Maryland’s largest and most diverse city, Baltimore, has much to offer your future tenants. Known for its beautiful waterfront harbor, shops that resemble historical times, and restaurants that can satisfy even the trendiest of people, this is the city to be in.
Baltimore offers an abundance of special events and activities all throughout the year. Known as “Charm City” to all that reside there, this city is full of modern technology and medical facilities, culture and art, historical monuments, museums, nature activities; you name it, it’s there. There really is something for everyone.
The trick is however, knowing where to go and what to do without breaking the bank.
Here are a list of 14 great things that your tenants can do while renting your Baltimore County home that are absolutely free. This makes for happy tenants and timely rent payments.
Top Free Attractions for Baltimore Tenants
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Museum of Art – Home to the most significant collection of Henri Matisse works in the world, this museum will wow all art lovers. Featuring gardens, fountains, and sculptures, this museum is far from the room to room tour you are used to. Check out their Sunday family activities that include hands-on workshops, interactive tours, and so much more!
- Preakness – This annual horse race held at Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland is a true fan favorite. Held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, Preakness is the second race of the Triple Crown. Although this event is not free to attend, there is an awesome pre-race activity you and the family can enjoy that will give you a glimpse into what Preakness is all about:
Sunrise at Old Hilltop – Take this 20 minute walking tour at the break of dawn to see just what goes on before a race as important as Preakness. Enjoy the beautiful sunrise in the grandstands and then take a guided tour of the stable area where all the horses and trainers prep for racetime.
- Cylburn Arboretum – Focusing on the beauty and education Maryland’s environment has to offer, this association provides access to acres of greenspace, tree collections, historical buildings, a Nature Museum, and much more.
- Power Plant Fridays – Just one block away from the World Famous Downtown Inner Harbor, this entertainment hub offers residents the chance to join some of the 3 million annual visitors that come here for the free entertainment. Enjoy a day out with the family or a night out on the town with live music, dancing, and a whole lot of fun (note that there’s usually a cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights, however).
- Urban Pirate Story Time – Perfect for your little pirates, Urban Pirates offers a weekly adventure story that includes singing and dancing, all on a real pirate ship. This must see (and free on Saturdays at 9am) activity is a surefire way to encourage your children to read and keep them occupied while having fun.
- The Baltimore Basilica – Baltimore is home to America’s very first cathedral, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Open to the public with open arms, Baltimore residents and tourists alike are invited to check out this historical landmark that is rooted deep within American history.
- 4th of July Celebration – Live music and a celebration of our country’s independence through fireworks doesn’t get much better than this. Join the rest of Baltimore in the heart of town to see the firework display on the 4th of July. Enjoy a summer event that’s unmatched anywhere on the East Coast.
- African American Festival – Home to a number of historic African Americans including Thurgood Marshall, Frederick Douglass, Isaac Myers, and Billie Holiday, Baltimore embraces and celebrates life, music, and culture through entertainment and empowerment in what is deemed the East Coast’s largest cultural festival.
- Federal Hill Park – Deemed one of Baltimore’s signature landmarks, Federal Hill presents some of the best views of the city. During the War of 1812 and the famed Civil War, this particular place also held well as a military outpost in large thanks to its panoramic views of the city. Here you can check out the monuments, have a picnic, or even take your kids to the playground for fun.
Federal Hill Park – Deemed one of Baltimore’s signature landmarks, Federal Hill presents some of the best views of the city. During the War of 1812 and the famed Civil War, this particular place also held well as a military outpost in large thanks to its panoramic views of the city. Here you can check out the monuments, have a picnic, or even take your kids to the playground for fun.- Ship Tours – Baltimore was once the second leading port of entry for European immigrants. It also served as a major shipbuilding and supply-shipping center during both World War I and II. It would make sense then to take a tour of some of the most historic naval warships from around the world that dock at Baltimore’s port. Having hosted over 600 ships, Sail Baltimore is an educational and exciting place to take the entire family.
- Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race – If you are looking for something kind of funky to do while residing in Baltimore City, the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race will be hard to beat out in terms of “funkiness”. Watch as people race their human powered pieces of artwork near the shore of Baltimore’s Harbor. This race covers 14 miles and lasts a whopping 8 hours so you are sure to see it all throughout the day.
- Artscape – Known for being America’s largest free arts festival, there is something for everyone in the three days Artscape is put on for Baltimore residents and tourists. Featuring hundreds of artists, fashion designers, and craftspeople, Artscape includes art in all shapes and sizes, street entertainment, live concerts, and so much more. This is a must do for any tenants living in the Baltimore area.
- Films on the Pier – You can enjoy a night of free films on the Broadway Pier during the warm summer months in Baltimore. Boasting architectural design to meet the needs of locals, Fell’s Point provides much more than just a free weekly film for you and your family. Shops, dining, and even places to have a staycation add to the appeal of this popular local hotspot.
- Poe’s Memorial Grave – Edgar Allan Poe, an American author, poet, editor, and literary critic, was a part of what became known as the Romantic Movement in the United States of America. Macabre and mystery were his go to styles of writing. Poe effectively captivated readers from all over the world with his literature and influenced other authors for decades. Here, Baltimore residents can see where Poe’s final resting place is and pay tribute to one of the most influential authors in American history.
Final Thoughts
Offering activities such as the ones mentioned above (and trust me, there is so much more to do!), will entice almost anyone to want to settle down in your Baltimore rental property.
That said, there is so much more to acquiring quality tenants in your Baltimore rental home. Of course, having a solid property management group to draft legal lease agreements, help maintain your property, deal with tenant issues, and guide you in how to be the most successful landlord possible is important. Yet, maybe taking that extra step and providing you tenant with a list such as the one above will make for better landlord/tenant relationships thus lowering your turnover rate and putting that extra cash in your pocket.
Did we miss anything? Let us know your favorite free activities and locations around Baltimore!
