July 20, 2011|By Baltimore Sun reporter
Vic Carter, anchorman at WJZ-TV, Channel 13
"I love the wonder of driving through a neighborhood and suddenly being greeted by a large mural that is pleasing to the eye and sometimes stimulates thinking. Among my favorites is the mural in the Oliver Neighborhood at Harford Road and North Avenue - a work by the late Tom Miller that he completed in only a month.
The vibrant colors capture your eye first and then if you stay for just a moment, you decipher the images of everyday life in Baltimore. They are scenes we often take for granted as being 'regular.' However, there is nothing regular about this and other murals that adorn our city."
A drive up Falls Road
Cindy Wolf, restaurateur and head chef at Charleston
"Absolutely one of my favorite things to do is take a drive up Falls Road. The best part of the drive is between Shawan Road and Mount Carmel. It's newly paved, smooth, curvy and fast. In the summer time the views through the valleys, the gorgeous horse farms, the fields golden with hay, the sunny afternoons, that's what I love to see. There are some places you could stop for a picnic along the way, or you could stop and taste some wine with Burt Basignani."
Geppi's Entertainment Museum
Dr. Ben Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center
"This is an absolutely fascinating place that has a lot of American history depicted in cartoon and comic fashion. There are also incredible things like a $1 million marble collection. This provides many hours of absolutely fascinating material that will thrill the youngest and the oldest." 301 W. Camden St. | 410-625-7060 | geppismuseum.com
Backyard crab feasts
Keibler, actress and model
"I've been to so many different places here to eat crabs. We've gone to Costa's a lot. Just recently I went down to Canton Dockside, which was amazing. My parents and I will pick up a bushel from a little stand on the side of the road and steam our own. Eating crabs is something that I do every single time I come home. Even if it's in and out in a day, I literally will go straight from the airport to get crabs."
We're not afraid to be quirky
Laurie DeYoung, WPOC morning show host
"What I love about Baltimore is its glorious lack of pretense. The city's quirky charm allows for everyone to feel that they belong somewhere here. I just feel like Baltimore's not trying to be something it's not. It's very accepting of all kinds of people. That's one of the reasons I love it."
The Merry-Go-Round by the Science Center
Debbie Phelps, mother and biggest fan of Olympian Michael Phelps
"Tucked away at the base of Federal Hill and right beside the Maryland Science Center sits a merry-go-round. The nostalgic piece takes me back to the days when my grown children were kids and is now a place where I enjoy time with my grandchildren, watching them ride around and around with happy smiles spread across their faces".
Veal Saltimbocca at Da Mimmo's
Jim Palmer, former Orioles star and Hall of Fame pitcher
"I used to love Memorial Stadium before they tore it down. But if I had to pick something still around, it would be the veal saltimbocca at Da Mimmo. I've been going there since 1984. I've eaten all over the world, and it's the best." 217 S. High St. | 410-727-6876 | damimmo.com
The short country commute
Molly Shattuck, former Ravens Cheerleader and fitness guru
"I love that Baltimore is a city built of neighborhoods offering the best of urban life, as well as nearby country charm 20 minutes away. In a single day, my children and I can visit our favorite downtown attractions. And then in a short time, we can be riding bikes together and enjoying the serenity of the NCR Trail in northern Baltimore County."
Pond hockey on Lake Roland
Spike Gjerde, head chef and owner of Woodberry Kitchen
"The fact that it doesn't happen every year makes the opportunity to skate on Lake Roland even more special for me. Last winter was the first in a few years that was cold enough, and I wasted no time introducing my kids to the pure joy of pond hockey. We spent every afternoon we could on the ice until the light failed, and we'd head home for hot chocolate by the fire."
Conquering Oregon Ridge
Patrice Harris, anchorwoman at WBFF, Channel 45
"I have to admit I have a love-hate relationship with Oregon Ridge. Standing near the amphitheater and looking around at the massive, rising hill is really a beautiful picture. But most of the time I'm at Oregon Ridge to work out, and that hill is demanding. Up and down we go, exercise after exercise to the point of exhaustion. But for as much as it takes from you, the hill also gives back. Surrounded by the beauty of lush green in summer and the changing leaves of fall, exhaustion never felt so good!" 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville | 410-887-1818
The Baltimore School for the Arts
Tracie Thoms, TV and film actress
