Enchanting Holidays at Baltimore's Druid Hill Park

The holiday season is upon us, and every corner of Baltimore is alive with twinkling lights, joyous festivities and holiday cheer. In the northwest part of Charm City, one can't help but be captivated by the magical transformation of Druid Hill Park into a winter wonderland with events and activities that will bring out your inner Kris Kringle. Make time to explore this historic park's holiday attractions — from the zoo and botanical gardens to a new drive-thru light display — when you stay with us at Rachael's Dowry Bed and Breakfast this holiday season.

Spanning over 745 acres, Druid Hill Park was established in 1860, making it one of the oldest landscaped public parks in the United States. The park is an urban oasis known for its man-made reservoir, trails and gardens. It's also home to the Maryland Zoo and the H.P. Rawlings Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. During the Christmas season, the park becomes a hub of festive activities, attracting families and friends from all parts of the city and beyond.

Opened in 1888, the historical H.P. Rawlings Conservatory is one of Baltimore’s most beautiful structures. This Victorian glass conservancy features five distinct greenhouse rooms, a 1/2-acre botanical garden with many flower beds and a kaleidoscope of colors all year round. At Christmastime,  pink, red, white and speckled poinsettias take center stage at the conservatory for the Victorian Holiday Poinsettia Show for the month of December. Thousands of plants, all locally grown at Cylburn Arboretum, are beautifully displayed for show and sale, with the proceeds benefiting the work of the conservancy. Through a continued partnership with the Baltimore Society of Model Engineers, the Rawlings Conservancy is bringing back its popular train garden. This model train exhibit is even bigger, better and more delightful than last year's.

As one of the oldest zoos in the country, the Maryland Zoo has celebrated the holidays in many ways over the years. To celebrate the season this year, the zoo is hosting is new Holly-Days on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. With the regular admission, guests will be treated to fun holiday events, storytimes, crafts, photo ops, Hanukkah traditions, Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunts and, of course, the zoo’s beloved animals. It's a departure from the more recent walk-thru light displays as a way to help guests better connect with the stars of the zoo — the animals.

Another new attraction this year at Druid Hill Park is Charm City Lights. This mile-long drive-thru light extravaganza is open from Dec. 5 through Jan. 1 for an admission fee of just $10 per car. With more than 200 glowing displays and 250,000 dazzling lights, this glittering winter spectacle is sure to illuminate your heart and put you in the holiday spirit in its inaugural season.

Druid Hill Park at Christmas is a testament to the city's commitment to preserving its rich history and fostering a sense of community. Whether you come for the twinkling lights, the zoo animals or the stunning poinsettias, you'll go home from your Baltimore getaway and stay at Rachael's Dowry with  cherished memories of a magical holiday season spent in the heart of Baltimore.