DC – Maryland Burbs

“Hiking” around Brookside Gardens

Maryland is often called “America in Miniature” – it has beaches, mountains, farmlands, big cities, quaint towns, wetlands, cliffs, rivers, waterfalls….almost every type of geography except for desert. While there’s a TON to do throughout the state, exploring MD’s natural beauty is my favorite. Take a look below for some personal pics for top local parks, battlefields, trails, and green spaces. Click here for further away day or weekend trip ideas. Or, check out this page devoted to kid activities if that’s your current MO.

And – of course – although food recs aren’t my thing, I would be remiss without highly advocating that you try real Maryland blue crabs. Learn how to pick them yourself (hello, Youtube) or settle for a crab cake, but whatever you do, do not leave the DC area without having tried local crabs!

Maryland Parks / Battlefields / Trails / Green Spaces

Maryland has endless amounts of beautiful nature to explore. Here are a few of my favorite “local” options.

Here’s a map of some of my favorite green spaces from across the DC area in case it’s helpful!

Maryland Museums

Maryland isn’t known for its museums, but it still has a handful of pretty great options that are an easy drive. Military peeps: make sure to check out Blue Star Museums for a bunch of museums that offer FREE admission from Memorial Day – Labor Day for active duty military and dependents.

Here’s a map of museums from across the DC area in case it’s helpful!

Maryland Drinking

By no means a complete or comprehensive list – just a few favorite “outside the big city” options that have delicious brews or gorgeous views – or both!

Brookeville Beer Farm

Catocin Breeze Vineyard

Flying Dog Brewery

Frey’s Brewing Company

Guinness Open Gate Brewery

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRICjVdL8PG/

Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co.

Milkhouse Brewery

Rocklands Farm Winery

Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

Waredaca Brewing Company

Farms / U-Pick

Here are a few farms that offer fun for both kids and adults in Maryland. For more kid options (especially for more animal recs), visit this page devoted to kid activities.

Baugher’s Orchard (Westminster, Maryland)

Options include PYO, restaurant, petting zoo, and farm market

Butler’s Orchard (Germantown, MD)

One of our local favorites with tons of PYO options, playgrounds, petting zoo, giant slides, and a farm fresh market. Big annual festival are a ton of fun and include Bunnyland in the spring, Sunflower Spectacular in the summer, and a Pumpkin Festival in the fall.

Gaver Farm (Mt. Airy, MD)

PYO apples and pumpkins with a fantastic fall festival (and tons of kid activities). Also offers PYO christmas trees in the winter. *military discount available*

Homestead Farm (Poolesville, MD)

PYO and farm animals

Larriland Farm (Woodbine, MD)

PYO only

Miller Farms (Clinton, MD)

PYO fruits and vegetables, bakery, produce market, homemade ice cream, a nursery, and family fun fall fest animals, activities, etc.

Rock Hill Orchard & Woodbourne Creamery (Mount Airy, MD)

Offers PYO, a farm fresh market, and a “cow to cone” creamery and ice cream shop (with the ability to meet the cows responsible for the deliciousness!)

Sharp’s at Waterford Farm (Brookeville, MD)

PYO, animals, farm tours, plant sales, and farm market.

Shlagel Farms (Waldorf, MD)

PYO only. Adults: Never been to this area, but google says there’s a winery and brewery within a 10 minute drive.

Swann Farms (Owings, MD)

PYO only

Water’s Orchard (Germantown, MD)

PYO apples located next to a cidery!

Map

This is the complete mammajamma map, so click the layers on the left hand key to filter for what you are looking for.

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