Things to Do in Essex

Even as a flight attendant and marketing salesperson, Belinda Magruder never forgot her younger years as a crewmember aboard international sailing charters. The freedom of clinging to the wind as the boat raced across open waters continued to call to her, and one day she got an opportunity to go back. After a chance ad for a marketing position led Belinda to work for Getaway Sailing, she eventually took over the company. Since then, Belinda has filled Getaway Sailing's school with American Sailing Association–certified instructors, many of whom were raised on the bay and grew up manning the rigging of their families' ships. Some of the school's captains hold merchant mariner's licenses and boast year-round experience in running freighters via tugboat or beating Poseidon in weekend poker games.

A fleet of 17 boats at lengths of up to 35 feet conveys passengers through classes covering navigation and cruising, as well as certification courses and team-building trips. With the water gently patting hulls, boats cut through the sunshine and across the Inner Harbor or to the Francis Scott Key Bridge on day charters, or take longer trips to farther-flung stretches of aquamarine around Rockhall, Oxford, and St. Michaels. Evening races let larger boats jockey competitively with snails snapping a staccato rhythm against the darkening sky, and harbor sails put small groups out with a skipper, leaving them free to bar-hop or heckle passing schools of fish. Getaway Sailing's instructors immerse their students in the insular sailing world and have drawn members from as far as Hershey, including patrons who have volunteered to help staff the school's booth at boating trade shows.

A phosphorescent Frankenstein stands guard over a legion of glowing ghouls that loom throughout the black-lit corridors of Monster Mini Golf's 18-hole course. Framed by neon-green rails, the course's pitch black putting surfaces give the impression that luminescent orbs are either somersaulting in far-reaching pockets of space or rolling across the darkened cellar of your boss's punishment office, a murky abyss populated only by gothic tropes and the presumably undead. A live DJ soundtracks each birdie-hunting expedition with bone-chilling beats as players read putts or meander around the flashing lights of the adjacent arcade, where guests can wager a month's rent in games such as skee ball, air hockey, and Guitar Hero.

Since 1996, the staff at Seadog Cruises has welcomed explorers aboard sophisticated, open-air speedboats for city tours. Over the years, they’ve led more than two million sightseers through Baltimore and Chicago on cruises that elucidate city histories, paying special attention to landmarks such as Baltimore’s Naval Reserve Center and Chicago’s Tribune Tower. Their fleet of sea crafts uses low-sulfur diesel and a four-stroke engines that produce lower emissions than older models, allowing eco-conscious passengers to rest easy and fish to finally open their windows for some fresh water.

Since 1996, the staff at Seadog Cruises has welcomed explorers aboard sophisticated, open-air speedboats for city tours. Over the years, they’ve led more than two million sightseers through Baltimore and Chicago on cruises that elucidate city histories, paying special attention to landmarks such as Baltimore’s Naval Reserve Center and Chicago’s Tribune Tower. Their fleet of watercraft uses low-sulfur diesel and four-stroke engines that produce lower emissions than older models, allowing eco-conscious passengers to rest easy and allowing fish to finally open their windows for some fresh water.

Upper Chesapeake Bay Charters' USCG-licensed captains and career fishermen know the Chesapeake Bay waters like the back of their hands. They use this knowledge to ferry small groups on charters aboard one of the company’s two vessels, helping clients to snag catfish and use trotlines to mine blue crabs. During all trips, the expert fishermen supply equipment, clean catches, and snap pictures of people holding fish while looking quietly triumphant, like a cat who just learned how to flush a toilet.

Additionally, Upper Chesapeake Bay Charters' crew uses their watercraft to embark on sightseeing tours. They point out wildlife as well as Baltimore landmarks such as the USS Constellation.

The Taste of Pikesville brings together more than 30 of the area's assorted eateries, whisking guests on a culinary voyage to Latin America, Asia, the United States with savory and sweet fare. Pairs can wander the room making conversation as they nibble on bite-size portions of samples such as charred steaks and chops made famous by Ruth's Chris Steak House or simmering Peruvian-style chicken or Cuban-inspired meat dishes from Mari Luna Latin Grille. Area enophiles from Boordy Vineyards showcase wines that may include bottlings from their Landmark Series, sourced from 100% Maryland-grown grapes. Sweet treats will also be on hand, such as red velvet cakes and fruity rainbow cupcakes from Many Mini Cakes. Dessert bites can be paired with a brewed cup of locally roasted or organic coffee poured by Coffee with T.

A portion of the evening’s proceeds benefit the Baltimore County Police Community Relations Councils (PCRC). The councils harbor an open forum between the police and the community, a dialogue that occasionally leads to ride-along programs that allow community members to ride along in police cars and turn on the siren any time they witness a squirrel jaywalking.