Favorite Spots to Visit While Stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
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Cherry Crest Adventure Farm (Ronks, PA)
As an Army family that moves every two years, we know that along with saying goodbye to our friends and neighbors, it is equally as difficult to say goodbye to an area that has quickly made our way into our hearts as “home.”
And as we have made the move here to the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, our family has had a chance to reminisce and compile some of our absolute favorite places and memories from our time stationed in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. In doing so, we hope that for those of you who are currently living in the area, that you will take the time to visit and enjoy some (or all) of our all-time favorite spots.
*Please note: Due to the coronavirus, the availability and hours of these destinations may have changed. Please visit each individual website to see their adjusted hours, availability, and policies.
Our Favorite Places
Home of the Aberdeen Ironbirds minor league baseball team, Ripken Stadium is the perfect location to grab a hot dog, nachos, and a beer while enjoying America’s favorite pasttime.
-Why we love it so much: Super affordable tickets and very family friendly.
-Your kids will love: The Kids’ play zone (complete with a bounce house and slide) and watching the mascots, Ferrous & Ripcord, mess around between innings.
-Best family memory: Watching the fireworks at the end of a game on a Friday night and Jadyn getting picked to participate in one of the contests between innings. She won an Ironbird hat and was super excited about it!
Ever wonder where Francis Scott Key got his inspiration for our beloved Star-Spangled Banner? Visit and explore the star-shaped Fort McHenry and learn about The Battle of Baltimore and how it inspired the lyrics for our national anthem.
-Why we love it so much: So much to explore and learn that we visited twice! And the scenery by the water is absolutely beautiful! Easily accessible bathrooms throughout the park and clean grounds.
-Your kids will love: To explore and touch all the exhibits of the inner Star Fort. Lots of space and grassy areas to run around or rest with a picnic. And if your kiddos have a National Parks Passport (you’ll want to get them one…trust me) make sure they get it stamped inside the visitor center!
-Best family memory: Watching the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps play within the Star Fort.
Need to get your shopping fix? This is the shopping center for you! So many stores and amazing restaurants to visit. And if you are able to visit in the winter, take a break and go ice skating at the heart of the shopping center. Check their website throughout the year for fun events that happen for the little ones, too.
-Why we love it so much: A great place for date night with your spouse! The hubby and I loved being able to go to dinner, a movie, and then shopping afterwards. Not to mention, it was really close to an IKEA store (if you adore just walking around and looking at all the cool home design ideas like me).
-Your kids will love: The ice skating rink in the winter! I mean, let’s be honest. You’ll love it, too.
-Best family memory: Date nights with the hubby and ice skating with Jadyn!
A rural cafe that is known for its amazingly fresh “farm to table” style lunches and creamy homemade ice cream.
-Why we love it so much: The food is SO GOOD and there is plenty of seating and room to eat outside. It is the perfect way to grab a bite to eat with the family on a beautiful day.
-Your kids will love: The ice cream selections (that change every time we visit) and all the space to run and play.
-Best family memory: Visiting while the sunflower fields were in full bloom. Perfect backdrop for pictures of the kids and family.
-Favorite menu items: Mac & Cheese, Chicken Salad, Spinach Bacon Quiche, & Ice Cream (Blueberry Lemon, Sunflower Honey, & Butter Brickle)
While I have ice cream on your brain, Arctic Circle is the best local place for soft serve ice cream! Sitting right next to a mini golf center in Churchville, you can have an 18-hole round of fun and then stop by Arctic Circle for a chocolate dipped cone!
-Why we love it so much: The prices are super affordable and it has become one of the family’s favorites to grab a sweet treat! They also sell burgers, subs, and fries if you are craving something more substantial to eat. There is additional parking in the back, which made it easy for us to pop the back of our mini van open and let the kids eat their cones outside.
-Your kids will love: The different flavors of milkshakes, flurries, and soft serve goodness!
-Best family memory: On the first day that Maryland began to reopen after coronavirus quarantining, our family was able to eat pizza and ice cream in our van together while enjoying the outdoors for the first time in two months.
-Favorite menu items: Chocolate & Vanilla Swirl Soft Serve, Cookies & Cream Flurry, & Cherry Dipped Vanilla Soft Serve.
Okay y’all. This is THE ONE PLACE that our entire family agreed just had to be on the list.
Nestled in hills of farm land in Ronks, PA is this family-owned adventure farm that is jam packed with things to do for the entire family. Get prepared to spend the entire day here. No joke. We visited twice (the 2nd time bringing along good friends) and STILL didn’t get a chance to do everything that the farm had to offer. The farm is open in the Spring and Summer months, but, trust me, you’ll want to visit in the Fall.
-Why we love it so much: Honestly, what is there not to love here? We love the apple cider donuts, hot cocoa, corn maze, numerous activities for the kids to explore, and ALL THE SPACE for the kids to run. If you have toddlers or energetic children, this is the place for them. Be sure to bring a picnic (outside foot is allowed) and a wagon to lug your pumpkins and fun goodies along with you.
-Your kids will love: The hay rides, watching the steam train as it makes its way through the farm, petting and feeding the farm animals, picking their own pumpkins, mini play village, swings, playground, and tractor pulls.
-Best family memory: Taking pictures in the pumpkin patch and making our way through their HUGE corn maze (one of the top 10 corn mazes in the country) at night with flashlights! We had a blast!
One of the things that I will TRULY miss the most about being stationed in APG, Maryland is being so close to Lancaster County. If you are a lover of beautiful countryside and amazing eats like I am, then this is the place for you!
Established in 1730, Lancaster Central Market is home to the oldest, continuously running public farmers’ market in the country. With a wide variety of vendors, every bit of what is offered shows a beautiful picture of the vibrant culture, produce, and culinary fare from the Amish community and downtown Lancaster.
-Why we love it so much: Our family absolutely LOVES trying out food from the local spots. Here you can grab some Amish sweet treats, local honey from neighboring farms, fresh meat from butchers, and veggies in all shapes and colors. Bring your farmer’s market bags and be sure to bring a cooler with ice in your car for your perishable purchases. You’ll need it.
-Your kids will love: Our kids go crazy for all the sweet treats they can get (muffins, pretzels, pies, donuts, and apple cider). And since it is indoors, you can be sure everyone is comfortable when the weather gets less than satisfactory.
Best family memory: Picking up homemade subs and sandwiches for lunch while shopping all of the farmer’s market goodies.
This place is magic. It’s cute. It’s quaint. It’s surrounded by the absolutely gorgeous farm land found in Lancaster County. You will delight in exploring the little shops in Kettle Kitchen Village. And if you have the time, take a ride on an Amish horse-drawn buggy!
-Why we love it so much: I am absolutely obsessed with Whoopie Pies, Shoofly Pie, jams, and jellies from Lancaster County. You can find all that and so much more at the “Jam & Relish Kitchen.” Here, you can actually watch the Amish women jar jellies and make their sweet confections. Don’t sleep on the Red Velvet & Peanut Butter whoopie pies. They are heaven with every bite.
-Best family memory: Taking my dad and my mom to visit. They were absolutely in love with every shop, especially Pepper Lane Fudge & Sweets, where you can watch the workers make candy and fudge!
With amazing one of a kind chocolate treats, entertainment, and thrill rides for every age, Hershey Park is an amazing family destination.
-Why we love it so much: The sweet treats are to die for (I mean, it’s Hershey chocolate, y’all), the workers are super friendly, the park is clean, and the fun in nonstop!
-Your kids will love: Being able to jump from the rides to seeing the animals at ZooAmerica to taking a splash at their water park! All of these are connected to the main amusement park and can all be enjoyed in the same day. Just grab a locker within the waterpark to store your dry clothes.
-Best family memory: Choosing to stay in a cabin at the Hershey Camping Resort, taking a shuttle to the amusement park, and getting admission into the park before the general public.
Quick tip: Purchase a two day ticket to be sure you can do it all! Stay in any of the Hersheypark Resorts to get early access to the park before the public. That way you can hit up the more popular rides early. And don’t forget to stop by Hershey World and stock up on ALL your favorite Hershey candies and souvenirs.
There are just too many things to do in downtown Havre de Grace for me to choose just one. So let me list all the ones that should be on your bucket list while you are close enough to explore this cute little town:
First Fridays in Havre de Grace happens on the first fridays of the month (August to October). They block off the roads downtown and fill it with vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities, and live music. It is an amazing way to enjoy the evening and really see all of what the downtown shops and restaurants have to offer.
Got a major sweet tooth? Take a trip to Bomboy’s Chocolate & Ice Cream Shops. The fudge is to die for (cookies and cream is my fave) and the ice cream is delish!
Take a stroll near the water and visit the Concord Lighthouse. And while you are at it, grab lunch at The Promenade Grill and let your kiddos play at the amazing playground at Millard Tydings Memorial Park. Parking can be found along Commerce Street or down near The Promenade Grill.
During the holidays, be sure to check out the Havre de Grace Christmas Parade that makes its way through downtown. It’s a must see and our kids absolutely had a blast watching the emergency vehicles roll by all decked out with Christmas lights.
Again, too many monuments and museums to even name! Such a great place for the entire family to learn about history, our nation’s founding fathers, and those who have made lasting impact in our country. Don’t forget your National Parks Passport here! You’ll get a TON of stamps here with minimal effort. Here is a list of just a few things we were able to see and do when we visited our nation’s capital:
United States Botanic Garden
Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Franklin Roosevelt Memorial
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Martin Luther King Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
World War II Memorial
Capitol Building
The DC Metro
Quick tip: Stay in a hotel that is away from all the monuments and museums BUT has easy access to one of the DC Metro stations. It saves you a ton of money and our kids had a blast hopping on and off of the underground rail system. We parked our car at the Greenbelt Metro Station (there is multi-day parking available if you get there early enough to snag a spot) and then stayed in a hotel in the DC Navy Yard neighborhood.
Plum Point Loop (APG, Maryland)
Whether you live on Aberdeen Proving Ground or not, taking a walk around Plum Point Loop on post is well worth it. Not only are the historic little homes the cutest (I was lucky enough to live in one), but the walking trails and little beaches by the boating docks are perfect for early morning strolls or a day of fishing. And if you get the chance to be on post during the work week, have lunch at Top of the Bay. The restaurant is housed in a beautiful stone building and has gorgeous views of the water.
-Why we love it so much: The area is quiet and the walking trail around the loop is paved. If you are driving to the area, park in the lot across from Top of the Bay.
-Your kids will love: Watching all the wildlife. If you take a stroll near the end of the day, you may see deer, eagles, woodpeckers, turtles, or even fireflies (in the summer).
-Best family memory: Since we lived right across the street from the trail, it was our saving grace during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. Our family would take daily walks to make sure the kids could enjoy being outdoors. And since the trail is paved, they enjoyed being able to bring their scooters along.
Other family-friendly events on Aberdeen Proving Ground that you won’t want to miss:
National Night Out
Oktoberfest
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Holiday Bazaar
Winter Family Fun Day
Free Movies at the Post Theatre
Honorable Mentions:
Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)……….Perfect little amusement park for your younger kiddos!
Lohr’s Orchard (Churchville, Maryland)………..Their apple cider donuts are the best!
Immergut Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels (Intercourse, Pennsylvania)………..Made to order soft pretzels in Amish Country.
Stoltzfus Meats (Intercourse, Pennsylvania)………..Lots of fresh cuts of meat, sausages, and cheese
B&O Railroad Museum (Baltimore, Maryland)……….A dream for all your “train loving” kiddos!
Flight 93 National Memorial (Somerset County, Pennsylvania)………..Paying our respects to those who lost their lives that day.
Anita C Leight Estuary Center (Abingdon, Maryland)………..Great trails and cute wooded play area for kids.
Miracle on 34th Street (Baltimore, Maryland) Hampden Christmas Light Show………..A must see for families during the holidays.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia (Pennsylvannia)………..Christmas village with tons of vendors and authentic European food, ornaments, & crafts.
Roundtop Mountain Resort (Lewisberry, Pennsylvania)……….Great for skiing and sledding in the Winter.
Johnny’s Poki Bowl (Aberdeen, Maryland)………..Our favorite spot for poke bowls.
Lin’s Hibachi (Havre de Grace, Maryland)………..The only place in the area I would order Chinese food from.
Santini’s Italian Cuisine (Aberdeen, Maryland)………..Try their Santini’s Deluxe Pizza. It’s delish!
Korean Aberdeen Restaurant……….Don’t let the outside fool you. Best Korean food in the area and awesome lunch specials!
My Three Sons (Churchville, Maryland)………..Pizza is yummy and best gyros in town.
Sunny Day Cafe (Bel Air, Maryland)………..Try their “Mr. Roger’s Crepe.” You won’t be disappointed.
Vagabond Sandwich Company (Bel Air, Maryland)………..The Three Little Pigs Sandwich is perfection on a plate.
La Cucina (Havre de Grace, Maryland)………..Great family-owned and operated restaurant with authentic Italian cuisine
Backfin Blues Creole De Graw (Havre de Grace, Maryland)………..Their shrimp ‘n grits is by far my favorite in the area.
Z Vault (Bel Air, Maryland)………..Try out their Caramello Espresso, Bulletproof Coffee, Smoothie Bowls, & Avocado Toast.
Tell me what you think!
Do you have any favorites that you would have added to this list? Comment below!
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