Oktoberfest – Baltimore Magazine https://www.baltimoremagazine.com The Best of Baltimore Since 1907 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:16:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Oktoberfest – Baltimore Magazine https://www.baltimoremagazine.com 32 32 Review: Parkville’s Das Bierhalle is the Perfect Place to Celebrate Oktoberfest https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/review-das-bierhalle-german-american-bar-restaurant-parkville/ Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:16:25 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?post_type=article&p=147738
Hefe Weizen, Hofbrau Original, and Dunkel beers. —Photography by Matt Roth

At Das Bierhalle, October is more than a month. It’s a feeling. Co-owner Scott Bauer visited Germany during Oktoberfest a decade ago, and the trip changed the arc of his life. In 2018 he and his wife, Melissa, opened a German beer hall in their hometown of Parkville, with the mission of bringing Deutschland’s famously jovial drinking culture to Baltimore County 12 months a year.

Visit their German-American fusion restaurant and bar on Harford Road (it’s in the old home of The Barn, where you may remember taking your first legal drink—or your last underage one) and you’re struck immediately by the diversity of the clientele. The lunch crowd comes to enjoy sandwiches like the brat and kraut grilled cheese or the Gerbano, essentially a Cuban with bauernwurst. Soon it’s happy hour, when any of the 32 rotating beers on tap are $6 for a half-liter or $9 for a full one.

Dinnertime includes plenty of families. When the kids finish off their last schnitzel finger (or something less continental, like wings or the excellent mac and cheese), grown-ups fill the bar and long tables to drink and jam to live music or a deejay or tunes on the sound system.

In the original location (there’s a second in Bel Air), the décor could be described as a melding of German and Baltimore aesthetics. A Ravens jersey with “Das Bierhalle” written across the back hangs next to shelves of beer steins. Hofbräu banners line the perimeter of the ceiling, on which hangs a Maryland flag with a Natty Boh face on it.

This attempt to blend two cultures is evident on the menu as well. Appetizers include all-beef Bavarian franks ‘n’ beans, sauerkraut balls, and currywurst. The majority of the sausages come from the legendary Binkert’s, but the Old Bay and cheddar jalapeño varieties are made in-house. Pretzels garner their own spot on the menu. They range from bites to king-sized and can be topped with everything from cinnamon sugar to pulled pork.

During one visit, our 12-year-old guest gave the plain old salted variety an enthusiastic thumbs-up, but if your palate is a bit more adventurous, myriad dipping sauces are available. Hot horseradish mustard was the best we tried.

About half of the draft beer lines are dedicated to German brews. They change frequently, but you’ll always be able to find a wide variety, like Schwarzbier, Witbier, and Kölsch, among others. In July, a grapefruit hefeweizen was on tap. In addition to the drafts, 120 bottles and cans are available. For non-beer drinkers, more than a dozen crushes are usually listed on the menu, but there’s also a crush of the month—and it can be wild. Pink Starburst crush and ice lemon cake have been featured in the past.

Weekends often mean themed trivia brunches. One week it may be Mickey and Minnie Mouse in the spotlight (as the Bauers have four kids under four, it explains the kid-themed brunches); the next may be an all-ages pajama party.

Das Bierhalle strives to provide something for everyone, and to that, we raise our glass and say, “Prost!”

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]]> Celebrate Oktoberfest at Home With These Tasty Teutonic Sips https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/celebrate-oktoberfest-at-home-with-these-tasty-teutonic-sips/ Fri, 30 Sep 2022 14:00:15 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?post_type=article&p=127112
—Courtesy of Pür Spirits via Facebook

German-speaking countries enjoy traditional regional parties known as volksfests. A bit like one of our state fairs, these celebrations include amusements and regional food and drink. The largest volksfest is in Munich from the end of September until the first Sunday in October and is famously called Oktoberfest. A celebration of summer’s end, and of all manner of German gastronomical traditions, Oktoberfest hosts six million guests every year. But air travel is a bear this season, so why not celebrate at home? We’ve found three tasty Teutonic treats to kiss summer good-bye and say “willkommen” to autumn.

Pür Spirits, Pür-likör Williams Pear Liqueur
($40, Craft Distributing)

The Munich Oktoberfest wouldn’t be Munich without plenty of things to eat and drink from Bavaria. It would be almost too easy to highlight a Bavarian beer, so we went a little deeper in search of a delicious spirit and found one in this riff on the classic pear liqueur. Crafted from Alpine pears and clocking in at around 25 percent ABV, this slightly sweet liqueur blooms with ripe Bartlett pear notes and hints of apple blossom. Try it neat of course, but don’t be afraid to mix with it. Keep it simple and add a drop of sparkling wine for an autumnal take on the Kir Royale.

Bitburger Festbier
($14 6-pack, Legends)

This venerable German brewery is best known for its pleasingly crisp Pils lager, and we were delighted to find that crisp demeanor in this festive seasonal release. Although not a Munich brewery, Bitburger still adorns this label with a color scheme that pays homage to the traditional blue and white Bavarian livery to let you know that this is meant for Oktoberfest. There’s enough malty body to carry its 6 percent alcohol, but it never gets too heavy or sweet. It’s a natural match for grilled brats, ribs, or fries sprinkled with Old Bay.

Erbacher Riesling Rheingau 2020
($15 1L, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Riesling is one of the world’s most versatile wines, not only because it pairs so well with a range of flavors, but also because the Riesling grape performs so well in so many places. From Oregon to Australia, Riesling delivers an amazing experience. Nonetheless, it is most often associated with its homeland, Germany. At the Winzer von Erbach cooperative, 32 families produce Riesling wines of the Rheingau region, and this winning bottle is the perfect example. Light citrus notes lead into a surprisingly crisp and electric finish, making it an ideal patio sipper to welcome fall foliage.

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]]> Weekend Lineup: Oct. 14-16 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/events/weekend-lineup-oct-14-16/ Thu, 13 Oct 2016 16:19:54 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=30404 Continued]]> Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

EAT

Oct. 14: Mount Vernon Marketplace turns 1!

Mount Vernon Marketplace, 520 Park Ave.
7-11 p.m. Free

We can’t
believe it’s been a year since our new favorite hangout was born. At the Mount Vernon Marketplace, we’ve found ourselves playing Ping-Pong and taking shots of
fire hooch from Pinch Dumplings, dancing to Rob Macy’s Save Your Soul mixes
with Taps Fill Station beers in hand, and indulging in one too many (if there
was such a thing) oysters and shrimp salad sandwiches at The Local Oyster.
Within 12 short months, the food hall has become a neighborhood staple, be it
for business lunches, first-date dinners, or happy hours with friends. This
weekend, celebrate this awesome addition to our city, with a big birthday cake
from Edible Flavors, live music by the one and only Rufus Roundtree and Da
B’more Brass Factory, and food and drink specials all night.

DRINK

Oct. 15: Das Wurst Oktoberfest Block Party

Das Bier Haus, 1542 Light St. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.

Das Bier Haus
has been a welcome addition to the band of sports bars that make up Federal
Hill (we even named it “Best Beer Bar” this year).
With a wide selection of German ales, sausages and schnitzel, and boots to
boot, the South Baltimore beer hall has quickly become a gathering grounds and
brunch destination for the local community. This Saturday, toast the month of
October (and the end of Baltimore Beer Week) with giant steins, a bevy of
bratwurst, and Bear Pong tournaments towards the end of Light Street. Engage in
a sausage- eating contest, play a round of cornhole, and enjoy up a cool,
alfresco, fall day.

SEE

Oct. 14: MICA’s Sweat Eyeballs Animation Invitational

MICA Brown Center, Falvey Hall Auditorium, 1300 W. Mount Royal Ave. 7:30-10 p.m. Free-$5.

For the fifth
year, the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Maryland Film Festival
present the Sweaty Eyeballs, a showcase of independent animations. These
narrative, experimental, and music video works were made by local, national,
and international artists using a variety of techniques—including stop motion,
hand drawing, and CGI. In this weird and wonderful display of creativity, see short
films by MICA alum-turned PBS design Lauren Puglisi, Los Angeles-based animator
Miranda Javid (who has shown at the BMA and who recently made this mesmerizing
music video to the new
single “Become Younger” by Baltimore band Peals), Sundance Film
Festival-awarded Korean filmmaker Kangmin Kim, and German illustrators Volker
Schlect and Alexander Lahls.

HEAR

Oct. 15-16: WPOC Weekend in the Country

Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 1 p.m. $55-175. 410-715-5550.

Even the most serious country music haters are now putting on their cowboy hats for the boot-scooting Southern genre that’s made its way into the mainstream. Don your bandanas and cutoff jeans to hear big names like the party-starting Little Big Town (“Pontoon,” “Day Drinking”) and up-and-comers like the dynamic duo LOCASH (which is one-part Baltimore native). After 15 years, local country music radio station 93.1 FM has turned this swaggering Southern music festival into a favorite fall tradition.

DO

Oct. 15: Baltimore Running Festival

Locations & times vary, starting at 7 a.m. $15-280. 410-605-9381.

Marathon masters, after months of training, it’s the day you’ve all been waiting for—the Baltimore Running Festival is finally here. Whatever your abilities, hit the pavement with everything from a 5K race to 26.2 miles through the heart of Baltimore City. Test your endurance or run for one of many great causes, including the Kennedy Krieger Institute or One Love Foundation.

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]]> A Rustic Celebration https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/homegarden/a-rustic-celebration-tips-oktoberfest-party/ Mon, 03 Oct 2016 08:30:00 +0000 http://server2.local/BIT-SPRING/baltimoremagazine.com/html/?post_type=article&p=4393

Transform your home into a biergarten with traditional fare like sausages and soft pretzels.

To please everyone’s palate, make sure to choose four different types of beer for tasting. We suggest a Pilsner, an IPA, a porter, and a stout to get started and to not overwhelm your guests.

Shot on location at Millstone Cellars. Flowers courtesy of Crimson & Clover Floral Design. Food and beers courtesy of Of Love & Regret. Cider courtesy of Millstone Cellars. Lanterns, basket, and blankets courtesy of Crimson & Clover Floral Design. Fisticuffs Leather koozies ($22) at Trohv. Needlepoint tablecloth ($38) at Wishbone Reserve. Beer tasting set ($29.95) at Crate & Barrel. Garden stool ($89) at Wishbone Reserve. Sir/Madam dish cloths ($27) at Trohv.

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]]> Autumn Glory https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/travel/fall-festivals-roundup/ Mon, 14 Sep 2015 08:00:00 +0000 http://server2.local/BIT-SPRING/baltimoremagazine.com/html/?post_type=article&p=6144

Autumn Glory

It's the most wonderful time of the year for wine gatherings, birding events, and other fall festivals.

By Marty LeGrand

SPONSORED BY TALBOT COUNTY TOURISM

SPONSORED BY TALBOT COUNTY TOURISM

Bountiful harvests and beautiful foliage. Indian summers and All Hallows’ Eve. There’s so much to celebrate this time of year that, on any given weekend between now and November, you can’t swing a scarecrow without hitting a fall festival. Festivals let us give thanks for everything we hold seasonally dear: pumpkins, apples, oysters, wines, Oktoberfest, Halloween, and Renaissance rituals. We’ve come up with 20 weekend-worthy fests that represent the spectrum of autumnal events. So hit the road and partake in one of these pilgrimages.

Sampling the goods at the Virginia Wine Festival. – Courtesy Across-The-Way Productions

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS Virginia Wine Festival September 12-13 Great Meadow, The Plains, VA

The 411: Toast the nation’s fifth biggest wine state by sampling vintages from several dozen top Virginia winemakers. Admission fees buy all-day tastings, seminars to sharpen your palate, and a souvenir wine glass. Impress your oenophile friends by learning how to keep a wine scorecard like a tasting judge in one of several specialized classes. And spring for private food and wine pairings where an expert will explain why a Barboursville Merlot is perfect with chicken Marsala while you savor both. Tickets cost $20-105 (or $15-90 in advance). Drink to This: Tour nearby vineyards—Pearmund Cellars ( 6190 Georgetown Rd., Broad Run, VA, 540-347-3475) and Linden Vineyards (3708 Harrels Corner Rd., Linden, VA, 540-364-1997)—whose wines have cracked the exclusive list at the five-star Inn at Little Washington. Good Taste: Restaurants love to highlight their vintner neighbors. The Airlie Room (6809 Airlie Rd., Warrenton, VA, 540-347-1300), the in-house restaurant at Airlie, a historic hotel/conference center, features frequent winemaker dinners with grapes sourced by local vineyards. And don’t miss wine tasting, Wednesday through Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m., with the sommelier at the acclaimed Ashby Inn (692 Federal St., Paris, VA, 540-592-3900). Take a Load Off: Once your wine glass is empty, drink in the Virginia countryside and spend the night at Georgian Revival-style Airlie, whose founder strove to create a haven for socio-political deep thinkers. (Earth Day had its beginnings here.)

Food vendors at Sunfest in Ocean City. – Courtesy Town Of Ocean City

FUN IN THE SUN Sunfest September 24-27 Inlet Parking Lot, Ocean City

The 411: Alas, summer isn’t endless in Ocean City, so send it off with a bang at Sunfest, the resort town’s carnival-esque harbinger of fall. Roam the sea of tents at the boardwalk’s southern tip, while browsing nearly 200 artisans’ booths, noshing on crab cakes, oyster fritters, and deep-fried Oreos, and listening to live bands, including nightly headline performers. (The festival is free, but concert tickets will set you back between $15 and $60.) Meanwhile, fluttering overhead, behold master kite fliers’ colorful creations at the Sunfest Kite Festival. Better Shop Around: The holidays loom, so gift shop for glass jewelry, beach-themed paintings, custom handbags, and other crafts. Good Taste: Relish reasonably priced, Eastern Shore-sourced surf-and-turf dishes (rockfish tacos or short ribs braised in coffee and locally brewed Burley Oak stout) at Blacksmith (104 Pitts St., Berlin, 410-973-2102). If weather permits, dine on the garden patio at this new farm-to-table restaurant, a quick jaunt from the Sunfest grounds. Take a Load Off: Stay within walking distance of Sunfest at Atlantic House ( 501 N. Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, 410-289-2333), a just-off-the-beach B&B, which offers scrumptious full breakfasts (think crème brûlée French toast), homemade snacks, off-street parking, and a front porch made for relaxing.

A HIGHLAND FLING Celtic Classic September 25-27 Downtown Bethlehem, PA

The 411: With its brick sidewalks and Moravian architecture, Bethlehem’s historic district doesn’t exactly conjure the Scottish Highlands. But for one weekend, kilted clans gather here to toss cabers, dance jigs, play bagpipes, and enlighten newcomers on the finer points of Celtic beverages. Watch muscled competitors vie for the U.S. National Highland Athletic Championships. Delight in Celtic music, dance, food, whiskey, and beer. Join the culinary competition by flexing your intestinal fortitude at the haggis-eating contest. (Entry fee is $10.) Contest rules: The first one to devour one pound of the organ-meat pudding wins. (No ketchup allowed.) Drink to This: Learn to tap a perfect pint of Guinness. (Tickets: $10.) Good Taste: McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub (534 Main St., Bethlehem, PA, 610-861-7631) adds special dishes to its Scotch-Irish menu for the Classic. Head there for breakfast (served until 4 p.m.) and scarf down authentic fare like Scotch eggs, Irish bacon, and Irish boxty, a crepe-like potato pancake filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, and a banger. Take a Load Off: You can’t get any closer to the festivities than Historic Hotel Bethlehem (437 Main St., Bethlehem, PA, 800-607-2384), an elegantly restored 1920s-era building overlooking the festival’s Main Street stage.

– C. Wiley

Crowning Glory

A Maryland Ren Fest fan meets—and marries—a king.

Twenty-five years ago, Sascha Nelson attended her first renaissance fair, a small gathering of revelers in Ohio. But it wasn’t until she attended the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville that she was truly hooked. “Maryland has one of the top fairs in the country,” says Nelson, “and the first time I attended, I was blown away. It wasn’t like anything I’d ever seen.”

Ever since, Nelson has become a devotee of the so-called “Ren Fest,” and she now attends every weekend, late August through October, when the fair is in full swing. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that last fall, she married Fred Nelson, who plays King Henry VIII. After meeting him at the fair in 2008, the two friended each other on Facebook. “We had an Internet friendship first,” explains Nelson, “but when we talked face-to-face, we realized that there was a real spark. I remember feeling like, ‘Wow, I found my other half.’” Married life in Columbia seems to suit them well. At the end of her husband’s day of donning a 40-pound gem-encrusted coat in the sweltering sun, Sascha says, “I take him home and rub his feet.” And Fred, an award-winning videographer by day, returns her loving kindness. “I get treated like beyond a queen,” Sascha says. “He brings me coffee in bed every morning.” And he always gives her the royal treatment. “I collect aprons and he bought me one that says, ‘Queen of Everything,’” Sascha says. “He’s the king of Maryland Renaissance Festival, but I rule the house.” Quips Fred, “I never have to fear losing myself in the role. I know who’s in charge at home.”—Jane Marion

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LEAF OUT Autumn Leaf Festival September 26-October 4 Downtown Clarion, PA

The 411: Watch a mega-parade, tap your toes to talented fiddlers and flat pickers, and join 300,000 foliage worshippers in a small college town that becomes the Pasadena of Pennsylvania for nine days. Bows and fingers fly September 26 at the Pennsylvania State Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest. Grab a choice spot along Main Street for the festival’s centerpiece, the 62-year-old Tournament of Leaves Parade (October 3), featuring 100-plus bands, drill teams, and floats. In addition, enjoy the renowned crafters/farmers’ market, carnival rides, dancing, and delectable dishes. Better Shop Around: Shop the crafters show for handmade home furnishings. Down Right Primitives (625 Oakridge Rd., New Bethlehem, PA, 814-221-5968) sells mirrors, benches, and other furniture cleverly repurposed from old doors, windows, shutters, and headboards. Good Taste: Join the throngs at Daddy’s Main Street ( 513 Main St., Clarion, PA, 814-223-4687) for grass-fed-beef burgers, fresh-cut shoestring fries, and wings (mild to “Demon’s Breath”). Take a Load Off: Book a Jacuzzi suite or stylishly rustic cabin at Gateway Lodge (14870 Route 36, Cooksburg, PA, 814-744-8017), a wood-beamed B&B nestled in an old-growth forest 20 minutes from Clarion. Hike the famous Cook Forest. Soothe sore quads at The Woods Spa, and then dine on game grub (venison strip loin with juniper rub) at the lodge restaurant/wine bar.

HOW ’BOUT THEM APPLES? National Apple Harvest Festival October 3-4 and 10-11 South Mountain Fairgrounds, Biglerville, PA

The 411: Journey to the heart of orchard country for this two-weekend extravaganza celebrating all “apple-achian” traditions. Indulge your appetite for homemade applesauce, dumplings, pancakes, pies, even apple pizza, as you wander past kettles of bubbling apple butter and an old-fashioned cider press. Bid on prize-winning pies at the baking auction. Watch antique John Deeres do-si-do at the tractor square dances. Other offerings include live traditional music and a steam-powered shingle mill. Tickets cost $9-10, including parking and shuttle service, plus orchard tours. Drink to this: Need we remind you you’re in Appleland? Take home a bag or two and a jug of cider from festival vendors. Savor the country comforts of a weekend at Hickory Bridge Farm B&B (96 Hickory Bridge Rd., Orrtanna, PA, 717-642-5261), an 18th-century farmhouse-turned-inn famous for its rib-sticking, family-style dinners. Secure a cozy creek-side cottage, a deluxe farmhouse room, or ensconce the whole family in a farmhouse suite.

Making music at the Autumn Glory Festival. – Courtesy Garrett County Chamber of Commerce

SEASON'S GREETINGS Autumn Glory Festival October 7-11 Oakland and Garrett County

The 411: The auburn slopes of the Alleghenies provide the color for this five-day event, featuring parades, crafts, quilt shows, and antiques sales, as well as turkey dinners, mountain music, clogging, marching bands, classic cars, and a kind of pumpkin X Games. Cheer on numbered, rapids-running pumpkins in a race for prize money at the Great Pumpkin Festival. Don’t miss the state banjo and fiddle championships or a concert on the Great Highland Pipes. And for an extra indulgence, download maps (visitdeepcreek.com) for 25- and 60-mile self-guided foliage driving tours. Better Shop Around: Shop for hand-made quilts, Amish-built furniture, Longaberger baskets, and vintage jewelry at the weekend shows in and around Oakland, the festival’s hub. Good Taste: Dine on New York strip in a peppercorn-cognac demi-glace at Cornish Manor (830 Memorial Dr., Oakland, 301-334-6499), a hillside Victorian restaurant boasting sensational views and memorable desserts. (Tuck into the bread pudding with caramel-walnut sauce.) Take a Load Off: Pamper yourself at Lake Pointe Inn (174 Lake Pointe Dr., McHenry, 301-387-0111), a luxury arts-and-crafts-style B&B perched on a quiet cove of Deep Creek Lake. The romantic, treetop level Savage Room, overlooking the lake, is a guest favorite.

Bavarian folk dancers perform at the Richmond Oktoberfest. – Courtesy Oktoberfest of Richmond

SUDS UP Richmond Oktoberfest October 16-17 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA

The 411: Visit Bavaria by way of I-95 South to attend Richmond Oktoberfest, the Old Dominion’s homage to Munich’s 200-year-old bier-palooza. Find a seat at the communal tables in the cavernous indoor beer garden and sample German and domestic lagers, pilsners, and seasonal brews, along with bratwurst, roast pork, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, and Bavarian pastries. Polka, waltz, and shake your hintern to The Continentals, an award-winning polka band. Then rest a spell and watch the Bavarian folk dancers—all for a mere $15 a day. Drink to This: Spring $12 for the commemorative Oktoberfest beer stein. This year’s model depicts the handsome medieval Eltz Castle. Good Taste: You’ll be carbo-loading all evening, so grab brunch and you’ll be good to go ’til then. Tame your morning hunger with the Mallorca, a grilled, powdered sugar-dusted sandwich with cheddar cheese, country ham, and a fried egg at Saison Market (23 W. Marshall St., Richmond, VA, 804-269-3982), the casual counterpart to a Latin-influenced gastropub. Take a Load Off: Walk to the Thomas Jefferson-designed state capitol, Tobacco Row restaurants, Canal Walk, and other downtown attractions from The Berkeley Hotel (1200 E. Cary St., Richmond, VA, 804-780-1300), boutique lodgings in the city’s historic Shockoe Slip district.

Facing off at the National Oyster Shucking Championship. – Courtesy Rotary Club of Lexington Park

A REAL PEARL St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival October 17-18 St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, Leonardtown

The 411: After every round of the National Oyster Shucking Championship—the marquee event of this singular celebration—scores of bivalves must be disposed of. That’s where you come in. As each shuck-off ends, spectators line up to devour the spoils. In addition to giveaways, you can buy the oysters raw, grilled, scalded, stewed, deep-fried, beer-chased, or po’ boyed. And if oysters don’t float your boat, consider another St. Mary’s specialty—ham stuffed with spiced greens, and then rolled into a savory, sliceable treat. The festival’s $5 entrance fee is a total bargain. Take a Load Off: Inspired by all that showy shucking? Invest in a stylish oyster knife. Carolina Shuckers, a festival vendor, sells elegant, hand-forged knives fashioned from reclaimed railroad spikes. Good Taste: Chow down on rockfish dinners and house-made desserts like a local at Kevin’s Corner Kafe ( 41565 Park Ave., Leonardtown, 301-997-1260), an out-of-the-way, order-at-the-counter eatery run by a former waterman. Take a Load Off: About 30 minutes southeast of the festival—and a world away—find comfort and Colonial grandeur at Woodlawn (16040 Woodlawn Dr., Ridge, 301-872-0555), a 1798 Potomac River manor house turned B&B. Set on 180 acres, the historic house and five cottages offer luxury and nature aplenty.

EYE ON THE BIRDIE Cape May Fall Festival October 23-25 Cape May, NJ

The 411: Lifelong birders and curious novices flock to southern Jersey in the fall to see migrating hawks, eagles, seabirds, and scarcer species like the fork-tailed flycatchers sighted here last year. Join trained observers as they count raptors—sometimes thousands a day—at the Cape May Hawk Watch. Festival admission includes guided walks at birding hot spots, indoor workshops (bird identification, avian photography), and talks by top ornithologists and authors. Cost is $65 per day for the festival ($35 additional for field trips by bus and boat); admission is free to the concurrent Bird Show (Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ, 609-884-9563). Better Shop Around: Consider upgrading your gear. Bird Show vendors offer binoculars, spotting scopes, and other equipment. Good Taste: Whatever’s in season—bluefish, butternut squash, Swiss chard—you’ll find on the chalkboard menu at Louisa’s (104 Jackson St., Cape May, NJ, 609-884-5882), a farm-to-table cafe known for fresh fish dishes. Its new chocolate shop speaks to dessert possibilities. Take a Load Off: An upscale motel in a refurbished cottage, The Star (29 Perry St., Cape May, NJ, 800-297-3779) is as cheery inside as its goldfinch-yellow exterior. Choose from standard rooms, efficiencies, or carriage house suites, all decorated in a retro-motel-meets-beach-resort style.

Flying broomsticks at the Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddlers’ Festival. – Courtesy Rehoboth Beach- Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce

ALL DRESSED UP Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddlers’Festival October 23-25 Downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE

The 411: Think the beach is boring after Labor Day? Think again. This spirited festival is a shoulder-season romp rife with Potteresque imagination and kooky contests. The hijinks include competitive broom tossing, a dress-up 5K, and two- and four-legged best-costume parades (past canine entries included pooches dressed as flying monkeys and “Boston Tea Party,” a large, Boston terrier-filled teacup). Watch a parade down Rehoboth Avenue led by the huge Sea Witch balloon while deciphering clues on a “witch hunt” for this hidden harpy. Also enjoy musical acts, including swing, indie-rock, and tribute bands at the bandstand, plus fiddlers and bluegrass groups at the state fiddlers’ festival (Convention Hall). Good Taste: Rehoboth restaurant folks adore Halloween, but none more than those at Blue Moon ( 35 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE, 302-227-6515). A local institution, Blue Moon blends acclaimed cuisine with outrageous entertainment. On Saturday nights, impersonators evoke Elton, Aretha, and other legendary crooners. Take a Load Off: Register, park, stay put. Book a cushy room at The Bellmoor Inn & Spa (6 Christian St., Rehoboth Beach, DE, 302-227-5800) and you’re blocks from Sea Witch events. Rates include daily hot breakfast buffet, free parking, and the quietude of a charming brick-paved courtyard.

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