Interested in learning a new skill this fall? Maybe you want to prepare for a zombie apocalypse or whatever other ghosts and goblins your imagination conjures up this Halloween. If so, axe throwing is definitely for you. Battle Axe, Delaware’s first competitive axe throwing establishment — just a short drive from the Shore in Newark, Del. — promises to help you unleash your inner Viking or at least help burn off a few calories after eating too much candy corn. “If you want to

Where does Earth end and the rest of the universe begin? In other words, where is space? According to NASA, space begins 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) above sea level. That is roughly the distance between Rock Hall and Cambridge, or Vienna to Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center in Wallops Island, Virginia. Wallops Flight Facility is the most recent name for NASA’s Wallops Island station, which continues to play a crucial role in the space program. Capsules for Project Me

Spend a summer afternoon or evening at one of these three farms in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties The rural byways of the Upper Eastern Shore are always worth exploring, especially in summer, when the Queen Anne’s lace and black-eyed Susans bloom in the roadside and local farmstands burst with produce. So head down some country roads in Kent and Queen Anne’s County to destinations that reward your trek off the beaten path with excellent wines, craft beers and unforgettable on

The Annapolis Cup, a nine-wicket croquet tournament between the St. John’s College “Johnnies” and the U.S. Naval Academy’s Midshipmen, has been ongoing since 1983. Although the hosting location has changed a few times, it now rests as an amenity of the victor. St. John’s College has won 29 of 36 matches, the most recent being the 2018 Annapolis Cup. Although tickets sell out early, there are some things you should know if you’re one of the lucky ones who were fortunate enough

A Place of Impressive Design At first glance, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., looks like a giant, caged beehive. The entire facade of the building is composed of bronze-colored filigree panels that are reminiscent of metalwork made by African American workers in Charleston and New Orleans. Designers David Adjaye and Philip Freelon borrowed ideas from other structures in Washington, D.C., along with traditional Yoruban African a

Baltimore’s Hampden Neighborhood offers some miraculous decorations over the holidays “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind…That’s why I’m glad I’m here, maybe I can do something about it,” Kris Kringle tells Doris Walker in the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street. Doris is a Christmas cynic, so Kringle makes it his mission to bring the cheer and hope of the holiday season to her and her daughter Susan. Kringle’s line could also be the motto for another Miracle o

Is there a more perfect way to spend a day than being pampered and well taken care of in a relaxing environment? Perhaps something typically reserved for humans would also serve other species, such as your best friend, your pal, your adventure buddy — your dog. Dogs deserve a day out too, and why not a spa day? My English Cocker spaniel puppy, Phoebe, just celebrated her first birthday, and it’s been a year of challenging puppy training, lots of energy and tons of fun. Phoebe

Shore Monthly Presents in Association with Mission Escape Rooms Written by Sarah Ensor Photography by Arden Haley Designed by Greg Mueller Starring David Fike, Betsy Griffin, Art Crofoot, Jon Ekroos, Robyne Feehley, Paul Hagood, Sarah Ensor, Arden Haley, Greg Mueller In August 2018, the Shore Monthly team traveled to Mission Escape Rooms on West Street in Annapolis to complete the challenges offered by the Museum Heist room. Would they make it out alive? After entering the M

A local look into the world of bird banding­ — the process of tagging birds in order to study migratory patterns and behavior. When it comes to travel, many of us seek to lose weight before leaving. We are inundated with ads from gyms that will get us beach-body ready. Meanwhile, those birds you hear in the trees behind your house may instead be packing on the grams, doing the exact opposite as they get ready for a long trip of their own. And it is in the process of their mig

A quiet bit of water in a lush and unspoiled setting offers a paddler a sense of solitude and wonder. In Kent County, three paddles on three different waterways offer such experiences. These rivers and creeks offer an array of Chesapeake Bay watershed habitat—from coves studded with brilliant starbursts of American lotus to the deep shade of graveled-bottomed headwaters. They teem with birds, fish, muskrat and tiny jewel-like damselflies. Although each is easily accessible by

Ever wondered what it would be like to escape to a remote island? Where everything is simple and there is plenty of peace and quiet? There is such a place on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, rich in Chesapeake Bay history. Smith Island Just east of Crisfield and situated between the Chesapeake Bay and Tangier Sound, Smith Island is the last inhabited island in Maryland. It’s like stepping back in time – a place without chain stores and traffic lights. With a population of appro

Situated at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace is an enchanting maritime town with a rich history worth exploring. R. Madison “Mitch” Mitchell Jr. has lived in Havre de Grace all of his 85 years and, if the traveler is lucky, is the person manning the front desk at the Havre de Grace Visitors Center. A model train enthusiast, he built in incredible detail a replica of the entire town that is on display at the center. An audio record

In a YouTube video of the 1938 Pimlico Special, people run through the infield at Pimlico Race Course to get a better look at the race between Seabiscuit and 1937 Triple-Crown winner War Admiral. The race is tense. The announcer sounds excited at the beginning of the race when Seabiscuit, whose career (like the horse) was slow to start, takes an early lead. By a minute into the race, War Admiral has caught up to Seabiscuit and the two legendary horses remain head-and-head for

At the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Chester River, lies more than 2,000 acres of protected island habitat, managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, south of Rock Hall in Kent County, is a nature-lover’s respite, a place to connect with the natural landscape. Deceptively simple, several trails and boardwalks meander through low marshland, open grassland, and upland forest, bordering the mouth of the Chester River, where it

Picturesque and quaint, Berlin is a hidden gem in Worcester County, bearing history, gourmet eats and treats, arts, antiques and much more to explore. But despite it’s quintessential old-fashioned atmosphere, Berlin is a modern town with all the bells and whistles, from great shopping to free WiFi throughout the town. Rich with interest, Berlin is the perfect place to spend the day or for a weekend getaway on the Eastern Shore. Begin your journey with a walk around the nature

Wisp Resort As Marylanders, we are fortunate to have the best of both worlds in our state; Ocean City beaches at one end and the Allegheny Mountain Range, forming the western side of the Appalachian Mountain Range, at the other. As Eastern Shoremen, we’re just plain lucky that we live smack dab in the middle of these worlds. Around a four-hour drive from almost any location on the Mid-Shore, Wisp Resort, 296 Marsh Hill Road, McHenry, in Garrett County, may be the perfect not-