Michael Phelps Teaches Ravens How to Swim

The Best Things to Do in Baltimore This Weekend...

Author

Eating Baltimore
August 14, 2025

Hey Baltimore—

Welcome to the 174 new subscribers who joined since last week’s edition. Happy to have you in our (growing) community!

I just got back from vacation with the in-laws yesterday. Grateful to have gone, but if you’ve been on one of those… whew - happy to be home!

(Yes, last week’s edition was partially written from the beach. This train doesn’t stop!)

This week, we’ve got… a lot! Whiskey on the Waterfront is back, Hopfest 2025 at Max’s Taphouse, a Summer Scavenger Hunt in Harbor East… plus our own Olympic legend, Michael Phelps, hit the pool with members of the Baltimore Ravens.

Scroll on, make plans, and as always — eat well, Charm City.

P.S. Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs until Saturday August 16th. You can stock up for back-to-school season or add some new items to your closet for the fall. Click here to see all qualifying items…

Baltimore Weekend Weather Snapshot

Friday, August 15: Sunny to partly cloudy with sticky humidity, a high around 86 °F and a low near 70 °F. An afternoon thunderstorm is possible, so it’s best to knock out outdoor plans early and keep a backup option in mind.
Saturday, August 16: Humid with a mix of sun and clouds, highs near 85 °F and lows around 68 °F. There’s a strong chance of storms later in the day, so morning is the sweet spot for markets, walks, or anything active.
Sunday, August 17: Hot and humid, with highs near 90 °F and lows around 69 °F. Expect sun with some clouds and another likely round of afternoon storms, so if you’re headed to events like concerts or scavenger hunts, bring water, sun protection, and be ready to pivot if the weather turns.

Things To Do In Baltimore & Surrounding Areas This Weekend

Food & Drink

Mount Royal Soaps Night Market
📅 Friday, August 15 | 5-9PM
📍 2740 Huntingdon Ave, Baltimore
FREE BEER, food trucks, and local vendors—Remington’s monthly block party vibes.

Greater Goods August Night Market (R. House Garage)
📅 Friday, August 15 | 6-10PM
📍 301 W 39th St, Baltimore
70+ makers, bites, and drinks packed into the R. House garage & patio.

Hopfest 2025
📅 August 15-17 | 11:30AM-11:45 PM (Friday through Sunday)
📍 Max’s Taphouse, 737 S. Broadway, Baltimore
Celebrate the art of the hops—60+ IPAs, DIPAs, TIPAs pouring across the weekend. Free to attend (21+ only)

Union Collective Coffee Fest
📅 Saturday, August 16 | 12PM
📍 Union Collective, 1700 W 41st St, Baltimore
It’s Vent’s anniversary + their annual Coffee Fest packed with coffee roasting demos, Cold Brew and Coffee Cocktail competitions, Ethiopian coffee ceremonies, latte‑art throwdowns, Coffee Collabs—we’re talking serious caffeination.

Whiskey on the Waterfront – Wags & Whiskey Edition
📅 Saturday, August 16 | 12-6PM
📍 Sagamore Spirit Distillery, 301  E. Cromwell St, Baltimore
Free, family-friendly waterfront distillery shindig—live music by Joi Carter (1–5 PM), food trucks, whiskey cocktails, and dog-friendly fundraising with BARCS (includes cocktail tickets, $10 donation, and a dog toy)

Sundays on the Square: Family Sunday Funday (Canton)
📅 Sunday, August 17 | 11AM-5PM
📍 Southern Provisions, 3000 O’Donnell St, Baltimore
Laid-back outdoor market day with food, drinks, and family activities in O’Donnell Square.

Mimosa Fest at Power Plant Live!
📅 Sunday, August 17, 2025 | 11AM
📍 Power Plant Live!, 34 Market Place, Baltimore
Sip, sparkle, and celebrate with an all-day mimosa festival—live DJs, specialty mimosa flavors, food vendors

Family Fun

Mess Fest at the Maryland Science Center
📅 Sat–Sun, August 16–17 | 12-4PM
📍 Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St, Baltimore
Slime rooms, fizzy rocket launches, window-mural painting—the messy science weekend kids love.

10th Annual B'More SUP Cup
📅 Saturday, August 16 | 8AM
📍 West Shore Park, 401 Light Street, Baltimore
Baltimore’s only paddleboard race, now on the Inner Harbor. Multiple distances—10K, 5K, and 1‑mile—open to SUPs, kayaks, OC‑1s, surfskis, whatever. Ends with an after‑party.

Field Day Festival @ Baltimore Peninsula
📅 Saturday, August 16 | 1PM
📍 Baltimore Peninsula, Baltimore
Outdoor festival energy by the water—games, vendors, and live sets.

Baltimore Toy Theatre Festival
📅 Saturday, August 16 | 9AM
📍 LeMondo (406 N. Howard St) & Current Space (421 N. Howard St & 421 Tyson St for the evening cabaret), Baltimore
Day‑long celebration of miniature theatre—morning workshops (in-person & virtual), family‑friendly performances at 1 PM & 3 PM across both venues, and an evening Puppet Cabaret at 6 PM in Current Space’s courtyard

Summer Scavenger Hunt (Harbor East)
📅 Sunday, August 17 | 12-4PM
📍 800 Block of Aliceanna Street, Baltimore
Second annual scavenger hunt with $25–$50 gift cards hidden in local retailers and restaurants, complimentary snoballs by Ice Queens, plus shopping specials. RSVP for free parking.

Music & Entertainment

Hot Country Nights: Parmalee @ Power Plant Live!
📅 Friday, August 15 | 7PM
📍 34 Market Pl, Baltimore
Chart-topping country hits outside in the courtyard—high-energy set downtown.

“Sax in the City” @ Keystone Korner
📅 Friday, August 15 | 7-8:30PM
📍 1350 Lancaster St, Baltimore
Billboard-charting sax stars Philip “Doc” Martin & Dee Lucas bring smooth jazz to Harbor East.

The Baltimore Irish Music School presents Nathan Gourley and Laura Feddersen
📅 Sunday, August 17 | 6PM
📍 An Die Musik, 409 N. Charles Street, Baltimore
Two Boston-based fiddlers delivering tight twin-fiddle Irish traditional music—unison, harmonies, syncopated flair. In-person seats are $20 (students $10)

Date Spot Of The Week

Mobtown Ballroom & Café (Station North)

📍30 W North Ave, Baltimore

Mobtown Ballroom & Café isn’t your standard date-night dinner—it’s a full-blown experience. Set in a restored 1870s church in Pigtown, it mixes cozy café vibes with the energy of a dance hall. Think mismatched tables, vintage charm, and a stage that comes alive with live music, swing, salsa, and blues.

For a date-night flow, grab a coffee, glass of wine, or craft beer at the café before stepping onto the dance floor for one of their beginner-friendly lessons (no partner needed). Then stick around as the night shifts into open dancing with a live band or DJ—dim lights, great music, and plenty of room to move.

It’s not fancy, but it’s unforgettable—playful, intimate, and guaranteed to get you laughing together. You’ll leave with sore feet, happy faces, and a story worth telling.

Charm City Bulletin

Want to spread the good word about your business to 7,300+ locals? I’d love to feature you in the Charm City Bulletin. Shoot me an email or click the button below to learn more.

Bayside Asphalt | Serving Glen Burnie & Central Maryland
From driveways to parking lots, Bayside Asphalt delivers expert paving, sealcoating, and repairs with fast turnaround and honest pricing. Fully insured, family-run, and trusted by homeowners and businesses alike. Click here to request a free estimate or call 443-699-5179.

🍊 Craft Crushes - Maryland’s #1 Cocktail (My personal favorite, too!)
Made right in Baltimore by Maryland hands. Craft Crushes delivers all-natural, gluten-free “Crush” cocktails in a can—6% ABV, only 200 cals, vodka distilled 6x. Perfect for beach days, BBQs, or chilling on the stoop. Available at local liquor stores—check the site for locations! craftcrushes.com

Bite of Baltimore | Guided Food Tours (Local Favorite!)
Taste your way through Charm City with Bite of Baltimore’s award-winning food tours. Explore historic neighborhoods like Fells Point while enjoying dishes from some of the city’s best local restaurants. Perfect for locals, visitors, and group outings. Book your tour now and discover a side of Baltimore you can actually taste. Click here to reserve your spot. (Use code: SHOPSMALL for 10% off)

Real Estate Corner, Brought to You By…

Each week, this spot could connect you with a trusted local realtor—someone who knows the market, shares insights, and keeps you in the loop on what’s happening in our neighborhoods. If you’re a realtor (or know one) who’d be a good fit, email me here to learn more.

Local News & Happenings

New Restaurants Coming to Harborplace Despite Demolition Plans
A new state law is allowing restaurants to open at Harborplace even as the pavilions await demolition. Supano’s Steakhouse is already operating, and Angeli’s Pizzeria is set to open this weekend under short-term liquor licenses valid until 2030.
🔗 Read more

Raffy’s on 36th Opens in Hampden
A new pizza spot has taken over the former Arthouse space in Hampden, offering wood-fired pies like Spicy Blueberry & Brie and Primavera, along with smashed artichokes, Italian sandwiches, and other shareables.
🔗 Read more

Michael Phelps Teaches Ravens How to Swim
Olympic legend Michael Phelps hit the pool with members of the Baltimore Ravens, giving them tips on swimming technique and water safety. The training was part team-building, part fitness, and all bragging rights for the players who got coached by the GOAT himself.
🔗 Read more

Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce Shuts Down After Nearly 60 Years
The Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce has ceased operations as of August 8, 2025, citing post‑COVID financial strain and declining memberships (from over 400 in the 2010s to fewer than 200 now). Current members are being transitioned to the Greater Baltimore Chamber, as well as local counterparts like the Towson Chamber and Hunt Valley Business Forum.
🔗 Read more

Thanks for reading Eating Baltimore today. If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, share it with someone who saw Michael Jordan at the White Marlin Open this weekend.

Have a great weekend!

Matt | Eating Baltimore

Eating Baltimore Quick Links