Greenbook: A Local Guide to Chesapeake Living -Issue 11 | Page 15

ELK NECK STATE PARK NEAR NORTH EAST, MD
Elk Neck State Park is located in Cecil County on a pen-
insula, formed by the Chesapeake Bay on the west and
the Elk River on the east. The park boasts over 2,188
acres of varied landscapes including marshlands, heav-
ily wooded areas, white clay cliffs, and sandy shore-
lines. Camping, swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking,
are popular pastimes. Visit Turkey Point Lighthouse or
launch at the Rogues Harbor Boat Launch facility. (Bud-
get: day use is $6 or less, bring a picnic, enjoy dinner
at a dock bar).
THE NATIONAL MALL IN WASHINGTON, DC
So close, yet so frequently overlooked by locals, the
National Mall is an area treasure. Instead of heading
to the many free museums, walk or bike the perimeter
to see the memorials. Most have an interpretive area,
shop, restrooms and great spots for photo ops. Visit
the long line of food trucks, indulge in an ice cream
from a street vendor, take a picnic for under a shady
tree—bring along a Frisbee, some balls or bubbles—
and let yourself enjoy a relaxing few hours. Favorite
picnic spots are the National Gallery of Art Sculpture
Garden, Bartholdi Park or under the stately oak trees
that line Maryland and Pennsylvania Avenues in front
of the Capital Building Complex. Best parking is found
on the Tidal Basin side of Constitution Avenue. Street
parking is payable with meters—try a garage if you
plan to stay for an extended period. A better plan may
be to use the metro, which is cheap and convenient.
Arrive early before the museums open for school tours
and before its gets too hot. (Budget: Free)
ATTEND A LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Chesapeake country abounds with great music. Visit
the Quiet Waters, Downs Park Chesapeake Beach,
Londontowne and Gardens, historic downtown Annap-
olis, Maryland Hall, USNA, Ellicott City and Frederick.
Tickets to well-attended festivals like Firefly in Dover,
Mountains of Music in Virginia, Floyd Fest in Floyd, Vir-
ginia or Jazz Fest in DC might be sold out, but be sure
to check out Craigs List or other online sites for third
party sales.
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Photo by Diana Love.
VISIT A HISTORIC PROPERTY
Some good sites include Hancock's Resolution in Pasa-
dena, the Deale Historical Society at Herrington Har-
bour North or The Rising Sun Inn in Crownsville.
GREENBOOK | SUMMER 2017
15