If you’re looking for things to do in Laurel, Maryland, you’ve come to the right place. The city is located on the banks of the Patuxent River, midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. The city limits are in northern Prince George’s County, but outlying development areas stretch into Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties.
Laurel’s Mercantile Co.
Located downtown Laurel, the Laurel Mercantile Co. was opened in 1901 and provided dry goods to the residents of the community. It closed in the 1930s but is now a haven for artists and entrepreneurs. A group of three couples decided to reopen the Mercantile Co. in 2016. This new venture is bringing back the community’s history while bringing a new focus to downtown Laurel.
During the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to view a collection of local artists’ work. A variety of media will be displayed throughout the day, from local craftsmen to HGTV HomeTown stars. A unique experience for all guests is the opportunity to meet the artists in person and purchase their works.
If you’re looking to buy handmade items, take advantage of Mississippi Made, a vendor market on June 11, 2022, at the Mercantile Yard in downtown Laurel. The handmade items from vendors across Mississippi will be sold at the market. Some of the vendors have even appeared on the hit HGTV show Home Town.
Among the vendors at the event are local beekeepers and honey producers. Judy Wells, the proprietor of Wells Lazy Acres, will be hosting a bee display at her booth. Visitors will also be able to learn how to care for bees and harvest honey. Another local small business, Novi Creations, will feature copper crafts handmade by Shauna Stocksdale.
Laurel’s Homestead & Village
Located in Laurel, Alabama, Landrum’s Homestead & Village is a recreation of a late 1800s settlement. Visitors will find a Confederate soldier encampment, Old West Shooting Gallery, exhibits, Native American Village, and wagon rides. Other highlights include a mystery house, steam engine, picnic pavilion, and more.
Thomas Landrum built the village in a pecan grove so his grandchildren could see how their ancestors lived. Soon, neighbors started to become curious and the family decided to open it up to the public. Today, the museum is visited by people from all over the United States.
Laurel’s Gardens Ice House
In Laurel, Maryland, the Gardens Ice House is a privately owned skating facility. The facility, which opened in November 2013, is located in Fairland Regional Park. It features an Olympic ice rink, two NHL rinks, and an outdoor mini-rink. In addition to its indoor rink, the Gardens Ice House also features a mini-rink that is open year-round.
For children, the facility offers figure skating lessons and hockey league play. Many staff members have been working at the ice house for decades. The Gardens’ first employee, Susan Mead, has been at The Gardens Ice House since 1996. Her daughter, Tiffany, was a high school student at Oakland Mills High when The Gardens opened, and she switched her attention to the ice rink after her mother started working there.
The Ice House also offers skate rentals. You can rent a full-size skate if you don’t have one. The smallest skate size is six inches for toddlers. To participate in public skating sessions, make sure to make a reservation online. Walk-ins are not permitted. In addition to skate rentals, East Coast Hockey & Skating Supply has a retail shop inside the ice house. The shop offers a wide variety of skate equipment and apparel.
The Gardens Ice House in Laurel is one of the largest skating facilities in the DC/Maryland area. Located in Fairland Regional Park, the Ice House is just two miles from Interstate 95. It features three sheets of ice during the winter season, including one NHL and two NHL regulation rinks. The Gardens Ice House also hosts summer hockey camps and a roller-hockey league. It is the thirteenth largest ice rink in the country and is open 365 days a year.
Laurel’s Movie Nights
If you’re a movie buff, you can’t miss the movie nights in Laurel, New Jersey. During the summer months, the town hosts Movie Nights in the Park in Mount Laurel Township. The first of these will be on Thursday, August 25. The movie will be Space Jam 2. From 6-8pm, you can enjoy a free movie and snacks. You can also purchase raffle tickets and collect a free T-shirt.
Back to School Movie Night: The Laurel Hill Community Center is holding a movie night to celebrate back to school. On August 29, the community center will show the movie “The Sandlot.” There will also be concessions available for purchase. Movie night is free and everyone is welcome to bring their lawn chairs.
Laurel Hill Cemetery: This cemetery is located at W. Huntingdon Street and Ridge Avenue. Laurel Hill Cemetery is hosting a screening of the movie “Glory.” The screening is free and part of Juneteenth programming at the cemetery, which is open to the public. Other free programs are an Abolitionist Walking Tour, a virtual panel presentation called Glory, and Laurel Hill: Remembering the Past.
