Things to Do in South Bel Air

Harford Vineyard and Winery caters to oenophiles of all stripes, creating limited productions of carefully crafted reds and whites. A trip through the rolling hills that surround the winery could culminate in a sampling of Harford's off-dry vidal, silken merlot, or a sweet blend of vidal grapes and ripe peaches. Visitors can also pick the vintners' minds for tips on winemaking, wine tasting, and telling the difference between wine and melted purple crayons.

When Superior Tours looks for new drivers, it wants polite, reliable, and personable people, and it doesn't even consider those with fewer than five years of experience. Its drivers all work only for Superior Tours so that they can be on time and well rested for each trip. Luxury, 54-passenger motorcoaches pick up groups from the airport, ferry people to New York City for a day of urban exploration, or steer toward Atlantic City where passengers can hit the slots. The company also programs charter trips for corporate outings, church trips, and charter-bus-of-the-month clubs.

For a company that has pushed more than 1.5 million people out of planes during the course of 38 years, Skydive Baltimore enjoys a top-notch reputation among adrenaline-seeking sky travelers. Tandem skydivers pair off with their trusty instructor before ascending to 11,000 feet, taking in views of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay as they discover what gravity feels like 2 miles above the ground. Divers can commemorate their jumps with video and photographic evidence captured by their instructor, a third jumper, or a borrowed spy satellite.

As a part of the Maryland state-park system, Graham Equestrian Center allows riders to unravel the several miles of trails winding throughout Gunpowder Falls State Park. The center draws its name from Dr. Albert Graham, who deeded his farm and 22-stall barn to the park system in order to help fortify the bond between Maryland citizens and their natural surroundings.

Through horseback-riding lessons, the center's trainer, Jim McDonald, educates children and adults on all aspects of horsemanship and horse management, from basic riding techniques to advanced grooming methods that don't require kiddie pools full of marmalade. His lessons and events also help riders understand herd dynamics as they strengthen relationships with both horses and their landscape.

Forty varieties of bourbon and 60 beer draughts flow freely from taps into souvenir glasses, slaking thirsty throats with unlimited sips as guests tear through smoky meat concoctions at the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival's tasting stations. Once stuffed with ribs, brisket, and sausage, attendees can retire to the tasting theater to take in a seminar from pit masters and gourmet chefs on preparing fine barbecue or brewing stellar bourbon. Live rock, blues, and bluegrass bands set the airwaves quivering from the main stage with wailing tunes or announcements drawn in barbecue sauce. A cigar tent provides a smoky haven for puffing on fine tobacco products, and big-screen TVs beam the latest sports action directly into eyeballs.

Attracting more than 170,000 art enthusiasts to its events in 2011, the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival showcases original work from hundreds of artisans showcasing everything from handcrafted pottery, sculpture, and metalwork to jewelry, fashion, décor, and photography. Audiences can witness art being made live during educational demonstrations as artisans sculpt clay, whittle wood, forge metals, and imbue baskets with the power of speech. Hungry crafters can also sniff out specialty food items to sample or purchase while dancing across the sprawling venue to the tunes of live music.