This is the perfect time of year to take a drive. The fall colors are amazing! We have many places not far out of town. The visit Maryland website recommends a few places to include
1.Pataspco Valley
Patapsco Valley State Park
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a link to Patapsco:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/patapsco.aspx
2. Oregon Ridge Nature Center.
13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
You can check Oregon Ridge's website before heading that way to see what's happening.
https://www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org/
3. If you have a little more time to drive recommend checking out some of the scenic drives in Shenandoah National Park. Skyline Drive is a must view for fall. This is a 105 mile drive along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm
If you want to check and see the foliage before heading out. Check out this prediction map:
https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/
Fall leaf watching and viewing can include so many art and science activities.
The leaves can be used for leaf rubbings as seen in this University of Nebraska extension activity: https://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/youth/leafrub.shtml#:~:text=1.,of%20paper%20over%20the%20leaf.&text=While%20holding%20the%20paper%20and,to%20rub%20across%20the%20leaf.
Check out this link for 43 leave crafts from the website Hands On As We Grow:
https://handsonaswegrow.com/kids-leaf-crafts/
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a resource to study more about Maryland Leaf Shapes and Types:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/TreeGuide_Common-Broadleaf.pdf
I love this time of year and all the art, science, and fall that the changing of the leaves provides.