Maryland Uncovered

As the government shutdown becomes the longest in history, reality is beginning to hit the employees caught in the crossfire. It's also impacting pets. Over 500,000 people work for the federal government in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.. On Friday, Oct.24, 2025 a significant number of government employees in the region did not get a paycheck. Many of the people affected may not be able to pay all of their bills. But it’s not just mortgages, groceries and utilities families are struggling with, many of these employees also have furry family members that need food too. Thankfully, some generous organizations around the region are “ponying up” to help these families feed their pets. If you are one of the unlucky government employees who have been furloughed or are working without pay, these organizations around the DMV would like to help you out.  Maryland Baltimore Humane Society The Baltimore Humane Society’s Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank is located in Reisterstown, Maryland and provides...

The leaves have already started to turn, but we still have a month before the colors peak. Brookside Gardens As temperatures cool and fall begins to set in, we begin to anticipate the turning of the leaves. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact time the colors will be at their peak, but the folks at Smoky Mountains National Park have made it easier. The park has created a map of the United States that uses scientific data to predict the change of the leaves by region. The leaves in Maryland are expected to be at their peak around Oct.19, 2019. So grab your camera and head to these great locations in Maryland to enjoy the leaves and snap a few pictures. Brookside Gardens Located in Wheaton, this 50-acre park is popular for daily walks consists of several different gardens. The main area features large trees, walking paths and a Japanese tea house. The park has numerous flower beds filled with seasonal buds and terrace with a gazebo for weddings and events. Brookside Gardens is open dawn to ...

 It’s officially spooky season! Here are some local haunted attractions where you can get your fright on! Courtesy Gundula Vogel If your favorite thing to do in October is to visit haunted houses, you’re in the right place. Among the dry cornstalks and dark forests of Maryland are some of the scariest haunted attractions in the nation. Most  haunted venues have instituted timed-entry ticketing, so check the website before you visit. Grab your coat, a few friends and prepare to be thoroughly terrified. Station 7 Terror Trail The Station 7 Terror Trail in Gambrills has two different options, a super scary version for adults and a family-friendly one for the little ones. The path through the woods features monsters, ghostly displays and tons of creepy lighting. Tickets are $25 for the terror trail and $8 for the Boo Haunt Loop. The Station 7 Terror Trail is open Friday and Saturday nights through November 1, 2025. Legends of the Fog Located in Harford County, Legends of the Fog i...

This Rockville art center is a haven for artists, hobbyists and the curious. Courtesy VisArts, Facebook VisArts is a art studio and gallery located in the heart of Rockville. Founded in 1987 as a resource for artists, VisArts now serves both professionals and hobbyists. Its multi-level building houses art galleries, classrooms, labs and event space. Single and series classes are offered for children and adults in a variety of disciplines, including paint, pottery, glass, jewelry, mixed media, drawing and photography. VisArts provides an outlet for creativity and a respite from the hectic workday. Classes The curriculum of classes at VisArts is large and appeals to first-timers, experienced artists and people who just want to have fun. Try out the pottery wheel in an introductory class, create your own watercolor painting or make an original fused glass piece. VisArts even has paint and wine classes, perfect for a girls night out. The center has classes for kids, families and offers day...

Fall is in full swing in Maryland and it’s time to get out and enjoy some tasty fall treats. A favorite featured at many of the local farms is apple cider donuts. Apple cider is added to the batter, and the baked or fried donuts are then dipped in cinnamon sugar. Here are four places in Maryland where you can pick up some apple cider donuts for your clan. Gaver Farm Gaver Farm is a one stop for fall fun and apple cider everything. Get fresh hot donuts on the weekends or pick them up in the bakery during the week. You can also get fresh picked apples and apple cider slushies! Gaver Farm also hosts a fall festival complete with hayrides, corn maze, a petting zoo and small carnival rides. Admission to the festival is $9 on weekdays and $13.50 on the weekends, kids under two are free. Heyser Farms Located in Silver Spring, Heyser Farms is centrally located for people in Howard and Montgomery counties. Fresh donuts are only made on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Bring the kids for...

Tickets are on sale for the 2025 holiday season! The popular Montgomery County park becomes a holiday lights wonderland every year. Brookside Gardens is a 50-acre park located in Wheaton, Maryland. The park has over ten themed gardens, all connected by walking paths. The park is open year-round and is filled with hundreds of varieties of flowers, trees and plants. During the winter holidays, the park transforms into the Garden of Lights , a winter wonderland boasting more than a million LED lights. The display dates back to 1997 and it is one of the most popular holiday attractions in the region.   The Garden of Lights Kids of all ages will enjoy this walking tour through Brookside Gardens. Each garden area is decorated with sprays of lights highlighting the trees and structures. The fountains of the Aquatic Garden sparkle with life-like colors, LED animals and flowers greet you throughout the park and the playhouses of the Children’s Garden are decorated like gingerbread houses. V...

Looking for some carving pumpkins? Or maybe you want run through a corn maze. Plan a visit to one of these local pumpkin patches. Photo by Laura Gimbel October is here and its time to get a pumpkin for Halloween. Maryland is home to many family farms where you can pick a pumpkin fresh from the field and enjoy a variety of fun farm activities. We’ve put together a guide of the best pumpkin patches in Maryland. Gaver Farm Gaver’s has a great selection of pumpkins and apples, but the real fun happens inside the farm’s fall festival. Kids of all ages can enjoy more than 50 attractions including the 7 acre corn maze, bouncy houses and giant slides. Quench your thirst with an apple cider slushie, munch on treats from the Donut Hut and take home a fresh baked pie. Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch This Frederick County pumpkin patch has pumpkins, corn mazes and activities with some of the best prices in Maryland. Pick-your-own pumpkins start at just 59 cents a pound and admission to the farm is free on t...