Community Corner

5 Short Memorial Day Holiday Trips From Kensington

Here are a few places where you can go for just a day or two.

Not everyone plans a getaway for Memorial Day weekend. But if you don't want to be stuck in the house with the kids for three days, a solidly planned short trip with the family may do you some good.

To avoid traffic, don't travel Friday evening through Saturday morning and Sunday evening through Monday. That leaves Saturday and Sunday as days to take one of these short trips.

A Day at the Delaware Beaches

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There are a lot of options once you get there—from the games and rides on the Rehoboth boardwalk and outlet shopping, to the bars in Dewey, to the award-winning seafood and even just a good old picnic on one of seven beaches.

Although it's always crowded down on the beach on Memorial Day weekend, if you get there early and leave late, you'll avoid most traffic. Be sure to pack a cooler with lots of water, sandwiches and snacks for the kids and yourselves. Glass bottles aren't allowed on most beaches, so make sure it's plastic and bring your own trash bags.

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Tips for the your day at the beach: Tower Road is a state park beach just off Route 1 in Delaware (in between Dewey and Bethany) and has concession stands, showers and parking at $8 for the whole day (out-of-state tags or you can buy a ticket book for $20 with a 3-day pass). Then head over to restaurants on the Rehoboth boardwalk like Grottos Pizza, or Nicola's Stomboli's. There will be lines, so if you have kids bring a snack, and maybe one of you wait at the restaurant while you take the little ones over to the arcade, the t-shirt shop or to try taffy.

Experience the Civil War in Gettysburg, PA

This three-day battleground in 1863 of the Civil War is remembered for being the largest battle ever fought in North America. More than 165,000 soldiers fought in the Battle of Gettysburg and 51,000 soldiers died.

There's plenty to do like a bus or walking tour of the battlegrounds, a ghost tour, visit museums and more.

On Saturday and Sunday, experience the war itself with Living History from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when reenactors will demonstrate how the war was fought. Or check out a tribute to musical legend Hank Williams, Saturday evening. Monday the town will host it's annual parade through East Main Street. 

Hike at Harpers Ferry, WV

Check out this National Park that spans three states - Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. With a $10 entrance to the park, this place is known for the largest surrender of federal troops during the Civil War. But now, it's a park that offers scenic hikesevents and a historic town center.

You can also try horseback riding, fishing or rafting.

Play on the Waterfront in Annapolis, MD

There's lots to do Memorial Day weekend in Annapolis. You could take a boat out onto the water, feast on crabs, or check out a free concert.

If you go you may want to take a look at the hours of operation of the museums you might want to visit and plan your day around that since some places may be closed this weekend. However, City Dock is open, full of shops, restaurants and reasons to get out on the water.

Loll by Deep Creek Lake

There is freshwater fishing at Deep Creek Lake, as well as golf and mountain-scene viewing. For more adventure, there is whitewater rafting and hiking, with the towns of towns Cumberland, Frostburg, Grantsville, Hagerstown, Oakland and Sharpsburg nearby, offering shopping, antiquing and historic attractions. You can stop by a Civil War site -- Antietam National Battlefield -- or venture out on the C&O Canal towpath.  


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