Best Family Activities In Baltimore To Do Before The Summer Ends
Summer is almost over, and school is about to start. However, there are still a few weeks left to cram in some fun family activities, and your kids will definitely be looking for every opportunity for distraction to beat the back-to-school blues. We've compiled a list of some of Maryland's most enjoyable and spectacular end-of-summer events and activities which will appeal not just to the children, but to everyone in the family. Check them out, and see if you can't have some end-of-summer fun as well.
Tubing Gunpowder Falls
17440 Big Falls Road
Monkton, MD 21111
(443) 212-5951
tubing-maryland.com
Being the watershed for the Chesapeake Bay means that Maryland is full of rivers and streams, and one of the greatest summer activities for families is tubing down any of the safe and appropriate waterways this provides. Gunpowder Falls is just such a river. In late August and early September, the weather is still just warm enough to make this a fun family activity which allows the kids to splash and enjoy the water, and the parents to lay back and enjoy being gently carried along by the currents. Park your car by the bridge on Big Falls Road, rent some tubes from Monkton Bike and drift on a three-hour ride which will land the family at Monkton Road. From there, you and the crew can hike back up to the car along the NCR trail.
The Baltimore Orioles At Camden Yards
333 W. Camden St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 685-9800
baltimore.orioles.mlb.com
Is there any more sacred and celebrated summer tradition in Maryland than attending an O's game at Camden Yards? The home team makes this a fun and memorable event for families with an exciting, fast-paced game, but plenty of sideline and halftime action to keep the kids happy, as well. Don't forget the toys and treats available from the vendors, which can easily turn this into an all-day event. Tickets are easy to get months in advance, and the Orioles' season runs through September so there's still time to catch the eager end to yet another enjoyable season. School the kids in what makes Baltimore great by introducing them to the stadium that has become a lasting piece of Maryland history, the team which keeps Marylander's hopes high each year and the sport which is an American classic. And do it before this season ends.
Maryland State Fair
2200 York Road
Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 252-0200
www.marylandstatefair.com
Running from late August into early September, the Maryland State Fair is every single thing that a fair ought to be. This event includes musical concerts, races, food stands including every kind of decadent fried food one could possibly conceive of, amusement park rides, vendors of every kind and, of course, farm judging competitions.
Come wander the fair any night that it runs and find something to catch your interest and excite the kids around every corner. With events to suit the whimsy of every family member, this annual event is a must-attend, and if you and your kin have never been, don't be surprised if it becomes a family tradition.
Terrapin Adventures
8600 Foundry St., Suite 50
Savage, MD 20763
(301) 725-1313
www.terrapinadventures.com
Terrapin Adventures is an outdoor ropes, swings and climbing adventure course that offers no shortage of exciting activities certain to leave lasting memories in your kids' minds. Harness up with the family and find yourself hoisted up into the trees where you will walk platforms, bridges, swings and zip lines.
But if climbing isn't your thing, Terrapin has other adventures to offer. Book ahead and enjoy kayaking, geo-caching, biking, backpacking, caving and more. An all-in-one outdoor adventure extravaganza, Terrapin Adventures is definitely a place you'll want to take your family before the warmer months are behind us.
Urban Pirates
911 S. Anne St.
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 327-8378
www.urbanpirates.com
A staple sight in the Baltimore Inner Harbor is the "Fearless," a pint-sized pirate ship which houses one of Baltimore's most popular family attractions: the Urban Pirates. This family adventure offers a number of different sailing experiences, but their most popular is their Family Adventure Cruise. Seven days a week, the Fearless launches out into the harbor with families aboard to offer the total pirate experience, complete with full pirate dress, song, dance, treasure and nautical battles in which guests may attack a pesky speed boat using powerful water cannons mounted on the sides of the Fearless. On Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m., Urban Pirates hosts a free story time for the youngsters, too. A perfect summer adventure for the entire family, Urban Pirates will definitely give your kids plenty to talk about when they see their friends at the start of this school year.
Joel Furches is a freelance writer and researcher for The Examiner and Logos Software, and also manages his own catalog of writing on Hub Pages. Joel is on the board of directors for Ratio Christi. He has a bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Education.
