Upper Marlboro is an area that attracts history buffs, equestrian enthusiasts, and outdoor lovers. This small town only has about 630 residents, but it packs a lot of entertainment for the whole family. You can find a wide variety of fun things to do from solo trips to family-friendly activities. Upper Marlboro is a quick drive from all the major tourist destinations in the area. The town is centrally located between Washington D.C., Annapolis, and Baltimore. If you are looking for an escape from the hustle of the big cities, you will want to check out Upper Marlboro.
Horse lovers flock to the little town of Upper Marlboro. One of the biggest attractions is the Show Place Arena and Prince George Equestrian Center. This arena holds over thirty equestrian events during the year. You can see a wide range of horse-related activities from rodeos to horse shows. The Black Eyed Susan series schedules about six events a year. You can see riders compete for the Best in Show title. Many of these horse events are free for the general public. For some events, you may even be treated to a concert as well. Elvis Costello, Kenny Rogers, and Aaron Neville have all played in this arena. The Show Place hosts other events, including visits from the Harlem Globetrotters.
If you want to see a working farm, you are in luck. Montpelier Farm is a fun place for the whole family. This farm is open from June to early November. Visitors are welcome to go down a tube slide, take a hayride, or watch the cows and goats roam around the property. During the fall, the farm transforms into an autumn fun festival. These events include corn tepees, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and crafting projects. Once you have picked out your pumpkin, you don't have to worry about carrying it around all day. The farm has a "pumpkin daycare" where you can store your pumpkin friend. In addition to the fall events, the farm market sells fresh produce and fruits.
For history fans, you don't want to miss the Patuxent Rural Life Museums. These museums bring the past alive with over a half-dozen venues throughout the town. You can start at the Duckett Cabin. This site is the home of the former slave Charles Duckett. He fought for the Union side in the Civil War. You can see how his family lived and farmed the surrounding area. This cabin is an example of how slaves lived during the 1880s. There are other structures on the cabin's property, including a meat house, chicken coop, and a privy. While you are here, you can learn about fishing, hunting, and trapping in the Patuxent River area. Visitors can also explore the other Patuxent Rural Life Museums, including a replica blacksmith shop, a tool museum, a 1923 house, and a tobacco farming museum.
During the winter time, thousands of Canada geese make the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary their home. You can see these feathered visitors from November through May. Each year, they make their trek to this part of Upper Marlboro. If you want to learn a bit more about the geese, you can head over to the Frank Oslislo Visitor's Center. The center features several exhibits about the geese, and they also have rotating seasonal galleries too. Birdwatchers can get an up-close look at the wildlife in one of the designated viewing areas. Children will love the hands-on exhibits with turtles, toads, and snakes. The sanctuary also has four trails that allow you to get a great view of the forests and the Patuxent River. You may notice a few mounds of dirt around the property. Many historians think the mounds were used as boundary markers during the War of 1812. For those who want to hit the water, the sanctuary operates fishing spots for you to catch mouth bass and bluegills.
With all the exciting things to do in Upper Marlboro, you want to spend your free time enjoying the local activities. During your downtime, you don't want to worry about cutting the lawn or trimming loose branches. At Lawn Love, we can help you out. A professional lawn care expert will take care of your yard work. You can relax at home and forget about those landscaping hassles. We will keep your yard looking great throughout the year. Call the Lawn Love team to manage your lawn work.