Best Martin Luther King Day Getaways Near Baltimore

Martin Luther King Day provides working Marylanders the promise of a long weekend. This long weekend comes during the coldest time of year, so the temptation will be to bundle up and huddle inside the house for a brief stay-cation. However, there are locations within driving distance of Baltimore where a chilly Marylander may enjoy some much-deserved away time without freezing themselves. Consider these locations for a weekend getaway to perk you up and get you recharged until summer vacation time comes around.

January is the height of ski season, and a ski lodge is the perfect place to spend a cold weekend. Liberty Mountain makes this an ideal weekend, offering hotel or lodge experiences, and easy access to the slopes of the scenic Catoctin Mountains, nestled in the beautiful Carroll Valley. Choose from any of its variety of packages for weekend skiing, snowboarding, tubing or sightseeing. The resort offers a wide variety of amenities which include shuttle bus service, equipment rental, seasonal lockers, wireless internet and a child play service so you can still enjoy the slopes if you have younger children. Turn the cold to your advantage by celebrating your holiday doing one of winter's most enjoyable activities!

Deep Creek Lake
565 Glendale Rd.
Oakland, MD 21550
(855) 264-0674
www.deepcreek.com

What better way to spend a cold winter weekend than in a luxury cabin overlooking one of the most scenic valleys in Maryland? Deep Creek Lake offers such an opportunity with its catalog of rental homes, condos and cabins. Cabins include such amenities as patios, giant stone fireplaces, steamy jacuzzis, decks and more. Deep Creek also offers pet-friendly lodging for the dog lovers out there. Once you've selected your ideal weekend cabin, be sure to visit the activities section of the website to plan for your daytime fun, dining and entertainment before spending your evenings cuddled under your blanket in front of a crackling fireplace.

Cumberland
Rocky Gap Casino Resort
16701 Lakeview Road
Flintstone, MD 21530
(301) 784-8400
rockygapresort.com

The town of Cumberland offers something for everyone, starting with the scenic ride through mountainous Western Maryland. Once there, check in to the bustling, four star Rocky Gap Resort. The Resort sits on the placid Lake Habeeb, and guests can look out over the beautiful wilderness scenery that surrounds the lake. Relaxation seekers will enjoy the resort spa. Entertainment seekers may try their luck at the full casino in the resort, or head into town to enjoy a live show at the New Embassy Theatre - one of the many entertaining venues located in Cumberland's Art and Entertainment District. For history lovers, Cumberland features an additional 27 historic sites. Enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants, including the Lakeside Restaurant, Signatures Bar and Grill and LB's Place. Then throw back a few drinks at On The Rocks. Finally, sit around the nightly campfire and gobble down some complimentary s'mores.

Related: Best Places For A Cabin Weekend Near Baltimore

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort And Spa
1001 Lafayette Drive
Farmington, PA 15437
(724) 329-8555
www.nemacolin.com

What better way to while away a winter weekend than in the warmth of a pampering spa? The drive to Nemacolin leads you into the serenity of the scenic rural lands of Pennsylvania, where the sprawling resort rests on a placid lake among woodland surroundings. While it may be a little too cold to enjoy the golf course, you can certainly receive the spa treatment you so richly deserve, dine at a high-class restaurant and perhaps try your luck at the Lady Luck Casino. Nemacolin also offers bowling and arcade. After a day of activities, throw back a few drinks at one of the several bars and lounges offered by the resort. There is no end to the activities Nemacolin offers its guests. A weekend will hardly seem like enough time.

The Castle Bed & Breakfast
15925 Mt. Savage Road N.W.
Mt. Savage, MD 21545
(301) 264-4645
www.castlebandb.com

How about cozying up in a Scottish castle turned B&B for a winter weekend? That is exactly what The Castle invites you to do on your long MLK weekend. The Castle offers six rooms, each one unique in its layout and furnishings, and all of the pampering amenities you could hope to have in a B&B. After sleeping in, enjoying a luxurious breakfast, and after relaxing a bit, head out and explore the myriad of activities that the Cumberland area offers, including skiing at New Germany State Park or Wisp, antiquing, historic walking tours, History House and Thrasher Carriage Museum. Explore or sleep the weekend away. Either way, you won't regret the trip.

Related: Best Weekend Getaways In The Baltimore Area

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.