With beautiful foilage and moderate temperatures, Maryland is a perfect destination for a fall vacation. Read on for great ideas on what to do while you're there.

Deal Island

While only three miles long, Deal Island is not short on ways to spend a leisurely fall day in Maryland. Bring your own boat and catch your evening’s dinner at Deal Island Harbor. While you fish, children can take pictures of skipjacks, fishermen in action and the natural wonders of the Chesapeake Bays. Don’t have a boat? No problem. On solid ground, the ocean breeze is perfect for the simple pleasure of flying kites, so make it a point to bring one, or more, before coming here! Also, you can drive or walk down the island and do some historic sight seeing at the old bank building, church and cemetery. In Wenona, you can chat with the locals over the yawl boats, which are remnants of the nineteenth-century oyster fleet, and learn a thing or two about oysters and soft shell crabs.

Oriole

If you are looking for an overnight seasonal stay off the beaten path, check out Hyland House, a charming bed and breakfast inn, dating back to the late 18th century, in Oriole. Situated along Maryland Route 627, Oriole is a small town named after the state bird and makes for a quiet autumn getaway. While here, visit St. James Methodist Episcopal Church and Joseph Croswell House for some awe-inspiring photographs of historic sites among spectacular fall foliage.

Baltimore

Chances are, you know someone who is Irish, and you know how the Irish can throw a great bash. When you travel to the greater Baltimore area in November, the annual Maryland Irish Festival at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium is a must on your fall agenda. At this three-day event you can dance, eat, drink and be merry in other ways. Live music on three stages, children’s activities, darts tournaments and piping lessons are all part of the fun. Or, just come to look at men in kilts! While you have lots of opportunity to sample Irish food, there are also comfortable choices for non-daring taste buds and finicky children.

St. Leonard

St. Leonard may not be a well-known name in Maryland, but it should be on your autumn travel agenda because it is home to the Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. Situated on 560 acres beside the Patuxent River, the JPPM is the perfect indoor/outdoor vacations spot. Besides hiking trails, JPPM also has a kayak and canoe launch for water lovers, close to St. Leonard Creek. You can also marvel at a unique way of living while touring the Indian Village, outfitted with authentic gear the Patuxent Indians would have used daily. On nice seasonal days, you can also explore any of the dozens of archaeological sites. However, since fall weather can be unpredictable, JPPM also hosts indoor exhibits and hands-on activities, all relating to conservation and over 9,000 years of documented human activities in the area.