Go Local: Inexpensive Things To Do in Southern Maryland
"What are we doing this weekend?" A common inquiry from my husband and one or more of the four
children. Finding things to do that don't require a cash advance on the Visa card can be challenging.
We have found some delightful places to visit and activities to do that are free or low cost. Here is
a summary of our favorites.
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is a great place to spend a day from spring through early winter. There are
hiking trails and scenic overlooks and a small museum with hands on exhibits about the wetland creatures
and vegetation. For $3 a person you can go on a Pond and Stream Exploration with a park naturalist and
wade through a stream or pond collecting critters and depositing them in a plastic aquarium. The naturalist
tells about each one and they are returned to the stream at the end of the talk. The kids loved catching
frogs and fish with the nets. For more information and the schedule of nature walks, phone (410) 741-9330.
The Calvert Marine Museum in Solomon's Island is a beautiful place with exhibits about Calvert county,
some sea creatures and a lighthouse that can be toured. Normally there is an admission fee, but twice a
year, in May and October, they have a free admission day. The last time we went they had a balsa wood
boat making craft area where boys (young and old) were able to make model boats from wood, canvas and
twine. They have an interesting exhibit which describes the Chesapeake Bay's role in the Revolutionary
War. Phone (410) 326-2042.
Oxon Hill Farm is located in Prince Georges county on Indian Head Highway. It is a free admission park
with a working farm and livestock. They have different demonstrations depending on the season. Our
favorite was the hands-on cow milking and wagon rides which are held daily but reservations are required.
They have a self-guided tour and various craft and preserve making demonstrations throughout the year.
You can make reservations by calling (301) 839-1176.
The Maryland Science Center at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore usually has a double digit admission fee
but they have free admission day once a year. It is crowded but worth it. The science center has
three floors of hands on science exhibits, a kids area, live demonstrations and science demonstration
shows. There is no free parking at the harbor and if you want to save money, avoid the food court in
the science center. Phone (410) 685-5225.
The Clearwater Nature Center at Cosca Regional Park in Clinton is another free admission park with hiking
trails, and a small museum with reptiles, butterflies and a seasonal herb garden. Periodically they have
special events for families. We saw a bird of prey demonstration on our last visit. Phone (301) 297-4575.
Calvert Cliffs State Park runs along the 30 miles of coastline of the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County.
A hike of 2 miles can be taken from the parking lot, along an unimproved trail to the cliffs/beach area.
Visitors may hunt for fossils on the open beach area and keep what they find. Because of the constant
erosion of the cliffs, access to the cliffs is no longer permitted. Thirteen miles of marked foot trails
are open to the public. Hours of operations are sunrise to sunset daily, year round. The admission fee is
$3 per car. The hiking is fairly rigorous and not for the faint of heart. Calvert Cliffs State Park also
offers an handicapped child accessible tire playground.
The park telephone number is (301) 872-5688.
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is a great place to spend a day from spring through early winter. There are
hiking trails and scenic overlooks and a small museum with hands on exhibits about the wetland creatures
and vegetation. For $3 a person you can go on a Pond and Stream Exploration with a park naturalist and
wade through a stream or pond collecting critters and depositing them in a plastic aquarium. The naturalist
tells about each one and they are returned to the stream at the end of the talk. The kids loved catching
frogs and fish with the nets. For more information and the schedule of nature walks, phone (410) 741-9330.
The Calvert Marine Museum in Solomon's Island is a beautiful place with exhibits about Calvert county,
some sea creatures and a lighthouse that can be toured. Normally there is an admission fee, but twice a
year, in May and October, they have a free admission day. The last time we went they had a balsa wood
boat making craft area where boys (young and old) were able to make model boats from wood, canvas and
twine. They have an interesting exhibit which describes the Chesapeake Bay's role in the Revolutionary
War. Phone (410) 326-2042.
Oxon Hill Farm is located in Prince Georges county on Indian Head Highway. It is a free admission park
with a working farm and livestock. They have different demonstrations depending on the season. Our
favorite was the hands-on cow milking and wagon rides which are held daily but reservations are required.
They have a self-guided tour and various craft and preserve making demonstrations throughout the year.
You can make reservations by calling (301) 839-1176.
The Maryland Science Center at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore usually has a double digit admission fee
but they have free admission day once a year. It is crowded but worth it. The science center has
three floors of hands on science exhibits, a kids area, live demonstrations and science demonstration
shows. There is no free parking at the harbor and if you want to save money, avoid the food court in
the science center. Phone (410) 685-5225.
The Clearwater Nature Center at Cosca Regional Park in Clinton is another free admission park with hiking
trails, and a small museum with reptiles, butterflies and a seasonal herb garden. Periodically they have
special events for families. We saw a bird of prey demonstration on our last visit. Phone (301) 297-4575.
Calvert Cliffs State Park runs along the 30 miles of coastline of the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County.
A hike of 2 miles can be taken from the parking lot, along an unimproved trail to the cliffs/beach area.
Visitors may hunt for fossils on the open beach area and keep what they find. Because of the constant
erosion of the cliffs, access to the cliffs is no longer permitted. Thirteen miles of marked foot trails
are open to the public. Hours of operations are sunrise to sunset daily, year round. The admission fee is
$3 per car. The hiking is fairly rigorous and not for the faint of heart. Calvert Cliffs State Park also
offers an handicapped child accessible tire playground.
The park telephone number is (301) 872-5688.
