There are a lot of great ways to spend the perfect day on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Fall is a great time for golf. A round of golf will definitely make for a perfect day. But a day trip might be what you and your family need between rounds. To keep things interesting, you can let the winner decide where to go.
There are a lot of great places to visit. Annapolis, MD, and Washington, D.C. are very close and provide excellent day trips to keep everyone happy. Football games, national monuments, historic buildings, bird watching, long walks in a nature refuge, live music, and stand-up comedy are just a handful of perfect day adventures to enjoy. And they aren’t far away. These are some of the best fall day trips in Maryland to enjoy with friends and family or for some well deserved personal respite.
U.S. Capitol: Visiting the United States Capitol, in the neighboring District of Columbia, is a short 55+ mile drive from Queenstown, Maryland. The Capitol Visitor Center is open for tours Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm, but don’t show up without a reservation. Admission is free, but you will not be permitted to enter the visitor center without a reservation. Visitors can also request Gallery passes from the offices of their local senators or representatives to watch Congress when in session. Entry to both Galleries is through the Capitol Visitor Center.
U.S. Naval Academy: Enjoy a historical tour at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. The Historical Walking Tour is available daily for groups of less than 15 people. Reservations are not required. The 1½ hour tour is available Monday-Saturday at specified times. You and your group will visit the rich history of the academy and learn all about the midshipmen experience. The tour price is $12 for adults and $10 for students K-12. The military rate is $10. The money you spend for the tour goes to the Brigade of Midshipmen.
Annapolis: Annapolis is a short 24+ mile drive from the Eastern Shore. In addition to the U.S. Naval Academy, it is home to the Maryland State House (Annapolis is the state’s capital city), excellent shopping, museums, dining, and entertainment. There is a lot to explore and enjoy. When you find a home on the Eastern Shore, you will likely return to Annapolis time and time again. The Rams Head On Stage is a popular venue. You can have dinner and drinks at the pub and then enjoy some stand-up comedy or live music afterward. The stage attracts both national acts and local talent. You’re in for a good time in Annapolis any day of the week.
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium: The stadium in Annapolis, MD, is home to the NCAA Navy Midshipmen football team. Fall and football are inseparable for millions of fans all across the country. Your new favorite local college team will be playing right across the bay. Standing room tickets for home games are $20 for kids 12 & under and $30 for adults. Reserved seating is $50.
When the temperature drops, fans don’t turn away. They just put on another layer, a warmer coat, and a hat with flaps (if they’re lucky). Tickets for the Military Bowl will go on sale on November 1st, 2022. The game is set for December 28th, 2022. Kick-off is at 2:00pm. It will be cold. Wear a coat, and a hat with ear flaps, eat a bowl of hot soup and don’t be late for the big game.
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge: When you are looking for a quiet day to unwind after the big game, enjoy a walk in our local wildlife sanctuary. The Eastern NWR, a 2,285 acre island in the Chesapeake Bay, was first set aside as a sanctuary for migratory birds in 1962. There are over 240 different birds that visit and live on the island, including bald eagles, tanagers, woodpeckers, warblers, and wild turkeys. There are nearly nine miles of roads and trails to enjoy throughout the year.
Please be aware that the refuge has a long hunting tradition. The waterfowl that were once hunted are now protected. Hunters arrive in the fall to hunt white-tailed deer (and there is a youth spring turkey hunt with limited permits). Check the calendar and plan your hiking and birdwatching with respect to days open for hunting (there are nine days designated in 2022). Hunting days are selected by the refuge manager annually. Eastern Neck NWR is closed to the public during deer management hunts.
I look forward to helping you and your family find the perfect home on the Eastern Shore. Contact Chuck Mangold today!
Chuck Mangold