July 22, 2025
Last Saturday, my husband and I spent the afternoon exploring The Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore and it turned into one of those peaceful, memory-making days we didn’t even know we needed. Nestled inside Druid Hill Park, which I embarrassingly didn’t realize was so massive, the conservatory greeted us with a stunning front garden full of blooms, textures, the gentle sounds of birds chirping and of pollinators buzzing about, doing their thing. I even caught my Hubby bird-watching from time to time and that really made me smile.
Before we even stepped inside, we found ourselves lingering in the outdoor front garden, a space that just resonated with my spirit.
There was something about the tiered plantings and gentle movement that made me feel completely at home. Thoughtfully designed with layers of plant height and texture, the garden flows like a living sculpture; low-growing ground covers, mid-height fillers and tall structural beauties all working together to create a vibrant, diverse canopy.
I could’ve spent the whole day out there with my camera, capturing the diverse palette of colors. It’s just one of those gardens that feels alive, intentional yet wild, curated yet free.
A standing applause goes to whoever designed/manages their front garden because it was a visual appetizer, setting the tone for everything that followed—quiet beauty, deep breaths and a steady sense of wonder.
Glass, Greenery & Good Energy
Stepping inside is where the real magic happened. The Conservatory opens into five distinct plant houses, each with its own energy and climate:
- Mediterranean
- Desert
- Palm
- Tropical
- Orchid
We wandered through them all together, pausing to point things out to each other, getting caught in the details. Between the Mediterranean and Desert houses, we found this incredible vine arch that completely stole my heart. I stood there in awe, imagining how long it must’ve taken to train those vines into such a graceful and welcoming shape. It felt like walking through a green doorway into another realm, one that’s carefully curated yet alive and constantly changing. That’s the beauty of horticulture, isn’t it? It slows you down in the best way.
After taking a couple minutes to find the largest fish inside the Koi and Goldfish Pond, we made our way to the Orchid House, a quaint little spot in the middle of it all. It’s the kind of place that invites whispers and close-up looks. The blooms were delicate, almost shy, each one with its own little personality. I found myself slowing down, gazing at the fine details of each orchid bloom, their colors, patterns and fragile forms. It was peaceful and, in some way, reverent. Nature really does know how to show off.
And here’s something cool: the Rawlings Conservatory is the second-oldest glass conservatory in the United States.
Built in 1888, it holds history, horticulture and heart under its domes and being there made me feel connected to something much bigger than myself. It’s a living museum and I’m already planning my return.
Camera in Hand, Heart Wide Open
The cherry on top? Experiencing it all with my husband. We made a whole day of it. I had my camera out almost the whole time, which felt so good. I love capturing nature, but I especially love catching Malik in those in-between moments: curious, thoughtful and grounded. I tried to snap a candid shot of him surrounded by plants while he was enjoying the front garden but he caught me.
Shout out to the birds for a nice distraction though. I was able to accomplish my mission and sneak that candid I was looking for when he was trying to spot what he said, “had to be an Oriole.” LOL…I really love seeing him open up a little more to nature and the world of plants.
After the conservatory, we got in a little walking, soaked up some good vitamin D and shared laughs as we walked hand-in-hand on the trails of Druid Hill Park (which I didn’t realize was so huge)! Most importantly, it was a moment of connection, with nature, with each other and with the incredible world of horticulture that continues to surprise and delight me every time.
We’ll definitely be going back because there’s so much to explore: a new lake, trails, gardens, bird watching and little pockets of peace. There’s even a swimming pool and basketball court. I really love when I can connect more with my husband in meaningful ways and Druid Hills Park is definitely a place that fosters that!
If you’re ever nearby, do yourself a favor and stop by and visit. If you’ve already been, go again! There’s always something new growing.
Would you like to see the full gallery from our day? Head over to ((40 Day Communications)) where all the photos live and if you see one you love, you can purchase a high-res copy too. ((STAY TUNED: I’ll activate the link once I get all the pics edited and uploaded!))
Rawlings Conservatory Is Worth Protecting
The Rawlings Conservatory has been standing since 1888, making it the second-oldest glass conservatory in the country. It was built as a public greenhouse, a place for city folks to experience tropical and exotic plants up close. In its prime, this was the spot, a vibrant place for learning, healing and being inspired.
But like so many historic treasures, it hit a quiet patch. Visitor numbers dropped. Funding got tight and priorities shifted. Yet, here it still stands thanks to caretakers, volunteers and people who understand how much places like this matter.
We need spaces like Rawlings. Not just for the beauty, but for the pause it offers, for the community it holds, the healing it brings and the stories it carries. It’s a place that’s worth protecting and showing up for. Check out their website to find out how you can support or plan your visit.