Things to Do in Maryland During the Fall

Fall started late this year, so it is time to make up for some lost time. Grab the family and go have some fun--and eat some great food along the way.

Pick some apples-One great spot to head to is Larriland Farm in Woodbine. They usually have at least 5 varieties of apple to choose from-ranging from sweet to tart. And if you don't want to brave the trees, you can just buy a bushel at the barn, along with cider, pies, squash and more. Remember, fresh cider is not pasteurized and only lasts a couple days. My stomach learned this the hard way.

Navigate a corn maze-There are a bunch of corn mazes in the area, including Sunrise Farm in Gambrills and Crumland Farms in Frederick. It's a fun way to pass the afternoon if you don't mind walking in circles. And since they are living mazes, they are never the same from one year to the next. The corn is shorter this year because of the drought, so try not to cheat by looking over the tops.

Go on a ghost tour-Okay, so ghost tours are offered close to year round, but fall is the best time to go. The weather adds an extra chill to the tour without the risk of hypothermia. A couple good ones are of Fells Point in Baltimore and Alexandria, Virginia.

Check out a haunted house-Sure, you could trespass and explore one of the many real haunted spaces in Maryland, but I think the fake ones are much more fun. They're tame enough for the somewhat faint-hearted, but they still provide enough screams to leave you laughing at the end. My favorite is the one at the Bowie Baysox stadium. This year it has a Blackbeard theme. Skip the Chain Maze though; it's a waste of money.

Take a hike-This time of year is great hiking weather, and you can check out the trees at the same time. Some good trails include Patapsco Park in Howard County and Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, or head south or spend a Sunday in Rock Creek Park in Montgomery County.

Get some fresh eats-Farmer's Markets are best in the fall. That harvest theme has something to do with it. Pick up some fresh, locally grown pumpkins, apples, corn and squash. Stop by the Anne Arundel Farmer's Market in Annapolis on Sunday morning for a great selection of pumpkins and squash and good company.

Relax-After the day's activities have worn you out, enjoy some seasonal food and homemade ice cream at Baugher's in Westminster. Don't neglect to try their pie. If it has fruit in it, it's good for you-right?