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New Tour Offerings & Suggestions for 2010 

CENTRAL MARYLAND

Annapolis/Anne Arundel County

Annapolis was named one of the “Top 20 Prettiest Towns” by Forbes Traveler, for the 2^nd year in a row.  www.visitannapolis.org

The United States Naval Academy has some new offerings:

• Tour & Football Game - The Naval Academy Guide Service is partnering with the Naval Academy Athletic Association to promote a combination guided walking tour and tickets to a home football game for fall 2010.
• U.S. Naval Academy Museum – It has reopened and it’s FREE!  Folks taking the walking tour can end their tour at the museum.  The Naval Academy Museum, the oldest, continuously operating Navy museum in the country, has undergone extensive renovations.  New exhibit include: “Don’t Give Up the Ship” flag, flown during the Battle of Lake Erie (War of 1812); the Gallery of Ships, contains models dating from 1650 to around 1840; and four life-size dioramas – Life at Sea on the lower deck (c. 1650); Ship Model Makers Shop (c. 1700); Navigation (c. 1700); and a Carronade Gun Crew (c. 1800).
• Chapel Reopening – Renovations of the Naval Academy’s 1908 chapel are slated for completion by mid-October 2009. The $2.3 million project begun in January 2009 included restoring the wooden floors and pews, repairing the plaster trim, replacing pew cushions and carpeting, returning the building to its original color scheme, and sprucing up the chapel’s majestic dome.  www.navyonline.com

 

Urology Museum – The William P. Didusch Center for Urologic History in Linthicum opened its new exhibit, Recipes and Remedies, in June 2009. The wide-ranging exhibit focuses on the evolution of pharmaceuticals. Plans are already underway for an exhibit next year that will focus on the use of electricity in medicine. The museum is inside the headquarters of the American Urological Association in Linthicum and is open to the public from 9-5 weekdays and weekends by appointment. Admission is free. 410-689-3785. www.urologichistory.museum

Hell Point Seafood – Owned by chef-restaurateur Bob Kinkead of Kinkead’s fame in DC, Hell Point is open for lunch and dinner at the former Phillip’s Seafood Restaurant in Annapolis. Kinkead has teamed up with chefs Jeffrey Gaetjen and James Huff to create a neighborhood seafood restaurant offering crowd-pleasing dishes with fresh, local flavor. Featuring big-windowed dining rooms and an outdoor terrace, Hell Point overlooks the boat moorings at City Dock’s Ego Alley. Bearing the former nickname of the area, the two-story restaurant also includes a bar and a private dining room. 12 Dock Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. 410-990-9888‎.

Watermark has some new tour offerings:

• Treasure our Waters – Step aboard & examine bay waters up close then disembark at the Annapolis Maritime Museum to continue learning about the impact of water conservation, wetlands and oysters on water quality. (2 Hours)
• Bay Lighthouse Cruise - Cruise by three lighthouses and enjoy the views as you pass under the twin spans of the bay bridges.  Our costumed lighthouse keeper provides an entertaining live narration. (3 Hours)
• Ghost Tours - As the sun set and darkness wraps the streets of historic, and some say, haunted Annapolis, a colonial-attired guide will lead you on a candlelit journey sharing tales of the spirits who dwell in the town’s 19^th century buildings (including the William Paca House) and of those that may linger in the mist. (90 minutes)
• Parade of Lights - Join Watermark and Severn Inn for front row seats to the Eastport Yacht Club Parade of Lights on the Annapolis Harbor. Get into the holiday spirit with a delicious dinner followed by a 1.5 hour cruise on the Annapolis Harbor. Enjoy the parade of boats, each of which is illuminated with thousands of colorful lights. (2^nd Saturday in December)  www.watermarkjourney.com

Schooner Woodwind will offer a 2-hour sail, with a minimum of 18 guests. The 74-foot schooner Woodwind was custom designed and built specifically for sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.  A replica of the classic, fast wooden schooners that were built as yachts, the Woodwind sails up to four times daily throughout the summer season.  Help hoist the sails as you cruise past the U.S. Naval Academy and into the Chesapeake Bay. www.schoonerwoodwind.com

Annapolis Progressive Dinner - Take part in a progressive meal including hors d’oeuvres at Middleton’s Oyster Bar, dinner at OB’s Prime; and dessert, coffee & cordials at O’Brien’s Restaurant.  www.obsprime.com

Baltimore City

Star-Spangled Celebration Major Events

• Naval Declaration of War (June 2012) - The U.S. Navy is planning a major naval event in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to commemorate the bicentennial of the declaration of war. Up to 50 grey hulls and tall ships from the U.S., British, Canadian and other navies of the world are expected to visit for a weeklong event in June 13-20, 2012 to mark the 200th anniversary.
• Terror in the Chesapeake (June 2013) – A series of major water and land-based events in the upper and mid-Chesapeake region—will take place to commemorate the launch of the British invasion of the Chesapeake and the events leading up to the burning of Washington and the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
• National Star-Spangled Spectacular (September 2014) - A series of major water and land-based events in the Chesapeake region will take place to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the penning of the Star-Spangled Banner and the events that gave the nation two of its most important icons—the flag and the anthem.  www.starspangled200.org

 

Baltimore now welcomes a new fleet of FREE eco-friendly buses to its streets. The Charm City Circulator will offer three distinct routes, with the first route starting operation on January 11, 2010.  It will serve the needs of visitors, residents and employees by providing fast, convenient and energy-efficient way to move about Baltimore's downtown area.  www.waterfrontpartnership.org.

The National Aquarium newest exhibit is Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance.  The 4-D Theater will debut the next installment of the popular award winning documentary Planet Earth: Pole To Pole, in January. This offering will feature polar bears, penguins and seals.  Tour operator rates in effect through December 2010 are:  Adults - $21.95 base, $24.95 with dolphin show, and $26.95 with 4-D theatre; Seniors are $1 less; Students are $13.95 base, $16.95 with dolphin show, and $18.95 with 4-D theatre.  www.aqua.org 

Patapsco Management – Arena, Bingo, & Flea Market will now have an Amish Market.  The flea market has 1,000+ vendors and the Amish Market will be filled with fresh baked goodies, meats, cheeses, crafts and more. Guests can choose to add additional items such as Big Bingo Sundays with over $30,000 in cash and prizes, a crab & shrimp feast or bull & oyster roast at their 30,000 square foot arena.  The new Bingo Hall is offering some great cash incentives to bus companies for bringing groups to the markets and bingo hall.  Contact Sandy Kingsborough for details.  Tel: 410-354-1338  www.patapscofleamarket.com

The Baltimore Museum of Industry offers new digital tours that utilize I-Pods. The tours include over 50 tracks divided into four categories:  Gil Sandler Tour with several WYPR broadcast “Baltimore Stories”; Helen Bentley Video Tour with clips from the 1950’s television show “A Port That Built a City and State”; Baltimore Voices Tour with a collection of histories from the Jewish Museum of Maryland; and the General Museum Tour with clips recorded by educators, historians and BMI volunteers.  www.thebmi.org 

The Maryland Women’s Heritage Center is scheduled to open in Winter 2010.  It will include permanent and changing exhibits about individuals, events, and special topics.  Also information and activities about renowned Maryland women such as those in the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame. www.mdwomensheritagecenter.org 

Ride the Ducks have ceased operation.

Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium will be the site of:

• The 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships
• The 2011 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships
• The 2014 Army-Navy Game
• The 2016 Army-Navy Game

 

Port of Baltimore – News on Cruises in 2010

• Carnival Cruises is offering year round cruises on the Carnival Pride
• Celebrity Cruises will be offering 12-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean and a repositioning cruise on the Celebrity Mercury.
• Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas will offer several Bermuda and New England/Eastern Canada cruises in 2010
• American Spirit has several small ship cruises scheduled for the Chesapeake Bay and the Mid-Atlantic Inside Passage in 2010.  www.cruisemaryland.com

    

Baltimore County

The Piedmont Wine Trail links 8 wineries in Baltimore and Harford Counties leading visitors through a vibrant landscape of rolling hills dotted with thoroughbred horse farms. These nationally-recognized wineries produce cellar-worthy reds and lively white wines. www.piedmontwinetrail.com

Carroll County

Peep Show – A special art exhibit held at the Carroll County Arts Center during a special weekend in Westminster.  Peep show artists use marshmallow peeps® manufactured by Just Born Candy to create three-dimensional tableaus.  The creativity is amazing with plenty of great tongue in cheek submissions, such as a peeping willow and a peep show. www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org/index_files/peepshow.htm

Harford County

Tudor Hall, the home of the famed Booth family, including President Lincoln’s assassin John Wilkes Booth, is now available for tours.  A volunteer group, Spirits of Tudor Hall, plan to develop a docent program to lead tours that will discuss the first family of American theatre, the architecture of the house, Civil War history, and ghost stories.  www.harfordhistory.net 

Howard County

Terrapin Adventures has a zip-line tower, high ropes challenge course, a giant swing for three that exerts 2 G’s of force upon release, and Terrapin Tower (12 different routes/methods to scale a 43-foot climbing tower.  Great for Students!  Terrapin Adventures Experiential Learning Programs will provide comfortable indoor meeting space, safe and exhilarating outdoor courses, healthy high-energy food and clean modern rest rooms. We can accommodate up to 80 children during the day.  Programs include:

• The Amazing Race. Participants working in teams to solve a series of mental and physical challenges.
• Terrapin Olympics. Teams compete for the gold. We give awards for most improved, most creative, and best results.
• Scavenger Treasure Hunt. Team members will work together both inside and out to find clues and treasures. The real treasure will be the lessons learned and the confidence gained.
• Survivor: Your group divides up into teams and works on alliances and strategies to get the most points.  www.terrapinadventures.com 

   

EASTERN SHORE 

Caroline County

 A portion of the Underground Railroad National Scenic Byway will pass through Caroline County.  The national heritage sites associated with the life and times of Harriet Tubman are represented on the trail stretching from Dorchester County, Maryland to Albany, New York.  www.harriettubman.com

Cecil County

Hollywood Slots-Perryville has broken ground and is expected to open in late October 2010. 

The Chesapeake Wine Trail links 10 wineries on the Eastern Shore.  Delight in the beauty of the bay and discover elegance in the bottle.  www.chesapeakewinetrail.com.

 

Dorchester County

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park will include a visitor center, memorial garden and trails.   Upon completion, the Harriet Tubman Discovery Center will provide a multi-sensory experience and orientation point along the Underground Railroad Scenic Byway.  The Discovery Center will also provide administrative headquarters for the park.  www.harriettubman.com

The Dorchester Center for the Arts will be celebrating their 40^th Anniversary in 2010. Mickey Love can be reached at 410-228-7782; their new location is 321 High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613.  www.dorchesterarts.org

Jimmie & Sook’s Raw Bar & Grill serves as a culinary ode to the local watermen.  Enjoy fresh seafood in a unique and comfortable dining atmosphere.  The restaurant was featured on Tom Brokaw’s Along Route 50 series.  www.jimmiesandsooks.com.

Queen Anne’s County

The River Plantation/Pintail Yachts offer a number of upscale cruise options – such as a Mother’s Day, a Father’s Day BBQ & a Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse cruise.  The Lighthouse Cruise is a 4-hour cruise on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.  Learn about their history, function and their importance and get unbelievable photographic opportunities.  Enjoy your time aboard our 59’ luxury charter fishing vessel with complimentary beer and soft beverages.  www.theriverplantation.com

Somerset County

The Smith Island Baking Company has opened a store on Smith Island; cakes and coffee are available for purchase.  The company is made up of bakers from the island.  www.smithislandbakingco.com

The Olde Crisfield Crab & Steakhouse will open in the Spring.  Located on the water, Olde Crisfield can accommodate groups up to 300 people for meals or crab feasts.  They will also offer a culinary experience, with history of the local seafood industry, and a crab cake making demonstration.  www.oldecrisfield.com

 

Talbot County

Six (6) Themed Bicycle Trails designed for cyclists sporting beginner to expert skills are now available. The mapped trails feature 180 miles of beautiful Talbot County sights including spectacular views of farmland, scenic landscapes and waterscapes, historical sites, and big sky vistas.  www.tourtalbot.org 

A new Japanese restaurant is coming to Easton.  IN JAPAN is opening within a few weeks. It is an independent restaurant and John Kim is the General Manager.

Town Dock Restaurant has a new manager Jon Mason – and they have made a lot of changes there since he took over the restaurant. The restaurant is situated on the St Michaels Harbor, with dining indoors or outdoors. They want motor coach business.  www.town-dock.com 

There is another museum on Tilghman Island, Tilghman Island Waterman’s Museum. The founders just purchased a V-shaped house that is indigenous to the island and will be painting and moving the exhibits in the first of next year so by the spring/summer the new location should be in place. This is history and art relating to the Tilghman Island watermen, their boats, and water harvesting culture. www.tilghmanmuseum.org

The St. Michaels Museum at St Mary’s Square has a terrific Frederick Douglass walking tour. The Historical Society of Talbot County produces a Frederick Douglass driving tour which can be narrated by Kelley Cox of Dockside Express. www.stmichaelsmuseum.com

In November 2010, an unveiling of the new Frederick Douglass monument will be celebrated on the green of the Talbot County Court House; this is an event that is slated during 2010 as part of Easton’s 300^th anniversary.

Salisbury Pewter Manufacturing Plant in Easton will provide tour companies a factory guided tour at 10:30 AM followed by complimentary cookies and beverages at Salisbury Gift and Garden.  The factory is off Route 322 in Easton.  www.salisburypewter.com

The Historical Society of Talbot County has brought back their docent tours of the James Neall House, Joseph Cottage and award-winning Federal Period Gardens.  Cooking demonstrations in open hearth oven – include making cookies and tour attendees can try their hand at making butter. Soon the addition of costumed period craftsmen and hosts will be a part of the Historical Society experience.  www.hstc.org 

The Oxford Museum provides a memorial experience – costumed Robert Morris, Sr. will gladly share his story and that of his son Robert Morris, Jr – the financier of the American Revolution and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Nothing beats the story more than homemade ice cream- new flavors made each and sometimes the menu has Crab ice cream, too! It’s the Highland Scottish Creamery – for groups we can provide the ice cream maker – Victor in his Scottish attire and ice cream cart in the park or aboard the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry.  www.oxfordmuseum.org and http://scottishhighlandcreamery.com

Tidewater Inn has undergone renovation to their restaurant and the Hunters Tavern is the perfect spot for a motor coach lunch or dinner. The Tavern is befitting of the tradition and history of the Inn and its out with the NY Martini Bar and back with the Tavern.  www.tidewaterinn.com

Tea on Thursday afternoons at the Inn at 202 Dover is a lovely experience in a historic mansion in downtown Easton. www.innat202dover.com

John & Robin Marrah are new owners of the Patriot in St. Michaels are pulling together themed tours to including dining and entertainment. They are anxious to work with the motor coach industry and rebuild old relationships and create new ones.  www.patriotcruises.com

There is a brewery in St Michaels, Eastern Shore Brewery, at the Old Mill along with the St. Michaels Winery, which offers tastings on a daily basis along with wine purchases.  www.easternshorebrewing.com 

 

Wicomico County

Bordeleau Winery has opened Wicomico County's first licensed winery and tasting room.  The winery is a wonderful location to hold your next special event or meeting. A meeting room is on premises and the tasting room is also available before or after your event. Adrenaline High offers a custom bike and kayaking tour that includes kayaking to the winery, a tour & tasting, van shuttle for the return and overnight at the Whitehaven Hotel.  www.bordeleauwine.com 

Savor the Taste of Wicomico County by visiting one of the LORA restaurants. (Local Owner Restaurant Association).  John Knorr, owner of the Red Roost, has added additional restaurant choices to the area, Boonies, Sobo’s Wine Bistro, and Specific Gravity.  www.lorarestaurants.com.

Pork in the Park is held in Salisbury, the third weekend in April.  It is the largest Kansas City sanction Bar-B-Q competition on the East Coast with more than 90 competitors.  The festival includes food vendors, entertainment, micro-brews, crafts and more.  Admission is only $2 and motorcoach parking is available.  www.porkinthepark.org.

The Autumn Wine Festival, in mid October, includes 22 wineries and is held on the grounds of Pemberton Hall, the only original 18^th century house open to the public on the Lower Eastern Shore.  www.autumnwinefestival.org.

The Crown Sports Center includes 5 indoor turf fields, outdoor fields, 1 huge sport court, 2 volleyball courts, a 2-story laser tag, arcade, 4 party rooms and full catering.  Sports camps are held throughout the summer including: football, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, and field hockey.  www.crownsportscenter.com

 

Worcester County/Ocean City

Assateague Island National Seashore, named by “Dr. Beach” as one of the Top 5 “Best Beaches on the East Coast” (AARP Magazine)  www.nps.gov/asis

The Town of Pocomoke has a packaged price for six downtown attractions and lunch for $35 inclusive.  Attractions include: Delmarva Discovery Center, Costen House, Sturgis one-room school, Mar-Va Theatre, Pocomoke Nature Trail and a Bay Queen Cruise.  http://pocomokeriver.org 

The OC Air Show will be held June 5-6, 2010, and headquartered at the Quality Inn on 17^th Street.  www.ocairshow.com

Harbor Day at the Docks is a new event in West Ocean City taking place at the commercial marina.  It is held on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend.

Harrison Group Resort Hotels has a new itinerary, Boardwalks of the Mid-Atlantic.  The 4-day tour includes visits to Boardwalks in Ocean City, Rehoboth, Cape May & Atlantic City.  www.ocmdhotels.com/groupsales

The Ocean Downs Slots is scheduled to open in 2010.

 

GREATER WASHINGTON 

Frederick County

Adventure Park USA, Maryland’s largest family entertainment center and Wild West-themed thrill park, will expand in Spring 2010 to include a new, five-acre water park with thrilling attractions and world-class amenities.  Wild West Waters will include a 20,000 square foot wave pool, interactive play structure, a 1,500 square foot spray recreational area, and a 5,000 square foot bathhouse with concessions and a retail store to serve guests.  In the second stage of development, which will occur in 2011, a quarter-mile lazy river and major slide structures fitting for the most active children will expand the water park. www.adventureparkusa.com 

Frederick is gaining traction as culinary destination with Bryan Voltaggio’s season-long run on Top Chef.  Frederick native Voltaggio is chef and partner at Volt, one of the restaurants that feature products made or grown in Frederick County.  Volt is one of the town’s 60-plus eateries and food shops.  The Downtown Frederick Partnership, Tourism Council and local restaurants are planning for Frederick’s first restaurant week in the spring.  www.voltrestaurant.com 

 

Montgomery County

Brookside Gardens’ offers their Gardens of Lights, (Nov 27-Jan 3) with 940,000 twinkling colorful lights shaped in imaginative displays throughout the gardens. Walk along the easily accessible paths and you'll see what sets this light show apart from others; it’s the hundreds of wrapped trees and shrubs, beautifully lighted gazebos, cascading fountains, and the individually formed displays in the shapes of blooming flowers, and wild animals. Inside of the Conservatory, a winter display of holiday poinsettias, flowering plants and evergreens are combined in bright and bold combinations to provide a colorful landscape for the garden railway trains to travel through. The Conservatory & Train Exhibit is open at night November 27 through January 3 and during the days starting December 5. Listen to local musicians perform in the auditorium of the Visitors Center each night of the show. Light refreshments may be purchased and enjoyed during the entertainment.  www.brooksidegardens.org 

The Bolger Center, part of Dolce Hotels & Resorts, is located on a very nice 83-acre campus atmosphere in Potomac.  They have ample bus parking and they really want this business.  The problem has always been that they do not have D/D sleeping rooms, however they are offering a $59 room rate on weekends.  www.dolce-bolger-center-hotel.com

The Blair Mansion Inn in Silver Spring offers tour groups a delicious dinner in an historic setting, plus their choice of a music and comedy Improv show or murder mystery. The Mansion Mystery Players focus on mostly high school to adult audiences with their comedy murder mysteries. The Now This Improv troupe perform for the entire range of audiences with a special ability to reach younger audiences that have very strict requirements as to content, or the sensitive needs of religious groups. Every Friday and Saturday evening they do public mystery dinner shows for up to 120 people. For groups as few as 30, they can set up a private dinner and show at the time of your choosing.  October is “Sack the Quarterback…for Good”; November is “Mystery in Mo-town”; and December is “Holiday Surprise”.  www.blairmansion.com

The Rio Entertainment Center in Gaithersburg is a new street/entertainment center.  The area consists of hotels, waterfront dining, and an 18-screen movie theatre.  Combined with the Washingtonian Center and the Washingtonian Waterfront, the retail shops and services create a vibrant main street shopping environment. Merchants include Target, Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Barnes and Noble, Ann Taylor Loft, Chicos and Lindt Chocolate in addition to many others.  www.riocenter.com

The National Capital Trolley Museum hopes to open in 2010.  www.dctrolley.org

The King Barn Dairy Mooseum in Germantown, is undergoing a major renovation at the Barn, for a planned May 2010 Grand Opening. www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/ag_farm.shtm

The Round House Theatre produces nearly 200 theatrical performances each season at its 400-seat Bethesda theatre and 150-seat black box theatre in Silver Spring. The company operates an education center in Silver Spring and annually reaches over 40,000 patrons there and across the region with strong educational programs.  www.roundhousetheatre.org

 

Prince George’s County

National Harbor is Maryland’s newest destination, a new town center with hotels, restaurants, shops, marina and amphitheatre.  www.nationalharbor.com

•  Christmas Holidays at Gaylord National includes a 60-foot glass tree, nightly indoor snowfall and Mrs. Claus in Pienza Italian Resturant.
• ICE! From Nov 20-Dec 31, 2010, the year’s coldest event will warm hearts by the hundreds of thousands.  Visitors will explore an indoor wonderland created entirely of ice – two-million pounds to be exact – hand-sculpted by forty international artisans and kept at a chilling nine degrees.  The 15,000-square-foot attraction will feature ten different holiday scenes, including thrilling ice slides that stand more than two-stories tall.  It’s all part the ultimate holiday event, Christmas on the Potomac, a 45-day celebration of entertainment, activities and fun.  Group rate $18 per person.  www.christmasonthepotomac.com
• Disney to build a 500-room resort hotel.  The new project might dovetail with Adventures by Disney, which offers guided tours that include a mid-Atlantic tour through Philadelphia, Williamsburg and Washington. The D.C. leg of the tour includes a guided bike ride around the National Mall and private tours of the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, and a lunch trip to Mount Vernon.
•  Peeps, the company associated with marshmallow Easter treats, has opened its first retail store at National Harbor.  Peeps & Company is a 3,500-square-foot store and is expected to open in November.  Just Born won't just be hawking the pastel marshmallow candies. You'll be able to find Peep pillows, pens and other paraphernalia, including Peeps dressed as the Village People.
• While tour groups can experience a traditional New England clambake at Foster’s Downeast Clambake (New England Clam Chowder, Maine Clams & Mussels, Maine Lobster, Corn-on-the-Cob, Roasted Red Potatoes, drawn butter & Blueberry Crumb Cake - $49.50 inclusive); they also offer a traditional all-you-can-eat Maryland Crab Feast Friday-Sunday afternoons) for $45.
• The Harbor Walk Trail connects with the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail, a hiking and biking route that crosses the Potomac River into Alexandria and Mount Vernon.
• The Beatles-inspired Abbey Road on the River Music Festival will take place at National Harbor, September 2-6, 2010.  Join 50,000+ fans from around the world as they COME TOGETHER for Music, Love & Entertainment!  About 65 bands from across the universe will gather for this non-stop music event; along with concerts, movies, and contests with more than $10,000 in cash & prizes.  Contests include: They’re Gonna Make a Big Star Outa Me; Costume Contest; OH Darlin! Singing Contest; and Beatles Rock Band Championship.

   

The Show Place Arena will host the 2010 Atlantic 10 Women’s Championship Basketball Tournament, March 5-8, 2010.

Fed-Ex Field, home of the Washington Redskins, will host:

• The 2011 Army-Navy Game

 

SOUTHERN MARYLAND

Calvert County

Running Hare Vineyard has broken ground on a new event facility.

The Patuxent Wine Trail links 5 wineries in Southern Maryland and offers stunning water vistas and beautiful rolling farmland.  The region's soil and climate are a close approximation of the famed Tuscany region of Italy and the local wine makers are creating sumptuous award-winning wines to rival those anywhere.  www.patuxentwinetrail.com

The Lore Oyster House will reopen in March 2010 at the Calvert Marine Museum, offering exhibits on the Chesapeake Bay and its oyster industry.  The museum will offer educational programs on the revitalization of oyster beds and oyster harvesting.

The Bay History Museum opens a new exhibit in March 2010.  The Adventures of Captain John Smith will focus on the explorations, as he mapped the Chesapeake, looked for more needed food, and establish relationships with the American Indians. 

The Calvert Agriculture Tour offers a working farm tour, learning about efforts to "grow" oysters in special oyster beds, and dinner at a restaurant that provides farm to table dining.   Special education programs are available for students.

 

WESTERN MARYLAND 

Garrett County

The Lodges at Sunset Village is located in McHenry, overlooking Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Ski Area.  The fourteen cabin, 21 suite complex can comfortably accommodate from two people in a suite – up to 10 people in the Majestic, 1,300 square foot log lodge. The rooms are luxuriously decorated with a variety of lodge style furnishings and include premium bedding, flat screen TV’s, kitchenettes, gas fireplaces and more.

Washington County/Hagerstown

Prime Outlets-Hagerstown has some new offerings; Gandolfo’s New York Deli will open in the food court, Hot Stepper, an urban wear store; New York & Company; and Columbia Sportswear.
  

Anniversary Events

• National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC – (March 27-April 11, 2010) *Celebrating 100^th Anniversary in 2012.

• Mount Clare Museum House 250^th Anniversary (2010)

• 175^th – 1835: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's Thomas Viaduct, first multi-span masonry railroad bridge in country, crossed Patapsco River at Relay

• 150^th – 1860: Druid Hill Park opened, Baltimore

• 75^th – 1935: Maryland State Police was established as a separate unit of State government (Chapter 303, Acts of 1935). The new agency was funded out of revenues from the Department of Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. It was granted additional statewide police powers to enforce fish, oyster, game and other conservation laws and maintain a training school

• 50^th – 1960: Maryland State House - 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD (410) 974-3400. The Maryland State House is the oldest state house still in legislative use. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960.

• 50^th – 1960: Cal Ripken Jr., baseball’s Ironman, turns 50 (8-24-1960)

• 30^th – 1980: July 2. Harborplace, a 3-acre center of restaurants and shops, opened in Baltimore, signaling revitalization of city's Inner Harbor.

• 25^th – 1985: The skipjack became the State Boat

• Star-Spangled Banner written Bicentennial (September 2014)

• Baltimore Museum of Art celebrates 100^th Anniversary (2014)

 

Crab Feast Possibilities

• Baltimore Museum of Industry has rental facilities for crab feasts overlooking the Harbor.  Would need to contract with caterer independently.
• Captain Billy’s on Pope’s Creek in Charles County would be glad to arrange crab feasts for groups on weekends. They can also accommodate groups up to 150.
• Captain James Landing – Offering crab feasts on outdoor deck area followed by a boat ride.  Groups may also be picked up at Inner Harbor and delivered to Captain James.  Available on Saturday afternoons. ($50, plus, plus)
• Fisherman’s Crab Deck in Grasonville will offer Senior Crab Feasts on the water on Saturday for lunch.  Prices are $30-35 and only good for seniors. Monday-Friday senior lunch crab feasts are discounted.
• Phillips Crab House (24^th Street in Ocean City) - Offers crab feasts any day of the week, as long as they are finished by 4 PM. Evening crab feasts are also available in the spring and fall.
• Phillips Seafood House (141^st in Ocean City) – A great option for those who want a little more than a crab feast, which they can also do.  In the heart of the summer the buffet usually always has Maryland steamed crabs on it.  Saturdays in the summer are a little more difficult, but depending on the amount of people they can open early or if they come as soon as we open, they could more than likely accommodate.
• Rusty Scupper, overlooking the Inner Harbor, offers several dining options.  Crab feasts are available for $38-$56, plus, plus)
• Six Flags America offers packages custom-built for groups of 75+, everything from a Maryland Crab Feast to a Backyard BBQ.
• Watermark Cruises offers a Crab Feast on the Queen for a couple of dates during summer.
• Woody’s Rum Bar & Island Grill in Fells Point will offer crab feasts from their third floor deck overlooking the Fells Point Waterfront.  Minimum of 40 people for about $75 per.

          

Several tour companies, wholesale Maryland Crab Feast packages:

David Tours & Travel (PA) offers a Classic Crab Feast; a Crab & Shrimp Feast; a Comedy Crab Feast; a Gospel Crab Feast; and a Crab Feast Cruise.  Feasts take place in July and August ($52 and up, without bus).  Except for cruise feasts, most take place at Michaels in Glen Burnie.

J.O.B. Marketing & Travel Consultants (MD) offers Music Crab Feasts at a number of Baltimore locations.  Crab Feasts can be planned for Party, Reggae, Jazz or Gospel Music.  In 2007, prices started from $59.

Rose Tours & Travel (PA) offers a Baltimore Crab Feast; an Oldies Crab Feast; a Shrimp & Crab Feast; a Line Dance Crab Feast and a Gospel Crab Feast.  Feasts are available in July and August ($53 and up, without bus).  Most feasts take place at Martin’s Eastwind.

Safety Tours & Travel (NJ) offers a Chesapeake Bay Crab Feast on weekends in July and August at Camp Letz in Edgewater.  Includes drinks, crabs, bull roast, swimming pool, canoeing and eating from indoor facility overlooking the Chesapeake.  Prices start at $57 without bus.

Eastern Light Getaways (PA) offers weekend crab feast and includes live headliner entertainment.  Prices include open bar and hotel from $129 per person.
 

Dinner Theatres

Antietam Recreation Wild West Show offers the Cowboy Christmas show Thursday-Saturdays in November and December.  Group rates are less than $28 inclusive.

The Blair Mansion Inn (www.blairmansioninn.com) in Silver Spring, groups can enjoy a delicious dinner in an historic setting plus their choice of a music and comedy improv show or murder mystery.  The Mansion Mystery Players have shows here every weekend throughout the year.  They can give you a taste of this humor during the week or whenever you plan on visiting us.  October is “Sack the Quarterback…for Good”; November is “Mystery in Mo-town”; and December is “Holiday Surprise”.

Lorenzo’s Timonium Dinner Theatre – Upcoming shows include:  Special Red Hatters Days are scheduled for June 22, Sept 7 and December 7, 2008.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament – Red Hat groups can receive a free group photo on selected dates.  Student group photos are available from in front of castle with a character for $5 each.

Miracle Dinner Theatre – Located near Rising Sun, new theatre entertainment option.  Saturday and Sunday shows only, show tickets available with or without dinner.  Show & Buffet tickets are less than $25.

Toby’s Dinner Theatre-Baltimore – Upcoming shows include:

• Oliver – March 11-June 6, 2010
• Always Patsy Cline – June 12-July 18, 2010
• Godspell – July 23-September 5, 2010
• Cats – September 11-November 7, 2010
• A Christmas Carol ­-  November 12-January 2, 2011

  

Toby’s Dinner Theatre-Columbia – Upcoming shows include:

• Hairspray – March 4-August 1, 2010
• Nunsense – August 5-September 19, 2010
• Rent – September 23-November 14, 2010
• Rodger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella – November 18-January 23, 2011

  

Way-off Broadway Dinner Theatre – Upcoming shows include:

Performance Theatres

Evangel Cathedral – Located in Upper Marlboro, Christmas and Easter shows on 3 weekends.  Spectacular, Broadway-style holiday musical productions.  ABA member.

Olney Theatre – Upcoming shows include: “1776”, “Mousetrap”, “Stuff Happens”; “Rabbit Hole”; “The Underpants”; “Peter Pan-The Musical”.  Special discounts are offered to nearby restaurants, Inn at Brookeville Farms, Sole D’Italia, and the King’s Contrivance.

The Cumberland Theatre – Adult tickets are $20, students $10.  Upcoming shows include:

• Chicago – July 8-25, 2010
• Rocky Horror Picture Show – October 14-31, 2010
• Treasure Island – November 26-December 12, 2010
• The Last of the Red Hot Lovers – February 10-27, 2011
• The Importance of Being Ernest – March 31-April 17, 2011

  

Todd Performing Arts Center and the Best Western-Kent Narrows has package for first weekend in December.

OC Jamboree offers “Swinging with the Stars”; “Ticket to Ride”; and “Country Christmas Memories”. Special event shows are: Branson’s “Ozark Jubilee” and “The Legends”.  Red Hat Days are Aug 14 and Nov 20.

The Mar-Va Theatre in Pocomoke City, offers a few performances during the summer months by the Salisbury Community Players.

The B&O Railroad Museum’s Festival of Trains (Thanksgiving Friday thru Early January) – Maryland’s largest display of toy and model train display layouts.
Weekend train rides with Santa and Frosty the Snowman