The best way to beat the midwinter blues? Take a road trip to the charm city for a sensory stimulation to carry you through until spring. A quick day trip yielded towering dinosaurs, a glam version of Icarus soaring through the heavens, and a fanciful confectionary creation that left us hungry for more. First stop, the Maryland Science Center with its dinosaur hall, hands-on kinetic Newton’s Alley room, and gross-out body exhibits including the guess-that-sound display. Of course we had to try out the bed of nail as well as get our goggles and lab coats on for the WetLab experiments. Truly interactive, with a “please touch” ethos, the Science Center inspires wonder in the small set and engages otherwise jaded teens. The grown-ups got their giggle on as well, engaging the laws of physics through play.
Next stop, the nearby American Visionary Art Museum, is a “wow” at first sight with its tiled mirrored exterior, towering kinetic sculptures, and whimsical appendages including a bird’s nest, pointing hand, and sparkle tree. Inside, the exhibits are a mix of playful inventiveness and touching expressions of creative souls. The untrained artists on display evoke wonder and whimsy. Housed in the annex, the hands-on kinetic exhibits are the most kid-friendly of the displays. The outdoor sculpture exhibit with its spectacular tree fort is a favorite.
A late lunch at Mr. Rain’s Fun House on the third floor of the museum made for a spectacular and memorable conclusion to the visit. The restaurant carries the fun and funky vibe of the museum through its decor and menu, featuring 1950s era American classic comfort foods punched up with an internationally-influnced twist. Entrees are colorful and inventive, but it was the dessert that made a lasting impression.
The Cotton Candy Baked Alaska is alone worth the trip. This mid-century American classic turns into a festive volcano of pink and blue cotton candy flavored ice cream and meringue, with a lava explosion of cotton candy flowing down the sides.
A stroll through the Inner Harbor is a necessity of every Baltimore trip, and walking off lunch makes room for a second treat at the amazing Pitango Gelato with its clean, classic flavors crafted from grass-fed organic milk. Our favorite midwinter splurge? The unbelievably decadent hot chocolate. Pure liquid indulgence.
Satiated in mind and body, we’re fortified to weather the rest winter plans to dish up.