Experiences
Maryland is known for a lot of weird things like its obsession with Old Bay, the unique accent (aka – Baltimorese), and the need to put the state flag on literally everything.…
Do you ever catch a glimpse of yourself in the rearview mirror and realize just how deep your frown lines have gotten? The car can (and should) be a place of respite,…
I first heard of Smith Island when I read Tom Horton’s memoir “An Island Out of Time,” for an assignment during my first year of college. I learned about an island in…
In Sykesville and Mt. Airy, trains are everywhere. Today the two Maryland towns’ historic railroad cars sit dormant, serving mostly as useful backdrops for photo-snapping tourists. But from the early nineteenth century…
I will staunchly defend myself to this day – the weather report strongly suggested unseasonably mild temperatures for that particular late-winter weekend in 2011. And that’s just what I needed to finally coax…
History isn’t just my day job, but my passion in life and one of the main reasons I’ve put down roots in Baltimore rather than moving back to my hometown of Seattle.…
I returned home to Hanover, Maryland, this summer after three years of living in Germany and exploring Europe. I loved my fast-paced lifestyle of seemingly never-ending adventures, but the familiarity of the…
Let’s face it, the year 2020 was anything but fun. From stay-at-home orders, canceled vacations, becoming an instant homeschool parent, and everything in between, we became more stressed and more on edge…
On a sunny morning, my husband (vegan) and I (not vegan) hopped into our Prius for a day of vegan eats, crisscrossing Montgomery and Howard Counties. Thankful that the mild weather would…
Several of my friends have taken advantage of plummeting international flight prices to visit Mexico and enjoy scenic water backdrops and authentic Mexican cuisine during the pandemic. I, on the other hand,…
Do you remember the first podcast you ever listened to, and what you were doing while you listened? Years ago I needed something to keep me company while I painted a bedroom.…
The weather outside may be frightful, but a road trip is always delightful. Stay warm, fed, and fashionable during your drive with these items, all of which are either made in Maryland…
When it comes to holiday music, I’m a stubborn devotee to the classics. Out of the thousands of renditions of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” to me there’s none better than…
It happened fast. One minute, we were an adventurous newlywed couple working our first professional jobs while renovating a home on the weekends. The next minute, we found our world flipped upside…
As a passionate foodie, I enjoy finding inspiration in the creative and exciting creations that chefs and mixologists come up with. The recent release of holiday cocktail menus gave me a great…
Whether you are traveling over the river or through the woods this winter, colder temperatures generally bring clearer skies, making winter a perfect time to pull over and celebrate the season with…
Nothing lights up a child’s face (or an adult’s for that matter) like looking at holiday lights. The twinkle and amazement as the lights blink and shimmer, or the palpable joy when…
The Chesapeake Bay comes to life in summer. But those who know the Bay best will tell you not to miss the holiday-themed fun to be found every December at points along…
COVID is putting a crimp in everyone’s weekend plans. My husband and I love to go out exploring and are always looking for ways to do so safely. We were familiar with…
Raise your hand if you’re ready to kick off the holiday season a little early this year! Instead of reaching for the same tunes you always listen to, mix things up the…
Instead of putting holiday shopping off until the last minute and relying on quick shipping, I took a new approach this year and combined holiday shopping with my love of travel. Though…
Thanksgiving holiday traditions abound in Maryland, and the state’s food serves as a chronicle of its customs, people, and varied landscapes. Native local produce such as corn, bean, squash, wildfowl, oysters, and…
As many baseball-loving Marylanders know, Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore (at 216 Emory Street, to be specific). He was deemed “incorrigible or vicious” at age 7 and sent to Saint Mary’s…
After taking several road trips out of state to make up for the lack of travel during the COVID-19 lockdown, my fiancé and I found ourselves back in Baltimore without plans for…
Whenever I get the chance to take a trip somewhere, I will always use that opportunity to explore some new-to-me historical spot. As a literature teacher and history-lover, I can’t imagine a…
As you sleep peacefully in a lockhouse nestled beside the C&O Canal, you’ll experience what life was like for the lock keepers who lived there over 100 years ago. (Except every time…
If you are looking for a family-friendly activity that will delight and educate any car enthusiast, the Classic Motor Museum of St. Michaels is your answer. I stumbled upon the museum when researching…
Heading into the great outdoors for a family hiking adventure is a wonderful way to nurture an appreciation of nature while creating lasting memories. Time in nature makes you happier and healthier,…
Did you know that women own, operate, or brew the beer in over twenty breweries scattered across Maryland? Four women-led breweries are right on the way to some of the state’s most…
Maryland is defined by its waterways. The Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac and Susquehanna Rivers—even the man-made C&O Canal—are central to the lives and livelihoods of Marylanders. Then there’s the…
To celebrate the start of fall, a friend and I decided to take the opportunity to get out and explore a part of the state unfamiliar to us. We hopped in the…
The sacred shadows of Antietam loom large here in Washington County. Travelers from the east who move westward just over the cusp of the Blue Ridge Mountains often can sense a powerful…
A great bookstore is not a place where you can find everything. It’s a place where you can lose yourself. The Greyhound in Berlin, Maryland, is just such a bookstore. Conveniently located…
Bringing Grandma and Grandpa along for vacation can be a win for everyone in the family. Mom and Dad have another set of grownups to pitch in (and maybe provide some much-needed…
There’s something truly magnificent about fall in Maryland. It’s an absolute delight for the senses — from Mother Nature putting on a show with her vibrant display of leaves ranging from ocher…
Whether you believe ouija boards are powered by those from beyond the grave or are a simple result of the ideomotor effect — there’s no denying the eerie, paranormal feeling they’re known…
Thanks to an obsession my youngest son developed some time during his third year of life, donuts are a big deal in my house. They have become the go-to dessert option when…
There’s nothing that can compare to the thundering sound of galloping horses racing along the dirt track—the tense energy, the flying dust, the quaking ground—and, it’s all been part of Maryland’s history…
When people think of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, they likely picture boats on the bay, tables heaped with steamed crabs, screw-pile lighthouses, waterfront views, and other images of maritime life. That vibe is…
Your bags are packed, the snacks are selected, the gas tank is full, and you are ready to hit the open road. But there is one road trip essential that sometimes gets…
Did you know Maryland has an official state exercise? It’s the easiest, most inexpensive way to move, get healthy, and stay fit, and you do it simply by putting one foot in…
Being born and raised in Frederick, Maryland, I grew up hiking and exploring the Catoctin Mountains. Now that I have a family of my own, we make sure to venture to the…
When you think of an art museum, what comes to mind? Probably an impressive neoclassical building with large pillars and marble steps leading to a cavernous entryway where the only sound you…
Do you ever wish you could say sayonara to 2020 and slip back in time? We could all use a dose of magic right now, and stepping into the past might be…
It’s no secret that this year has been a stressful one. If you’re one of the many who are looking for opportunities to get away and decompress, look no further than The…
Did you know you can follow the footsteps that Harriet Tubman took when she helped dozens of people escape from slavery? The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway is a 125-mile stretch from…
The idea of getting away has never been on my mind more so than in 2020. We’ve all been cooped up at home long enough, trying to stay safe while our offices…
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail—oh, and to be named Champion Trailblazer, of course. From Western Maryland all the way to the Eastern Shore, this…
The dog days of summer are winding down, the evenings are getting cooler, and soon enough, the mountainsides will explode with an array of fall colors. And should you find yourself cruising…
Food is arguably one of the most fundamental and enlivening aspects of traveling—especially when getting to try something new somewhere new. From sampling unique dishes and cocktails to reveling in novel atmospheres…
What destinations will you be driving to this fall? Perhaps you have a mountain getaway planned, or you’re hoping to enjoy the Eastern Shore free from summer crowds. Wherever you’re going, you’ll…
My 11-year-old eyes had never seen mountains other than the rolling blues of the Blue Ridge, and they could hardly make sense of the snow-capped Rockies that loomed in front of the…
Nestled along the western shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay lies a hidden gem that’s been millions of years in the making. Boasting coastal cliffs, forested trails, sprawling wetlands, and a fossil-filled beach,…
