The Greene Turtle: A DMV Treat

     If you're in search of an inexpensive night out with some friends and some delicious food, look no farther than the Greene Turtle. Located only in Maryland, Upper Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia, The Turtle is a restaurant every Marylander can take advantage of.

Mmmm Wings! Photo Credit: Stef Yau

     In Maryland there are 25 locations and they are spread throughout the whole state. In my opinion its an underrated restaurant. The places are always very family friendly atmospheres and always offer a great opportunity for a night out. The Greene Turtle is a greats sports bar scene as well. For local Maryland sports it's almost there will be a crowd gathered supporting whatever team may be playing.

     The menu is pretty deep and offers a bunch of seafood options which is my favorite part about eating there.They also have delicious "bar food" type dishes as well, wings, burgers, pizza, etc. As you can tell if you read my blog from a few posts ago, you can see that I love crabs. Being a Maryland based restaurant they have no shortage of crab featured dishes.

     Depending on your mood I don't think you can have a bad meal at The Greene Turtle. Personally I recommend the Chicken Chesapeake or the Chesapeake Burger (Both have bacon and crab meat....no brainer's.) Choosing the right appetizer is often the toughest choice you are faced with at the restaurant. The Crab Dip is to die for!

Crab Dip        Photo Credit: Imjustmatthew

     Enjoy all of your meals with a wide variety of alcoholic beverages if you're of age of course.

  

Photo Credit: Burt Everson

The Greene Turtle also has a genius business idea of weekly, competitive trivia with good prizes which keep a steady crowd of regulars. 
 
 


View the whole menu here and get a head start on ordering, but it will still take you a minute to decide once you are there and see the wait staff carrying the other dishes around. You can also see which restaurant is closest to you because it shows you the exact mileage from your zip code! Be sure to get one of their great shirts while you're there!
  
     Whether you're in the mood for a nice family dinner, gathering your friend group for a sporting event, or a night out in a slow town The Greene Turtle is an inexpensive option for all of the above. So go out and try it for yourself!

M&T Bank Stadium

College Football Game at the Stadium

     M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is most commonly known as the home of the recently crowned Superbowl Champions, The Baltimore Ravens. The stadium is a majestic place. It is beautifully structured and the turf is new and is great looking. The sea of purple seats make me feel at home whenever I'm there because I am an avid Ravens fan.

     I had the pleasure of visiting the stadium a few times over this past NFL season, including Ray Lewis' last home game in the playoffs vs. The Colts. As a fan, there is nothing more awesome than attending a home game. The atmosphere is unreal.

     Along with Raven's games the Baltimore stadium holds home to a few other events. Around the state it is the hallowed grounds for high school football state championships. I never made it to play there but I did get to watch my high school play for it when I was a freshman. As a high school football player that's the ultimate goal, to play down at M&T Bank. To see my older friends playing out there was an unreal experience that I'll never forget and I can't imagine how they felt being out there.

Army vs. Navy Lacrosse Game at M&T Bank

     Besides the state championships the stadium has held the Men's College Lacrosse National Championship multiple times as well. This is a great location for the event as Maryland is a hotbed for the sport and the fans come out in huge numbers over Memorial Day weekend. They also host a few other lacrosse events which vary every year and season. On a warm day as a lacrosse fan it's a great scene to catch some good games.

Jay-Z and Justin performance! Photo Credit: Linda Marie

     Over the past few summers the stadium has hosted a few international soccer matches and this year is no different. In late July there are two days of soccer games at M&T Bank Stadium. Also this summer there is even a Monster Truck Rally in July.

     In August the stadium brings the Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake concert to town. This by music standards is a huge concert which will likely be sold out.

     M&T Bank Stadium is a great Maryland Treasure that should be experienced by all. Even if you don't like the Ravens maybe your team is playing them and you want to check them out, do it! Maybe you're a fan of soccer, or lacrosse, or high school football, or Monster Trucks, or Jay-Z whatever it is, M&T Bank is a great venue and a guarantee to be a great experience. 

Maryland Blue Crabs: The State Food

Photo Credit: Tony Weeg

     With summer quickly approaching and warm weather right on the horizon, in Maryland, that means one thing, CRABS. The Maryland Blue Crab is a delicacy and revered as a God like substance in the state. On a weekend in the summer you can surely smell the aroma of steamed crabs and old bay rising from the backyard picnics of about half of every house in any given neighborhood.

     To an outsider, the Crab eating process is tedious, complicated and God forbid you have any small cuts on your fingers because the Old Bay burn would wish you were an amputee. But to a local, the way you break the shell and what meat you eat is unique to the individual. Also to a local, it is something to look forward to for weeks and even months. The winter is death anticipating the arrival of crab season. It is the best season.

     Unfortunately the price for a bushel or two isn't as cheap as a college kid would hope for. That's why buying a bushel is a great bonding experience and an excellent opportunity to gather family and friends for no reason at all except to eat delicious food.

     If you're born and raised in the state you probably even have a friend or two who own a boat and go crabbing for their own keeps. Not only is dragging the line and pulling up the cages a fun time that gives you the satisfaction of catching your own food, but it also saves you the money of having to buy any crabs. Catching them is obviously the hard part, once you have them you just throw them in a large metal pot over a flame in boiling water and a mixture of other unique ingredients. Each crabber has their own blend of whatever makes the crabs they catch delicious.

Photo Credit: Mary Hollinger

    If you can't get out to the Chesapeake area to catch your own bushel, finding a place that sells them is as easy driving around or using the phone book (people still use those right?) or the Internet. Wherever you are I'm sure there's a place close enough to you that has them for a reasonable price.

     With crabs coming back into the food chain in the summer I can't wait to get back to Maryland to chow down on the finest thing the Chesapeake bay has to offer. If you stop in Maryland in the summer be sure to try it for the first time. There's no shame in not knowing how to pick a crab or use a wooden hammer although you might get a few strange looks from the locals. Enjoy the state food!

The National Aquarium in Baltimore

Photo Credit: National Aquarium

     One of the coolest things to experience in Maryland is the National Aquarium. It is an absolutely breathtaking and amazing location. The National Aquarium is located in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore City. If you're in the Harbor it's impossible to miss the Aquarium because of it's unique architecture (see above photo)!

Photo Credit: National Aquarium

     Any visitor can surely find an exhibit or animal that interests them at this aquarium. It offers 16,000 animals in 12 different exhibits, and is soon to be 13! The 16,000 animals come from 660 different species and come from all over the planet.

     The most popular draws to the Aquarium is the Dolphin Discovery. Dolphin discovery used to be a dolphin "show" but now the dolphin trainers focus more on teaching the audience about the dolphins and there are set times during the day that the audience can witness feeding, play time, and training. It is a very interactive and cool exhibit that brings a lot of visitors to the aquarium.

     Two of the other popular exhibits are the Australian: Wild Extremes, and the Upland Tropical Rain Forest. The Australian exhibit won the "2008 AZA Exhibit of the year." It features crocodiles, turtles, pythons, obviously fish and even exotic birds. The Rain Forest section offers frogs, birds, sloths, spiders and even monkeys!

Photo Credit: Captmondo

     One of the newer exhibits is the Jelly Fish Invasion, seen to the right. Don't worry all you danger seekers, of course there is a shark exhibit for you.

     Another awesome thing offered at the National Aquarium is the 4-D movie experience. You might ask, Tom, 4-D how's that possible? The 15 minute shows give the audience a closer look into the sights, smells, atmospheres, and smells of whatever the subject matter is.  The effects range from wind, mist, lights, leg ticklers and even snow!

mist, wind, snow, bubbles, leg ticklers, scents, enhanced lighting, and seat vibrations! - See more at: http://www.aqua.org/explore/baltimore/exhibits-experiences/4d-theater#sthash.mP5VVshO.dpuf

Winner of the 2008 AZA Exhibit of the Year

Winner of the 2008 AZA Exhibit of the Year

Winner of the 2008 AZA Exhibit of the Year

Photo Credit: National Aquarium

     The National Aquarium is a huge field trip destination for Maryland students. My high school even had our prom there! Along with the information provided during field trips the Aquarium is very involved in community outreach. They have educational programs along with environmental programs.

     Just blogging about the Aquarium and looking at the beautiful pictures makes me want to go now! The price for the entire day and all exhibits included is a reasonable and well worth it 29.99 and the 4-D movie experience is an additional 5 dollars. The National Aquarium contains a one of a kind look into the exotic life this wonderful planet has to offer. If you can't make it to Baltimore, there is also an Aquarium in D.C. but it is much smaller and less extensive. Baltimore is definitely the best bet for an unforgettable experience.

Photo Credit: National Aquarium

Ellicott City, Maryland

     Hello there, my name is Brandi Cockerham and I would like to take a moment to thank Tom for allowing me to write this guest post for him. Although I am not a Maryland native like Tom, I am a blogger and I have spent a lot of time in the Old Line State over the past three years. My boyfriend and his family live in a suburb of Baltimore so I have gone to visit him multiple times since we began dating in 2010. This past summer I actually lived with him because I had an internship at the National Aquarium (which Tom will hopefully be blogging about later). I have grown quite fond of Maryland over the years and hope to move there following graduation. 

     One of my absolute favorite places to go while in Maryland is Ellicott City. This tiny, historic town within Howard County is full of life year round and has something to offer for everyone. Free parking is something everyone loves, but I am not nearly as excited by a toy store as I am by a vintage clothing store. Lucky for me, Ellicott City had both. Each time (I’ve been about four times) I venture to Ellicott City I have been the only female in the group. Usually I go with my boyfriend and his brother and they have two stores that we have to go in each time we are in town. The All Time Toy Store and I Love Theatre are their favorite shops. The All Time Toy Store has a huge selection of collectible toys, video games, game systems, Legos, and action figures. The I Love Theatre store obviously has theatre memorabilia, but the store also sells tons of sports souvenirs and has a huge collection of National Bohemian (locally made beer) products. 

An original NES from All Time Store

A Natty Boh Shirt from I Love Theatre

 

     I honestly feel that my boyfriend and his brother keep these stores in business. Every time we are in Ellicott City they are buying some kind of game or game system from All Time Toy Store and stocking up on t-shirts at I Love Theatre. 

     On the other hand, I would rather spend time looking at the antique stores and vintage clothing stores. My favorite store in Ellicott City is a tiny vintage boutique called A Journey from Junk.  The store is jam packed with clothes, boots, home décor, hand-made jewelry and soaps, accessories, and even some furniture. One of my most memorable purchases at A Journey from Junk was when I bought a spoon ring there this past November. I had been searching for the perfect spoon ring since the summer and of course, I found the most beautiful one at A Journey from Junk! 

My spoon ring from A Journey from Junk

Go find them on Facebook to see some pics of what they sell.

     No matter if you are older or younger, male or female, interested in sports or theatre- there is something for everyone in Ellicott City. Prepare to spend the whole day there though, there is so much to see and do!

Take a trip to Washington D.C.

     One of the great things about Maryland is that it is located so close to our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. If you're ever feeling bored and you've got a little gas in the car hop in and take it to the city. It doesn't matter when you decide to go, winter, spring, summer or fall, there are always things to do and see.

     Washington D.C. really is a majestic city. It has metros and subways which make getting to extremely simple because often times parking is an issue. D.C. has many great things to offer. Museums, restaurants, theater, sporting events, monuments, THE WHITE HOUSE, D.C. has it all!
   
     Obviously one of the reasons why you should go to D.C. is to see all the beautiful, historic structures. The Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorial, the White House, the Capital building, and the Library of Congress, are just a few of the many, many sites available for tourists.

     One of the things that not many people have probably experienced is a play at the Kennedy Center. It was unbelievable. The theater was absolutely beautiful and the performance was magnificent.
    
     The museums in the city are world renowned and are spectacular. A huge draw to the city is also sporting events. D.C. is home to the Washington Nationals of the MLB, the Washington Redskins of the NFL, the Washington Wizards of the NBA and the Washington Capitals of the NHL. No matter what the sports season, D.C. probably has a sports game going on.
    
     There really is something for everyone in D.C. So don't sit around playing video games complaining that there's nothing to do, go to D.C. and make something happen. Whether it's go hang out on the Mall or getting something to eat at an upscale restaurant, or going to a museum, or see the sites, or catch a game, there's always something to do! Make the trip, go whenever, it's worth it! 

   

Baltimore Orioles: Fun For the Whole Family

Camden Yards
Photo Credit: Kevin Farner

     As baseball season quickly approaches, an option of something to do in Maryland presents itself. Orioles baseball games at Camden Yards in Baltimore City on Charles Street are a Maryland tradition that anyone can enjoy.
  
    Even I, who am not even really a baseball fan, can I hop on the metro and have a great time in the city on game day. The good thing about baseball games, is that there are a ton of them throughout the spring and summer! There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself.
   
   The Orioles tend to tailor the games towards the fans, offering crazy specials on tickets and plenty of door buster/give aways to keep the faithful entertained. This upcoming season should offer some great entertainment and huge crowds, following the overwhelming success of last season. Student games I think are every Friday and with a student I.D. tickets are only 5 or 10 dollars! On a beautiful Friday, summer evening going out to Camden Yards can be a majestic experience.
    
     The first home game is April 5th and it's looking like there is about 2 or so home games a week for the rest of the summer. One of the great things about the Yard is that there isn't a bad seat in the house. Whether you're in the upper deck, outfield or on the hot corner, you are guaranteed a good time, regardless of the outcome.

     If you're heading to Baltimore it's usually convenient to take the subway or metro which only will run you about 3 dollars no matter where you are coming from. The train station is in the shadow of the stadium which makes it very easy. The atmosphere around the stadium is amazing too. Plenty of bars and restaurants surround the stadium, in walking distance of course.
  
     Also, the Oriole's are actually good now and made the playoffs last season after a long hiatus. Sporting events where the team is winning and has playoff aspirations are always more exciting than a team with a losing tendancy. The Oriole's have young, budding allstars who will make the experience that much more exciting for the viewers.
   
     So if you're in the mood to get out of the house this summer, check out the Orioles schedule and bring the whole family to Baltimore. A cheap but worthwhile time is for sure to be had. Whether you're a die hard O's fan, someone in search of a fun night out, or just wanting to head to the city for a bit, head to Camden Yards and root for the Orioles. Buckle Up!

Check out the 2013 schedule here: Oriole's Schedule