Visiting the Historic Drum Point Lighthouse

The Drum Point Lighthouse is currently located at the Calvert Marine Museum in the beautiful state of Maryland. It was originally located at the mouth of the Patuxent River and then relocated to the museum. It's one of four surving screwpile lighthouses along the Chesapeake Bay. 

It stands 46 feet tall and constructed in a hexagonal shape. It was first lit in 1883, deactivated in 1962 and then automated in 1960. The light range is 13 nautical miles. 

Lighthouse Keeper lived in the little cottage-style house that is broken down into 4 equally-sized rooms: Lightkeeper's bedroom, sitting room, kitchen and dining room. There are 2 doors and 6 windows to allow entry and light into the house. A metal spiral staircase allowed access to the second floor which contained the assistant keeper's room and the bell room. A separate flight of stairs leads to the lantern room where the lens was operated and housed.

You'll find that the Drum Point Lighthouse is open year-round, weather permitting. You have to pay an admission fee to the museum which also includes the tour of the lighthouse. There's no separate charges. You can take a free Virtual Tour of the lighthouse online via the museum's website. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

A Fun Weekend Getaway to Ocean City in Maryland

Looking for a quick getaway for Spring break? This summer? Ocean City in Maryland is just a 4 hour drive from most locations in south central Pennsylvania. This seaside destination is open year-round although during the off-season some activities are limited. With that said, you can always find something to see and do while visiting. 

If you want to avoid spring breakers and/or large crowds you'll want to travel during the week. If you don't mind crowds...then an extended weekend is perfectly fine. We like traveling down early on a Friday morning and departing early on a Monday. 

Many of the hotels and motels offer big savings during the spring season...especially if you make your reservations for weeknights or go for a 5-night Sunday through Friday packaged deal. Some will give Seniors, Active Military, First Responders, etc. discounts too. Don't be afraid to ask! 

Amusement parks, miniature golf courses, go-karts, etc. start opening up during the weekends throughout the spring season. You can do a search online to see what is open and their hours of operation. Personally...we go down just for the weekend to relax. We enjoy beach walks, shopping, and dining out. If the grandchildren are along...then we seek out other fun attractions to keep them busy.

The boardwalk is starting to open up too although not at full capacity until late spring. With that said, you will find a few stores and restaurants that are open. For the best dining options during the off-season look for options a few blocks inland. No lines, no wait and great food!

While you're there make sure you head up onto the one pier to see something really unique. While up on the pair taking a scenic walk check out all of the padlocks that are attached to the fence barrier. It's something fun to see!

Family Fun at the National Aquarium in Baltimore

The National Aquarium is located in Baltimore, Maryland and is open year-round. Before visiting the facility you'll want to visit the aquarium's website for their hours of operation and schedule of events. You can purchase tickets online or at the door. You'll need to obtain paid parking once you get there at a nearby parking facility. They don't have their own parking lot.

We recommend that you allow 2 1/2 to 3 hours in your schedule to see all of the exhibits and to participate in offered activities. You'll want to wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking. They recommend that you leave all packages and bags locked up in your vehicle. Only take in what you absolutely need. 

Families are welcome to bring their own strollers, diaper bags, etc. that you may need for the children while you're there. Cameras are permitted but please be respectful when taking photographs in the facility to not disturb other visitors or the animals. Due to Covid-19 guidelines, wear your mask, wash your hands frequently (or use hand sanitizer), and practice social distancing at all times.

The National Aquarium is broken down into several different types of areas: Amazon River Forest, Atlantic Coral Reef, Blacktip Reef, Jellies Invasion, Shark Alley, Living Seashore, Maryland Experience, Atlantic to Pacific and more! You can visit all of them or pick and choose what you want to see. 

They have a beautiful exhibit called "Living Seashore" which is a hands-on exhibit where you can touch jellyfish, snails and other animals. This is the ONLY area where you are permitted to touch the animals...so please remember that as you are visiting. In addition, you are NOT allowed to tap or beat on their aquariums or walls to get the animal's attention. You're not permitted to feed them. Please be respectful. 

One of my favorite exhibits was the Upland Tropical Amazon Rain Forest where they had several different kinds of tropical birds, an adorable and furry sloth, golden lion tamarin, a few frogs, a gorgeous yellow-footed tortoise and more. I'm a big fan of primates and I really adore sloths, so this was definitely one of my favorite areas in the aquarium. 

After you're done visiting the National Aquarium you can walk to other nearby attractions. You can rent a paddle boat, take a dinner cruise, visit the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, take in an Orioles baseball game, enjoy a nice dinner with drinks on the waterfront, do some shopping, etc. There are a lot of great things to see in Inner Harbor. 

We really had a great time during our third visit to the National Aquarium in Baltimore and look forward to making it an annual tradition to visit with the grandchildren every year. It's just a 2 hour drive or less from most locations in south central Pennsylvania. A great destination for a family road trip! 

You can learn more about The National Aquarium by visiting their site online. You can get their hours of operation, schedule of events and even reserve/buy your admission tickets online. Connect with the aquarium on Facebook, Instagram or on Twitter. They love to hear from their fans! 

Baltimore's World Trade Center 9-11 Memorial

The 9-11 Memorial at Baltimore's World Trade Center honors the 69 Marylander's who lost their life on September 11th, 2001. It's a day that our nation will never forget. The tragedy of that day changed the world.

Designed by Baltimore architecture firm Ziger/Snead, the memorial consists of three twisted and rusted beams that measure 22 feet long. It's a place that people can reflect and remember those we lost on that fateful day. It's obviously located outdoors and is open to the public.

We had the opportunity to visit the Maryland 9-11 Memorial while on a recent day trip down to Baltimore. It's really a nice thing to see if you're going to be visiting the Inner Harbor area. You can walk around all four sides of the memorial to read all of the information while you're there.

You'll find Baltimore World Trade Center located at 401 E. Pratt Street in Baltimore, Maryland. You can read more about the memorial and obtain directions by visiting the Maryland State Art Council's website.

Spend the Day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore

The National Aquarium is located in Baltimore, Maryland at Inner Harbor. It's open 7 days a week with varying hours of operation. You can find the current schedule outlined on their website, subject to change. Admission price ranges from $29.95 to $39.95 per person. Paid parking is located nearby.

You'll want to allow at least 2 hours in your schedule when visiting the facility. They recommend that you arrive at least 90 minutes before closing time. If you're traveling with little ones...please note that strollers are prohibited. You can obtain a child carrier for guest use at the Stroller Check. Furthermore, you want to limit bringing bags into the facility. Please secure your bags before entering due to security reasons.

The exhibits are broken down into several different types of areas: Amazon River Forest, Atlantic Coral Reef, Blacktip Reef, Jellies Invasion, Shark Alley, Living Seashore, Maryland Experience, Atlantic to Pacific and more! You can visit all of them or pick and choose what you want to see. If you're visiting for the first time we recommend that you see them all as each one is unique and different.

They have a beautiful exhibit called "Living Seashore" which is a hands-on exhibit where you can touch jellyfish, snails and other animals. This is the ONLY area where you are permitted to touch the animals...so please remember that as you are visiting. In addition, you are NOT allowed to tap or beat on their aquariums or walls to get the animal's attention. You're not permitted to feed them. Please be respectful.

One of my favorite exhibits was the Upland Tropical Amazon Rain Forest where they had several different kinds of tropical birds, an adorable & furry sloth, golden lion tamarin, a few frogs, a gorgeous yellow-footed tortoise and more. I'm a big fan of primates and I really adore sloths, so this was definitely one of my favorite areas to explore.

Our family tries to visit the National Aquarium twice a year. We always see something new and every time we go it's a different experience. Just last month we took our two grandchildren (age 5 and 11 years) along with us and they had a great time! Matter of fact, they're already asking when can we go back!

After you're done visiting the National Aquarium you can walk to other nearby attractions. You can rent a paddle boat, take a dinner cruise, visit the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, take in an Orioles baseball game, enjoy a nice dinner with drinks on the waterfront, do some shopping, etc. There are a lot of great things to see in Inner Harbor.

Educational Family Fun at The National Aquarium in Baltimore

The National Aquarium, also referred to as the Baltimore Aquarium by locals is located in Baltimore Maryland, at Inner Harbor. When visiting, you will have to locate one of the parking garages that are within walking distance of the aquarium. They don't have their own parking facility.

Tickets to the aquarium can be purchased online or at the door. We recommend buying them online to avoid long lines, especially if you plan on visiting during the weekend or during a special event. You'll want to allow at least 2 hours in your schedule when visiting, although 3 hours is more ideal...especially if you have children along with you.

Here are a few tips: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. You'll want to limit taking bags into facility (they're subject to a security check) and we recommend eating before you arrive. You can't take food or beverages in with you. If your a parent you can take in a diaper bag, baby bottles and other baby feeding essentials.

The National Aquarium is broken down into several different types of areas: Amazon River Forest, Atlantic Coral Reef, Blacktip Reef, Jellies Invasion, Shark Alley, Living Seashore, Maryland Experience, Atlantic to Pacific and more! You can visit all of them or pick and choose what you want to see.

They have a beautiful exhibit called "Living Seashore" which is a hands-on exhibit where you can touch jellyfish, snails and other animals. This is the ONLY area where you are permitted to touch the animals...so please remember that as you are visiting. In addition, you are NOT allowed to tap or beat on their aquariums or walls to get the animal's attention. You're not permitted to feed them. Please be respectful.

One of my favorite exhibits was the Upland Tropical Amazon Rain Forest where they had several different kinds of tropical birds, an adorable & furry sloth, golden lion tamarin, a few frogs, a gorgeous yellow-footed tortoise and more. I'm a big fan of primates and I really adore sloths, so this was definitely one of my favorite areas in the aquarium.

After you're done visiting the National Aquarium you can walk to other nearby attractions. You can rent a paddle boat, take a dinner cruise, visit the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, take in an Orioles baseball game, enjoy a nice dinner with drinks on the waterfront, do some shopping, etc. There are a lot of great things to see in Inner Harbor.

We really had a great time during our third visit to the National Aquarium in Baltimore and look forward to making it an annual tradition to visit with the grandchildren every year. It's just a 2 hour drive or less from most locations in south central Pennsylvania. A great destination for a family day trip for sure!

You can learn more about The National Aquarium by visiting their site online. You can get their hours of operation, schedule of events and even reserve/buy your admission tickets online.

Family Fun at Old Pro Undersea Adventure Mini Golf in Ocean City

Old Pro Undersea Adventure Mini Golf is an 18-hole indoor and outdoor miniature golf course located in Ocean City, Maryland. It's open year-round from 10 AM to 10 PM daily. If you would like to save a little bit of money you'll find a $1.00 OFF per person coupon on the company's website.

The Old Pro Golf owns and operates 6 different miniature golf courses found at 4 different locations around Ocean City. There are 2 indoor courses and 4 outdoor courses for you to enjoy. You can visit their website to learn more.

* TEMPLE OF THE DRAGON MINI GOLF is located on 23rd Street and is an outdoor course.

* RENAISSANCE CASTLE MINI GOLF is located on 28th Street and is an outdoor course.

* UNDERSEA ADVENTURE MINI GOLF is located on 68th Street and is an indoor course.

* PREHISTORIC DINOSAUR MINI GOLF is located on 68th Street and is an outdoor course.

* SAFARI VILLAGE MINI GOLF is located on 136th Street and is an indoor course.

* CARIBBEAN PIRATES MINI GOLF is located on 136th Street and is an outdoor course.

During our visit to Ocean City in Maryland we enjoyed a round of miniature golf at the Undersea Adventure location and had a really great time. The course is fairly easy to navigate and is beautifully laid out. You'll find mechanical figures, water features, fun obstacles and more! After your done playing you can head into their indoor arcade to play a few games and perhaps win some prizes.

In our honest opinion, its one of the nicest mini golf courses in Ocean City. It's conveniently located, easy to find parking and they're open daily. As an added bonus, this one is indoors, so on bad weather days when you need something to do...head on over to the Old Pro Undersea Adventure Mini Golf.

Fun and Exciting Washington Redskins Football Game at FedEx Field

The Washington Redskins have been my favorite NFL football team for the past 40 years. I'm one of those guys who picked his favorite football team during his teenage years and stuck with that team all of his life. I'm such a fan that I have two Redskin tattoos!

Living in south central Pennsylvania gives us fairly easy access to FedEx Field in Prince George's County, Maryland where they play all of their home games. The stadium is roughly 5 miles east of Washington, D.C. our nation's capital. It takes us 4-5 hours to get there by car, depending on traffic and the route that we take. If you're unfamiliar with the area, the stadium sits right off of the Capital Beltway.

Every year I try to get down to FedEx Field at least once to see my beloved Washington Redskins play football. If you're a fan, you'll want to plan ahead and buy your tickets ahead of time. I like to purchase mine at least 1 year in advance, so that I get the seating that I prefer. The best seats are typically sold out for years in advance.

Like all professional sporting events they can be expensive to attend. To save money you want to buy tickets early, pick seats that aren't in the most desirable sections, eat before you go (food there is expensive), and try to go early in the season. If your team is doing really well that year...I notice that the ticket prices will climb as the season goes on and towards the end of the season. It will cost you money to park, so if several of you are going try to carpool to save on parking fees.

Here are a few additional tips: Check the weather forecast before you go. If there is a chance of rain you'll want to take an umbrella or a light-weight rain jacket. If its later on in the fall season when it's colder, you may want to dress in layers and wear a heavier jacket. During the summertime it can get sweltering hot. You'll be doing a lot of walking and going up and down stairs. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

We always have a great time when going down to FedExField to catch a Washington Redskins home game. You can visit their website to see their current game schedule and to obtain ticketing information.

The Drum Point Lighthouse in Solomons Maryland

The Drum Point Lighthouse was built in 1833 and was originally located off Drum Point at the mouth of the Patuxent River in the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse is one of three surviving Chesapeake Bay screw-pile lighthouses. The light stands 46 feet tall and was first automated in 1960.

The Calvert County Historical Society purchased the lighthouse in 1974 and had it barged to its current location at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland. It then underwent major restoration and was rededicated in 1978 as an exhibit at the museum.

It features a screw-pile foundation and is mainly made out of cast iron and wood. The tower is done in a hexagonal house shape. The original lens was a fourth-order Frensel lens with a range of 12 nautical miles. It was completely deactivated in 1962.

When planing a trip you'll want to visit the Calvert Marine Museum which offers a wide range of activities for you to enjoy. There is a museum with exhibits, picnic grounds, marsh walks, an outdoor river otters exhibit, woodcarving shop, the Drum Point Lighthouse and the Wm. B. Tennison boat that offers visitors 1-hour tours of the Solomons waterfront.

You can learn all about the Calvert Marine Museum by visiting their website online. They are open year-round, closed on major holidays. If you're planning a weekend getaway to the area, you'll find lodging, restaurants and other attractions nearby.

Family Day Trip to Ripley's Believe It or Not in Baltimore

Discover the strange, the shocking, and beautiful at Ripley's Believe It or Not! on Light Street Pavilion. Enjoy some eye-popping exhibits where you can pose with a 12ft tall scrap car parts sculpture, lose yourself in some mind-boggling visual illusions, and even see a Fiji Island mermaid! The array of weird will leave you awe-struck. You've found your one-stop family fun in Baltimore!

* Complimentary Family Passes Were Provided for this Feature.

Reading about it is one thing, but seeing it is another. Located on 301 Light Street Pavilion in Baltimore, Maryland, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium is open Sunday-Thursday from 10 am-8 pm AND Friday & Sunday from 10 am-10pm. If you are looking for a fun family day trip, then I highly recommend you check Ripley’s Odditorium out.

The Baltimore location has four different attractions:

• Ripley’s Odditorium: features the largest collection of the odd and unusual from all corners of the world. See a genuine shrunken head; see how you measure up to the world’s tallest man, and a 6-legged pig! Single prices range $11.99-$17.99.
• Ripley’s 4D Moving Theater: powered by Real D 4D technologies. Seats move in eight directions. Features two action-packed films with continuous showings throughout the day. Single prices range $8.99-$12.99.
• Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze: Can you find your way out? Ripley’s Mirror Maze is 2,000 square feet and has over 100 mirrors with LED lighting and digital sound. Add holographic 3D Glasses to make the maze more fun and challenging. Single prices range $8.99-$12.99
• Ripley’s Smash Dash: similar to Whack-a-Mole where you battle it out to hit the most colored buttons in a short period of time. Single prices range $3.00-$4.00.

Ripley’s Odditorium also offers combo tickets. The more you do the more you save. Visit https://www.ripleys.com/baltimore/ for pricing options.

We had a great time at Ripley’s Odditorium. Conner’s been bugging to go ever since he opened his first ever Ripley’s book last Christmas. It was a cold Saturday day when we decided to check it out and, I am so glad we finally did. There is so much to see, read about and participate in at Ripley’s Odditorium. This is a great place to spend a few hours seeing and reading about some of the pieces in Ripley’s collection.

Here were some of our favorite things about Ripley’s Odditorium…

Ripley’s Odditorium is two stories high. To go upstairs, you walk up musical stairs. The steps play notes on a piano. Conner and I had a lot of fun running up and down the stairs listening to the notes being played.

Throughout the Odditorium you will run into this fellow. He helps guide you through the museum so you won’t get lost. He’s funny looking and made us laugh as we walked throughout the museum.

Driftwood Art: Oceans 11th Hour – Ocean’s 11th Hour is Palm Coast, Florida artist Baliker’s effort to call attention to the peril that the world’s oceans and sea life face at the hand of humankind. The sculpture stands eight feet high by ten feed wide and is made entirely from pieces of old cedar driftwood found on the islands off Cedar Key, Florida. The portrait in the center of the piece is Father Time. Tangled in his hair and beard are over 20 depictions of sea creatures and fish, several which are native to Florida’s coastal waters.

This stood out the most to me because of the exquisite detail. I can only imagine how long this took to make. I also like that it represents something important to the artist…protecting our oceans and sea life.

Victorian Butterfly Collection- In the 19th century many amateur zoologists often collected and preserved animals in an attempt to help scientists and scholars identify and name all the species of the animal kingdom. One of the most popular animals for genteel women to collect was the butterfly. Many of Victorian England’s high society women were avid part-time butterfly collectors and decorated their sitting rooms and libraries with finely crafted display cabinets filled with hundreds of butterflies.

This resonated with my husband because he loves butterflies. Growing up he read a lot about them. This resonated with me because my grandmother loved butterflies. Every time I see a picture of a butterfly or a butterfly flying, it reminds me of her.

Ripley’s Odditorium has a lot of interactive activities. One of the activities was the color mixing wheel. I had fun watching Conner make different colors. This is a great activity for children of all ages and takes less than a minute to show.

Pop-Tart Foil Tyrannosaurus Rex-Built by Tyler Kozar of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this dinosaur is made from 4”x4” foil pop-tart packages. Tyler won one million pop-tarts in a contest. He then turned his prize into 15 different pieces of pop-tart art. This dinosaur is the largest of his sculptures. Tyler donated all of the actual pop-tarts to charitable food banks. The statue stands over 14-feet tall and took six cans of spray glue and 150 hours over the course of one month to complete.

Conner liked this sculpture, because it reminded him of his favorite movies, Jurassic Park and Jurassic World.

Without a doubt, the Mirror Maze was our favorite attraction at Ripley’s Odditorium. It’s full of mirrors and lights and it’s really hard to find your way around. My husband and son were champs at finding their way out…me, not so much. I got lost many times trying to find my way. My husband has to come back for me multiple times. I even ran into the mirrors on several occasions. Let’s just say, I have no sense of direction.

I loved how the mirror maze was all lit up. The lights change color throughout the maze. But as you can see, it’s easy to get lost and run into a mirror, especially when you think you are going the right way.

Last attraction we did was the 4D movie. Conner’s never experienced a move in 4D before, but he really enjoyed it. We got to experience two five-minute movies. One of the movies involved a space battle between fighter planes and an evil robot and the other movie involved Santa, his sleigh, and a race to deliver a child’s Christmas package in time. You really felt like you were in the middle of both movies. Definitely not for the faint hearted.

Overall, we had a great trip. There was something that each of us enjoyed, and I loved spending time as a family. It didn’t cost a lot, and we had a happy kid at the end of the day. So if you are looking for a fun day trip, then I recommend checking out Ripley’s Odditorium. You won’t be disappointed!!!

Disclosure: Guest travel blogger Sara K. received complimentary admission for this travel feature. Regardless, Sara's opinions, thoughts and words are 100% her own unbiased opinion. Your thoughts may differ. No monetary compensation was received for this review/feature.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Baltimore

The Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Baltimore, Maryland is the perfect place to go when you're looking for something fun and entertaining to do. They're family-friendly and offer programs for the entire family to enjoy. With that said, I would leave the little ones (babies and toddlers) at home and only recommend it for the older kids.

We live in central Pennsylvania and Baltimore is about a 2 hour drive away. If you're taking the kids and attending an evening performance, you might want to take blankets and pillows in the car, just in case the kids fall asleep on the ride home. The Medieval Castle opens 75 minutes prior to showtime, so plan your arrival time accordingly. 

When visiting the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament you can choose from a variety of different entertainment and dinner packages, and you can purchase your tickets online. The Jousting Tournament (show) lasts for about 2 hours with 6 competing knights. You'll see beautiful horses and real medieval weaponry being used throughout the tournament. 

During our visit we allowed a total of 3 1/2 hours in our schedule, so that we could see and experience everything that they had to offer. It was our first visit to the Medieval Times Castle and we really enjoyed it. You can learn more about them by visiting the Medieval Times website online. Don't live in the area? There are a few other locations in the USA and Toronto, Canada too.

Family-Friendly Weekend Getaway to Ocean City Maryland

Looking for a family-friendly weekend getaway that's close to home? Did you know that you can reach Ocean City in Maryland in about 4 hours by car? We live in central Pennsylvania and can drive to O.C. in less than 4 hours, give or take a few additional minutes caused by traffic.

Ocean City has everything that you're looking for when you need a beach destination that's close to home. You'll find a fun-filled boardwalk, amusement rides, golfing, shopping, fishing, boating, dining and of course...the beautiful beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

We spent the entire weekend in Ocean City and had a great time! Here are a few of the things that we enjoyed while there.

The Beach: One of the things we always liked about the beaches here are that they're wide, very sandy and extremely clean! You can spend the day lounging on the beach, playing in the water or try your hand at surfing.

Golfing: You'll find 17 golf courses that are located in the area, so if golfing is your thing...you'll have plenty of beautiful courses to choose from. If you're not into the regular game of golf, we recommend a friendly round of mini golf...several courses to choose from too!

Sand Sculpting Festival: During the summer season they host a Sand Sculpting Festival and Contest that draws in artists from all across the country. You can visit the OC Tourism website to learn more about it. I'm always amazed at the beautiful creations that these artists construct.

Movies on the Beach: Throughout the summer season you'll find movies being shown right out on the beach. They are typically shown on Mondays and Fridays at 27th Street and on Wednesdays on 118th Street. The movies are family-friendly. You'll want to bring along your chairs and/or beach blanket and join-in on all of the fun.

Fireworks: Love fireworks? You can check out the beach fireworks on Mondays and Tuesdays during the summer season. They're free to watch and the show typically lasts for 20 minutes, unless it's a holiday show! For the best...you'll want to check out their Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day shows.

The Boardwalk: The boardwalk is approximately 3 miles in length and is lined with gift shops, boutiques, restaurants, amusements, hotels and tourist attractions. Enjoy riding bikes? Get up early in the morning and head to the boardwalk for a family bike ride!

Looking for more information on things to see and do? Looking for a great place to stay? You can head on over to the OCOCEAN official website and request their FREE vacation planning guide which is jam-packed with ideas!