Emily Exploring Maryland!

​ One of my favorite things about living in a small town is that there are usually always community events going on every weekend. On Saturday, November 8 th , I attended a community flea market at the Carroll County Agricultural Center. The Ag Center is a large arena that holds trade shows and entertainment in Carroll County all throughout the year! The indoor flea market took place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and showcased over 100 tables of antiques, books, collectibles, baked goods, crafts and much more! Admission and parking were completely free, and if you rented a 10 x 10 space, there was a fee of $40 with a $5 fee for each table used. My grandma and great grandma used to have a table every year at this annual flea market, and others throughout the year, so going back really filled me with a lot of emotions. Seeing the areas where they used to set up their table was extremely nostalgic for me. My sisters and I used to help out at the market, checking people out and exploring other ta...

​ This fall, I had the privilege of going to Oktoberfest at the Frederick Fairgrounds! It is a great way to  drink awesome cider or beer, listening to performances, check out handmade art, eat delicious German food, and watch German dancing routines. What is Oktoberfest? Oktoberfest is a beer celebration that brings German traditions to life! The celebration dates back to the 1800’s in Munich, Germany to celebrate the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. While the festivities were originally celebrated in October, now, Octoberfest is held September because there is more daylight in the evening, meaning longer partying! It is also warmer in September, so people can enjoy beautiful weather without being too chilly. It is a two weeklong festival in Munich where you can enjoy delicious beer (or cider if you are gluten free like me), eat authentic German cuisine, and get to know the community. Oktoberfest in Frederick Oktoberfest 2025 ...

If you are seeking a cheap museum and are a history lover, you most definitely need to check out the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. The Museum is located in Frederick, Maryland on East Patrick Street. There is a $10.50 admission fee per adult, but my boyfriend and I found a Groupon deal where we got two tickets for only $8! You can experience the National Museum of Civil War Medicine either with a guided tour group of up to 40 people, or you can do a self guided tour, which is what we chose to do!   What Will You See During Your Visit? During your visit to the NMCWM, “you will follow in the footsteps of soldiers and surgeons to discover the harsh conditions, personal sacrifices and brilliant innovations of Civil War medicine, innovations that continue to save lives today” (National Museum of Civil War Medicine). The museum showcase’s the lives and activities of the doctors, patients, and caregivers who served during the War. From the horrors of war, there emerged syst...

​ If you live in the DMV, and surrounding areas, you have most definitely heard of, or visited, the sweetest place on Earth, Hershey Park ! I had the pleasure of taking a trip to the glorious Hershey, PA this year and knew I had to share my experience! Hershey Park, for those who do not know, is a large amusement park in Hershey Pennsylvania. It is the perfect place for the entire family to enjoy. No matter your age, there is something for everyone. During your visit to Hershey, PA you can experience everything from the most thrilling roller coasters, to luxurious spa treatments, endless delicious restaurants and bars, the cutest boutiques, unforgettable outdoor concerts, and so much more. History                   We all know that the icon Hershey name is associated with the most delicious chocolate. Milton Hershey is the man who started it all in 1905 in the very town that Hershey, PA is now known as....

I stumbled upon the most adorable Christmas shop and absolutely had to share! During a Gettysburg, Pennsylvania trip, along the streets of downtown, I saw what looked like a Christmas lover’s paradise! This holiday wonderland is called The Christmas Haus located on Baltimore Street.                   The Christmas Haus, as expected from its name, sells authentic German Christmas accessories! They have an incredibly large variety of nutcrackers ranging from about 6 feet tall, to 6 inches! Whatever you are looking for, you’ll be guaranteed to find it in the Christmas Haus. Everything that they sell in store is homemade, carved, and collected from the finest German artisans.                   Each year, The Christmas Haus employees travel to Germany to work directly with German craftspeople to bring the best of the best, ...

​ Stepping onto the battlefields of Gettysburg was a surreal feeling. Knowing that many men and women had once fought for their lives in the spot that I was standing was both a mesmerizing and haunting thought. If you want to experience a town with rich history, see battlefield and real war craft, or maybe even go on a ghost tour through haunted homes, you need to go to Gettysburg, PA. I took a day trip to Gettysburg to learn more about the great battle that took place during the American Civil war in 1863. The Battle of Gettysburg , though it spanned only a short three days, was the bloodiest single battle of the entire Civil War. According to American Battlefield Trust, the battle took place on July 1 st -3 rd and ended in more than 50,000 casualties, as well as thousands more wounded and captured. The bloodiest single battle ended with the Union victory. During my visit, I got the opportunity to walk through the Gettysburg National Military Park and pay my respects to all of the...

Looking for something free and cultural, with beautiful sights? You need to check out The Baltimore Museum of Art.  The BMA is located on Museum Drive, right in the heart of the city of Baltimore. It is a 210,000 square foot museum that includes 10 different buildings and wings, outdoor sculpture gardens, and over 97,000 art pieces inside! It is truly beautiful, and the best part is, it’s completely free! The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on Thursday’s until 9 p.m. According to their website, the BMA “connects art to Baltimore and Baltimore to the world, embodying a commitment to artistic excellence and social equity in every decision from art presentation, interpretation and collecting.” They are all about welcoming anyone and everyone to experience the beauty and diversity of art from all around the world, dating back centuries. The BMA was originally founded in 1914 with just one single painting. Their belief and core values ...