Family Friendly Summer Activities in Southern Maryland
We’ve reached the part of summer where, if you’re like me, you’ve run out of ideas as to how to keep the kids entertained at home. Luckily, there’s so much to do in Southern Maryland this summer! This blog post will explore some of my family’s favorite Southern Maryland summer activities. Our kids are currently 6, 8, and 8 months, so there’s something for everyone!
Farm Tour at Honey’s Harvest
We love Honey’s Harvest farm in Lothian! A thriving working farm, Honey’s Harvest opens its doors to the public often for classes, farmer’s markets, and walking tours of the farm. We had the opportunity to tour the farm last summer, and it was truly a highlight for us! Honey’s Harvest uses their own living soil, so food grown there is safe to eat right off the vine. Kids will love picking their own berries, carrots, and other in-season produce! Time your visit for the first Sunday of the month and visit the First Sunday market after your tour.
Cooking Classes at No Thyme to Cook
For those that love to savor meals and explore new cuisine, No Thyme to Cook offers one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. I love their cocktail mixology classes and pasta-making tutorials, but they also offer kids cooking classes as well!
An Afternoon in Historic Downtown Leonardtown
When I’m craving a fun afternoon with the kids, I love to visit Leonardtown. Treat yourself to lunch al fresco at Social, then head over to Fenwick Books to do some shopping at my favorite Southern Maryland independent bookstore. The Weick playground near Leonard Hall is our family’s favorite in all of southern Maryland. It’s been newly renovated in the past few years and features soft turf instead of mulch, so it’s easier on falls. After wearing out some energy at the playground, head over to Shepherd’s Old Field Market. SOF Market is another southern Maryland gem: a repurposed warehouse that’s been converted into an eclectic marketplace for local vendors and artisans. Wrap up your afternoon with ice cream at The Salted Scoop! Their homemade cones simply cannot be beat, and be sure to try the salted caramel. It’s my favorite!
An Evening in Solomons Island, Maryland
Solomons Island is basically my backyard, so this is one of our favorite places to spend time together as a family! If you’ve got a few hours to spend here, consider yourself lucky. There’s so much to do! Start off with a trip to the Calvert Marine Museum during the hot daytime hours. The museum offers a ray exhibit, a tour of a preserved lighthouse, and best of all – an otter exhibit! As one of southern Maryland’s largest venues, Calvert Marine Museum also hosts concerts, festivals, and holiday events. If your crew loves art, Annmarie Gardens is a must-visit. They have a beautiful fairy-themed playground and sculpture walk through the wooded property, as well as exhibits inside.
After that, take a stroll down the Solomons Island Boardwalk for beautiful panoramic views of the Patuxent River and the Thomas Johnson Bridge. Dinner at Cryptic Pizza will be a hit for the whole family, and then you’ve got your choice of great options for dessert! We love soft serve from Cone Island, or the newly-opened BRRR offers hand scooped ice cream and crepes. Try the oatmeal cookie ice cream from BRRR, it’s my favorite!
If you’ve got a sitter for the evening, pop in to the Tiki Bar for a parent’s night out. There’s usually live music on the weekends from local bands, and their island-inspired cocktails cannot be beat. Dip your toes into the sand and relax! This is Southern Maryland at its best.
I hope this guide has been helpful! If we missed your favorite family-friendly southern Maryland activity, let us know all about it. We’re always looking for new spots to try!
