We visited Victory Crest Farms to see their beautiful Highland Cows , bunnies and their pigs. A…read moresmall farm tour was what we expected but not what we received! The kids learned so much about the cows, were able to pet and brush Theo who is a very handsome Highland. We also go to meet the goats, the new baby chicks, the horse named Pudgy and 2 great pigs Jasper and Jackson. The highlight was also learning how to pick up and hold the bunnies to keep them safe. We all got bunny cuddles with Bluebell and Buttercup! Our family will definitely be back to the farm. We all learned so much and they have 4 (maybe 5?) pregnant cows so we are looking forward to meeting the new babies. We highly recommend this farm for family farm tours, homeschool groups, photography sessions and more. We also learned about their farm fresh eggs and their soon to be up and running farm store! Amazing Venue.

We always come here during the holidays. It's always nice seeing the animals and the amazing…read morecollections.

Flat irons used to be my favorite Christmas tradition, but now it's turned into a lifeless cash…read moregrab. The museum, candy shop and emporium are all gone. Absolutely nothing to do for older visitors anymore. Save yourself the time and skip.

Pros:This vineyard is a delight for history lovers--it was built in the early 1800s and has served…read moremany purposes over the years, including a boys' school, a Union troop garrison during the Civil War, Washington Academy, a courthouse, and even a dairy farm. The tasting room is spacious and comfortable, with tables and couches perfect for relaxing with friends. There's also a charming gift shop, along with a selection of cheeses and snacks available for purchase. Cons:I tried the five-red tasting for $12, but none of the wines were especially memorable. The pours were inconsistent, with some wines served as one sip, some two, and others three. The cheeses for purchase are pricey, with 4 oz costing $13. The most significant issue was the wine glasses--each sip had a strong odor reminiscent of dirty sponge water, indicating that their glass-cleaning process needs major improvement. Overall: A charming vineyard with rich history and a comfortable tasting space, but the wines didn't impress and snacks are pricey. Great for the atmosphere, less so for the tasting. Based on this experience, I rate this establishment a 2.5 out of 5.

This was a large and lovely winery. It's a beautiful property with different buildings and spaces…read morefor wine, enjoying wine, listening to music or all sorts of events. The vinard is onsite and I believe they help other local wineries in the area to make wine. The employees were great, so friendly and knowledgeable. There was live music. They have some food on site and they have food trucks. The oyster food truck was wonderful. Can't wait to return.

This museum is quite small, having only a couple of rooms. Many of the exhibits were being…read morerenovated when I stopped in. Had I driven here for the museum, I would have been quite disappointed. Having said that, there was still some history here, and the racialized history of criminal enforcement in the area is something worth pondering. There was no charge to enter but I did get a brief greeting.

Very informative and interesting historical Old Jail Museum. Free admission to this tiny block…read morebuilding. Plenty of informative packets. Nice gift shop with "relevant " mementos. Situated in an adorably walkable village center. Make this quick stop on your next visit to Leonardtown MD.

We happened to be in Kinsale, VA last Saturday and was happy to see that the museum was open. We…read morespent about 1/2 hour looking at the historic photos of the Kinsale Harbor and talking to the docent who told us about the steamboats on the Potomac and Chesapeake. They have a huge collection of history books. We enjoyed our visit.

The Kinsale museum and the Kinsale community does a great job of preserving the small, port town…read morelook and feel. When speaking to the local folks like the museum director Lynn Norris, you immediately get transformed back to a place and time when things were just better. I would welcome anyone to have a conversation, visit and learn more about this quaint area where time stands still. Check out their waterways newsletter if you get a chance at http://www.kinsalefoundation.org. Very interesting info and very well written. As a disclaimer, I don't live in the Kinsale area, nor am I affiliated with the museum in anyway. I just wanted to send out a nice note for some genuinely nice people doing a great job of preserving the waterfront history of the northern neck.

Historic Sotterley is a preserved plantation near the water in Hollywood, Maryland. Pre-pandemic,…read morethey offered ours, hosted weddings inside the historic home and taught classes for all ages. During the pandemic, these have been suspended, but you can still visit. There's a small parking lot and signs that guide you to the historic home, gardens and slave house. Like many plantations in this area, people were enslaved here. It's a tragic fact to know when you visit so you can mourn and grieve. It would be inappropriate to visit this place without knowing the tragedy of it and how it led to the systemic racism that sadly still exists today. May we all fight for justice for all!

Yes, the grounds are pretty. But a really important reason to visit is the story this place tells…read moreof enslaved people and their captors. Growing up in the South as a white person, I have been accustomed to historic plantations that allow visitors to share a romantic view of the "Old South." A view that ignores the ravages of slavery. In contrast, Sotterley has invested in presenting artifacts of its history with enslaved Africans, primarily through renovating a slave cabin. What is chilling is that a ship carrying people kidnapped from West Africa docked on the shores of Sotterley. The UN has designated it as a special cultural site because of this history. Learn more about the effort to present a true picture of life at the plantation in this article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/07/18/descendants-slaves-slave-owners-discover-legacy-marylands-sotterley-planation/

Beautiful U-Pick Flower Farm stand that operates on the honor system! Right next to the restaurant…read more17th South lies stunning fields full of Zinnias, Cosmos and Sunflowers. At the wagon in the front you will find shears, water, rubber bands and bouquet holders for you to be able to make your very own bouquet. Instructions are clearly laid out on the signs upfront. The fields are speckled with so many bright colors which make a gorgeous backdrop for photos. You will be accompanied by bees, butterflies and some lady bugs which were so lovely to spot. Each stem is 1 dollar which is an incredible value for the experience. This is an un-manned stand that operates on the honor system and accepts paypal, venmo and cash app. Definitely check it out for a lovely gift or fun quick experience with loved ones.

Nice little museum did you a good history around that area. Very outdated. The staff is mainly…read morevolunteers, but they are knowledgeable and very friendly.

"Was it everything you hoped for and expected?" our intrepid captain asked as he was ferrying us…read moreback from the island. For me, the answer was yes. Maybe that's because my expectations were realistic and not that high; this is a very small island and there is not much on it at all. But if it's a tourist trap, it's a very pretty tourist trap, worth a visit for the sheer novelty of it. The historicity of the location is somewhat interesting, but what drew me is the idea of being out on the Potomac on one of the most isolated spots you'll likely find within driving distance of the nation's capital. This place is way out there. I mean, even if you're already in Southern Maryland, it's a significant drive from most anything of consequence. It is at least a bucolic ride, and you can expect clear roads. The museum is small but reasonably well done, but really just something to do as you to wait for the ferry. Waiting for the boat, I was greeted by a pair of stingrays flapping pleasantly at the surface of the water (not pictured, sorry); you're not far from ocean here I guess. The boat is small and the ride quite rough on a windy day, which I'm guessing is a lot of days; if you get seasick or have mobility challenges I would recommend against it. The north side on which you arrive is decidedly barren and cactus-ridden (sandal-wearers beware). However, walking to the south quickly leaves one on a clear trail surrounded by thick underbrush. The only things you're likely to hear are wind, birds, and bugs (thankfully, the wind factor tends to minimize the biting/stinging ones). A few locals might be out fishing, but you're likely to have a lot of peace and quiet. A picnic area, a monument, and a lighthouse are the main landmarks. The island is eroding away, and has been reinforced by rocks on all sides; the one appreciable beach is on the south side. Trying to traverse the wilder parts of the island is dicey at best, but if you simply want to bathe in the sun and sea air, you can find a place. The ferry runs on very limited hours (10-3 on weekends in season, and that's it), but I found somewhere between 1.5-2 hours on the island sufficient for a fairly complete visit, one that can be interspersed with a day trip by some of the other scattered Southern Maryland Parks. The cost isn't a ton ($7 for museum and a ride to the island), but note that they do charge for children over five.