Hampden
Hampden is for sure a quirky neighborhood north of the Inner Harbor. It centers around The Avenue, or 36th street, with lots of shops and restaurants. It is known for the Miracle on 34th street where one block of row homes goes all out with their Christmas decorations and is a sight you must see!
What to Do
Union Collective
Union Collective is an old Sears warehouse in Hampden currently filled with Baltimore-based businesses including Union Craft Brewing and The Wine Collective.
Miracle on 34th Street
Christmas lights on the 700 block of 34th Street in Hampden have brightened our holidays since the 1980s. Each house has its own theme and passion for the season.
Cylburn Arboretum
My 96 year-old grandmother used to live on the grounds of the Cylburn Arboretum. We called her when we visited the mansion and she told us her story when she lived there: Her father was one of the groundskeepers, and she lived in a duplex on the grounds "down in the valley." They lived there during the depression, and she remembers that the cook in the mansion saved them food so they could eat. She also told us a story of when she and her sister (who was deaf) took the streetcar to 36th street in Hampden to go to the movies. Below are some pictures she saved, one of which is a drawing from a family friend. A few years ago, my aunt and grandmother found the remnants of the house in the woods, but there were too many leaves for us to explore it this time.
Whitehall Mill
Whitehall Mill was built in 1798. It is home to really cute shops and places to eat inside the market.
Rawlings Conservatory
Rawlings Conservatory opened in 1888. It is located close to the MD Zoo. We did not get to go inside due to the pandemic at the time, but the gardens were beautiful to walk around.
The Greenhouse
The Greenhouse, a plant, floral, and design studio, shares a space with Good Neighbor (see below in Where to Eat). You can grab a cup of coffee at Good Neighbor and relax next door in this beautiful retreat maintained by the owners of The Greenhouse.
Where to Eat
Waverly Brewing Company
Waverly Brewing Company is our favorite spot for beers in town. They have a good selection, and a few of which are sours - our favorites!
Gypsy's Truckstaurant
We ate at Gypsy’s Truckstaurant, which was a recommendation from one of my coworkers. We loved the espresso martini. Their menu has a wide-range of options and has bold flavors from around the world.
The Food Market
The Food Market is along The Avenue in Hampden and has really good food and drinks.
Quality Snowballs
The snowballs are unreal at Quality Snowballs. You must go here!
Good Neighbor
Good Neighbor is a café and housewares shop off of Falls Road about a block away from Hampden's Avenue. Along with food and drinks, it sells high-end kitchen accessories and has a luxurious book-nook area.
The Charmery
My all-time favorite place to get ice cream is at The Charmery in Hampden!