What to do in the Laurel, Maryland area for College student on summer break?

July 11, 2008 9:48 AM

What to do in the Laurel, Maryland area for College student on summer break? That is the question. I am sitting at home everyday just playing games and reading and it is extremely boring. I do have a car and love nature but can never find any good areas. Anything that can be done alone is also a plus since most of my friends are away.
posted by Javed_Ahamed to Grab Bag (13 answers total)

There's one Museum available in VirtualTourist.
posted by WizKid at 9:56 AM on July 11, 2008

I'm not sure I understand your question. Laurel is a suburb of DC and Baltimore, and you have transportation. There's so much to do DC and Baltimore that you could be busy in either place for the rest of your life. There are also a ton of great state parks, with hiking and biking and swimming and lazing around, within easy driving distance of Laurel. There's the swimming hole database for MD if you need something more cooling.

I guess I suggest that you get a bit more specific about what it is you're looking for, since there's so much out there.
posted by OmieWise at 10:05 AM on July 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

There's absolutely nothing to do in Laurel itself as far as I know, although it's a cute town. If you've never been to the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, that might be worthy of a little excursion.

I'd also suggest driving down to College Park to wander around and get some cheap ethnic food.

If you don't mind going to shows alone, Langhorne Slim is performing in Baltimore on Sunday. It's only $8, and he is amazing live.
posted by arianell at 10:16 AM on July 11, 2008

Go hiking in Patapsco Valley State Park. Lots of great trails, just up 95.
posted by Mr Bunnsy at 10:19 AM on July 11, 2008

Response by poster: hmmm both databases that omiewise posted are pretty good, are there any more of these types of things you guys have bookmarked?
posted by Javed_Ahamed at 10:20 AM on July 11, 2008

Response by poster: sorry for just jumping around here boredom has got to my brain... anyone know a nice place to fish if you have rods and just need a boat?
posted by Javed_Ahamed at 10:28 AM on July 11, 2008

Piggybacking on what OmieWise said, I would drive from Laurel to Greenbelt, hop on the Green line Metro and spend the day in DC -- a new museum has been built since your 7th grade class trip to the Smithsonian -- exhibits are constantly changing at the Air & Space and American History museums. Have you ever been to the National Building Museum near Judiciary Square? Even a couple of times through the National Holocaust Museum isn't sufficient to take it all in -- and have you looked at the other* stuff available at the National Archives?

Pack a PB&J sandwich and chips and wrap a cold soda in aluminum foil just like mom used to. The cost for the day would be about $15 plus any walkin' around money.

*Other than the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights I mean.
posted by parilous at 10:35 AM on July 11, 2008

While your at the Building Museum, go a couple blocks west to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, both housed in the same building. These museums are also right across the street from the Spy Museum. These should keep you busy for a couple days.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 11:07 AM on July 11, 2008

Laurel Park for horse-racing, if you are into that sort of thing and it's actually in Laurel. It's fun to go with a friend and some beers. If they aren't racing there, they will be at Pimlico in Baltimore. The National Aquarium in Baltimore isn't that cheap but I remember it being worth it, especially for the sharks.
posted by bluenausea at 11:40 AM on July 11, 2008

If I had a car I would go to The Awakening sculpture. I never made it there because the Metro doesn't go out there.

What about checking out the Capital Fringe Festival? Or Screen on the Green? Brightest Young Things has a decent calendar of events downtown, as does the Washington Post.
posted by puffin at 12:37 PM on July 11, 2008

Also, in terms of the outdoors, there is always Great Falls. Do you like bicycling? Drive to Silver Spring, park at the Metro, and take the Capital Crescent Trail down to Georgetown. Even on hot days, it usually cool and shady on the trail.
posted by puffin at 12:42 PM on July 11, 2008

Greenbelt has a little farmer's market on Sundays from 10-2. It also has Artful Afternoons from 1-5 every first Sunday, with a family-friendly arts n' crafts project and live performance at 3. There are lots of arts classes, though I believe you now have to sign up for the Fall session (still, if you're a UMD student there's a student-shuttle stop like right there, couldn't be more convenient).

Montpelier Mansion is in Laurel, it's small but historic. And has ongoing arts classes in everything from glasswork to textiles.

Brookside Gardens in Wheaton is beautiful and would be great for a picnic and a good-book-on-the-lawn type of day. It's also near our favorite Thai place, Suporn's, and a good Irish pub (sorry I can't remember the name but it's almost next to Suporn's if you want to google it.)

Artscape is coming up in Baltimore, July 18-20.
posted by GardenGal at 10:17 PM on July 11, 2008

Maryland Fisheries Service has a 2008 fishing guide. Calvert Cliffs State Park. Help out on an archaeological dig for a day. Maryland Trails. Little Seneca Lake. Fort Reno Park summer concert series. Volunteer: Invasive plant removal: Second Sunday of every month, 1 p.m. The Sierra Club invites volunteers of all ages to join its ongoing removal activity in Riverfront Park. Meet at the Municipal Swimming Pool, Ninth and Main streets, Brigitte, 240-506-8976.
posted by gudrun at 11:39 AM on July 12, 2008