LOCAL RESOURCES

Parks & Museums

Parks
The Washington Metropolitan Area is home to a variety of outdoor activities. Area parks provide opportunities to explore nature trails, picnic with grandchildren, or enjoy assorted water activities like swimming, kayaking, fishing and sailing. Below is a selection of local parks located just outside your new community.

Granville Gude Park & Lakehouse
A 29 acre park which features two lakes, pavilions, grills, tot lot, horseshoe pits, boat dock with paddle boat rentals, hiker/biker trails, and an outdoor stage. Be sure to participate in one of the many community events that the park hosts throughout the year.

National Wildlife Visitor Center
Discover the largest science and environmental education center that the Department of the Interior has to offer. The Visitor Center is located on the 12,750-acre Patuxent Research Refuge and features interactive exhibits, guided Tram tours, and surrounding forests, lakes, and trails for you to explore.

Riverfront Park
This is one of Laurel's most beautiful parks featuring 30 acres along the scenic Patuxent River extending from the historic dam ruins to U.S. Route 1. Park amenities include pavilions, paved hiker/biker paths, grills, scenic wetland areas, two bridges, and the historic dam ruins.

Central Parke at Victoria Falls is also conveniently located to many of the area's great parks if you are looking to venture out a little further.

Rock Creek Park
Located in the Northwest section of D.C., this park is perfect for a leisurely afternoon of hiking, biking or walking. Rock Creek Park is described as one of the area's natural gems. Don't forget to visit the park's Nature Center and Planetarium or the famous National Zoological Park. Rock Creek Park is also home to the Fitzgerald Tennis Center, site of Washington D.C.'s professional men's tour stop where Andre Agassi has been a three time tournament winner.

Greenbelt Park
Greenbelt Park is one of the largest natural sanctuaries located within the metropolitan area. The evergreen forest provides a refreshing break for those interested in spending a casual day surrounded by woods. Hiking, biking, camping, picnicking and bird watching are among the outdoor activities enjoyed at this recreational area.

Seneca Creek State Park
Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, this 6,300 acre park winds along the scenic route of Seneca Creek as it makes its way to the Potomac River. Rent a boat and head out on Clopper Lake or be more adventurous and check out the miles of marked trails for hiking and mountain biking. Fishing is also another favorite activity of park goers.

Sandy Point
Do you want to spend a day at the beach without driving the distance? This park located in Annapolis is an excellent place for swimming, crabbing, fishing and boating. The beaches provide a breath-taking view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as well as sailing regattas which are part of the Annapolis area's famous sailing competition.

Anacostia Park
This is one of D.C.'s largest and most predominant recreation areas. Stretching along the Anacostia River, the park features the beautiful Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens as well as ball fields, tennis courts and golf. If you are lucky, you might even spot a bald eagle or blue heron!

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Museums
Central Parke at Victoria Falls offers easy access to many of the region’s best museums. You are within a short distance to the abundant attractions of the nearby cities so there will always be things for you to see and do. A few of the highlights include the Smithsonian Museums, National Gallery of Art, and Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.; the Ft. McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, National Aquarium, and Science Center in Baltimore; and the U.S. Naval Academy and Museum, Thomas Point Lighthouse, and Maritime Museum in Annapolis.

Museums to visit right in Laurel include:

Laurel Museum
The Laurel Museum is located in a former 1840 mill worker's home. Over the years, the home has seen several modifications before the City purchased it in 1985. It now houses a collection of books, photographs, tools, personal artifacts, textiles, and oral histories on the City of Laurel and surrounding areas.

Montpelier Mansion
A National Historic Landmark, Montpelier Mansion is operated as a house museum featuring select rooms that have been researched and furnished as they would have appeared from the late 1700's until 1830. Tours, concerts, teas, festivals, reenactments, exhibits, lectures and seminars are offered throughout the year.