Posts about 520 Park Apartments in Mount Vernon

How To Clean Your Home After an Illness

While the idea of having to sanitize your entire home can be overwhelming, doing so after an illness can keep germs from spreading. Follow this guide to get your home back in shape after someone in your household has been sick. Clean and Disinfect When your household is healthy, simply wiping down surfaces with soapy water is a fine way to get rid of some germs and make things look tidy. But if someone in your home has been sick, you’ll also need to disinfect to destroy the illness-causing germs. To make sure you’ve got a product that will do the trick, look for a cleaner that specifically says “disinfectant.” You can also mix a quarter-cup of chlorine bleach with a gallon of hot water. In fact, the CDC recommends bleach to kill the stomach bug-causing norovirus on surfaces. If bleach will damage your surface , look for “phenolic solution” on the label of a concentrated disinfectant. Flu viruses can also be killed with hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners . Microwave Your Sponge Before You Start Because they’re often moist, your kitchen and bathroom sponges are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. If someone’s sick, try cleaning with a microfiber cloth instead . If you really want to clean with a sponge, wet it and put it in the microwave for 2 minutes first . Doing so will kill 99.9% of the germs. Whether you choose a cloth or a sponge, be careful not to bring germs from one room to another on dirty cleaning tools. Use a different color for each room to keep them straight. Wear Gloves and Wash Your Hands Disposable rubber, vinyl, or latex gloves can help prevent the spread of germs while you clean while also protecting your skin from harsh products . When someone in your home is sick, toss the gloves when you're done so you don’t spread disease. Even if you’ve worn gloves the entire time you cleaned, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands when you’ve finished . Start in The Bathroom When your household is sick, your bathroom becomes even more of a germ hot spot. After a bug hits, disinfect this room with a mix of bleach and hot water. Don’t forget the toilet lever, shower faucets, cabinet handles, doorknobs, and light switches. While you’re in the bathroom, make sure to replace your toothbrushes after an illness . Disinfect The Kitchen Even when you’re healthy, the kitchen is the germiest place in your house , so it’s important to pay very special care to meal prep areas after someone in your home has been sick. Disinfect all the things you touch, like the refrigerator handle and inside drawers, coffeepot, microwave, faucets, and stove knobs. Wash dishes and utensils in 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of hot water. If you’re the one who’s ill, don’t cook until you haven’t had any symptoms for 48 hours . Reset The Bedrooms Wash dirty clothes, soiled linens, or stuffed toys right away with nonchlorine bleach in the hottest water possible, and dry on the hottest setting. Disinfect nightstands, bedposts, and changing tables, and look for things that could be germy. Wash pacifiers and hard toys in the dishwasher . Clean The Family Room When cleaning your living room or family room after an illness, don’t forget the sneaky hot spots like remote controls, computer keypads, doorknobs, light switches etc. Steam clean rugs and upholstery at 170 F for 5 minutes or 212 F for 1 minute to kill the stomach bug norovirus. Don’t Forget the Electronics To prevent damaging your electronics, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, but don’t neglect these germy hotspots! When a bug strikes your home, it can live on your surfaces for as days or even weeks! Following the steps above will destroy these left-behind germs and keep sickness from spreading.

10 Places in Your Home You're Forgetting to Clean

You’ve cleaned the windows and changed the linens. You’re in full spring-cleaning mode and your home is feeling fresher than ever. But is it really? We’ve curated a list of the spots in your home that are most often left off the spring-cleaning list. So put on your favorite playlist and open the windows! It’s time to get cleaning! 1. Washing Machine It seems like the washing machine should always be clean, doesn’t it? But over time it can gather build-up and cause your clothes to smell not-so-fresh. Every washing machine is different, so make sure to find the cleaning method that’s best for yours. For most washing machines, you can use a mix of white vinegar with baking soda on the machine’s hottest cycle. Always remember: to keep your washing machine fresh and clean longer, leave the lid or door open between uses! 2. Dishwasher Yet another appliance that seems it should stay permanently clean, your dishwasher can accumulate hard-water deposits, soap scum and clogged food debris. To clean out your dishwasher, run a cycle on hot with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack. 3. Under Your Appliances Those large appliances aren’t easy to move, which is why the areas behind and beneath them is so often overlooked. However, taking the time to properly clean under your appliances can help prevent pest and allergies . 4. Ceiling Fans Overtime, the blades of your ceiling fans collect a layer of dust (especially the ones in your bedrooms). To prevent that dust from falling onto tabletops, mattresses, and other surfaces, put an old pillowcase over the fan blade to wipe the dust off and into the pillowcase. This method is quick, easy, and mess-free! Repeat this process for every fan blade. Once most of the dust has been knocked off with the pillowcase, you might prefer to then go back over each blade with an all-purpose cleaner . 5. Shower Curtains Liners Plastic shower curtain lines can collect mildew, dirt, and soap scum. Instead of tossing a dirty liner in the trash and buying a new one, try combining it with a batch of towels, laundry detergent and baking soda . 6. Trash Cans Your trash can is host to hundreds of bacteria per square inch . Not to mention, it likely omits an unpleasant odor despite how often you replace the trash bag. Make sure to scrub and deodorize those trash cans as part of your spring-cleaning checklist! 7. Coffeemaker You may clean your coffee pot regularly, but what about the coffeemaker itself? To really give your coffeemaker a super deep clean, run a cycle of equal parts white vinegar and water through it. Then run another cycle with water only to eliminate any lingering vinegar. It might not be the most pleasant smell, but this process will also help decalcify the machine and keep your coffee tasting its best. 8. Door Frames & Baseboards The tops of your door frames can collect a lot of dust, and because the area is out of sight, many of us neglect to clean it. Your baseboards are another spot that often goes unnoticed. They might look perfectly fine from afar, but up close you’ll notice a different story. One of dust, scuff marks and grime. Make sure to give these areas some TLC when you’re doing your spring cleaning. Listen, if you are going to someone's house for Thanksgiving, compliment their baseboards. That is what they are spending today cleaning. — Simon Holland (@simoncholland) November 20, 2017 9. Curtains Most curtains are machine-washable and dryer-friendly, but double check yours just in case. Throughout the year, things like dust, pollen, and cat fur (it must be nice to sit in a sunny window all day) will build up on your curtains. Give them a good vacuum and then toss them in the wash! 10. Throw Pillows You likely wash your pillowcases and sheets as part of your regular cleaning routine, but how often do those throw pillows get washed? Just like any other linen in your home, throw pillows can collect dust, dirt, food, and dead skin. Vacuum up the dust or dander with a handheld vacuum and spot clean any stains. Some throw pillows are machine washable , so check to see the best care for yours! We hope this will help you get the nooks and crannies of your home extra clean and fresh for the spring!

5 Cleaning YouTubers You Should Be Watching

Spring Cleaning season is almost upon us and while the annual practice is known to have plenty of health and psychological benefits , sometimes the motivation to throw open the windows and give the home a good scrub just isn’t there. Enter the cleaning inspiration channels on YouTube! There are thousands of YouTubers who dedicate their time and energy to creating fresh cleaning and organization content for viewers just like you. If you are struggling to find the motivation to clean your home, here are five of our favorite YouTubers who can help! Love Meg Megan is a 29-year-old stay-at-home mom from Savannah, Georgia who makes videos about motherhood, organization, decluttering, lifestyle and more. Megan posts videos to her channel – Love Meg - several days a week. For some serious motivation, check out her Ultimate Cleaning Motivation playlist , which has over 280 videos to inspire you to tackle every task on your cleaning to-do list. Brianna K Brianna is stay-at-home mom of three currently living in Hawaii. In addition to cleaning motivation, she also shares videos about pregnancy, homemaking, decorating, and more. Brianna posts to her channel – Brianna K – every Monday. If you’re unsure where to start with your spring cleaning, check out her 2021 Extreme Spring Cleaning Series playlist! This Crazy Life Amanda is a stay-at-home mom who shares videos about cleaning, affordable room makeovers, cooking and more on her channel This Crazy Life. If a major decluttering is on your spring cleaning, checklist, check out her Whole House Declutter With Me 2021 playlist. Carissa Cleans It All For some serious cleaning motivation, room makeover inspiration, expert organization tips and more, look no further than Carissa Cleans It All. Carissa is also expecting baby number three, so there is plenty of baby and pregnancy-related content if that is something that interests you! Candis Halligan Candis is a military spouse and mom of two boys who shares lifestyle, cleaning motivation, organization, and home decor tips on her channel. Check out her Cleaning and Organization playlist for more than 90 videos ranging from cleaning routines for working moms to speed cleaning routines. Do you like to watch cleaning motivation content on YouTube? Who are your favorite YouTubers to watch? Let us know in the comments!

How to Create a Vision Board for 2022

Did you know that January 8 th is National Vision Board Day? What is a vison board, you ask? A vision board is essentially a physical ( or digital ) manifestation of your goals. For example, a collage of images and words. It can include cut-out pictures from magazines, inspirational quotes, timelines etc. Since 2015, the second Saturday in January has been designated as Vision Board Day and encourages us to set our goals in a visual way, so get out the sticky notes, markers, and inspiration and start plotting your goals for the new year! What You’ll Need Creating a vision board should be a personal and customizable activity, so there aren’t exactly any rules. That said, here are some basic supplies you might want to start with: A board for your base Scissors Something to secure items to your base – be it push pins, tape, etc. Images or objects that resonate with you and your goal Stickers, markers, or any other “extras” How to Create Your Board Get clear on your intention. Start by asking yourself, what do I want the year 2022 to bring me? It can be a physical thing like a house or a personality trait like positivity, etc. Beg arranging and rearranging your board with the images you gathered. Move things around until you feel inspired when you look at it. Find a place for it. Once you're pleased with the final product, find a place to put your board where it can provide daily inspiration. How to Use Your Vision Board To get the full benefit from your vision board, it’s important for you to place it somewhere you can see it every day. Creating a sacred space that displays what you want does bring it to life. What we focus on expands. When you create a vision board and place it in a space where you see it often, you essentially end up doing short visualization exercises throughout the day! What are you manifesting for yourself in 2022? Let us know if the comments!

11 Festive Holiday Events in Baltimore

Baltimore really turns on the charm during the holiday season. Whether you’re looking to lace up your ice skates, take in a gorgeous light display, or do some holiday shopping, the city has a holiday event for you! We’ve rounded up 11 of the best holiday events Baltimore has to offer! Due to COVID-19, events and attractions may not be operating as normal. Make sure to double check hours and operating procedures before you attend an event! Light Up the Night - Chanukah Downtown B’nai Israel is launching Light Up the Night Chanukah menorah lightings this year to help bring Chanukah to downtown Baltimore. Stops on the Light Up the Night Chanukah menorah trail are to include lightings December 1 st through 3 rd ! YJP Drinks & Dreidels Chabad of Downtown’s Young Jewish Professionals group will host a Chanukah party at Bond Street Social December 2 nd from 7:00pm – 10:00pm. The event will include a menorah lighting, hors d’oeuvres, gourmet latkes and donuts, a premium open car, and a cash bar. 50 th Annual Monument Lighting Photo: @DowntownBaltimore 2021 marks the 50 th anniversary of the Baltimore tradition of illuminating the historic Washington Monument in Mount Vernon Place! This year’s lighting will take place December 2 nd from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The night will include caroling, food and good cheer. Fireworks cap the evening marking the official start of the holiday season. Make sure to stop by WPM Real Estate Management’s table at the Holiday Makers Market to warm up and enter to win exciting prizes! The 48th Annual Mayor's Christmas Parade Photo: Gerard Buckleman The 48th Annual Mayor’s Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, December 5th, 2021, at 1:00pm. The parade will feature giant balloons, marching bands, Santa, local media celebrities and elected officials, Miss Yuletide and more! Miracle on 34 th Street Photo: @Miracleon34thSt No list of Baltimore holiday events would be complete without Hampden’s “ Miracle on 34th Street .” Every year starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving and ending New Year’s Day, residents of the 700 block of 24 th Street between Chestnut Avenue and Keswick Road put on a vibrant display of holiday lights and decorations for all to enjoy. Visit between 6:00pm and 10:00pm for your best chance to see all the lights on at the same time. Check out these FAQs before you go! Christmas Village Photo: @bmorechristmas Christmas Village in Baltimore is an indoor/outdoor holiday market at West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor, modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany. Visit the market through Christmas Eve to enjoy traditional European refreshments while you shop for a large variety of international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and more! Plus, make sure to take a ride on the Christmas Village carousel and Ferris wheel while you’re there! Inner Harbor Ice Rink Photo: @WaterfrontPartnership Located at the top of the Amphitheater – 201 E Pratt Street - The Inner Harbor Ice Rink season runs until January 17, 2022. Enjoy some beautiful harbor views while you skate, then grab a seasonal treat from Harborplace ! The Polar Express ™ Train Ride Photo: @BandORailroadMuseum Don your pajamas and climb aboard The B&O Railroad Museum’s Polar Express select dates December 2 - 12! During this immersive live performance, the conductor will punch your golden tickets, the chefs will dance and sing, the hobo will offer his special brand of wisdom, and The Polar Express will be read aloud for all passengers. When the train arrives at the North Pole, you’ll enjoy Santa’s Winter Village with crafts for kids, an array of model railroad layouts, opportunities for photos with Santa, and more! Zoo Lights Photo: @MarylandZoo Visit The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore through January 2 nd to enjoy this festival of lights shaped like wildlife! Visit the Zoo after hours to enjoy the lighting installation from the warmth & comfort of your own car . While on the lookout for your favorite animal shapes, you’ll be dazzled by over 100k LED lights that highlight some favorites from the Zoo. If you prefer to hoof it, you can also travel the course by foot and visit Zoo Central for snacks, hot chocolate, and free train & carousel rides. Candy Lane Photo: @DowntownBaltimore Candy Lane is a larger-than-life candy-themed experience with installations, thousands of lights, and seasonal entertainment. Be awed by the 24-foot-tall ice cream cones and candy forests while strolling the paths of Center Plaza and experiencing Downtown in a sweet, new way. Plus, enjoy vendors such as Deddle’s Mini Donuts, Flash Crabcakes Co., Lattimore’s Funnel Cakes and more! Candy Lane is open each Wednesday through Sunday through December 23 rd . In addition, a Not So Silent Night soirée will take place at Candy Lane on December 16 from 7:00pm – 11:00pm. This 21+ holiday party will include an open bar, sugary treats, and a dance party in the middle of Candy Lane. Themed outfits are encouraged! Winter Village by Four Seasons Photo: @FourSeasonsHotelBaltimore Four Season Hotel Baltimore's seasonal Winter Village has returned to the hotel's outdoor terrace! Visit the rooftop terrace Fridays through Sundays until January 30 th to enjoy a winter wonderland complete with an 1,800 sq. foot synthetic skating rink, all new cabanas with sleek fire pits for rent, festive food, and beverage, and so much more.

A Book Lover's Guide to Baltimore

Once upon a time…before Baltimore adopted the motto of “Greatest City in America”, benches across the city were etched with another maxim - “Baltimore: The City That Reads.” Packed with offbeat bookstores and storybook libraries and having been home to many famous poets and authors over the years, Baltimore surely is the perfect destination for any bookworm. Heck, we even named our NFL team after a famous poem! Whether you’re a Baltimore native or a bibliophile visiting for the weekend, here are the can’t-miss literary hot spots to discover in Charm City. The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum Photo Credit: 2021 Poe Baltimore Edgar Allan Poe once lived at this house with his aunt, grandmother and two cousins. It has been very well preserved from its original state, so you can walk on the same floors and wander within the original walls that Poe once did! Among other significant artifacts, visitors to the Poe House can see the writing desk and chair where their famous poet created some of his earliest works . The annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards is also held across the street from the Poe House. The free event, which coincides each year with Poe’s death day, features Poe-themed performances, art, vendors, and food. Westminster Hall & Burying Ground Photo Credit: AndrewHorne, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Westminster Hall is an architectural landmark . The imposing brick church was built in the early 1850s. Among the historical figures buried here are famed poet Edgar Allan Poe and his wife and mother-in-law. It’s Poe’s final resting place in this cemetery which the mysterious masked figure – known only as the Poe Toaster – paid a yearly tribute to the famous writer. The tributer ( whose identity is still unknown ) would visit Poe’s grave each year on the anniversary of his death – and leave 3 roses and a bottle of cognac. Emmanuel Episcopal Church Photo Credit: @emmanueldowntown The first woman in history to receive a Pulitzer Prize for poetry , Edna St. Vincent Millay, frequently read during meetings of the Maryland Poetry Society at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon. Millay’s readings at Emmanuel Episcopal Church were no doubt riveting. Millay was known for her progressive political stances, frank portrayal of both hetero and homosexuality, and, above all, her embodiment and description of new kinds of female experience and expression. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s House Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun The last place famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald lived with his wife Zelda was at this Bolton Hill house . The Fitzgeralds’ time in Baltimore was a tumultuous one. Zelda spent her weekdays hospitalized at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital for mental illness. Fitzgerald himself struggled with alcoholism and debt during his time in Baltimore. Nonetheless, Fitzgerald once wrote “I love Baltimore more than I thought— it is so rich with memories— it is nice to look up the street and see the statue of my great uncle ( sic) and to know that Poe is buried here and that many ancestors have walked in the old town by the bay. I belong here, where everything is civilized and gay and rotted and polite. And I wouldn’t mind a bit if in a few years Zelda and I could snuggle up together under a stone in some old graveyard here. That is really a happy thought and not melancholy at all.” While living in the home on Park Avenue, Fitzgerald published his last novel - Tender Is the Night . Although the house is not open to the public, you can see a blue historical designation on the outside of the rowhome. The Fitzgeralds were also laid to rest not too far away – at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville, Md. Gertrude Stein’s House Photo Credit: Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Gertrude Stein and her brother Leo lived at this house on East Biddle Street for about six years, before moving to Massachusetts for college. Life in Mount Vernon influenced much of Stein’s later work, including Ida: A Novel and the short story “Q.E.D.” H.L. Mencken House Photo Credit: @henrymenckenhouse H.L. Mencken lived in Baltimore for more than 45 years and wrote for many city publications, including “The Baltimore Sun.” He was given the nickname the “Sage of Baltimore.” He lived in this brick rowhouse with a view of Union Square from 1883 until his death in 1956. It was recently renovated to become a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works. Walters Art Museum Photo Credit: The Walters Art Museum Books come from all over the world to live at the Walters Art Museum in Mount Vernon. The museum’s extraordinary collection of rare books and manuscripts includes more than 900 illuminated manuscripts, 1,250 of the first printed books, and an important collection of post-1500 deluxe editions. First-printed editions of ancient texts by great thinkers such as Aristotle and Euclid, diaries written by Napoleon, and intricate bindings crafted by Tiffany are also among the jewels you can enjoy at this free museum. Atomic Books Photo Credit: @atomicbooks While Baltimore is f illed with charming independent bookstores, Atomic Books, where famed Baltimore native John Waters collects his fan mail , is among the ones you absolutely can’t miss. “Literary finds for mutated minds” are the slogan of this independent Hampden bookstore, which has been curating an eclectic selection of comics, books, zines, and art for more than 20 years, and features a cozy bar in the back for hosting events. Enoch Pratt Free Library Photo Credit: @theprattlibrary The main branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library takes up nearly an entire city block near Mount Vernon. An entire room at the library is dedicated to American writer H.L. Mencken, and there is also a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s letters, poetry, and photographs—and even a lock of his hair. One of the oldest free public library systems in the United States, there are 22 additional branches throughout the city and surrounding area. George Peabody Library This expansive library in Mount Vernon near the Washington Monument has been described as a “cathedral of books” and is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. The Peabody Library ‘s atrium is surrounded by six tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies. The library’s 300,000 volume collection is open for perusal by the public, and it houses an impressive amount of H.L. Mencken’s writings. However, the library is currently closed due to Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 response , so make sure you check to make sure it’s open to the public before planning a visit! Baltimore Book Festival The Inner Harbor is turned into a book-lover’s paradise during this weekend-long festival . Hundreds of author appearances, readings and book signings take place, and exhibitors and booksellers set up shop in booths along the water. There are workshops, panel discussions, live music, and concessions, as well as plenty of hands-on activities for kids.Once upon a time…before Baltimore adopted the motto of “Greatest City in America”, benches across the city were etched with another maxim - “Baltimore: The City That Reads.” Packed with offbeat bookstores and storybook libraries and having been home to many famous poets and authors over the years, Baltimore surely is the perfect destination for any bookworm. Heck, we even named our NFL team after a famous poem! Whether you’re a Baltimore native or a bibliophile visiting for the weekend, here are the can’t-miss literary hot spots to discover in Charm City. The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum Photo Credit: 2021 Poe Baltimore Edgar Allan Poe once lived at this house with his aunt, grandmother and two cousins. It has been very well preserved from its original state, so you can walk on the same floors and wander within the original walls that Poe once did! Among other significant artifacts, visitors to the Poe House can see the writing desk and chair where their famous poet created some of his earliest works . The annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards is also held across the street from the Poe House. The free event, which coincides each year with Poe’s death day, features Poe-themed performances, art, vendors, and food. Westminster Hall & Burying Ground Photo Credit: AndrewHorne, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Westminster Hall is an architectural landmark . The imposing brick church was built in the early 1850s. Among the historical figures buried here are famed poet Edgar Allan Poe and his wife and mother-in-law. It’s Poe’s final resting place in this cemetery which the mysterious masked figure – known only as the Poe Toaster – paid a yearly tribute to the famous writer. The tributer ( whose identity is still unknown ) would visit Poe’s grave each year on the anniversary of his death – and leave 3 roses and a bottle of cognac. Emmanuel Episcopal Church Photo Credit: @emmanueldowntown The first woman in history to receive a Pulitzer Prize for poetry , Edna St. Vincent Millay, frequently read during meetings of the Maryland Poetry Society at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon. Millay’s readings at Emmanuel Episcopal Church were no doubt riveting. Millay was known for her progressive political stances, frank portrayal of both hetero and homosexuality, and, above all, her embodiment and description of new kinds of female experience and expression. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s House Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun The last place famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald lived with his wife Zelda was at this Bolton Hill house . The Fitzgeralds’ time in Baltimore was a tumultuous one. Zelda spent her weekdays hospitalized at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital for mental illness. Fitzgerald himself struggled with alcoholism and debt during his time in Baltimore. Nonetheless, Fitzgerald once wrote “I love Baltimore more than I thought— it is so rich with memories— it is nice to look up the street and see the statue of my great uncle ( sic) and to know that Poe is buried here and that many ancestors have walked in the old town by the bay. I belong here, where everything is civilized and gay and rotted and polite. And I wouldn’t mind a bit if in a few years Zelda and I could snuggle up together under a stone in some old graveyard here. That is really a happy thought and not melancholy at all.” While living in the home on Park Avenue, Fitzgerald published his last novel - Tender Is the Night . Although the house is not open to the public, you can see a blue historical designation on the outside of the rowhome. The Fitzgeralds were also laid to rest not too far away – at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville, Md. Gertrude Stein’s House Photo Credit: Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Gertrude Stein and her brother Leo lived at this house on East Biddle Street for about six years, before moving to Massachusetts for college. Life in Mount Vernon influenced much of Stein’s later work, including Ida: A Novel and the short story “Q.E.D.” H.L. Mencken House Photo Credit: @henrymenckenhouse H.L. Mencken lived in Baltimore for more than 45 years and wrote for many city publications, including “The Baltimore Sun.” He was given the nickname the “Sage of Baltimore.” He lived in this brick rowhouse with a view of Union Square from 1883 until his death in 1956. It was recently renovated to become a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works. Walters Art Museum Photo Credit: The Walters Art Museum Books come from all over the world to live at the Walters Art Museum in Mount Vernon. The museum’s extraordinary collection of rare books and manuscripts includes more than 900 illuminated manuscripts, 1,250 of the first printed books, and an important collection of post-1500 deluxe editions. First-printed editions of ancient texts by great thinkers such as Aristotle and Euclid, diaries written by Napoleon, and intricate bindings crafted by Tiffany are also among the jewels you can enjoy at this free museum. Atomic Books Photo Credit: @atomicbooks While Baltimore is f illed with charming independent bookstores, Atomic Books, where famed Baltimore native John Waters collects his fan mail , is among the ones you absolutely can’t miss. “Literary finds for mutated minds” are the slogan of this independent Hampden bookstore, which has been curating an eclectic selection of comics, books, zines, and art for more than 20 years, and features a cozy bar in the back for hosting events. Enoch Pratt Free Library Photo Credit: @theprattlibrary The main branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library takes up nearly an entire city block near Mount Vernon. An entire room at the library is dedicated to American writer H.L. Mencken, and there is also a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s letters, poetry, and photographs—and even a lock of his hair. One of the oldest free public library systems in the United States, there are 22 additional branches throughout the city and surrounding area. George Peabody Library This expansive library in Mount Vernon near the Washington Monument has been described as a “cathedral of books” and is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. The Peabody Library ‘s atrium is surrounded by six tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies. The library’s 300,000 volume collection is open for perusal by the public, and it houses an impressive amount of H.L. Mencken’s writings. However, the library is currently closed due to Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 response , so make sure you check to make sure it’s open to the public before planning a visit! Baltimore Book Festival The Inner Harbor is turned into a book-lover’s paradise during this weekend-long festival . Hundreds of author appearances, readings and book signings take place, and exhibitors and booksellers set up shop in booths along the water. There are workshops, panel discussions, live music, and concessions, as well as plenty of hands-on activities for kids.