Hampden: An eccentric nook within the city

For the perfect day-time outing, head to Hampden Avenue for a true taste of Baltimore. The Avenue, located on W. 36th St. in the heart of Baltimore's Hampden, is one of the city's best shopping and dining destinations. Hampden Avenue is a haven for Baltimoreans, boasting an assortment of trendy vintage shops and down-home restaurants.

The monstrous, hot-pink flamingo in front of Café Hon, the quirky book stores, metal shops and the vintage boutiques that line the street make it hard to ignore the uniqueness of Hampden.

Café Hon is one of the Avenue's more popular restaurant. The café's name is a play on a true Baltimorean's pronunciation of "hun." Its menu lists an assortment of enticing home cooked meals that are served in the restaurant's classic diner atmosphere. Sit at the bar and enjoy bread pudding, homemade pies or a hot-fudge sundae. The diner is fifties-style and provides fifties accessories including glasses, bee-hives and flashy earrings for its customers to buy on their way out. Be sure to pick up one of its "HON" bumper stickers, joining the rest of the city in saluting Baltimore culture.

If you are craving ethnic food head to Holy Frijoles! for their enticing Spanish cuisine. Located in a small corner building, the restaurant offers a casual and relaxed setting perfect for munching on their chimichangas, enchiladas, or taquitos. Recently, Holy Frijoles! has expanded their site beyond good food, including a bar, and encourages its patrons to stop by at night and enjoy a drink or two.

With a myriad of funky shops with equally funky names, such as Atomic Books, Cloud 9, Mud and Metal and Fat Elvis, The Avenue has shopping options that please everyone and is a great place to do your holiday shopping.

If you want to bring home a piece of Baltimore or just a funny gift to your friends and family head to Hometown Girl. When you finish looking over its Maryland inspired merchandise, have a seat at its retro-soda shop and enjoy a nice cold bubbly drink.

Looking for an alternative read? Head to Atomic Books, which holds a large collection of magazines, comic books and small toys. If you are looking to get lost for hours, you can peruse its UFO and conspiracy theory sections.

Fat Elvis is a great place to shop if you are looking for quirky trinkets or small pieces of furniture. With affordable prices and a wide range of merchandise, this Hampden shop truly embraces the saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure."

Hampden's Mud and Metal is filled with sculptures, jewelry, coffee cups and conversation pieces. Each item is either ceramic or made from scrap metal or glass. Whether you're looking for a gift or just looking for fun, Mud and Metal is a true feast for the eyes.

When searching for funky yet classic vintage threads head to Cloud 9, Galvanize or Oh! Said Rose. These shops are packed with great finds for jewelry, clothes, shoes, bags and any other accessories imaginable. With a wide range of prices, these vintage shops cater to all levels of shopping.

Residents of Hampden offer a true "Miracle on 34th Street" during the holiday seasons. A large portion of the row-houses that line Hampden's 34th street are decorated with tremendous amounts of Christmas lights and decorations. The light display is famous throughout Maryland, provoking residents of surrounding states travel to Hampden so they can appreciate the display.

Every night leading up to Christmas a countless number of cars cruise through Hampden as they wait their turn to slowly drive up and down 34th St. Some park their cars and walk along the row of glowing houses.

I would suggest walking so you can take your time, talk to the families that own the houses and sign their guest books. A ride down the "Miracle on 34th Street" is a great way to get into the holiday season.

Whether you are visiting Hampden on a sunny day for breakfast and shopping or cruising with friends to see the town's "Miracle on 34th Street" in the cold of December, Hampden constantly offers a sense of community as well as funky, casual fun.