Baltimore
Kinetic Sculpture Race 2024

Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race 2024

Every year, on the first Saturday in May, thousands of Baltimore residents and visitors gather to cheer on the Kinetic Sculpture Race, a parade of human-powered sculptures

• Visiting Baltimore? Stay close to the gay district of Mount Vernon at the Hotel Revival, rated “Superb” by guests featuring spacious rooms and the perfect location for exploring the city. 

The Race

• The Kinetic Sculpture Race, launched in 1998, is a Baltimore tradition presented by the American Visionary Art Museum. Teams of competitors, a.k.a. Kinetinauts, race along a 15-mile loop in the ultimate feat of problem solving, thinking green and teamwork as they bravely traverse through Baltimore streets, Inner Harbor waters and muddy parks.
• Check out the top 10 places to stay close to the Museum. (a 10 minute drive from the gay district).
• In years past, the Kinetic Sculptures have included giraffes, sharks and a gingerbread house, among many other creative structures.
• Spectators can always look forward to Fifi, the massive, fluffy, pink poodle-esque mascot of AVAM, holding court along the race course. During the off season, Fifi rests on view at the Jim Rouse Visionary Center, a warehouse just outside the main museum building.

Watching the Race – Best Views

• For the best views of the race, plan your schedule accordingly. Set your alarm to see the colorful floats lined up at the starting line at the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). The opening ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m., and Federal Hill is the best place to view the start of the race.
• Stay just a short walk from the museum at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore complete with a spacious pool, great views and modern rooms.
• The racers will spend the morning making their way through Federal Hill and by the afternoon they’ll be in Canton. Most of the floats dip into the water at Canton Waterfront Park around lunch time.
• Grab a scooter or bike over to Patterson Park to watch the Kinetinauts trek through sand and mud. The race will return through the heart of the city, winding up back at AVAM in time for the awards ceremony at 6 p.m.
• Participants are eligible for a slew of nontraditional awards. At the Kinetic Sculpture Race, winning doesn’t mean coming in first.

Hotels in Baltimore

Mount Vernon, known as Baltimore’s gay village, is the central hub of the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

The following Baltimore hotels are currently trending with our readers:

The Ivy Hotel,  Sagamore Pendry,   Marriott Waterfront,  Hotel Indigo