Still looking to make Memorial Day plans? Whether you want to honor those who have served with an official ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, or prefer to take advantage of the long weekend with a trip out of town, this guide to Memorial Day 2013 in and around Baltimore has all the information you need.

And don't forget: Baltimore's public pools also open over Memorial Day weekend. However, remember that the pools operate weekends only until a full schedule starts on June 15.

Photo by Tyler Merber, Flickr

Swim season in Baltimore officially begins on Saturday, May 25 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Solo Gibbs Splash Park, the first of Baltimore's converted wading pools, at noon. Across the city, public pools will be open on the weekends only until a summer schedule is introduced on June 15.

Baltimore City operates six large public park pools, plus more walk-to pools, wading pools, and indoor pools. Swim lessons and CPR training is available; check with one of the pools for more information.

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Many of Baltimore's museums will offer buy one, get one (BOGO) free admission from Sunday, May 19 through Friday, May 24 as part of Baltimore Museum Week. Participating museums and historic sites include:

• American Visionary Art Museum
• B&O Railroad Museum
• Baltimore Museum of Industry
• Baltimore National Heritage Area: Fells Point Heritage Trail
• Jewish Museum of Maryland
• Maryland Historical Society
• Maryland Science Center
• The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
• National Aquarium, Baltimore
• Port Discovery Children's Museum
• Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
• Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• Top of the World: Observation Level

Please note that some museums are only offering BOGO admission on certain days during Baltimore Museum Week. Please check Baltimore.org for the specifics.

Some special events are taking place, too, including educational programming, museum tours, and more. Some highlights include:

• Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: A day-long arts festival commemorating 150 years of the Reservoir at Druid Hill Park
• Monday, May 20-Thursday, May 23: Clock tours of the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower
• Tuesday, May 21, 6 p.m.: A walking tour of the street art created during the Open Walls Baltimore project in Station Norths
• Thursday, May 23, 1:30 p.m.:  Bicentennial of the War of 1812 celebration at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

The week corresponds with the American Alliance of Museums' annual conference in Baltimore.

MORE: Museums in Baltimore

Photo by Romainbehar, Wikimedia Commons.

Want to know when to tune in to the Preakness Stakes on TV? The broadcast will start at 4:30 p.m. EST, while the race will take place at approximately 6:20 p.m. EST. It only lasts a matter of minutes, so don't make sure you don't walk away from your TV set. NBC is the official channel for Preakness coverage.

And while you're getting ready to get together with friends and family to watch the race, don't mix up mint juleps. Those are for the Kentucky Derby, not the Preakness Stakes. The official drink of the Preakness is The Black-Eyed Susan, which contains:

• 1 1/4 oz whiskey
• 3/4 oz vodka
• 3 oz sweet and sour mix
• 2 oz orange juice

Mix the drink in a shaker with ice and strain over ice in a collins glass, garnished with an orange or cherry. Try the drink out while you root for your favorite horse on Sunday.