Baltimore restaurants we love, but my go-to meal is at Kooper's Tavern in Fells Point. When we want a laid-back night, whether it's with our kids or out-of-town guests, Kooper's never disappoints. For me, the Billy's Kobe with sweet potato fries and a local beer can't be beat. The location is great and the servers are always friendly, which is impressive considering the mess our kids leave behind." 1702 Thames St. | 410-563-5423 | koopers.com
Kumari
Dan Deacon, electronic musician
"Kumari is one of my favorite restaurants in the world. My friends and I go there very often for their wonderful buffet of Nepalese and Indian food. The food is awesome, but it's the Nepalese tea that puts it over the top from the other Indian places in the area." 911 N. Charles St. | 410-547-1600
Summer nights crabbing in the harbor
Jada Pinkett-Smith, actress and producer
"I always loved the Inner Harbor. I used to work at a place called Something Good, a candy store. But nothing ever beats warm summer nights in the harbor and being with my cousin and her grandparents on their boat. Crabbing and eating crabs on the boat is about as good as it gets."
Donna's in Charles Village
Mary Pat Clarke, Baltimore city councilwoman
"I practically live at Donna's at 31st Street and St. Paul Street. I just get a cup of coffee. Isn't that terrible? But I buy a lot of cups of coffee there, and they're very kind to me. I'm there all the time. It's my unofficial district office there in Charles Village." 3101 St. Paul St. | 410-889-3410 | donnas.com
The Block
Barry Glazer, plaintiffs' attorney
"I have always been intrigued by 'The Block,' aka Baltimore Street. I never understood why the city never attempted to promote the area; instead, they have done just the opposite. They should put a casino there. I have no doubt the convention business would have exploded had the city assisted the business owners there instead of trying to close them down. The characters, the buildings, the carnival-like atmosphere are all fascinating." 400 Block of Baltimore Street
Perpetual novenas
John Shields, head chef at Gertrude's at the BMA
"Growing up in the 1960s, I learned to love Baltimore's unique circuit of perpetual novenas. To this day, one can still plot weekly trips to historic Catholic churches for novena prayers to the likes of the Miraculous Medal, St. Peregrine, St. Anthony, Padre Pio, and of course the one that puts Baltimore on the map, the St. Jude's (patron saint of hopeless causes) novena on Paca Street. If I need a cure for anything that ails me, a friend, or family member, I just pick the associated saint, make my way to the church, and can generally take care of any problem. Forget Rome, this can only happen in Baltimore." St. Jude Shrine, 512 W. Saratoga St. | 410-685-6026 | stjudeshrine.org
The Peabody Library at Mount Vernon Place
Josh Charles, actor in CBS drama "The Good Wife"
"From the time I started at the Baltimore School for the Arts, I was always impressed by the architecture, the beauty and history of the Peabody Library and the Mount Vernon space around it. The Peabody is such a tranquil, beautiful place. I just love this area of Baltimore near the library and in this park - it's so old and European and beautiful. You can really feel the peacefulness of it. These few square blocks here are from another time and place, and they have always been a place of retreat and calm for me. And only recently did I discover that the Peabody Library is open to the public. I have loved coming here for a long, long time." 17 E. Mount Vernon Place | 410-234-4943
The creekside path on Deepdene Road
