October Blog – Ask the Experts
October offers colorful leaves, mums, all kinds of pumpkin-spiced everything, the smell of apples, and the change in the season with brisk mornings that energize you to action. And so much to do! It’s almost overwhelming with options.
Main Street Middletown is here to help with ideas to make the most of the season, but also to relax amid the busyness that has evolved October into a month of nonstop activity, all within our charming town.
Golfing in Middletown
Playing golf will get you outside, walking, stretching, socializing, and enjoying the fall landscape. The cooler temps and warm sunny days make for perfect golfing weather. Middletown’s Richland Golf Course features over 174-acres of a beautifully landscaped course with the dramatic views of the Catoctin Mountains. Play the entire 18-holes or opt for 9-holes and end the afternoon sipping adult beverages at the Valley Grille. Need to brush up on your skills before getting out with friends? Richland has you covered with options for group or individual lessons.
Parks and Trails Galore
If golf is not your game, come explore Middletown parks and trails! Fun for the entire family, visiting Middletown parks and trails is exactly the kind of activity you want to do on a Sunday afternoon, in that in-between time of after the football game and before dinner. The little ones are restless and want to play, and this is a great low-key activity. Have you been to Wiles Branch Park? We recommend this hidden gem of a park on the west end of town, right off Main Street. The Park features a walking trail that is just over ½-mile long, runs parallel to Wiles Branch Creek (which runs into the larger Catoctin Creek), a playground, exercise stations, places to picnic, and be entertained by all our dog friends (small and large!) as they romp in the dog park. Grab snacks at LDS, or go big, and enjoy the last few weekends of the ice cream season at More Ice Cream.
Dining Al-Fresco
For others, maybe your style is to dine al-fresco. Enjoying a leisurely meal, feeling the sunshine, or even wrap up in a blanket is a sure way to relax and visit with friends and family. Middletown has options to meet varied food preferences and budgets.
The Main Cup is a long time favorite as the local place to see and be seen and offers seasonal fare. We are big fans of the Lettuce Wraps that have Brussels sprouts, parmesan cheese, and bacon, all warmed and held by the crisp fresh-from the fall-garden lettuce. The combination is super tasty. We also love the simplicity, the warmth, and perfected flavor of the Tomato Bisque which is not always on the menu. Order it when you can and pair it with the Maryland Grilled Cheese, The Main Cup’s traditional grilled cheese with crab imperial taking simple dishes to the next level of deliciousness and great for an outdoor fall lunch.
We can’t get enough of the front porch of Tapia’s on Main with the outdoor fireplace. We recommend the Charcuterie Board to munch on with friends, sip wine, and enjoy this cozy atmosphere. Salads, sandwiches, and pizza are all great options to round out a wonderful dining experience. We often think of Cinco De Mayo for the namesake holiday, but this outdoor dining experience holds up for the fall. The front porch is warm, the menu is full of familiar family options, and nobody can resist the temptation of warm queso dip!
We Love the Scarecrows on Main
Lastly, you won’t want to miss coming to Middletown to see the Scarecrows March on Main. This is the ultimate easy-to-do Fall Experience, and one of the most creative things to see each fall. We’ve been lining Main Street with Scarecrows for over 15-years. The range of cuteness, artistic talent, on-trend topics, traditional, and just the wow-factor of seeing over 60 scarecrows is so worth the visit. Free kits are handed out on a first come, first served basis in town hall and this year, the kits were gone in a matter of hours.
Join us on Saturday, October 16th for the first viewing and cast your votes for your favorite Scarecrow! An easy walk through our beautiful downtown will fit into any schedule for a memory-making fall event that is fun, easy, and can easily turn into a family tradition.
Main Street Welcomes you in Fall
Learn more about fun activities that can be had in Middletown, by exploring www.mainstreetmiddletown.org. And as always, we Welcome You to the Valley.