Category: Maryland

Reimagining Vanilla: A New Twist on an old Favorite in Time for National Ice Cream Month 2025

Alabama, Alabama Beaches, Bowling Green, Cajun/Creole, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, Gulf Shores, Ice Cream, Louisiana, Maryland, Shenandoah, Virginia

“Vanilla” is often used to describe something considered basic or plain, but we’re here to announce that vanilla is never boring on our watch! For National Ice Cream Month this July, destinations are giving the classic vanilla a glow-up – think spices, swirls and surprising mix-ins that are anything but basic. Restaurants and ice cream shops are churning out creative takes on this beloved base flavor, making each vanilla variation worth melting for.

Cow Tracks Moo Pie from Chaney’s Dairy Barn

Bowling Green, Kentucky

Vanilla goes full-on Southern indulgence here, because Cow Tracks Moo Pie is anything but understated. Chaney’s homemade Cow Tracks ice cream is the real star of the show, with a creamy vanilla base that’s then loaded with chunks of Snickers candy bars and a caramel swirl. As if that isn’t total perfection – brace yourself – it’s then scooped on top of a warm and gooey skillet chocolate chip cookie. What could make this concoction even sweeter? Being able to see the adorable Jersey cows that are on site, providing their fresh milk for the farm’s tasty ice cream. They’re just a moo away from the scoop shop, and visitors can meet the herd on a farm tour while seeing the cow-to-cone magic in action. Vanilla is never plain here … it’s pasture-raised perfection.

Bear Cone from Dollywood Parks and Resorts

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

This National Ice Cream Month, take your vanilla to new heights … Smoky Mountain heights, to be exact, with the Bear Cone, a whimsical treat found at Dollywood theme park and its resorts, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. This adorable cone, inspired by the black bears of the Smoky Mountains, pairs perfectly with Dollywood’s soft-churn vanilla ice cream. With several topping options available, the Bear Cone turns classic vanilla into a mountain-sized treat worth roaring about.

Cake in a Cup from Queen City Creamery

Cumberland, on The Mountain Side of Maryland

Queen City Creamery is serving up a birthday party treat you don’t have to share thanks to Cake in a Cup. Layers of house-made vanilla frozen custard, rich fudge, cookie crunchies, chocolate frozen custard and a sizable swirl of icing come together in one perfectly proportioned treat. It’s a creamy, crunchy celebration of vanilla that’s all about treating yourself … no candles required.

Biscoff Cookie Butter Sundae from Central Sno

Raceland, in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou

Known more for Louisiana’s famed snowballs than sundaes, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou is serving up a tasty surprise at Central Sno. This treat starts with creamy vanilla ice cream that’s layered with crumbled Biscoff cookies and rich cookie butter, then topped with whipped cream. In a region where shaved ice usually reigns supreme, this twist on vanilla is a dish worth celebrating.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Milkshake from The Yard

Gulf Shores, one of Alabama’s Beaches

At the original Yard Milkshake Bar in Gulf Shores (the same sweet shop that scored a “Shark Tank” deal and launched a nationwide craze for wild milkshakes) this limited-time special starts with a scoop of vanilla blended with pineapple puree in a vanilla-iced jar rolled in crushed graham crackers. It’s piled high with whipped cream, more graham cracker crumbs, a pineapple puree drizzle, a scoop of Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cookie Dough and, of course, finished with a cherry on top. Born from a beachy brainstorm, The Yard is proving vanilla can go from basic to buzzworthy with the right mix of flavors and fruit.

Matilda Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream from The Carriage House

Darrow, in Louisiana’s Sweet Spot

Homemade vanilla bean ice cream takes the literal cake here at The Carriage House with a chocolate Matilda Cake inspired by the famous cake from the Matilda movie. Served with a luscious raspberry sauce, this dessert pairs a Southern classic with a touch of Hollywood magic, casting vanilla ice cream in the perfect supporting role.

Affogato from Smiley’s Kustard

Bayse, in Virginia’s Shenandoah County

Vanilla gets a bold wake-up call at Smiley’s with a house-made vanilla soft-serve custard affogato, served with a pour of velvety nitro cold brew. This cool, caffeinated combo is simple, sophisticated and sippable, proving that even the most classic flavors can be buzzworthy.

The Way We Used to Travel

Maryland, National Road, Uncategorized

Let’s turn on the time machine and travel back 219 years and a few days to March 29, 1806. That’s when Congress approved the concept of a “National Road.” Signed into law by President Thomas Jefferson, the National Road as it still is known today, was America’s first federally funded highway, designed to connect the Potomac and Ohio rivers and serve as the major path westward for countless settlers eager to discover the opportunities they hoped awaited them on the American frontier.

It took five years after approval for the road to be constructed, but it was a big deal when completed. People, animals and covered wagons assembled in Cumberland, Maryland, ready to head west on trails that had long been traveled by the region’s Indigenous Peoples and by a young George Washington in the 1740s in his early career as a surveyor.

After more than two decades of construction (as with modern transportation projects, there were plenty of problems and delays), the road ultimately stretched about 620 miles, from Maryland to Illinois, passing through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana along the way. The idea of this first “road trip” – which, let’s face it, was a lot less fun and way more dangerous 200 years ago than it is today – all began in Cumberland, in the scenic region known as “The Mountain Side of Maryland.”

A bustling place back then, Cumberland, after undergoing a $17.2 million renovation/restoration last fall, is again a premier destination, offering visitors both outdoor and urban adventures coupled with early American history as well. Stops to see include  “Mile Marker 0” monument at Canal Place National Heritage Park, the incredible Allegany Museum with its stellar “Crossroads of America” exhibit that tells the story of the region’s role in America’s early westward expansion, as well as the small towns that played major roles in American history. For more information, take a peek at MDMountainside.com.

And if you’d like to follow a “road trip” itinerary along America’s first federally funded highway, here’s a starting point: America’s First Road Trip.

Experience The Best in Travel This Holiday Seasons

Christmas, Cooperstown, Dollywood, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, Frostburg, Holiday, Holiday dining, Holiday events, Holiday Travel, Louisiana, Maryland, National Baseball Hall of Fame, Otesaga Resort Hotel, Regional & Ethnic, Resorts, Uncategorized

“This year, people seem to have gotten a jump on hauling out the holly and decorating everything that’s not moving,” writes my friend Mindy Bianca, owner of Mindy Bianca Public Relations. “But we suggest taking that holiday spirit on the road and having a few experiences that could result in the best gift of the season: memories made with family and friends. From reindeer prancing through Kentucky to a gingerbread display that hits it out of the park in New York, there’s no shortage of merry and bright adventures waiting in some of MBPR’s client destinations. Get ready to unwrap some one-of-a-kind happenings that will make your season extra bright this year.”

Run, Run Reindeer

The Reindeer Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Photo courtesy of BGKY.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to embrace the magic than spending time with Santa’s favorite critters? This hands-on farm experience lets you get close to a team of more than eight not-so-tiny reindeer, plus you can take a ride on a festive sleigh, stroll through holiday-themed displays and ice sculptures, and spend time with the jolly guy himself. New this year, the farm just added a zipline, so if the sight of these creatures playing reindeer games inspires YOU to really know how to fly … have at it!

These Halls are Decked

Houmas House in Ascension Parish, Louisiana

“Let it snow” might not be the theme of a Louisiana Christmas, but that doesn’t mean the holiday season is any less jolly here. At Houmas House Estate and Gardens, the Southern Christmas vibe is strong, with majestic oak trees draped in twinkling lights and a grand historic home decked out like something straight out of a classic holiday movie. Guests can stroll the beautifully lit gardens, have a cup of cheer and enjoy delicious culinary offerings.

Santa’s Little Helpers

Storybook Holiday in Frostburg, Maryland

Photo courtesy of the City of Frostburg.

Frostburg, located on the Mountain Side of Maryland, is home to the nationally recognized Storybook Holiday event, complete with the ever-popular Elf Olympics, kid’s activities, a Christmas market, shops, a featured children’s author and a parade led by none other than Jack Frost himself. Fitting for a town named “Frost”-burg, Mr. Frost closes out the day’s activities by hosting a town-wide snowball fight. The 21st annual Storybook Holiday is scheduled for Saturday, December 7. Even if you can’t make it to town on that particular day, Frostburg is one of the most charmingly decorated holiday towns on the East Coast throughout the season.

Have a Holly, Dolly Christmas

Dollywood Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Photo courtesy of the Dollywood Company.

They say there’s no place like home for the holidays, but what if you could enjoy all the cozy vibes without the food prep and dirty dishes, laborious set-up and take-down of decorations, and the ensuing stress? Have yourself a merrier little Christmas at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Cozy accommodations, carolers and holiday-themed packages (including one featuring a tree in your room) will make your stay as sweet as sugar plums. And just in case your holiday barometer measures in this way: This part of east Tennessee was the set for a bonafide Hallmark movie, “Christmas at Dollywood,” back in 2019.

Have a Holly, Dolly Christmas

The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York

Photo courtesy of the Otesaga Resort Hotel.

The Otesaga Resort Hotel is the place to stay during a visit to Cooperstown, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. Each year, The Otesaga’s culinary team pulls out all the stops to create an amazing gingerbread creation that’s proudly displayed throughout the holiday season. This time they’ve hit a home run by building a gingerbread replica of historic Doubleday Field. For nearly 100 years, this celebrated baseball stadium has seen everyone from Hall of Famers to lucky kids play America’s pastime here in the village. Now it’s been transformed into gingerbread and royal icing.

Photo courtesy of the Dollywood Company.

If you’re dreaming of a merry and bright holiday season, gather your loved ones, pack your favorite holiday sweaters (ugly or not) and get ready to make memories that will last way longer than the extra pounds you pick up during this festive time of year. 

Four Great Christmas Destinations for the Holiday Season

Alabama, Bellingrath Gardens, Branson, Christmas, Communityu Tree, Dollywood, Family Excursions, Frostburg, Holiday Travel, Maryland, North Pole, Pigeon Forge, Santa Claus, Smoky Mountains, Tennessee Mountain Home

My friend Mindy Bianca of Mindy Bianca Public Relations (MBPR) introduced me to hr newest employee, Jolly Jinglebutton (I don’t know where Mindy meets these characters), an elf who seems in the know for all things Christmas. And here, in his words, are some great holiday destinations.

Photo courtesy of Branson Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

Branson, Missouri

            In this Ozark Mountain town, moms and dads put the kids to bed on Halloween night, sneak some candy to get a little sugar rush, and then scurry around to transform Branson from fall to festive in a matter of hours. Poof! By the morning of November 1, Branson looks like the North Pole … minus the snow! Actually, this year they’re upping their game and transforming the historic downtown into a massive “winter wonderland” display – including hundreds of snowflakes suspended from the lampposts – so maybe it WILL look just like my home!

There are more than 1,500 beautifully decorated trees all around town, including a giant Community Tree whose themed décor changes each year. This year that tree is titled “We All SHINE ON!” and it will feature more than 200 super-sparkly LED stars in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. The Community Tree display, which will stand nearly four stories tall, will be part of Branson’s holiday scene from November 1 through January 7. It’ll be positioned right next to the Branson Ferris Wheel, which itself is beautifully decorated with lights that “dance” to favorite Christmas tunes during multiple shows each night.

Photo courtesy of Branson Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

Though all the attractions around Branson get into the holiday spirit, the highest concentration of lights and décor can be found at Silver Dollar City, a legendary theme park that annually celebrates “An Old Time Christmas.” The park installs more than 6.5 million lights – that’s 680 miles of stringed bulbs! – as well as 1,000 decorated trees, 600 giant wreaths, 3 miles of garland, and 15,000 yards of ribbon. (Fun fact: That’s about 15,000 elves’ worth of ribbon, if we all laid head to toe.)

And perfect for a holiday visit: At the World’s Largest Toy Museum, you’ll find more than 1 million toys that represent pretty much everything that kids have been putting on their Christmas lists for the past 100 years. This museum sure makes me glad that Santa invested in all the new-fangled technology that relieves us elves from some of the most difficult toy-making tasks. (Don’t even talk about sewing on teddy bears’ noses. Ouch!)

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

            We elves took a recent poll, and our very favorite human – ever – is Dolly Parton. There really isn’t anything she can’t do. She writes and sings songs, she acts (check out her Christmas movie on NBC later this year!), she helps finance COVID vaccines, she promotes literacy, and she owns a theme park in the middle of the Smoky Mountains so that visitors far and wide can learn about and fall in love with her Tennessee Mountain Home.

In fact, Dolly is so amazing that I’m not saying she’s an elf, but I’m not NOT saying she is one, either. Think about it: Some of the best elves I know are named Polly (last name: Peppermintstripe), Molly (Mistletoe), Holly (Hugsomuch), Folly (Funsmith) and Golly (Gumdrop). And then, of course, there’s me … Jolly. Do you think it’s a coincidence that Dolly’s name just SOUNDS elf-y?

Anyway, back to that incredible theme park, Dollywood, which has a tendency – like me – to go a little Christmas-crazy. Starting on the first Saturday of November, the park is completely transformed into a winter wonderland, coming aglow as more than 5 million gleaming lights sparkle across the property. (They have a team of humans here called “Lighting Bugs” who start stringing in the summertime! They started early this year so Dolly could film her Christmas movie last month!) A highlight of the décor is a 50-foot-tall, animated Christmas tree that comes to life via a synchronized light show throughout the evening.

And this is a theme park, so there are plenty of rides to enjoy, too! You get to race through the night sky while millions of lights twinkle below. I can tell you from first-hand experience that it’s a lot like how Santa feels when he takes his sleigh ride on Christmas Eve.

Frostburg, Maryland

            Photographer: Hassan Rasheed

Take a look at this tiny town’s name. You just know people here are going to make a fuss about all wintery stuff, right? Fun fact: Frostburg is not named for Jack Frost – which is okay with me, because I’ve always thought that guy was kind of cold. Instead, it was named for a family that was among the first settlers here on what they call “The Mountain Side of Maryland,” way back when this area was pure wilderness.

But that bristly Jack Frost does show up once a year, on the first Saturday of December (this year that’s December 3), for the town’s “Storybook Holiday” celebration. Old Jack pushes his way right to the front of the parade and tries to make it all about him. So typical.

But you know who it’s really about? The students from Frostburg University, who work with members of the community to raise money for the university’s Children’s Literature Centre. They all come together to celebrate books, reading and literacy. Kids show up to hear Christmas stories, meet authors, write letters to Santa, watch the parade and sip “Cocoa with the Po-Po,” which is hosted by Frostburg’s police department.

But the very, very best part is – wait for it – when the college kids compete in the Elf Olympics. Events include all the things I’ve spent my life perfecting: cookie tossing, package wrapping, tree decorating, toy creating and even song serenading. It’s so much fun to watch! I asked Santa if I can recruit the best participants for our North Pole team, but he said they probably exceed our maximum height limit.

Something else I love about Frostburg is that it gives me plenty of chances to support small, local businesses, including an independent bookstore, a shop that sells vinyl records, an old-fashioned theater that shows classic Christmas movies, and a café that serves an eggnog latte that I wish Spazzy Sparkleshots, my favorite barista back in the North Pole, could learn how to make.

Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, Alabama (near Mobile)

            I think a lot of people equate Christmas with colder weather and forget that there are plenty of warmer places that really get into the holiday spirit, too. MBPR represents several destinations that prove you don’t have to freeze your jingle bells off to enjoy the holidays. So, I want to tell you about Christmas at Bellingrath Gardens & Home, which is near Mobile, Alabama. The place is named for Walter Bellingrath, who made his fortune owning the region’s Coca-Cola bottling franchise, and O, Christmas tree … do they go all-out when it comes to decorating his 65-acre garden estate!

            During the Magic Christmas in Lights event, which this year runs November 25 through January 4, the gardens are adorned with more than 1,200 handmade set pieces, 3 million glittering lights and 16 custom scenes that can be enjoyed on your own or via a guided group walking tour. And guess what? Everything is designed, welded, painted and lamped on site by three members of the gardens’ staff.

In December, this area boasts an average daytime high of 63 degrees and a nighttime low of 45, so it’s possible to experience the lights in a comfortable climate but also enjoy a little bundling up … and perhaps a sip or bite of something warm along the way.

In addition to the light displays, the garden hosts live choral performances nearly every night. I love to sing-sing-sing, so I go every night to show my support … and tap my toes in my little curlicued shoes.

Also – news flash! – there ARE flowers that bloom at this time of year. Bellingrath is home to one of the South’s most amazing collections of Alabama’s state flower, the camellia. That was Mr. Bellingrath’s very favorite flower … and it happens to be Mrs. Claus’s fave, too! The team here always lets me pick a few camellias and send them home with Santa, who presents them to Mrs. Claus as part of the elves’ Christmas gift to her.