Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Hotline for the weekend of November 2^nd,  3^rd and 4^th, brought to you by the Maryland Office of Tourism and the Department of Natural Resources.

Well, November is here, the holiday season is quickly approaching, and despite the presence of still-green leaves on many trees around the region, winter really is on its way! While most of the leaves have already fallen in Western Maryland, the brilliant orange, yellow and scarlet foliage is at or near peak in the tidewater areas of Central Maryland and the upper Eastern Shore, and it should be worth your while to plan a drive out to either of these regions this weekend.

At the top of the Bay, Elk Neck State Park in Cecil County is reporting some beautiful conditions right now. The park’s sandy beaches, marshlands and heavily wooded bluffs comprise the peninsula formed by the North East and Elk Rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay, and several trails meander through the diversified topography, revealing the great variety of plant and animal life. An easy walking trail to the Turkey Point Lighthouse provides a fantastic view of the Elk River and the Chesapeake.

In the Central Maryland region, reports from Patapsco Valley State Park indicate the park is quite colorful. For fabulous views of the fall foliage, stop by the Valley Overlook in the Hollowfield Area right off Route 40 near Ellicott City. This weekend would also be the perfect time to take in the two-mile scenic drive along Orange Grove Road in the Avalon section of the park near Elkridge. And with the weather forecast to be quite mild over the next several days, why not head up to the McKeldin Area near Marriottsville and enjoy a hike along the park’s Switchback Trail.

Equestrians can enjoy riding at Morgan Run Natural Environment Area, reporting fantastic conditions right now. Located off Route 97 north of Route 26 in Carroll County, this relatively undisturbed area has seven miles of trails running through old farm fields and forests.

Other areas to visit close to the Baltimore-Washington metro area: Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area in Owings Mills, Baltimore County, Sugar Loaf Mountain Natural Resource Area in southern Frederick County, Seneca Creek State Park just southwest of Gaithersburg, and Dierssen Wildlife Management Area situated between the C&O Canal and the Potomac River in Montgomery County, offering first rate opportunities for waterfowl watching and quiet interludes for strollers along the Canal Tow Path.

Or consider a visit to Earleville Wildlife Management Area, in rural southern Cecil County, or the Millington Wildlife Management Area in eastern Kent County, both reporting spectacular conditions right now. These areas, located far off the beaten track, feature hardwood forests dotted with pine stands, various wetlands, fallow managed fields, warm season grasses and open farmland, and support a variety of wildlife including deer, turkey, fox, waterfowl and songbirds. Remember that these areas are also open to hunting this time of year, so be sure to check ahead before venturing out (although Sundays are generally not a problem).

If you’ve spent enough time out in the great outdoors this fall, don’t forget about the many festivals taking place around the state this weekend, many designed to give you a jump on holiday shopping!

If you’re in the Central Maryland region, consider stopping by historic North Point State Park, located near Edgemere in Baltimore County, on Saturday for the debut of the park’s Polar Fair event, part of an effort to make a positive and lasting difference in the endeavor to reduce global warming. Visitors will find informative displays on ways to conserve energy in their homes and everyday lives, dynamic presentations about the climate crisis, and games and interactive activities for children. Young and old alike can enjoy a fun-filled autumn day in the park, learn about important environmental issues, and empower themselves with knowledge of how we all can have a positive impact on the Earth. The cost to enter the Polar Fair is $3 per car.

Up in Westminster in Carroll County, still reporting lovely conditions across the county’s rolling countryside, the much-anticipated Christmas Market and Holiday Show gets underway this weekend at the Agriculture Center. Wake up over coffee with area locals and those in-the-know, who don’t miss a Saturday during the six-week market season. Juried crafts, Christmas decorations, baked goods and gourmet food items await; the market is open each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Head over to Boordy Vineyards in Baltimore County on Sunday and spend the crisp autumn afternoon in their vintage wine cellar, warming up over a bowl of soup or toasted marshmallows at the first of their Soups in the Cellar weekends. A different seasonal soup will be featured each weekend throughout the month of November, as well as a variety of musical entertainment – this week enjoy some of your all-time favorite covers, courtesy of locally-renowned Blue Moon Review.

If you're looking for something to do in Annapolis, tour some of the city's most renowned historic homes as part of the Annapolis By Candlelight event, providing architectural enthusiasts with an opportunity to explore the interiors and exteriors of properties in the Italianate, Federal, Greek Revival, Georgian, Colonial Revival, and vernacular styles, going on Friday and Saturday evenings, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Down in St. Mary’s County, where the fall foliage is still a week or so from peak, the Maryland Antiques Center in Leonardtown will be the site of the “At the Water’s Edge” and “Historic Southern Maryland” Art Shows this Saturday afternoon, featuring area artisans displaying their handiwork in the facility’s Herons Way and Lord Calvert galleries. The center’s thirty shops showcase collections of quality antique furniture, collectibles, art, gourmet food items, china, stained glass, and jewelry, and is home to a custom framing shop and tea room, open for lunch from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

And finally, make a point of attending Frederick County’s 75th Annual Veterans Day Parade, taking place this Sunday at 1 p.m. at the intersection of East and West Potomac streets in the town of Brunswick. Come out to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives for our country, as well as cheer on those who continue to do so.

For more information on events around the state this fall, contact the Maryland Office of Tourism Development at 1-800-MDISFUN or visit their website at www.visitmaryland.org.

Enjoy your Maryland weekend!

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