The JOOLA Pops Tour Is Heading to Baltimore — Here Are 5 Reasons to Stay a Little Longer
The JOOLA Pops Summer Tour doesn't slow down, and this weekend it's pulling up to one of America's most underrated cities. After unforgettable stops in Chicago and New York City, the JOOLA Pops Summer Tour ice cream truck is making its way to Charm City — Baltimore, Maryland.
Baltimore is known for many things including steamed crabs, Old Bay on everything, a waterfront that goes on for miles, and a city that takes enormous pride in being exactly what it is. And just like every city the JOOLA Pops truck has rolled through this summer, Baltimore has a pickleball scene that is very much its own.
Even if you can't make it out to meet the JOOLA Pops truck at Club Volo on Thursday, June 18, or at Copper Union on Friday, June 19 — we've got you covered. Here are five reasons to stay a little longer in Baltimore:
First, pickleball. Where to play?
Baltimore's pickleball scene is bigger than you might expect. From indoor facilities to outdoor courts with a social scene built right in, Charm City has a spot for every kind of player. Here's where to find your game:
Bounce Pickleball Bounce Pickleball in Pikesville is the largest indoor pickleball facility in the state of Maryland, featuring 18 indoor hard courts with permanent lines and nets, a pro shop, trainers, lessons, and youth programming. The courts are engineered for true bounce, the lighting is tournament-grade, and the coaching staff is assembled from the top tiers of competitive play.
Copper Union Located in the Mount Washington neighborhood, Copper Union bills itself as more than a social club, it is the premier destination for pickleball and beach volleyball in Baltimore.
Serve on Spring Street (SOS Pickleball) SOS Pickleball describes itself as your new clubhouse, and that is exactly what it feels like. Offering pickleball alongside ping pong, billiards, and events, it is the most social stop on this list, the kind of place where you show up for a game and end up staying for the whole afternoon.
Club Volo Club Volo operates two Baltimore locations and between them offers a serious amount of court time. Club Volo Brewers Hill offers 6 pickleball courts, beach volleyball, cornhole, and two turf fields, while Club Volo Baltimore Peninsula features 11 pickleball courts, 4 beach volleyball courts, picnic areas, and live music. Both locations have an on-site bar, making it the most social pickleball experience in the city.
The PutAway Technically located in Millersville, The PutAway is close enough to Baltimore to be worth the short drive, especially on a rainy day. Maryland's premier indoor pickleball facility features 7 courts, year-round leagues, clinics, and open play for all skill levels, serving players near Annapolis, Crofton, Gambrills, and Glen Burnie.
What to Eat?
Here are the iconic Baltimore eats and experiences that belong on every visitor's list:
Crabs Steamed blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay, served on a table covered in brown paper with a mallet and a cold beer, this is the quintessential Maryland dining experience and one of the great food rituals in America. Every neighborhood has its spot, every local has an opinion, and every visitor leaves with a story. Just find a waterfront crab house, sit down, and let someone show you how it's done.
Orange Crush A mix of vodka, triple sec, fresh-squeezed orange juice and lemon-lime soda, was invented at Harborside Bar and Grill in Ocean City, Maryland and is now the official cocktail of the state. The key to a proper Crush is the fresh squeeze, orange halves pressed right in front of you, giving the drink its signature burst of flavor.
Papermoon Diner What began as a simple diner became an iconic Baltimore landmark when owner Un Kim took over in 1994 and welcomed the creative transformation of MICA-trained sculptor David Briskie, who filled every inch of the space with vintage objects, antiques, and offbeat finds, turning it into a living art installation. Located in the Remington neighborhood near Johns Hopkins University, Papermoon serves bold comfort food in Baltimore's quirkiest atmosphere.
Berger Cookies No trip to Baltimore feels complete without biting into a Berger Cookie, thick, cake-like shortbread topped with a generous slab of hand-dipped rich chocolate fudge, a Charm City favorite for well over a century. The cookie is made using nearly the same recipe Henry Berger developed when he opened a bakery in East Baltimore in 1835.
Bygone If you are looking for a reason to dress up, The Bygone atop the Four Seasons Baltimore pays homage to the roaring twenties with indulgent food and cocktails, accompanied by unrivaled panoramic views of the city and historic Inner Harbor from the 29th floor. The Bygone journeys back to the days of old-school social clubs and 1920s excitement, with an open rotisserie grill, a signature whiskey bar, and craft cocktails that add a contemporary flair.
What fun activities or locations do I need to see?
Baltimore rewards everyone who shows up ready to explore. Here are four stops that capture the city from four completely different angles:
Inner Harbor Inner Harbor is the most popular neighborhood in Baltimore for a reason — there is an endless supply of photo opportunities, plus the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, historic warships, and water tours to keep you busy. Whether you spend a full day working through every attraction or simply walk the promenade with a crab cake in hand, the Inner Harbor is the kind of place that makes you glad you showed up.
Lexington Market Baltimore's Lexington Market, formerly known as Western Precincts Market, is the oldest continuously operating public market in America and one of the oldest in the world, dating back to 1782. After a $45 million renovation completed in 2022, the market is now home to 60,000 square feet of stores and kiosks operated by dozens of merchants.
The Horse You Came In On Saloon The Horse You Came In On Saloon, located in Baltimore's Fell's Point Historic District, is the only bar in America that can boast the dual attractions of live music every night of the week and the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe. The building has operated continuously as a bar and saloon since 1775, and it is the only bar in Maryland to operate before, during, and after Prohibition. Whether or not you believe the Poe legend, the live music, the saddle-shaped bar stools, and the cold beer are very real.
Where are the best spots to capture a selfie?
Baltimore doesn't do ordinary, and its selfie spots are proof. From sweeping harbor views to street art that changes by the week, Charm City has a backdrop for every kind of shot:
Federal Hill Park is the best spot in Baltimore for city views, offering a panoramic bird’s-eye view of the Inner Harbor, the marina, and the Baltimore city skyline, all from a grassy hilltop that is completely free to visit. It is the go-to spot for locals who know the real view, and one of the most photographed backdrops in the entire city.
Graffiti Alley in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District is the only legal street art space in Baltimore where artists can create their work freely, making it a colorful, ever-changing canvas that looks different every single time you visit. Bold, vibrant, and unmistakably Baltimore.
American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) Some of the top shots at AVAM are of the larger-than-life statue of drag legend Divine, pink poodle Fifi, and the sparkling mirrored exterior wall, all unique to Baltimore and endlessly shareable. There is genuinely nothing else like it in the country.
What do I do to experience the great outdoors?
Baltimore is a city built around the water, the neighborhoods, and the parks that connect them. Here are four ways to get outside and take it all in:
Patterson Park Pagoda The Patterson Park Pagoda is decorated with lights during the holidays and surrounded by magnolia trees in the spring, and during certain hours you can climb to the top for wide views of the park from above and below. It is one of Baltimore's most underrated and most photogenic landmarks.
Baltimore Water Taxi Flexible pickup and dropoff locations, no stop lights, traffic jams, or parking problems. The Baltimore Water Trolley runs a hop-on, hop-off service on two circular routes — Inner Harbor and Outer Harbor — from April through October, with departures beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing into the evening. It is genuinely one of the best ways to see the city, and the views of the skyline from the water never get old.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards Debuting for the Oriole's 1992 season, Camden Yards is one of the most beloved ballparks in America, and a visit to Baltimore in the summer without catching an Orioles game is a missed opportunity. The retro architecture, the energy of the crowd, and the views of the Baltimore skyline beyond the outfield make it one of the great outdoor experiences in sports. And before or after the game, make sure you stop across the street at
Author's Choice: Pickles Pub, a family-owned Baltimore institution located directly across from Camden Yards that has been the go-to spot for Orioles fans before, during, and after games. The fried pickles are outrageously good, the Natty Boh is ice cold, and you will get a very good taste of Baltimore life just by showing up.
Baltimore, it's been a pleasure. From the courts to the crabs to a Berger Cookie or two, Charm City delivered in every way. Thank you for following along on the road this summer, we hope this series brought as much joy to read as it did for us to research and bring to life. The JOOLA Pops Summer Tour has been one for the books. See you out there.
Share:
-
Share on Facebook
Opens in a new window.
-
Share on X
Opens in a new window.
-
-
-
Pin on Pinterest
Opens in a new window.
