This winter we’ve got plenty of cold, but if you’re looking for measurable snow, you may have to pack your skis and snowboards and head a bit north. You’ll find plenty of snow at Liberty Mountain Resort. The four-season resort offers over 100 acres of skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing trails. Nestled in Carroll Valley, Pa., near the scenic Catoctin Mountains, Liberty Mountain Resort is less than a two-hour drive from the Baltimore area. If you haven’t been there in a while, you may remember the area as Ski Liberty. In the late 1990s, it was renamed Liberty Mountain Resort. This past May, …

The Shenandoah Valley, with its beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the perfect place for a winter getaway. While the snow beckons those who enjoy skiing, tubing or snowboarding, those who would rather exchange their ski jackets for swimsuits will also find a wild ride at the four-season Massanutten Resort near Harrisonburg, Va. For the winter sports enthusiasts, Massanutten has seven lifts, 1,110 feet of vertical drop and two terrain parks, as well as the Peaked Mountain Express Tube Park with its 900-foot-long hill. It has 14 ski trails, which are also lit for night skiing. …

As the winter doldrums set in, one of my favorite wintertime activities always includes a trip to Longwood Gardens. As you drag your frozen body into the Main Conservatory, you can shed your winter gear and prepare for instant spring! Your senses will come alive as you take in the beauty and scent of its 20 indoor gardens and 5,500 types of plants over 4.5 acres. A leisurely stroll through the display areas takes about 1½ hours and covers about one-half mile. New to the East Conservatory Plaza is an extraordinary indoor "Living Wall," which is covered with more than 47,000 plants and …

Western Maryland offers mountains of fun in the snow. The Wisp Resort, in the heart of Garrett County near Deep Creek Lake, is the perfect place for a winter getaway. And it's not just for avid skiers who want to navigate down one of Wisp's 32 slopes and trails totaling 10.5 miles on 132 acres of skiable terrain. This four-season resort offers something for everyone. Visitors of all ages can enjoy activities from snow tubing, snowboarding and cross country skiing to snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice skating. Wisp's Mountain Coaster, a gravitational hybrid of an Alpine Slide and a roller …

Winter in Frederick, Md., offers a flurry of activity, whether you are looking for a holiday getaway or just to get away any time of the year. From the 50 shops in Frederick's historic district to the 200 antique dealers and specialty shops, visitors to the area will enjoy the quaint charm of shopping in one of Maryland's oldest cities. The numerous historic sites and museums provide visitors with a living reminder of this area's grand past.  Established in 1745, Frederick is rich in American history and dedicated to protecting the cultural and natural heritage for future generations. …

Known as Christmas City, USA, Bethlehem is a charming, 269-year-old city in the Lehigh Valley founded by the Moravians on Christmas Eve 1741 when the Moravians' patron, Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf of Saxony, Germany, visited the new settlement. In their two-room log home that housed both man and beast, the Count christened the community "Bethlehem." Bethlehem is known for its warm, friendly celebration of the holiday season. The electric Star of Bethlehem sits atop South Mountain year-round lighting the way to a city rich in holiday traditions, dazzling Christmas events and …

If you're looking for a getaway to enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas, make sure to visit Berlin, Md., for its Victorian Christmas celebration. This quaint small town, which is located just 10 miles from Ocean City, is filled with Victorian charm and features a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants, all decked out for the holidays. Berlin provided the filming location for movies "Runaway Bride" and "Tuck Everlasting." The town's anchor is the historic Atlantic Hotel, an 1895 landmark that was reopened in 1986. It offers 18 Victorian period guest rooms and suites, plus a cottage for …

Imagine a holiday getaway where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the season and make a splash with your kids. This holiday season, pack up your family and head to the Great Wolf Lodge for the resort's Snowland! celebration. Great Wolf Lodge, with East Coast locations in Williamsburg and the Poconos, is a first-class, full-service, year-round family destination resort designed to capture the atmosphere and adventure of the northwoods. In December, the Grand Lobby is transformed into a winter wonderland where it snows daily—inside! Plus, you can soak up the holiday spirit as you splash …

OK, folks, if you haven't experienced ICE! at the Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor, you must put this on your to-do list for the holiday season! This year, ICE! brings the story of the Dr. Seuss holiday classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," to life–on ice! This bigger-than-life walk-through attraction features 10 famous, colorful scenes from the Dr. Seuss classic storybook carved completely out of ice. Visitors will walk through the Grinch's frozen mountaintop lair and see the picturesque village of Who-ville, including the Who's roast-beast feast. Then you can meet Grinch's …

This is a great time to combine the charm of downtown Gettysburg with the history behind this "hallowed ground" Civil War town. Gettysburg Address Commemoration On Friday, Nov. 19, make sure to visit the commemoration of the 147th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address during a ceremony in Soldier's National Cemetery. The day begins with a wreath-laying ceremony at the base of the Soldiers' National Monument in the cemetery, and will also include Civil War-era music, a graveside salute to African-American soldiers, keynote speech by former ABC News reporter Sam …

As we reach the middle of November, local communities are celebrating the preparation for the coming holidays. Downtown Bel Air Holiday Open House Weekend (http://www.downtownbelair.com) Enjoy downtown Bel Air's Annual Holiday Open House, where local shops and boutiques are ready for the Holidays! Enjoy the festive decorations and get into the spirit of the season! Date and times: Nov. 12 to 14. Friday until 8 p.m., Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m. Cost: Free Location: Shops on Main & Bond Streets, Downtown Bel Air, Md. And for next weekend… Hanging of the Greens (http://www.…

This rainy weather shouldn't put a damper on your plans for the weekend. Sunny days are coming back just in time to enjoy some unique activities. Here is a look at some options a car trip away or nearby… Annapolis Food and Wine Festival (http://www.annapolisfoodandwinefestival.com) This is where food and wine connoisseurs meet with chefs, sommeliers, and wine makers to celebrate the best of Annapolis. As you stroll from restaurant to restaurant, enjoy samples of gourmet cuisine paired with an array of complementary wine and spirits. Date and time: Nov. 6, 2 to 6 p.m. Cost: $35 Location: …

So, you thought fun at the beach was over for the season? Grab your little ghosts and goblins (and your pets, too) this weekend and head to Rehoboth Beach, DE, for the Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler's Festival Oct. 29-31. Here are some highlights: Tykes Bike the Boardwalk The weekend kicks off by little tykes having a "rolling good time" on the boardwalk riding a bike, trike, Big Wheel or wagon. Free prize bags to all participants. Free drawing: one new adult bike and one new youth bike (with helmets).  Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Bandstand. Tykes Bike …