Spring in Baltimore and the greater Maryland-DC area is an underrated gem. The weather finally turns from winter’s chill to mild, breezy days, flowers start blooming, and the region comes alive with festivals, baseball games, and waterfront strolls. But if you’ve ever lived here, you know that what tourists flock to in the spring isn’t always what locals actually do.

So, let’s break it down—here are some of the best spring activities in the area, whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’ve called Maryland home for years.

1. Cherry Blossoms in D.C.

What Tourists Do: Pack the National Mall, jostling for the perfect selfie under the delicate pink blooms, squeezing into the Tidal Basin among thousands of other people. Tourists from all over the world come for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a weeks-long celebration of peak bloom, complete with parades, street performances, and boat rides.

What Locals Do: Avoid it at all costs. Unless you’re new to the area, most locals only make the trek to the Tidal Basin once every five years, if that. Instead, they opt for less crowded spots to enjoy the cherry blossoms, like the National Arboretum, Kenwood in Bethesda, or even Lake Roland Park in Baltimore, where the blooms are just as beautiful—minus the shoulder-to-shoulder chaos.

2. Opening Day at Camden Yards

What Tourists Do: Come from out of town to catch an Orioles game, marveling at the stunning Camden Yards skyline, snapping photos of the B&O Warehouse, and grabbing a crab pretzel while soaking in the classic ballpark atmosphere.

What Locals Do: We go hard for Opening Day. For Baltimoreans, the Orioles’ home opener is practically a city-wide holiday. Fans take off work, flood Pickles Pub hours before the game, and celebrate baseball’s return—even if the O’s are rebuilding again. While tourists might come for a casual game in the spring, locals know Opening Day is a whole experience that starts with pre-game parties and sometimes doesn’t end until well after the 9th inning.

3. Springtime in the Inner Harbor

What Tourists Do: Take a harbor cruise, visit the National Aquarium, and check out the new waterfront attractions. Many first-time visitors stick to the well-known Inner Harbor, walking along the promenade, visiting historic ships, and enjoying the waterfront views.

What Locals Do: Locals tend to skip the touristy spots and instead head to Fell’s Point or Canton Waterfront Park to enjoy a drink by the water without the crowds. Some opt for a more laid-back day at Patterson Park, where the cherry blossoms are just as stunning as DC’s, but you don’t have to elbow your way through a crowd to enjoy them.

4. Hiking & Outdoors Adventures

What Tourists Do: Drive out to Great Falls on the Maryland-Virginia border, only to realize that finding parking is its own endurance challenge. They also hit up Billy Goat Trail, a beautiful but often packed hiking spot with gorgeous river views.

What Locals Do: Skip the tourist traps and head to Gunpowder Falls, Patapsco Valley State Park, or Loch Raven Reservoir, where the trails are just as scenic, but you actually get to enjoy the sounds of nature instead of someone’s Bluetooth speaker. Bonus: no aggressive parking lot showdowns.

5. Flower Festivals & Gardens

What Tourists Do: Make the pilgrimage to the U.S. National Arboretum or Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, both stunning spots but packed with visitors during peak bloom.

What Locals Do: Visit Sherwood Gardens in Baltimore, a hidden gem that explodes with tulips in the spring. It’s a much quieter, more intimate setting than the heavily-trafficked botanical gardens, making it a favorite for locals looking for a scenic afternoon without the tourist rush.

6. Weekend Getaways to the Eastern Shore

What Tourists Do: Head to Ocean City as soon as the temperature hits 65 degrees, only to realize that spring in OC is still freezing. They also drive down to Assateague Island to see the wild ponies, which, admittedly, is worth it if you time it right.

What Locals Do: Drive to St. Michaels or Oxford, two charming waterfront towns with incredible seafood, boutique shopping, and a fraction of the crowds. Some locals even head to Annapolis for a waterfront lunch at Cantler’s or Blackwall Hitch, enjoying fresh crabs before the full summer rush begins.

7. Spring Festivals & Events

What Tourists Do: Attend the Preakness Stakes, not realizing that most Baltimore locals don’t actually go to the race—they go to the InfieldFest, which is basically a giant music festival where people wear outrageous outfits and sometimes never even see a horse.

What Locals Do: Enjoy local festivals like the FlowerMart in Mount Vernon, the Maryland Film Festival, or Wine in the Woods in Columbia. These spring events draw Marylanders looking for a fun day out without having to explain Natty Boh to someone from out of town.

Baltimore in the Spring: A City for Everyone

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong local, Baltimore and the surrounding region have something for everyone in the spring. Tourists may gravitate toward the big attractions, but locals know the hidden gems that make this time of year extra special.

At the end of the day, whether you’re dodging cherry blossom crowds or sipping a Boh by the harbor, spring in Baltimore is something to celebrate. Just make sure you know where the locals actually go. 😉

What’s your favorite spring tradition in Baltimore? Let us know in the comments!