Embrace your fun side at one of Baltimore ’ s playful spaces — whether an arcade bar , an escape room or a bowling alley .
W eekends as a kid meant hours spent playing and it can be hard to cling to that carefree spirit as an adult , but Charm City ’ s indoor recreational and gaming spaces invite you to unleash your inner child . Here ’ s how to spend a playful weekend in Baltimore , from bowling and bocce to board games and pinball machines .
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LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Located a block away from the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon , Hotel Revival is the perfect place to begin a playful weekend in Charm City . With its colorful local art and lush couches , the space feels inviting from the start . Each of the hotel ’ s 107 rooms exudes both playfulness and opulence by combining local art with luxe linens and rich , warm decor . On the lower level , you ’ ll find a few whimsical touches , including three karaoke bars available for rent and a jukebox with a secret : In the evenings , insert a gold coin into it and press a button to reveal the hotel ’ s speakeasy , B-Side Cocktails . To start your day of adventure , grab a sandwich or smoothie at the ‘ Dashery , the hotel ’ s coffee shop .
Then , head downtown to tackle an escape room at Charm City Clue Room . You ’ ll have four themes to choose from , but we recommend the USS Constellation room . In this mystery , you ’ ll have 60 minutes to solve clues and help the historic vessel find the right path to recover a disabled ship . Afterward , you can pass by the Inner Harbor to see the real USS Constellation , the only surviving ship from the Civil War period .
Spend your afternoon at Mustang Alley ’ s , an upscale bowling alley and bistro that combines a favorite
USS CONSTELLATION , INNER HARBOR
pastime with a chef-inspired menu and elevated beverage options . Grab one of the 12 lanes — four are duckpin , a type of bowling that originated in Baltimore in which the balls and pins are shorter and lighter , and eight are ten-pin . Ask for a local craft beer from Union , Heavy Seas , Diamondback or Brewer ’ s Art , paired with an appetizer or two . Your server will take your order at the lane .
End your day with dinner at La Scala , a mainstay in Little Italy that also houses an indoor bocce court . To start a game , one person throws the pallino , a small ball , onto the court . Players then take turns throwing bocce balls , trying to get as close as possible to the pallino . Order one of La Scala ’ s homemade pastas , such as the squid ink with shrimp and scallops , then grab a turn on the court , which is also available to rent , while you wait for your meal .
JUSTIN TSUCALAS
LEFT : HOLY FRIJOLES , HAMPDEN
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