The warmer weather makes it the ideal time for a summer road trip from Rockville, MD. Hop in your Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Compass, or RAM 1500, hit the road, and discover some of the most fabulous and unique places while traveling in Maryland. 1. The Eerie Ghost Town of Daniels Take a 40-minute drive out to Daniels Road in Ellicott City to visit the remains of Daniels, a romantic ghost town slowly fading away into the forest. Once a small industrial town, vines and weeds now cover the few remaining stone ruins and rusted cars of what was once known as Elysville, a booming town on the Patapsco River established in 1810 by Thomas Ely when he built his textile mill here. By the 20th century, the little town had a church, a school, various stores, and a railroad station. After the textile mill closed in the late 1960s, many residents left. Then storm Agnes flooded the town in 1972, destroying many of the buildings, and it was abandoned entirely. Peeking out between the trees, you can still see remnants of the Pentecostal Holiness Church and Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church with its small graveyard. more 2. The Enchanted Forest Pine Tree Maze at Elioak Farm Drive down Route 108 west towards Clarksville to Martha and Nora Clark's 540-acre farm to see an unusual and delightful collection of vintage structures from a defunct storybook roadside amusement park. The Clarks salvaged, repaired, and painted most of the figures and storybook buildings of what was once a famous Maryland amusement park, The Enchanted Forest. Navigate your way through the twists and turns of The Enchanted Forest Pine Tree Maze and discover colorful storybook figures. Bump into Cinderella's pumpkin coach, the six mice, gingerbread men, Mother Goose and her gosling, Papa Bear, and giant mushrooms between the pines. Elioak Farm is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, the farm closes at 5:30 p.m. 3. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Take a trip to Oxon Hill and drive over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge that spans the Potomac River to Alexandria in Virginia. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge has two long multiple-span bascule drawbridges, each with six lanes. It is the only bridge in the country that passes through three different jurisdictions, connecting Oxon Hill, Maryland, on the eastern end to Alexandria, Virginia, on the western end. For approximately 300 feet, around the middle, the bridge passes over the southernmost point of our nation's capital. It's a great summer drive, not only for the view of the Potomac River but also for a bit of interesting Americana. 4. The Crystal Grottoes Cavern Head to Boonsboro for a unique cave experience at Crystal Grottoes Cavern, which has more formations per square foot than any other cave in the world. The caverns were discovered in 1920 while quarrying for limestone to build State Route 34 and opened to the public in 1922. The friendly and knowledgeable guides will tell you all about this well-preserved, beautiful natural phenomenon. The great thing about visiting the cavern in summer, it's constantly cool at 54 degrees throughout the year. Crystal Grottoes Cavern is at 19821 Shepherdstown Pike in Boonsboro. Ready for a Road Trip? Get a Service at Our Rockville Service Department Take a trip down Maryland's highways and byways and discover magical destinations along the way. Before you hit the road, stop at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Rockville today for a thorough inspection and service for your car.
We all get tired of doing the same old things all the time, and sometimes all you need is a nudge in the right direction to get that spring in your step again. This is why we've done a bit of homework to inspire you to get out there and enjoy what Lake Needwood has to offer. So kick off your slippers and get out there: we have a list of great activities for you to enjoy. 1. Lake Needwood Archery Range Take your aim at this scenic outdoor archery range, located in Upper Creek Park. Lake Needwood Archery Range is equipped with measured shooting positions for 20 - 100 yards, and there are also a number of spots where you can erect your own targets. Compete with your friends and family to find out who's the best shot, you may be surprised at your own sporting skills! more 2. Needwood hiker-biker trail Bring your family, your dogs, and don't forget your walking shoes. You can spend an active day on one of several short trails around the lake or get serious and walk the 14-mile trail to DC. There are lots of lovely spots to have a picnic. After your gentle or active hike, you can relax next to the Needwood lake, recharge your batteries, and listen to the bird sounds. You may even see a turtle peeking out the water at you from your lakeside spot. Chill time. Things to do include: Kayaking on the lake Biking trails Children's playground 3. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Get your adrenalin rush ziplining through the forest at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring. For ages 5 and up this is our recommendation for an exhilarating excursion. They are open from 9 am to 8 am (and on weekends till 10 pm) and bookings are essential. At the largest adventure park in North America you will find: 200+ platforms in the treetops ziplines crossing over 5 acres of forest 7 difficulty levels (beginners to ultimate thrill-seeker level!) "Glow in the Park" evening zipline adventure 4. Needwood Golf Course This well-groomed all year round golf course was designed for golfers at every skill level. You may just find that this sometimes challenging course brings out the best golfer in you. All skill levels will have fun playing here. For beginners and golfers who have limited time to play, we recommend that you play the executive 9 hole course. It's a great little course with two quite tricky par 4's which makes for 2 hours of sporting fun in the fresh air. Now that you have your places to go to, you are nearly 100% ready for a fun day out. Last but not least is for you to make sure you will get there and back home safely AND stylishly! Visit DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Rockville, where you will find the professional and high level of care you need for your automotive needs, be it snapping up your new dream car or getting quality automotive service.
Rockville, MD, sits less than 20 miles outside of D.C., offering all the amenities you can get in the city without the crowds. Rockville isn't the largest city in the area, but it is one of the coolest. Whether you live in Maryland or are just visiting, you can easily find some fantastic local spots to enjoy a drink and some food. Here are some of the best places to grab a drink in Rockville. more Full On Craft Eats & Drinks They don't hold back at Full On Craft Eats & Drinks. Everyone here feels passionate about craft beer and wine, and they work hard to make sure you have a great experience every time you go in. Their wine and beer list feature a wide variety of flavors and beverages. You can get draft beer or get it in a bottle or can. The list changes with the seasons, and some of the selections you might see in fall, for example, include the Flying Dog Agave cerveza, Peabody Heights Astrodon IPA, and the Jailbreak Funk Sway. Stop by for a drink and one of the best sandwiches in the area. You can also catch the game on TV while you are there. Quincy's South Bar & Grill Head to Quincy's South Bar & Grill for happy hour or to watch a game. This sports bar has all your bar food favorites, beer on tap and by the bottle, and a long list of specialty cocktails. The bartenders are very friendly and helpful if you can't decide what you want and will help you decide on the perfect drink. Stop into Quincy's on Sunday to grab a drink and watch the football game, or you can go for late-night drinks on Friday or Saturday night. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant offers a place to go if you want something other than the bar scene. This winery provides fun from start to finish with a free sample of wine as soon as you walk through the door. The bar is huge, with walls lined with bottles of wine. The restaurant is a popular spot in Rockville, and it's not uncommon to have a two-hour wait, but once you get in, it is well worth it. If you can't decide on just one wine, try the tasting option where you can try an ounce of eight different wines for just $8. You can also get the Bubbles Flight, which comes with four champagne-sized glasses filled with different sparkling wines. Finnegan's Wake Irish Pub You'll get the full Irish experience at Finnegan's Wake. This is Rockville's home of the perfect pint with an extensive drink and beer menu. You can also choose from a list of Irish whiskey, bourbon, and scotch selections, along with beer mixes. If you want something lighter, there is also an assortment of wines or you can ask the bartender to create a mixed drink for you. Check out these places in Rockville for some great drinks and food. Grab some friends and head to one of the above establishments. image via pixabay
