Things to do in and around the Agricultural Reserve

Former Member
Things to do in and around the Agricultural Reserve

Hiking, Trail riding and Mountain biking

The most prominent landmark of the Ag Reserve and just a few minutes from the farm. Great for hiking and spectacular views. There is a designated trailer parking lot at the base of the mountain, called 'Turner Farm', but you need to call the park's management, the Stronghold foundation, prior to arrival to make sure that the parking lot is open. Trailer parking is not permitted in other areas. http://www.sugarloafmd.com/ https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/sugarloaf-mountain-and-northern-peaks-trail
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Sugarloaf Mountain
7901 Comus Road
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The most prominent landmark of the Ag Reserve and just a few minutes from the farm. Great for hiking and spectacular views. There is a designated trailer parking lot at the base of the mountain, called 'Turner Farm', but you need to call the park's management, the Stronghold foundation, prior to arrival to make sure that the parking lot is open. Trailer parking is not permitted in other areas. http://www.sugarloafmd.com/ https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/sugarloaf-mountain-and-northern-peaks-trail
Little Bennett is a great place for families to take a walk or enjoy a picnic. The trail system is also popular with trail riders and mountain bikers. Horse trailer parking is allowed only in the parking areas called 'Prescott' (behind the golf course) and 'Lewisdale Rd'. https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/little-bennett-regional-park/
Little Bennett Regional Park
23701 Frederick Rd
Little Bennett is a great place for families to take a walk or enjoy a picnic. The trail system is also popular with trail riders and mountain bikers. Horse trailer parking is allowed only in the parking areas called 'Prescott' (behind the golf course) and 'Lewisdale Rd'. https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/little-bennett-regional-park/
Another great option for hiking, mountain biking or trail riding.
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Parcul de stat Seneca Creek
11950 Clopper Rd
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Another great option for hiking, mountain biking or trail riding.
Guests can rent rowboats, canoes, and kayaks from May through September, weather permitting. For prices, days, hours of operation, and other information, please visit BlackHillBoats.com.
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Parcul Regional Black Hill
20930 Lake Ridge Dr
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Guests can rent rowboats, canoes, and kayaks from May through September, weather permitting. For prices, days, hours of operation, and other information, please visit BlackHillBoats.com.
This park is about 45 minutes north of us and the only MD State Park that allows swimming in the lake. It is located in the picturesque Catoctin Mountains and has two separate, unique areas. The William Houck Area, located three miles west of Thurmont on Route 77, has the lake area, falls and camping area. The Manor Area off Route 15, three miles south of Thurmont, has the Scales and Tales Aviary, camping and the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace. Leisure opportunities include swimming, hiking, fishing and canoeing. Campsites and camper cabins are available from April through October.
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Parcul de stat Cunningham Falls
14274 Catoctin Hollow Rd
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This park is about 45 minutes north of us and the only MD State Park that allows swimming in the lake. It is located in the picturesque Catoctin Mountains and has two separate, unique areas. The William Houck Area, located three miles west of Thurmont on Route 77, has the lake area, falls and camping area. The Manor Area off Route 15, three miles south of Thurmont, has the Scales and Tales Aviary, camping and the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace. Leisure opportunities include swimming, hiking, fishing and canoeing. Campsites and camper cabins are available from April through October.
This unique wild life and nature preservation area is very close to Poole's Store (now Seneca Store), but definitely worth a visit on its own. Locally famous and popular for its sunflower fields in the early fall. Good horse trails and an occasional fixture of the Potomac Hunt .
McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area
18600 River Rd
This unique wild life and nature preservation area is very close to Poole's Store (now Seneca Store), but definitely worth a visit on its own. Locally famous and popular for its sunflower fields in the early fall. Good horse trails and an occasional fixture of the Potomac Hunt .
About 10 min from the farm. We local horse people are very fortunate to have this unique horse park right at our door step. Huge outdoor dressage ring, a separate obstacle course, AND miles and miles of horse trails! The trails are always open but the ring and obstacle course are sometimes booked for events. Check out their Facebook page for an up-to-date calendar.
Woodstock Equestrian Special Park
20207 Darnestown Rd
About 10 min from the farm. We local horse people are very fortunate to have this unique horse park right at our door step. Huge outdoor dressage ring, a separate obstacle course, AND miles and miles of horse trails! The trails are always open but the ring and obstacle course are sometimes booked for events. Check out their Facebook page for an up-to-date calendar.

Food scene

An absolute local favorite for fresh fruit and corn in the summer time! Located a couple of miles up the road from the farm, in the direction of Poolesville. https://www.kingsburysorchard.com/index.html
Kingsbury's Orchard
19415 Peach Tree Road
An absolute local favorite for fresh fruit and corn in the summer time! Located a couple of miles up the road from the farm, in the direction of Poolesville. https://www.kingsburysorchard.com/index.html
Located just below Sugarloaf Mountain. Open daily. Check out their Facebook page for live music and foodie events.
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Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
18125 Comus Rd
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Located just below Sugarloaf Mountain. Open daily. Check out their Facebook page for live music and foodie events.
Another local favorite, about 12 miles from the farm.
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Rocklands Farm Winery and Market
14531 Montevideo Rd
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Another local favorite, about 12 miles from the farm.
Another local winery, just a few minutes from the farm, of off Rte 28. https://www.windridge.wine/
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Windridge Vineyards
15700 Darnestown Rd
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Another local winery, just a few minutes from the farm, of off Rte 28. https://www.windridge.wine/
A family-friendly restaurant option in Poolesville serving home-style Mexican food.
Mexican Grill
Fisher Avenue
A family-friendly restaurant option in Poolesville serving home-style Mexican food.
Not necessarily my favorite, but sometimes one just needs a decent cup of coffee on the go...
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Dunkin'
1739 New Jersey Ave NW
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Not necessarily my favorite, but sometimes one just needs a decent cup of coffee on the go...
After a trip to the Clarksburg Outlets (which I only do when I have visitors from abroad), you may want to stop here on the way back to the farm. Good new-American food. I love theor veggie burger!
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GrillMarX Steakhouse & Raw Bar
12011 Snowden Farm Pkwy
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After a trip to the Clarksburg Outlets (which I only do when I have visitors from abroad), you may want to stop here on the way back to the farm. Good new-American food. I love theor veggie burger!
Local pub/restaurant without much distinction, but it's here and open. Decent pub fare. Offers family-style lunch and dinners in the restaurant area. The pub is a local late-night hang-out.
Bassett's
19950 Fisher Ave
Local pub/restaurant without much distinction, but it's here and open. Decent pub fare. Offers family-style lunch and dinners in the restaurant area. The pub is a local late-night hang-out.

Neighborhoods

Frederick's historic downtown is very pedestrian and dog friendly with lots of individually owned shops and boutiques and restaurants. NO chain restaurants or retailers! Their post-Thanksgiving Small Business Saturday is a wonderful experience with cookies, cider and mulled wine, and FREE PARKING! https://www.visitfrederick.org/
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Frederick
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Frederick's historic downtown is very pedestrian and dog friendly with lots of individually owned shops and boutiques and restaurants. NO chain restaurants or retailers! Their post-Thanksgiving Small Business Saturday is a wonderful experience with cookies, cider and mulled wine, and FREE PARKING! https://www.visitfrederick.org/
The town of Poolesville is about 15 minutes from the farm.
Poolesville
The town of Poolesville is about 15 minutes from the farm.

Family activities

Calleva offers a range of outdoor activities especially for families with kids, and operates a farm store in Poolesville. https://calleva.org/
Calleva Farm
19120 Martinsburg Road
Calleva offers a range of outdoor activities especially for families with kids, and operates a farm store in Poolesville. https://calleva.org/
Farming essentials like horse, cattle and chicken feed, some horse stuff, basic over-the-counter vet meds, farm truck stuff, country decor and paraphernalia, etc. Decent selection of how-to books for country and farm novices. Good place to take kids on a rainy day to discover farm-related toys such as Breyer farm animals, mini tractors, etc. :-) And you can take your leashed dog!
Tractor Supply Co.
19610 Fisher Ave
Farming essentials like horse, cattle and chicken feed, some horse stuff, basic over-the-counter vet meds, farm truck stuff, country decor and paraphernalia, etc. Decent selection of how-to books for country and farm novices. Good place to take kids on a rainy day to discover farm-related toys such as Breyer farm animals, mini tractors, etc. :-) And you can take your leashed dog!
Take a trip on the last remaining commercial ferry across the Potomac over to Leesburg, VA, in your vehicle, with a bike or as a pedestrian! The wait is usually short and the crossing is stunning.
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Whites Ferry
24801 Whites Ferry Rd
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Take a trip on the last remaining commercial ferry across the Potomac over to Leesburg, VA, in your vehicle, with a bike or as a pedestrian! The wait is usually short and the crossing is stunning.
This is a great place for riding lessons for the youngsters. It is an official US Pony Club affiliate, but also offers individual and group lessons for any level. Owner and chief instructor Kevin Bowie (who, to my best knowledge, was the first female jockey in Maryland) is simply the best with kids and novice adult riders. Give Kevin a call for a lesson and mention that Uli is sending you. :-)
Good Choice Farm - Kevin Bowie
15530 Comus Rd
This is a great place for riding lessons for the youngsters. It is an official US Pony Club affiliate, but also offers individual and group lessons for any level. Owner and chief instructor Kevin Bowie (who, to my best knowledge, was the first female jockey in Maryland) is simply the best with kids and novice adult riders. Give Kevin a call for a lesson and mention that Uli is sending you. :-)
A local historical gem for performances in the fall and winter season. Great for families.
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Weinberg Center for the Arts
20 W Patrick St
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A local historical gem for performances in the fall and winter season. Great for families.
I'm not a golfer, but I hear it's fun.
Poolesville Golf Course
16601 W Willard Rd
I'm not a golfer, but I hear it's fun.
Wonderful local flower and herb farm. The owner, Melane Hoffmann, grows an astounding array of local and regional flowers and will be happy to give you a tour. She also organizes flower workshops, check out their website! https://hiddenridgeflowersandherbs.com/
Hidden Ridge Farm
23801 Peach Tree Road
Wonderful local flower and herb farm. The owner, Melane Hoffmann, grows an astounding array of local and regional flowers and will be happy to give you a tour. She also organizes flower workshops, check out their website! https://hiddenridgeflowersandherbs.com/

Practical stuff

Best hardware store in Montgomery County! Owner John and expert-on-everything Steve are the best! I could not have done my many home and farm improvement projects without them. They give great advice and know where to find even the tiniest screw in the store.
Poolesville Hardware & Propane
19961 Fisher Ave
Best hardware store in Montgomery County! Owner John and expert-on-everything Steve are the best! I could not have done my many home and farm improvement projects without them. They give great advice and know where to find even the tiniest screw in the store.
Great local horse store in Poolesville, women owned and just a joy to do business with! Check them out on Facebook. The team is very responsive on Messenger if you have questions. Closed on Mondays.
All About Equestrian
19961 Fisher Ave
Great local horse store in Poolesville, women owned and just a joy to do business with! Check them out on Facebook. The team is very responsive on Messenger if you have questions. Closed on Mondays.
A "necessary evil", especially since Poolesville doesn't have a grocery store.
Dollar General
20 S Church St
A "necessary evil", especially since Poolesville doesn't have a grocery store.
Another necessity.
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CVS
1418 P St NW
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Another necessity.

Sightseeing and Local Shopping

This is not for the faint of hearts.
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National Museum of Civil War Medicine
48 E Patrick St
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This is not for the faint of hearts.
https://www.nps.gov/anti/index.htm Few people know that you can visit most Civil War sites in Maryland and Pennsylvania (including Gettysburg) on horseback.
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Antietam National Battlefield
302 E Main St
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https://www.nps.gov/anti/index.htm Few people know that you can visit most Civil War sites in Maryland and Pennsylvania (including Gettysburg) on horseback.
This historical landmark almost disappeared after the original owners closed it around 2009 or so. Fortunately, the county stepped in and restored it and it is again open to customers and curious visitors. There is also a horse trailer parking lot to explore the surrounding trails. https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/seneca-landing-special-park/seneca-store/
Poole's Store
16315 Old River Road
This historical landmark almost disappeared after the original owners closed it around 2009 or so. Fortunately, the county stepped in and restored it and it is again open to customers and curious visitors. There is also a horse trailer parking lot to explore the surrounding trails. https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/seneca-landing-special-park/seneca-store/