Forest Haven was a state school and hospital for people with mental disabilities.

When it first opened, there was nothing else like it.

Forest Haven began to decline in the 1960s.

Staff shortages were another huge problem.

And it just got worse.

The first lawsuit came in 1976 by the families of the residents, and the Department of Justice ended with many residents relocating to other group homes, but Forest Haven was still allowed to operate.

Aspiration pneumonia was the cause of death for many residents at Forest Haven, and the Justice Department took note.

Forest Haven faced many lawsuits, but it wasn’t until October 14, 1991, that it officially closed its doors.

Today, the area is “maintained” by the United States Park Service, but really, Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming it.

Marylanders can claim our very own slice of the mountains of Eastern Europe right here in Reisterstown. Little Georgia has been serving up the traditional and inventive flavors of Georgian cuisine for years, introducing residents of the Old Line State to some of the best food we could hope to have.

Georgia is home to the oldest tradition of wine-making in recorded history, and thus Georgian wine has become world-renowned for its exquisite flavor. The ancient tradition is alive and well in the bottles offered by Little Georgia - the saperavi quickly became one of my absolute favorites.

Georgia’s national dish is called Khachapuri - a bread boat filled with cheese and egg yolk. The warm ends of the bread are torn off and dipped in the cheese. One taste and I guarantee you’ll understand why this dish is so popular that the price of the ingredients is used as a barometer for inflation.

There is absolutely nothing quite like Georgian pkhali, a salad made from chopped vegetables like spinach or beets and combined with ground walnuts and herbs. The vegetables at Little Georgia are shaped into leaves, creating a beautiful one-of-a-kind experience.

I love a good soup dumpling, and Georgian khinkali certainly hit the spot for that. These are filled with spiced ground meat and broth that liquifies as the dumplings cook. You bite a small end off and slurp the soup out before you eat the rest of it. They’re absolutely perfect for a night in the chilly mountain air.

If you arrive at the right time, you’ll be able to sample Little Georgia’s paska. These cakey sweet breads are traditional for Eastern European Christians at Easter, and they’re absolutely delightful!

A traditional Georgian meal involves a massive spread shared with many people, so be sure to bring friends and family along for the adventure!

Every weekend during October, Bennett’s Curse will open the gateway to its neon-drenched alley of apparitions. Tickets go quickly, so be sure to visit the Bennett's Curse website to make your purchases!

Only the attractions most dedicated to fright and terror make the Top Five Legendary Haunted Attractions list. Bennett’s Curse, which has been in operation since 2001, was praised for its innovative set design…

…And for its army of talented professional scare actors, among many more top-notch qualities. This family-owned business is resolute in its commitment to making this spooky season one you won’t soon forget!

There are four different themed walkthroughs. One ticket gets you access to all of them, so after you pass through the brightly colored hall of torment in the Halloween 3D spectacle…

…Be ready to trick-or-treat with the ghostly locals in the Legends of Halloween attraction. All-in-all, Bennett’s Curse offers hours of horrific fun for one scarily stellar price.

Be sure to take your own scary selfies when prompted - you never know what might set one of these spiteful spirits off.

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has its roots in the original Western Maryland Railway, which was in operation from 1852 to 1983. Today the trains make regular trips from Cumberland out to Frostburg and back through the Allegheny Mountains.

Departing from Cumberland in the autumn, with the beautiful brick buildings of the city visible through a cascade of colorful leaves, is a truly magical experience. As you return on your route, you’ll see the gorgeous architecture rising from the valley through the train car windows.

All along the route you’ll pass over rivers, roll beneath bridges, and travel through scenic canyons that are bursting with autumn color. The scenery reminds me of something out of a classic novel.

There are multiple categories of carriage to travel in - the Open Air Car is perfect for families traveling together, while the Lounge Cars offer adult riders full-service bars and complimentary appetizers.

The route provides various opportunities for photographic splendor. You’ll ride through The Narrows between two gorgeous mountains, and emerge eventually at Helmstetter’s Curve, which was once a trestle bridge but has now become a legendary vista for photo opportunities.

Another ride package offered by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is the Moonlight on the Mountain route, which gives riders who are 21 and up an opportunity to ride through the Allegheny Mountains under the stars, listening to live music and indulging in cocktails like the aristocrats of old.

Cruising through the mountains in an old-fashioned train, watching the colors of autumn streak pass through the window, is hands-down one of the best ways to experience the fall season in Maryland!

After the Ellicott City flood of 2018, the owners of Unusual wanted to help revive the community. Hardly anyone was renting shopfronts, and very few people were walking Main Street. Unusual rented out a glowing old building and filled it with one of the most enjoyable and unique shops that you’ll ever experience.

The building is huge and is filled to the brim with odds and ends from all sides of the pop-culture spectrum. Perhaps the most stunning part is how all of this comes together to represent a true, authentic passion on the part of the owners for the community they inspire!

At Unusual you can find practically anything - realistic monster masks, movie memorabilia, jewelry inspired by horror movie icons, even coffee and well-made mugs to enjoy it from. I love the color schemes on the t-shirts that are offered and the weird and wacky Lovecraftian vibe of the decorations.

Outside a massive old vault packed with creative posters and unique clothing, Batman stands guard…

…While Spider-man keeps an eye over the top-floor bookshop, aided closely by Jason Voorhees (of Friday the 13th fame). They sell collectibles, unique t-shirts, board games, and much more, plenty to keep you coming back time and again.

If the clothing, collectibles, games, or anything else wasn’t enough to catch your attention, the back of the shop also serves gelato. If it’s available, I highly recommend the cannoli flavor. It’s a perfect treat for any sunny afternoon!

Ellicott City’s iconic bridge is the welcome banner into town for anyone who arrives by crossing the Patapsco River. It’s the first thing you’ll see as you enter into this charmingly spooky little town.

The B&O Railroad Museum is a fascinating - and free - hidden gem of a museum, which houses some artifacts dating to the Civil War and even further back. It is the oldest commercial railroad station terminal in the entire country, and accordingly, the ghost stories are abundant.

While not a stop on the ghost tour, St. Paul’s Catholic Church is the oldest active Catholic parish between Baltimore and Pittsburgh. It’s not famous for any paranormal activity, but Babe Ruth did famously tie the knot with his first wife here in 1914.

Off of Main Street, you’ll find Tiber Park, a small green space with a bridge that crosses over the Tiber branch, the infamous tributary of the Patapsco which flooded in 2016 and 2018. Regardless of this history, the park is a lovely spot to stop and enjoy the chilly autumn breeze.

Up the hill, watchfully looking down on Main Street, is the Firehouse Museum. This building was in operation until 1924, and it remains a fascinating look into the practical side of firefighting in early America.

Tonge Row is a famous curve of haunted stone houses along Old Columbia Pike, but just behind it is a beautiful plaza with tables, shade trees, and a delightful view of the river.

Of course, lording over the town is the infamous Patapsco Female Institute. This haunted ruin was constructed as a finishing school for wealthy girls, but was converted throughout its life into a hotel, a theater, a hospital, and a county park - the label the site currently holds.

Ellicott City’s Main Street is famous for the restaurants, shops, and cafes that line it. What are some of your favorites?

RedGate Park’s status as a former golf course has left it crisscrossed with walking paths and full of mature trees. Now, though, you can relax under their shade without having to worry about golf balls flying about.

The paths of RedGate wind through woods and up hills in a comforting loop. I enjoy listening to audiobooks while I walk, and given how quiet and peaceful it is, RedGate is an ideal place to indulge my bookish tendencies.

The water traps of the golf course have also been left as a series of ponds dotting the 131 acres of the park. The ponds have drawn wildlife aplenty to RedGate.

You’ll likely see some sibling love amongst the goslings if you come wandering around at the right time. The park is currently home to 170 different species of bird!

If you’re very lucky, you may even catch a sight that has become far too rare of late - there is at least one pair of Baltimore Orioles nesting on the grounds of RedGate, with hopefully more to arrive soon!

Every now and then the park will host events and gatherings, complete with live music and entertainment for the kids. It’s a great reason to always keep a lawn chair handy!

Golden hour on an uncrowded golf course has to be every landscape photographer’s dream, and RedGate is happy to fulfill it. With fall on the horizon, there’s no better place to get some quality time alone in nature!

This new location is right on the corner of Colorburst Park’s quad. There’s outdoor seating, which is a lovely option as the weather grows cooler.

The dining room is open and inviting and unsurprisingly fills up quickly around dinner hours. It’s a great place to meet up with friends after work or to bring family together for a meal.

I started off with the dry-fried eggplant, which provided one of the first examples of the authentic Sichuan flavors on the menu. The eggplant is dusted in Sichuan peppercorns, a beguiling spice that numbs your mouth and makes it tingle. The sensation feels as if you could put a tuning fork on your tongue.

The term for “numb-spiciness” in Chinese is “mala”, and it is created by combining the Sichuan peppercorns with spicy chilis. The Yangtze River Beef is the most extreme example of this, and it is absolutely delicious!

The mapo tofu quickly shot up the list as one of my favorite dishes. It’s a spicy, tangy dish that goes perfectly over rice. The recipe has existed since at least 1254 CE!

Speaking of classic recipes, Peter Chang’s Peking Duck is famous and is a prized item on the menu. The crispy skin and the sweet-and-savory sauce has been a staple of Chinese cuisine since the Imperial era, and here it is done befitting the reputation of the chef.

Tucked along the border of Maryland and Virginia, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is home to Great Falls, a stunning series of cascades along the Potomac River.

We parked at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, walked inside to check out the maps of the area, said hello to the mules that were hanging out behind the historic building, and were on our way.

There is a small viewing area near the Visitor Center, but you’ll want to embark on the short and sweet Great Falls Overlook Trail for the really impressive views.

Follow the signs to the Great Falls Overlook as you travel across bridges and boardwalks, through the verdant forest, and pass a series of cascading waterfalls along the river.

The trail from the Visitor Center to the overlook measures in at just .5 miles and is both accessible and stroller-friendly.

Once you make your way to the end of the trail, you’ll be greeted with a stunning panoramic view of Great Falls, the Potomac River, and Virginia.

For an easy one-mile stroll, the views sure do pack a punch. This was a wonderful excursion, and we will absolutely be back to tackle the Billy Goat trail soon.

Picking the perfect pumpkin to carve is a very important part of my own Halloween tradition. Gaver Farm has 12 acres of potential jack-o-lantern candidates for you to choose from!

They can seem to stretch on for miles in the bright autumn sunlight. The crisp air of fall just seems to smell better on a farm, and Gaver has plenty of space to enjoy that unique pleasure.

One of Gaver Farm’s great attractions is their pair of corn mazes. There’s a challenging one for the adults, and one that’s perhaps a bit less so to keep the kids busy - though they might beat you out if you do them separately!

You’ll also meet a whole herd of friendly goats vying for your attention. There are tons of animals all around Gaver Farm who’ll want to put your chosen pumpkin through their own rigorous inspection.

Take a hayride out past the pumpkin hut to the patch and recapture that sense of adventure beneath a clear blue sky you had as a kid! Riding around in the hay with a warm cup of cider on a cool day is an autumn experience that should not be missed.

There’s also a market full of fresh produce, homemade jams, and Halloween decorations to help you truly embrace the spirit of this spooky season - or perhaps the spirits is a more adequate word.

There’s nothing like a picturesque day on a charming family farm with a huge pumpkin patch when fall comes around, so make sure you give Gaver Family Farm a visit before the gourds are gone!