"weekends in Westminster" Westminster by brendareed

I called Westminster home for a number of years. It is out in the country near the Pennsylvania line, just south of Gettysburg. Rural countryside with farm fields full of corn and pastures full of horses, Westminster is perfect for those who want to be in the country but not too far from the city.

Westminster is the home of McDaniel College, formerly known as Western Maryland College, and in the summertime, Westminster is home to the Baltimore Ravens, who make their training camp on the McDaniel campus.

This local community is proud of its rural heritage and still has a 4-H fair each summer as well as the longest continuously running Memorial Day parade in the nation. Each Memorial Day, residents line both sides of Main Street to watch the bands and groups march by on their way to the cemetery where there is a memorial service.

The Carroll County Farm Museum is a popular attraction in Westminster and the home of the annual Maryland Wine Festival.

In parts of Westminster there are hiking trails and cycling trails for those who want to get outdoors. For those who like to shop, there are quaint shops in downtown Westminster as well as all the big box stores on the main highway through town.

Many people drive through Westminster on their way to Gettysburg. Next time you drive by, stop in for a spell!

• Pros:slower paced country life
• Cons:away from the city and its activities
• In a nutshell:the right mix of country and city all in one