May 18, 2016
Senior Emily Gorham helps navigate senior Alyssa Mattison through the historical roads of Antietam (and only got lost twice).
As the school year comes to an end, seniors are beginning to pack their bags and say goodbye to their friends and family. Seniors: before leaving, make sure you part from the Frederick area with memories that will last a lifetime. There is so much Maryland has to offer. This summer, take a friend, make a playlist, and visit these top 10 places.
Emily Gorham and Alyssa Mattison went on a three-week journey to visit some of the Frederick area places we love best, and here is what we discovered:
It’s the most powerful place in the United States. Washington D.C. is bursting with American pride, politics, history, and beauty.
The city is filled with diverse things to do for every age and interest group.
The Washington Mall is a serene place to have a picnic with a friend or even pretend you’re a kid again and enjoy the carousel ride.
There are incredible free museums, including the entire Smithsonian network. There are free pieces of history to enjoy, as well. Venture to the Lincoln Memorial or the World War II memorial.
What many don’t know about Washington D.C. is that it’s home to hidden treasures, such as the Eastern Market, a place to explore the products of local artisans and sample fresh farm produce.
“My favorite thing to do is walk around the Mall and enjoy the monuments and all the history. Every time I go, I make sure to set aside time to relax at the Lincoln Memorial. From the back of the monument you can take in the views of the Potomac and Arlington National Cemetery as well as watch planes taking off from the Reagan National Airport. It’s a cool place to take in the sights and sounds of the city.” -Emily
Lions, tigers, and bears-oh my! For a unique day trip, consider spending your time with wildlife. The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo offers a home to animals such as tigers, fish, pythons, alpacas, wolves, alligators, camels, emus, and more.
The Preserve & Zoo homes their animals in eight exhibits including: Africa, Alligator Bayou, Australia, Eurasia, Islands, Latin America, Madagascar, and North America. They also offer a wildlife safari ride that will take visitors on an escorted drive through four paddocks of exotic animals.
The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo is located 15 miles north of Linganore High School, a 30 minute drive without traffic. Tickets in early May are $16.95 for adults (ages 13 and up), $11.50 for children (ages 3-12), $15.50 for seniors (60+) and those in the military, and children under the age of 2 get in for free.
Ticket price from May 23-September 7 are $18.75 for adults, $13.75 for children, $16.75 for seniors and those in the military, and children ages two and under are able to tour the preserve for free. The escorted safari ride is $10 for adults and children.
This trip is one of the more expensive on the list, but it will be one of the most memorable. Make memories with friends and the animals at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo before leaving Frederick County!
For an all-day trip, consider visiting the Baltimore Aquarium. Originally established in 1873, the Baltimore Aquarium has attracted tourists from around the world. With 13 exhibits the Aquarium will offer you hours of fun.
The 13 exhibits in the Aquarium include: Amazon River Forest, Atlantic Coral Reef, Atlantic to Pacific, Australia: Wild Extremes, Blacktip Reef, Dolphin Discovery, Jellies Invasion, Living Seashore, Maryland Experience, Shark Alley, Surviving Adaptation, Tropical Rain Forest, and Waterfront Park.
These exhibits are not limited to just animals that live in the sea. The exhibits are home to frogs, exotic birds, tarantulas, , sloths, bats, snakes, turtles, and many more, as well.
The Baltimore Aquarium is located 45 miles from Linganore High School– an hour drive without traffic. Tickets range in price from $24.95 to $39.95, making it the most expensive option on the Top 10 list.
The Aquarium also offers specialized immersion tours throughout the day. The immersion tours include: Legend of Calypso’s Gold, Icky, Creepy, Slimy, Cool, Insider’s Tour, Dolphin Encounters, Guest Diver Program, Sharks! Behind-the-Scenes, Dolphin Sleepover, Sleepover with the Sharks, Dolphin Explorer, and Daily Behind-the-Scenes.
Although this trip is the most expensive on the list, there are half price Friday nights and frequent coupon specials.
“The rainforest is my favorite part–even though it’s not so nice on your hair, I love that under every leaf and flower, there’s a creature waiting to be discovered (specifically the hidden sloths).” – Alyssa
This photograph portrays downtown Gettsyburg as a small town with a large history. It isn’t rare to see advertisements for antiques from the 1800s, museums, and ghost tours.
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought over three days in the dead of summer in 1863. Part of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s second and final invasion of the North, it resulted in over 50,000 casualties. It is now widely considered a turning point of the Civil War, a Union victory which forced Confederate troops to retreat into Virginia.
Gettysburg National Military Park is now one of the best and most well-known battlefields in the country, and it’s located only 45 minutes from Linganore.
The visitor center, revamped and opened in 2008, features a book store, museum (with one of the largest Civil War relics collections in the world), a short film about the battle, and a food court.
The best way to see the most important sites is by taking the self-guided auto tour, driving to each of the 16 stops. Highlights include Devil’s Den and Little Round Top, where the 20th Maine defended the Union’s left flank, and the High Water Mark, the site of the Pickett’s infamous charge.
There are apps from the National Park Service available that can help guide your tour and make this a real learning experience.
In addition to the National Military Park, Gettysburg is a charming town with many small shops, restaurants, and boutiques. A main attraction in town are the numerous ghost tours. Rumored to be the most haunted Civil War battlefield, there are many businesses available to provide tours of the town and parks.
“Gettysburg was memorable in a completely different way than visiting Washington, D.C., or any of the others places on the list. Being emerged in the rich history of Gettysburg while still walking the streets of modern stores is similar to having one foot in 1863 and the other in 2016. Although Emily was more intrigued with the battlefield and I was more interested in the ghost tours, we both were mesmerized by the antique stores dating back to before the Civil War.” -Alyssa
The streets of Downtown Frederick come to life every first Saturday of the month. Although the streets can be crowded, the beauty is still prevalent.
Downtown Frederick, only a 20 minute drive away from Linganore, is a historic destination and we all have our favorite parts. For either a day trip or a few hours of fun, consider visiting downtown Frederick.
In 2002 downtown Frederick was named one of the “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and in 2005, it received the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust Main Street Center. In 2011, downtown Frederick was named a Great Place in America by the American Planning Association.
Some of the events occurring in May include: Mayfest, Babies at the Bear, Book Bop, Triple Lindy, the Comedy Pigs, Competitive Edge, and Southern Charm. The events range in time and location, but a majority are held throughout the day during the weekends.
Downtown Frederick houses a wide variety of antique stores, art galleries, bookstores, floral shops, food markets, coffee companies, high end restaurants, and beverage shops.
Also located in downtown Frederick is a family hot-spot, Baker Park.
Baker Park is a 44-acre park aimed for people of all ages. Once there, you will find numerous playgrounds, a softball and baseball field, a public pool, tennis courts, Culler Lake, a bandshell, and a carillon.
Hosted at Baker Park are concerts and an abundance of outdoor events, and it isn’t rare to stumble upon a wedding or two.
Even though the park is free, bring some money to walk the streets of downtown Frederick and explore the stores.
“The first time I visited downtown Frederick with Emily was a memory that I will be able to keep forever. It was during the fall of 2015 on a first Saturday. Singers and street performers were on the streets; all of the stores were open late; families were walking the streets lit up by fairy lights. We had been walking for close to three hours, and we planned to leave soon, but as we were walking to our cars, I noticed an art exhibit that intrigued me. While browsing I noticed a photograph that seemed very familiar and I couldn’t put my finger on it until I realized–that’s my house! Speaking with the photographer made the experience even better. He introduced me to his wife and his brother, took a picture with me in front of his photograph, and was overall bewildered by the fact that I happened to stumble upon his exhibit on that night.” -Alyssa
While visiting Antietam, senior Emily Gorham photographs one of the memorials outside of the Antietam Visitor Center.
Planning to study history or a social science in college? Interested in the rich past of Maryland? Visit Antietam National Battlefield, just a 45-minute drive west of Linganore.
The Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg) was fought over three days in September of 1862 by some of the most famous names of the war: Lee, McClellan, Jackson, Burnside. It is still known as the bloodiest day in American history.
The battlefield is now protected by the National Park Service, and is one of the most beautiful Civil War sites in the country. The park features a visitors center with museum and gift shop, numerous walking and hiking trails, and a self-guided auto tour through the battlefield. There are apps you can download to provide a more in-depth experience.
Your first stop should be to the visitors center, which is open from 9 to 5 daily. The museum features a short film about the battlefield, a complete account of the three-day struggle, and an observation room from which you can view the sprawling landscape.
The best way to view the highlights of the battlefield is to take the 8 1/2 mile auto tour, stopping at the 11 points of interest along the tour. These include Dunker Church, where wounded soldiers were taken during the battle, and Burnside Bridge, where Confederate forces prevented Federal troops from crossing Antietam Creek.
The park also features a number of hiking and walking paths, most about a mile long each. The Snavely Ford Trail, which begins at the Burnside Bridge, is lesser traveled than most but boasts beautiful scenery and a pleasant two-mile hike.
“My favorite part of Antietam is Burnside Bridge and the hiking trails around it. Snavely Ford is one of the more secluded trails, but it has so much history that you can feel around every bend in the river. While in Antietam, my role was to navigate Alyssa through the twisted roads that were surrounded by forest area. I did a pretty good job, too, except for the two times I got us lost.” -Emily
Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Frederick County. With numerous trails and over 15 miles of beautiful views, there are plenty of opportunities for all kinds of hikers. Admission to the park is free.
Considered a part of the Blue Ridge Mountain range, a province of the Appalachians, Sugarloaf was used as an observation station for the Union army. In 1862, forces on the mountain spotted Confederate troops crossing the Potomac, beginning the infamous Maryland Campaign that culminated in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Sugarloaf has had trails and hiking paths open to the public since the mid-1900s.
The mountain features some of the most scenic views available in Frederick. Seven trails of varying lengths and difficulties traverse the mountain, many reaching the summit at 1,282 ft. Overlooks on the north and west sides of the summit provide beautiful views every season.
The park is privately owned but open to the public every day of the year from 8 a.m. to sunset. Biking is allowed on weekdays, and pets are welcome.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Jimmie Cone! If you’re craving a sweet treat, take a friend or two and travel to Mount Airy or Damascus for an LHS tradition.
It is almost considered a crime to skip a visit to Jimmie Cone in the summer. Located 7 miles away from Linganore, Jimmie Cone offers a variety of sweet treats that are hard to turn down. Although it is not open year round, it beats the commercialized ice cream chains such as Dairy Queen. Owned by the Leiter family, many LHS students have worked there.
Jimmie Cone offers popular favorites such as soft serve ice cream cones, hot fudge sundaes, yogurt, water ice (which is dairy and gluten free), snowballs, and ice cream bowls with jimmies in many flavors.
As the the summer approaches and the weather is getting warmer, consider making a quick stop at Jimmie Cone.
“I’ve been going to Jimmie Cone for as long as I can remember. From going with my grandparents as a kid to hanging out with my friends there now, summer wouldn’t be the same with Jimmie Cone.” -Emily
Although the Planetarium is stereotyped as an elementary school hot-spot, it offers a unique experience you can’t find anywhere else. Here’s the summer schedule.
Almost everybody has visited a Planetarium in elementary school, and it is arguably the most memorable field trip. Being able to recline and gaze at the stars in the middle of the day, as well as educate yourself on the abundance of constellations, is an experience that everybody needs.
The Planetarium in Frederick County is a 35’ dome in which visitors can gaze at a realistic night sky and watch a 360 degree video display that educates its viewers on the history of the stars.
Before visiting, stars seem to be scattered around the sky, creating a picture that doesn’t make sense. After visiting, the Planetarium will change your view of the night sky. All of the hidden pictures the stars create will now be visible, showing something even more beautiful than before.
Not only is this an eye-opening visit, tickets are only $5! Tickets should be bought online if you want a guaranteed seat. The Planetarium seats 90 people per show, and the leftover tickets will be sold before the showing.
“Emily and I weren’t able to visit this location together, but we both remember the field trips throughout elementary school and middle school. My favorite memory from those field trips was that at that moment, I realized that there was so much more to expect from life, and that is a cool and fascinating thing.” -Alyssa
Organic living may be expensive when shopping at grocery stores, so why not support a farmers market and buy local produce?
A farmers market is a place where local farms can sell their produce to the public. Living in Frederick, a hub for agriculture, it isn’t uncommon to see an abundance of farms selling fresh produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, mushrooms, peppers, raspberries, blueberries, and more.
According to Frederick Farm Fresh, there are 13 open farmers markets in Frederick. They range in time and locations making it easier to find a farmers market that fits a busy schedule. The amount of farms selling their produce can range from 10 to 34 depending on the size and popularity of the location.
Glade Link Farms in Woodsboro and Larriland Farms in Woodbine have pick-your-own strawberries (May-June) and Blueberries (June-July). There are plenty more fruits and vegetables–peaches, apples, and more. Why not plan a summer day to pick your own and then have a summer party.
Instead of spending money at over priced organic stores, consider kicking off your post-high school healthy lifestyle at a farmers market while also helping local business owners.
“Since moving to Frederick in 2012, I haven’t been able to stay away from fresh produce. Growing up a military brat, I never lived in an area as fruitful as Frederick. It seems as if every road you turn on homes a farmers market. My personal favorite are the fresh fruit, especially the strawberries” -Alyssa.
To the Class of 2016:
Leaving high school and entering the real world is a scary thought, even if you aren’t leaving your family home. Part from your friends and family knowing that you have made great experiences you will be able to reminisce on 20 years from now. Senior Lancers: make the most of what you have left!
Your donation will support the student journalists of Linganore High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase camera/recording equipment and software. We hope to raise enough money to re-start a monthly printed issue of our paper.
