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- Baltimore Hits 97° Sunday—Here’s Where to Cool Off
Baltimore Hits 97° Sunday—Here’s Where to Cool Off
The Best Thing to Do in Baltimore This Weekend? Scroll Down.

Hey Baltimore — School’s officially out, which means summer in Baltimore is on…
Whether you're juggling camps, plotting a long weekend escape, or just trying to keep your AC from crying uncle—welcome to the thick of it.
Sunday’s forecast is calling for a full-blown heat wave (hello, 97°), so I’ve packed this weekend’s picks with ways to beat the heat, catch some live music, and make the most of the warm evenings before things get swampy.
Also, I’m excited to debut a new section this week: The Eating Baltimore Diaries. It’s where I’ll share quick hits, reader stories, and random food/life moments worth passing along. If something made you smile, made you hungry, or just made you feel a little more connected to this city—send it my way.
Scroll on, make plans, and as always — eat well, Charm City.
New This Week: The Eating Baltimore Diaries…
We’re trying something fun…
Every week, we’re asking you—our readers—to share the best thing you ate, best drink you had, and/or your favorite event or activity in Baltimore from the past week.
It could be:
A killer crab cake 🍽️
A rooftop cocktail with a view 🍸
A neighborhood food festival you stumbled into 🎉
Next Thursday, we’ll feature some of your answers in this very newsletter.
It’s anonymous, takes 30 seconds, and helps shine a light on what makes this city so delicious.
Want to get your business in front of 5,300+ Baltimore locals every week?
That’s what we do every Thursday. We’ve partnered with restaurants, realtors, coffee shops, breweries, and local service providers who want to connect with an audience that actually cares about what’s happening around town.
Here’s why sponsors love working with us:
✅ Ridiculously Engaged Readers – Our open rate is 50% higher than the average news-focused email newsletter, and click-throughs are nearly double the industry average.
✍️ Ad Copy That Feels Like a Recommendation – Our team writes every sponsor feature to feel organic, trusted, and worth clicking, while achieving a return on our clients’ investments.
🚫 Category Exclusivity – Businesses who make a certain investment with us are guaranteed to be the only business in their category. This kind of exclusivity is almost unheard of in digital advertising.
Want to see if it's a fit? Click here to inquire about sponsorship.
Baltimore Weekend Weather Snapshot
Friday, June 20: Mostly sunny with comfortable humidity—ideal for outdoor festivals and evening events. High near 85°F, cooling to the mid‑60s.
Saturday, June 21: Warmer day brewing—partly sunny with temps climbing toward 91°F. Great for outdoor activities if you stay hydrated and seek shade.
Sunday, June 22: Hottest day of the weekend. Expect highs around 97°F, mixed sun and clouds. Heat wave begins—plan accordingly.
Things To Do This Weekend In The Baltimore Area
Food & Drink
🦀 WCBM Crab Fest & Chuck Roast
📅 Friday, June 20th | 6PM–9PM
📍 Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, 6526 Holabird Ave, Baltimore
WCBM is hosting its first-ever Crab Fest—an all-you-can-eat celebration with Maryland blue crabs, local sides, and a live roast of Chuck Whitaker featuring Sean Casey, Bruce Elliott, and more. Come hungry, leave laughing.
🍹 LoonAsea 1st Anniversary Party
📅 Saturday, June 21st | 11AM
📍 LoonAsea Maryland, 207 Nanticoke Rd, Essex
LoonAsea turns 1 and you're invited to an all-day birthday bash featuring live bands, giveaways, power hours, and plenty of drink specials.
🎉 AFRAM 2025 at Druid Hill Park
📅 Saturday–Sunday, June 21–22 | All day
📍 Druid Hill Park, Baltimore
One of the largest African American cultural festivals on the East Coast returns with legendary food, vibrant vendors, and an all-star lineup.
🥃 Whiskey on the Waterfront
📅 Saturday, June 21st | 12PM–6PM
📍 Sagamore Spirit Distillery, 301 E Cromwell St, Baltimore
Free, family-friendly waterfront bash at Sagamore Spirit’s Port Covington distillery. Sip craft whiskey cocktails at the Nineteen O’Nine bar, catch live music by Garrett Mabe from 1–5PM & sample bites from food trucks (Bmore Greek, Top Nach, Jimmy's Famous Seafood, Checkerspot Brewery, Boordy Vineyards).
🎶 Bluegrass Sundays with Moose Jaw Bluegrass
📅 Sunday, June 23rd | 2PM–5PM
📍 Pickett Brewing Company, Baltimore, MD
Kick back with cold beer, slow-smoked Texas BBQ from Red River Smokehouse, and live tunes by Moose Jaw Bluegrass—a five-piece band bringing the front porch vibes to the brewery.
Music & Entertainment
🎸 Rotunda Rocks: Neighborhood Festival & Concert
📅 Friday, June 20th | 6PM–9PM
📍 The Rotunda, 711 W 40th St, Baltimore
Celebrate the third season of Rotunda Rocks with live bluegrass from The Mayo Family Band, local vendors, food trucks, drinks, and games on the plaza. Family-friendly, dog-friendly, and just the right kind of Friday night vibes.
🎤 Summer Sounds Kickoff ft. The Betty White Stripes
📅 Friday, June 20th | 6PM–9PM
📍 Belvedere Square Market, 540 E Belvedere Ave, Baltimore
Summer Sounds is back—kick off the 2025 season with live music from The Betty White Stripes and an open-air market featuring eats from Pono Taco, Atwater’s, Prigel Family Farm, and more. Shop local vendors, grab a drink, print your own tee or tote, and soak up the summer night.
🎧 Summerjam 25 at Old Line Spirits
📅 Saturday, June 21st | 5PM–1AM
📍 Old Line Spirits, 4201 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore
Celebrating 30 years since their first party, the crew behind “UPLIFT” is back with a massive dancefloor reunion. Expect 3 stages, multiple bars, a food truck, and a stacked lineup including Josh Wink, ODI, and more. Rain or shine. 21+ only. Throwback vibes guaranteed.
Family Fun
🦁 Summer Solstice Stroll at the Maryland Zoo
📅 Friday, June 20th | 5:30-7:30PM
📍 The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1 Safari Pl, Baltimore
Celebrate the longest day of the year with an after-hours animal experience! Kick off the evening in the African Journey with a close-up elephant encounter and keeper chat, then cool down with popsicles and explore the zoo on a guided tour filled with hands-on nature activities.
🌊 Harbor Splash 2025
📅 Saturday, June 21st | 9 AM–12 PM
📍 Bond Street Wharf, Fells Point
(This event is sold out - but there is free spectator entry) Make a stand by making a splash—this is the 2nd annual Harbor Splash, Baltimore’s signature public jump into the Inner Harbor to celebrate its swim-friendly resurgence. Ceremonial jump at 9 AM, followed by staggered swim sessions monitored by safety teams - bring the crew to cheer ’em on!
🍦 Ice Cream Sundays at B&O Railroad Museum
📅 Sunday, June 22nd | 12:30PM
📍 B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD
Hop aboard the Mile One Express for a rare treat—ice cream on the train. This once-a-year perk lets you enjoy a scoop while riding the rails. Included with train ride tickets; free for B&O members.
Restaurant & Local News
🍷 Charleston Wins Big at James Beard Awards
Baltimore’s own Charleston took home the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine & Beverage Program—after years of being a finalist.
🔗 Read more
🏗️ $3M in Grants Aid Key Bridge‑Impacted Businesses
Maryland just approved $3 million in recovery grants for 66 small businesses and nonprofits affected by the Key Bridge collapse. Funds will help cover lost income, rising costs, and business adjustments.
🔗 Read more
🦒 Meet Titali: Maryland Zoo’s New Baby Giraffe
Born in March to giraffe mom Kipepeo, baby Titali is now starting her public debut. You can reserve tickets to see her up close at the Giraffe House.
🔗 Read more
⚖️ Docks Restaurant Lawsuit Turns Ugly
Cordish Group is suing the former owners of Docks on the Harbor, claiming they gutted the place and left $8.1M in unpaid rent and damages.
🔗 Read more
Date Spot Of The Week
Wiley Gunter’s (Locust Point)
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📍 823 E Fort Ave, Locust Point, Baltimore, MD
If your perfect date night is more about good vibes and killer bar food than white tablecloths, Wiley Gunter’s is your spot. This Locust Point staple blends local dive energy with elevated pub grub—think jumbo crab dip, loaded tuna nachos, and half-pound burgers that actually mean it. The beer list rotates with 17 taps, backed by a deep bottle/can selection and some of the best crushes in the neighborhood (fresh-squeezed, no shortcuts).
It’s laid-back, lively, and full of locals—ideal for couples who want great food, cold drinks, and zero pretension.
Insider tip: Swing by during happy hour (Mon–Thu 4–6 PM) for discounted crushes, mozz balls, and potstickers—great way to start the evening without breaking the bank.
Charm City Bulletin
Want to spotlight your business to 5,300+ locals? Whether it's a new service, a project you're proud of, a recent hire, or just something worth sharing—we’d love to feature it.

💧 Thompson & Sons Waterproofing | Baltimore & Surrounding Counties
Tired of a damp, musty basement? This family-owned crew tackles basement waterproofing, foundation cracks, and crawl space issues with honest, no-pressure service. Click here to book your free inspection.
🍕 Underground Pizza | Baltimore (Subscriber Deal!)
One of Baltimore’s hottest pizza spots—creative, crave-worthy pies made with premium ingredients. Mention this email / "Eating Baltimore" and get 10% off your order. Click here to check out the menu.
🚗 FreedomCar Baltimore | 24/7 Chauffeured Private Car Service
Arrive in style and comfort with FreedomCar’s red fleet of sedans, SUVs, vans, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles—driven by courteous, full-time professionals committed to your safety and punctuality. Click here to book your ride with FreedomCar.
House Hunch Baltimore
Can you guess the price of this real estate listing based on just a few photos?
Here’s a hint: 5 bd, 4.5 ba, nearly 5,900 sqft across three levels, with a private elevator and 2-car garage.
Want to feature your listing in House Hunch Baltimore? Respond to this email for info!
Thanks for reading Eating Baltimore today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone you’ll be sharing a fan with in the heat this weekend!
Have a great weekend!
Matt | Eating Baltimore
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