September 16, 2011|By Donna M. Owens, Special to The Baltimore Sun
24. The Waterfowl Festival in Easton is a Maryland Eastern Shore tradition for all ages, with food, music and myriad activities. The event is Nov. 11-13 and includes geese and duck calling contests, a food and wine tasting pavilion, and artists from around the country. Go to waterfowlfestival.org.
25. Enjoy the beauty of fall in the mountains of Garrett County at the annual Autumn Glory Festival. The event, held Oct. 12-16, features parades, music art exhibits, antique and craft shows, food and more. Don't miss the Oktoberfest dinner and concert by the Oom-Pah band, dogsled events, and the official Maryland State Banjo Championship. Go to visitdeepcreek.com.
26. Experience the picturesque autumn beauty of Philadelphia's northern countryside in Bucks County, Pa. Local towns get in the fall spirit by hosting a series of events — from lantern-led ghost tours to hayrides, to a folk art competition with larger-than-life scarecrows. The 40th annual Apple Festival offers scrumptious treats such as apple dumplings, fritters and a fall favorite, apple cider. Go to visitbuckscounty.com/events.
27. Philadelphia's Manayunk EcoArts Festival, Sept. 24-25, is an earth-friendly celebration with technology, interactive demonstrations, and entertainment — all focused on being nice to planet Earth. Go to visitphilly.com.
28. Pay homage to history this fall in Gettysburg, Pa. Dedication Day on Nov. 19 honors President Lincoln's visit, complete with recitations of the famous Gettysburg Address. On Remembrance Day, held this year on the same date, thousands of re-enactors and living historians will converge on the town to honor Civil War soldiers. At day's end, volunteers will light 3,500 candles in the Soldiers' National Cemetery and place flags at gravesites. Go to gettysburgfoundation.org.
29. Fall Arts Jubilee (now through Nov. 6) in Alexandria, Va., highlights the arts with events throughout the city, from outdoor art festivals to indoor performances, exhibitions, and films. Round out the experience with a visit to the Torpedo Factory Art Center and shopping at boutiques and galleries. Pop into a café or dine in one of the city's acclaimed eateries, enjoy a glass of wine or craft beer. Go to visitalexandriava.com.
Fall gardens
30. Fall's gorgeous hues abound during the Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens, about 12 miles from Wilmington, Del. From Oct. 29 to Nov. 20, some 200,000 chrysanthemums in vibrant yellow will drape the walls, form chandeliers and be arranged in other artful configurations inside the four-acre conservatory. Outside, gorgeous gourds and giant pumpkins decorate the sprawling grounds. Go to longwoodgardens.org.
31. Whether you're a model train buff, or simply love beautiful gardens, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's annual Garden Railways Tour will delight. This self-guided tour of 10 private homes features working model trains set amid landscaped gardens. Sites are located in and around Lancaster, Pa. Tickets for the Oct. 9 event can be purchased at the museum or online. Go to rrmuseumpa.org or call 717-687-8628.
32. Need family-friendly activities that won't break the bank? Then head to Fairfax County, Va., for a variety of outdoor fall fun that's inexpensive — and sometimes free. Spend the day hiking or rock climbing at Great Falls National Park or savor the serenity of the new Korean Bell Garden at Meadowlark Gardens, said to be the only one of its kind in North America. Go to fxva.com.
33. Fall is an inspiring time to visit Washington as the national monuments, memorials and outdoor spaces take on a brighter hue. The National Arboretum in D.C. hosts a fall foliage display every year and also offers an orchid show, sale and exhibit on Oct. 8-10. Go to usna.usda.gov.
Fall foliage
34. Talbot County's scenic byway along Route 33 from Easton to St. Michaels to Tilghman Island, offers an incredible fall drive along country roads and a blazing array of fall shades. Here, the big sky vistas and waterscapes accelerate the depth of the fall foliage. Go to tourtalbot.org.
35. Traditional fall foliage sites in Maryland include the Deep Creek Lake area, Cumberland/Frostburg and the Catoctin Mountains north of Frederick. They're pedestrian friendly and also accessible by car, train or bike. Go to visitmaryland.org.
36. Maryland's Eastern Shore evokes a very different fall experience: besides foliage, envision golden fields of soybeans, acres of orange pumpkin patches and flocks of Canadian geese in flight.
37. Enjoy fall colors from the deck of the Woodwind, a 74-foot wooden schooner offering sunset cruises on the bay every other Monday in September. Listen as a guest speaker from the Historic Annapolis Foundation brings the history, lore, and intrigue of Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay to life. Call 410-263-7837 or go to schoonerwoodwind.com.
