Maryland

Pros: Charming small city located in Western Maryland
Cons: Ongoing struggle between development and preservation of Frederick's small-town character

"Up from the meadows rich with corn, Clear in the cool September morn, The clustered spires of Frederick stand Green-walled by the hills of Maryland, Round about them orchards sweep, Apple and peach-tree fruited deep, Fair as a garden of ...

Pros: Civil war history at its bloodiest!
Cons: Might be boring to some

A battle of generals -- Lee versus McClellan. A battle of armies -- tens of thousands of soldiers. The bloodiest single day in U.S. military history. This is the story of Antietam (Sharpsburg, Maryland) -- now a serene, pastoral part of western Maryland,...

Pros: boardwalk, Thrasher's fries, arcades, fun atmosphere
Cons: can get uncomfortably crowded, some things pretty grungy

Ocean City, Maryland, is one of the biggest seaside resort towns on the east coast. Every weekend during the summer months, almost a million people from Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia pack the family in the mini-van and head...

Pros: two outs, two men on, bottom of the ninth, tie score, full count, and the pitch...
Cons: minor league season ends labor day

There's something magical about being at a baseball game on a summer evening. Maybe it's the excitement of the crowd. Maybe it's enjoying a hotdog and a glass of beer in the company of friends. Maybe it's the excitement of seeing great plays, powerful...

Pros: Wild horses, sea shells, horseshoe crabs, dunes, and marshes.
Cons: On a still and hot day, don't forget the insect repellent.

It's only natural that during the sometimes unbearably hot summer months, a large percentage of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area's population escapes to the ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, that is. More often than not, the destination of choice is Ocean...

Pros: Great food ..Great Inn...Perfect Scenery
Cons: some things can be on the pricey side

We ended up going to Cumberland as a second choice for a getaway, but it will never be that again. There are many things to do, see, and fantastic restaurants in the area.

We stayed at a the Inn at Walnut Bottom (www.iwbinfo.com)a quaint...

Pros: Sheep, wool, music, chance to make some cash.
Cons: Expensive food and long lines for ladies' room.

Every year on the first weekend in May, thousands of frugal shepherds and fiber freaks gather at the Howard County Fairgrounds in Friendship, Maryland to show sheep, eat lamb, buy and sell everything you can (or can't!) imagine related to sheep and...

Pros: Fun for the whole family
Cons: None

Review Topic:  Events & Festivals

The Boy Dons A Tunic

That's right, I dressed up in a tunic to live it up this past weekend. My destination? The Maryland Renaissance Festival, where a friend of the family...

Pros: There's something for everybody, no matter what their age.
Cons: Gets crowded quite quickly. Expensive food.

The Maryland State Fair is advertised as the "11 best days of summer" and runs from August 24 to September 3. The days differ somewhat from year to year, but Labor Day is always the last day of the State Fair.

It's a huge annual event that...

Pros: drama, excitement, mead- eat, drink, and be merry
Cons: seems more modernised this year

Review Topic:  Events & Festivals

I've been going to the Maryland Renaissance Festival since I was a child when it was located in the small Columbia space instead of the large Crownsville space. In fact, I worked there in...

Pros: Peaceful, beautiful, strong sense of community and pride
Cons: Looking for Walmart? Start driving, and driving and driving!

Where I live is not really a "town" like you would think of as in "hometown." There is no main street, no business district, not much more than a convenience store/gas station, grocery, restaurant, and a complex of three public...

Pros: Historically rich, tourism friendly, plenty to see and do.
Cons: Still small and a lot of potential for growth.

I suppose I should start out by saying that, with the exception of a few years in Essex, Maryland and three years in Southwestern New Jersey, Washington County, Maryland (Hagerstown, in particular) has been "home". While it still has plenty of ...

Pros: History, nature and recreation, all in one beautiful spot
Cons: Watch out for poison ivy!

I must say I am quite ashamed of myself! I have lived right down the road a few miles from this treasure of a spot, and while I have passed the sign many times, I have never bothered to stop in. Until yesterday, that is.

I volunteered to...

Pros: Lots of activities and free goodies, Metro Food Market customers can get free admission
Cons: Claustrophobic conditions, large crowds

Free goodies, games, interactive displays, crafts and other activities, a Moonwalk, and an opportunity to get "slimed." What more could any family ask for? This was an outstanding event, content-wise, that "could've" and...

Pros: Lots of ethnic influences
Cons: It's the city

Last week I had to go to Langley Park for work. They wanted me to finish my training to become a window clerk for the post office. Now, for most people Langley Park would not be a destination. There is nothing to really recommend it as such. I didn't...