Road Trip: A Trail Full of Charm in Baltimore

1. Thomas DeKay Winans constructed the Crimea Estate-- including the three-story stone mansion Orianda House and a wooden chapel with a Russian motif -- in the early 1850s, after he helped construct a railroad from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

Crimea Estate's Orianda House, 1901 Eagle Dr., Baltimore, 410-299-7613, http://www.friendsoforiandahouse.com.

Open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday by appointment. Every second Sunday, May-November, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Chapel is open by appointment and during special events. Free.

2. The Carrie Murray Nature Center, which rescues injured animals, is home to a menagerie that includes Zool the Eurasian eagle owl, a bald eagle, a boa constrictor and a raven whose recorded "caw" entertains Ravens football fans at halftime.

Carrie Murray Nature Center, 1901 Ridgetop Rd., Baltimore, 410-396-0808, http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/recnparks/special_facilities.htm.

Open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

3. All aboard the miniature steam train run by the Chesapeake & Allegheny Steam Preservation Society.

Chesapeake & Allegheny Steam Preservation Society, 4921 Windsor Mill Rd., Baltimore, 410-448-0730, http://www.calslivesteam.org/runday.htm.

Miniature steam train rides: Every second Sunday, April-November, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free.

4. Some of the stone dwellings in the historical neighborhood of Dickeyville sheltered soldiers wounded in the War of 1812.

Dickeyville, Wetheredsville Road and Forest Park Avenue, Baltimore, http://www.dickeyville.org/Walking.htm.

5. Feel the (small) splash of Gwynns Falls.