Visit Harford

07/09/2024

is a charcuterie + sandwich lover’s dream 🥪

Grab lunch at their storefront location in Bel Air, book a grazing table for your next event, or attend one of their charcuterie-making classes to test your skills!

06/09/2024

Celebrate one of Harford County's longest running locally owned businesses this Sunday! Box Hill Pizzeria & Crab Cakes will be cooking up a delicious celebration from noon-4pm and they want you there! If you've been a patron over the last 40 years or have never been, make Sunday your day to visit them! They're not only a staple in our community, but all over the world by shipping their award winning crab cakes! They'll have giveaways every hour as well as silent auction and raffle items up for grabs, too! Get there Sunday!

06/09/2024

05/09/2024

The Baltimore Sun has confirmed what Harford County's residents and visitors already know - that C.R. Wings has the best wings in our entire region! Congratulations to the entire team for their amazing food, selection and service!

If anyone thinks there's a strategy to posting this right around lunchtime, you're absolutely right! ☺️

04/09/2024

A morning at the farmers market? Very demure ☁️ Very mindful ✨

Shop your weekly grocery list + support your local farmers this Saturday, 8A-12P 🍓🧺

04/09/2024

As we speak, Bob Cassilly is attending a meeting of his Economic Development Advisory Board to, at least ostensibly, discuss the future of tourism in Harford County. It would be constructive of him to address the following questions:

First, why is he, only now, getting around to having this conversation? Coming, as it is, eight months after reneging on his Administration’s payment obligations to Visit Harford, and five months after terminating our business relationship?

Shouldn’t these conversations have occurred at least five months BEFORE he set out to dismantle Harford County’s longtime tourism marketing organization?

Second, what happened to the state and local money that has been withheld from Visit Harford this year?

That money is to be used exclusively for tourism marketing, but it is quite obvious that hasn’t occurred. Because there has been no tourism marketing from the Cassilly Administration. As a result, small businesses and events that should have been promoted by the county this summer weren’t promoted. What WAS that money used for?

Finally, assuming the County Executive even has another approach to tourism that he would like to try, is he at least willing to commit today to hiring another team of local professionals? People who are from Harford County, live here and actually have experience marketing our small businesses, events and attractions?

These are serious but easy, obvious questions. For the sake of accountability to everyone who relies upon his sound judgment, we hope the County Executive will take this opportunity to provide some overdue answers.

04/09/2024

And with this win, our Aberdeen IronBirds have now moved into a second place tie in the South Atlantic League standings. There's still time to come out to Ripken Stadium and catch our 'Birds as they close the season strong!

FINAL:

All in a days' work 😎

03/09/2024

We've said it countless times in recent years, and the readers of the The Baltimore Sun agree - Harford County is the craft beer capital of Maryland!

Three of the four top finishers in the Sun's recent "Baltimore's Best" competition are right here in Harford County. Independent Brewing Company placed first, while Slate Farm Brewery and Hopkins Farm Brewery each earned honorable mention.

Now that fall is on the horizon, and with it beautiful days and crisp evenings, please set aside a day or two to explore Harford County's award-winning breweries. The full list can be found on our website, visitharford.com. Nothing better than good times with good friends and good beer!

02/09/2024

The Pride of Baltimore is docking in Havre de Grace the weekend of Sept 5-9th! Learn about the ship’s history and tour the deck while it’s in town!

Explore Havre de Grace

Learn more on our website | https://www.visitharford.com/event/pride-of-baltimore/13824/

02/09/2024

The votes are in, and our friends at Abbey Burger Havre de Grace have been recognized by the The Baltimore Sun as Baltimore's Best Burger for 2024! Having enjoyed more than a few amazing lunches there in our own right, we can attest that this honor is well-deserved!

Check it out now!

01/09/2024

As we unofficially turn the page from Summer to Fall, don't forget that our Aberdeen IronBirds are still in the thick of the South Atlantic League title chase! With just a week left to go in the season, our 'Birds are just three games out of first, with their final six games against second place Jersey Shore.

This pivotal series begins on Tuesday night at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. Make your plans today to catch the Orioles of tomorrow as they chase a postseason berth!

29/08/2024

A Saturday morning spent at 🌱

28/08/2024

Pick up unique treasures at Moon & Sea Creations in Havre de Grace, MD. You’ll find the perfect birthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding, or holiday gift for your loved ones!

📍Moon & Sea Creations ft.

28/08/2024

Happy National Red Wine Day for everyone who celebrates! Seems like the perfect time to toast the three amazing, nationally acclaimed wineries we have right here in Harford County. They each offer flavorful vintages, experienced staff to assist as needed, and some of the most beautiful settings one can find on the eastern seaboard.

As summer recedes and we look forward to those crisp, brilliant days and cool evenings of autumn, please keep Fiore Winery & Distillery, the Harford Vineyard & Winery and the Mount Felix Vineyard & Winery for daytrips and overnight visits. Cheers!

27/08/2024

Today, August 27, is National Peach Day for all of us who celebrate!

A perfect day for picking up a basket of peaches from one of Harford County's legendary produce markets, such as Brad's Farm Market, Lohr's Orchard, Third Way Farm or Jones Family Farm. Or enjoying the perfect scoop of peach ice cream from Brooms Bloom Dairy or another of our renowned stops along the ice cream trail.

This post has made US ready to venture out and find some good peaches! See you out there in beautiful Harford County!

26/08/2024

Thrilled and honored to be hosting the 2024 Maryland Travel and Tourism Summit, which is coming right here to the Water's Edge Events Center from November 6-8!

This annual event will bring more than 300 tourism leaders to Harford County to share trends, market opportunities and innovative promotional strategies that work. These accomplished professionals will stay in our hotels, enjoy fine dining in our restaurants, shop in our stores, and see Harford County at its most beautiful. Needless to say, we are working tirelessly to provide our guests with an enjoyable visit they will remember for a long time.

Thanks to our friends at the Maryland Tourism Coalition for this opportunity and for the years of successful partnership.

The Maryland Travel & Tourism Summit (MTTS) is Maryland’s annual tourism industry conference that brings together all sectors of the hospitality industry where business and public sector leaders convene, network, and learn new strategies to advance Maryland’s Tourism industry. The summit attract...

26/08/2024

Who first taught you how to pick crabs? Drop your answer in the comments below | Richard's Fish and Crabs 🦀

25/08/2024

Please keep the Buontempo family in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with this heartbreaking loss in the days, weeks and months ahead.

25/08/2024

Nobody has a better understanding of the work that is done by a tourism agency to market and promote local attractions, and nobody has a clearer sense of the results of that work, than one's peers in the tourism industry.

That's why we are honored to have earned the strong support of the Maryland Tourism Coalition. which has represented our industry now for over 50 years.

The Coalition's letter of endorsement noted the numerous awards we have received from our peers through the years, which "clearly demonstrate Visit Harford’s ability and excellence to promote the assets of Harford County to visitors, benefiting businesses and residents alike in the County."

It goes on to state that the Coalition "strongly believes that Visit Harford should continue to serve the role of promoting Harford County as a tourist destination. MTC will continue to partner with Visit Harford as the host organization for the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit in November 2024 and we look forward to Visit Harford’s continued membership with MTC and collaboration on future events and projects"

We have treasured our close and successful working relationship over the years with the Maryland Tourism Coalition. Together, we have sustained thousands of good-paying jobs, hundreds of millions in tax revenue and billions of dollars of economic investment in Harford County.

We look forward to working with the Coalition to make this year's Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit, which is coming right here to Harford County in November, the most successful one yet. There is no more beautiful place to spend autumn than in Harford County, and we can't wait to show our guests everything that makes our communities so special!

24/08/2024

Did you know that📍The Mill in Bel Air has been around since 1886? The Mill

Here’s a quick history lesson | It was first opened as ‘Reckord Mill’ then in 1888, it opened to the public as ‘Bel Air Roller Mill’. In 1957, the company was re-purchased with a new name, ‘Bel Air Farm Supply’. In 1986 it was re-purchased by the previous owner’s grandson, who eventually renamed it ‘The Mill of Bel Air’!

21/08/2024

County Executive Cassilly on Tuesday sent an e-mail from his campaign account about our lawsuit against his Administration. To be candid, it was a joke.

This e-mail, which was also sent over campaign letterhead, was filled with willful misinformation on why he chose to breach the county's contract with Visit Harford by withholding payment for services rendered, and to seize a state grant that was intended solely for tourism promotion. Both of these actions were violations of contract law and serve as the basis for the complaint we have filed in Harford County Circuit Court.

The timing of the County Executive's statement, coming as it did nearly three weeks after the suit was filed, should be put into proper context. It came just one day after our legal counsel filed a request with his office under the Maryland Public Information Act.

Specifically, we have asked for every eligible document related to his decision to illegally stiff Visit Harford for our final payment of Fiscal Year 2024 and claw back the state money that was intended, but never used, for tourism.

We have also asked for documents pertinent to his decision to bring the county's tourism services under the control of his Administration. Which hasn't happened yet, despite the fact that it has now been more than seven months since Visit Harford has received payment, and more than three months since the county officially terminated our contract.

Finally, we have respectfully requested any and all county documents related to the aborted 2023 Upper Chesapeake Balloon Festival, the 2023 Susquehanna Wine and Seafood Festival and the 2023 Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Festival.

The timing of the County Executive's e-mail confirms his intent. It is to distract constituents from the fact that he broke the law, is planning to use these dollars to promote himself rather than Harford County's attractions, and is now getting sued for it.

This is not the best use of our time. In fact, each day in which the County Executive refuses to live up to his lawful obligations is a day that could be spent promoting our county's small and locally owned businesses.

It is a day in which we could market the natural wonders that have made Harford County a leading outdoors destination on the eastern seaboard. It is a day we could be touting amazing autumn events such as the End of Summer Fest at Hopkins Farm Brewery, the Harford County Wine Festival at Rockfield Manor, the Apple Harvest Wine and Seafood Festival at the Harford Vineyard & Winery, and the 2nd annual Oktoberfest at Aberdeen Festival Park.

Harford County's taxpayers and small businesses deserve better than this. It is our hope this will get resolved, sooner rather than later, and that our amazing team at Visit Harford can get back to attracting visitors, generating tax revenue and growing our county's economy.

20/08/2024

Check out Uncle's for fresh + delicious Hawaiian-inspired meals 🍍

19/08/2024

Honored to have received yet another letter of support - this one from our wonderful friends at the Upper Chesapeake Baseball Festival - UCBF! This amazing organization hosts two tournaments each year, which bring in over 3,500 participants and 7,000 fans from 10 states. Here is what tournament director Jake English says about our partnership:

"UCBF tournaments have benefited from Visit Harford, financial support, marketing expertise and comprehensive knowledge of county attractions. This influx of visitors has provided a substantial economic boost to local businesses and has reinforced the county's reputation as a desirable destination for events such as sports tourism.

"We are grateful for Visit Harford's continued support, and we look forward to increased partnership that will contribute to the ongoing success of our events and the prosperity of Harford County."

The pleasure is all ours, Jake! As you pointed out in your letter, these players and families are eating in Harford County restaurants, spending the night in Harford County hotels and shopping in Harford County stores. You are making a remarkable contribution to our economy, and we at Visit Harford are honored to play a small role in your success!

19/08/2024

Celebrating Snowball Month in style at📍Angie’s Snowballs in Jarrettsville! This stand is every kid’s dream with candy, cotton candy, and specialty snowballs. Stop in this month and share your favorite snowball flavor in the comments below!

17/08/2024

Slate Farm Brewery views 🍻

Our full Libation Trail | https://www.visitharford.com/things-to-do/experiences/libation-trail/

16/08/2024

Fashionable clothing and accessories! Stop by Marie + Rae Boutique and see what's in store! Remember... there's no sales tax on qualified purchases of clothing and footwear prices $100 or less, and the first $40 of a backpack during Week going on until tomorrow (8/17)! Comptroller of Maryland

15/08/2024

Visit Apricot Lane Boutique in Bel Air during Tax Free Week 2024! Time is running out to save BIG! Comptroller of Maryland

14/08/2024

1.9 Million new faces in Harford! If you’re new here, check out our website for information on upcoming events, experiences, dining, and more | 🔗 https://www.visitharford.com/

14/08/2024

Have you been to Josephs Department Store ? Even if you have, make sure to stop in this week to save BIG during Maryland's Tax Free Week 2024! While you're there, be sure to take in the gorgeous view of the Susquehanna River and all that Havre de Grace has to offer! Comptroller of Maryland

13/08/2024

The support from voices throughout our community continues to roll in. We've received a letter of appreciation from our friends at the Bulle Rock Golf Course, with whom we partnered on the 2024 Women's Big Ten Golf Conference Championship in April.

This remarkably successful event captures the essence of what sports tourism is all about. It brought thousands of competitors, coaches, administrators and fans to Havre de Grace. In so doing, it provided an entire new ecosysterm of visitors with a taste of what makes Harford County so special.

Local restaurants were packed, hotels were filled and our retailers reported brisk sales throughout the entire event. We were proud to play a role in this special event, and we are already looking forward to next year's championships!