A Few of my Favorite Local Spots in and around Charles County!
Friendship Landing Free Fishing area
Friendship Landing Rd, Nanjemoy
Bring your own tables and chairs, and lunch! Boats do launch here, but a beautiful spot, hiking trails close. See FB image here
Thomas Stone National Site
6655 Rose Hill Rd, Port Tobacco
Free to enjoy, tours available. Stone was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. (Geocaches)
Purse State Park
3452 Ferry Pl, Indian Head
Find shark teeth! It is a little walk to the water, and not stroller friendly. Wear a bathing suit, bring towel, sunscreen and a shovel to find teeth on the shoreline. See my FB image here
Chapman State Park at Mt Aventine
3452 Ferry Pl, Indian Head, MD
Tour the mansion during Open House on Sundays, and then walk down (see image) and find seashells! Going during open house allows a closer parking spot. Other times you park outside the gates, and have further walk. See that image here.
Smallwood State Park $3 entrance car fee
2750 Sweden Point Rd, Marbury
Great recycled tire playground located near campsites. An indoor nature center close to boat launching site. Pretty boardwalk to enjoy the water.
St. Clement’s Island Museum St. Mary's ; $3 fee 18 and up, $1.50 kids over 6 and under 5 free
38370 Point Breeze Rd, Coltons Point, MD
Enjoy "Little Red Schoolhouse,” authentic 19th century one-room school, museum on the Potomac River overlooking St. Clement’s Island, Maryland's First Colonial Landing in 1634. Take a boat out to the first colony! I did this in 2015 and enjoyed it! The walk from the boat to the lighthouse was a bit long.
Beaches
Colonial Beach, VA
About 45 minutes south of La Plata. The beach town is very cute, the sand is orange like clay, but soft to enjoy. Finding large sandy areas seems hard in this area. A boardwalk to enjoy and even small swing-set. Many festivals during the summer. Meter parking and little eateries to enjoy all around. Around the corner is George Washington's Birth Place (FREE) and it is beautiful!
Point Lookout State Park St. Mary's;M-F $3-$5 car, weekends charge per person.
11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD
Probably this Florida girls favorite beach in the entire area. Beach is narrow, but the water is salty, real sand and shallow for kids to play. There is a nice playground and many shaded picnic tables. There is a hidden cove away from the busy area located by the boat docking area. (Find walking path). Pier for fishing and a short walk to Fort Lincoln to enjoy history. This was a prison camp for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Even a dog beach area! See my FB photo here
Elms Beach St. Mary's; $ Fees for Weekends/Holidays
19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park
Small coves of water, but the playground is great and seems very underused. Shaded pavilion and grills. See FB image here
Spray/Water Parks
La Plata Spray Park
Located right behind Town Hall behind the grass field. Not a brightly colored one like others, but still fun for a hot summer day. Take frozen treats and sunscreen, there isn't much shade. See FB image here
Nicolet Park Sprayground St. Mary's ; $2 for admission for everyone
St. Mary's Parks and Rec spot. A playground is next it and a fun skate park for older kids is close by. I would suggest water shoes since the ground is a bit rough, even though it is the colored soft stuff. Located in Lexington Park
Shaded Playgrounds
Gilbert Run Park $5 car fee weekends and holidays
13140 Charles St, Charlotte Hall
Big shaded playground so bring lunch for ducks and you! Rent paddle boats and canoes for fun on the water.
Miedzinski Park "The Wooden Park" St. Mary's
23145 Leonard Hall Dr, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Fun castle like playground. Swings, slides and even a shaded stadium seating for parents. Bathrooms close by. My daughters favorite. (See FB image here)
Picking someone up from the DCA airport?
2800 Fort Scott Dr, Arlington, VA
I found a great spot to wait out traffic and let the kids play,Fort Scott Park in Arlington. See FB image here
White Plains Regional Park
1015 St. Charles Parkway, White Plains
3 playgrounds in one area, picnic tables and dog parks in the area. Skate park turns into BMX session on Saturday mornings (fee). Cool Treats
Big Larry's Comics St. Mary's
22745 Washington St, Leonardtown
Super fun spot in the heart of Leonardtown. Get lunch, smoothies & ice cream at the same time. Lots of comic books, and Spiderman will even greet you when you arrive.
Pools
Smallwood Village Swim Club (membership needed, save $100 with Macaroni Kid)
1019 Stone Ave, Waldorf
Private Swim Club with a Family Atmosphere Offers Endless Summer Fun! Pool, Slide, Grills, Volleyball, Tennis and more!
Cove Point Park Pool Calvert County ;$4-$6
750 Cove Point Rd, Lusby
Calvert County Parks & Recreation seasonal outdoor facility is located in the beautiful Cove Point Park. It includes a partially shaded children's waded pool, a leisure pool with various water slides and water features, lap pool with diving boards, shower rooms, sun bathing and shade areas, and a full-service concession stand. Doesn't open till noon, but go early and enjoy lunch at the big playground right next to it. Make the drive worth it! (see FB photo here)
Charles County Parks n Rec Pools
Outdoor pools open June 4th! (see link for information)
Pax River Base Outdoor Pool St. Mary's
Free to active military and families to use this summer!
My Summer Bucket List
Sunflower Fields SoMD has a sunflower maze! Click link to see where!
Tubing on the Rappahannock River, Fredricksburg
Not far and a fun area with lots of spots to choose from. While visiting Fredricksburg we drove around the river and saw lots of families enjoying it!
Pineview Amish Grocery (completed see story here!)
9035 Glock PL, Charlotte Hall (Mon-Sat 7 am 4 pm-closed Sundays)
750 Cove Point Rd, Lusby
Calvert County Parks & Recreation seasonal outdoor facility is located in the beautiful Cove Point Park. It includes a partially shaded children's waded pool, a leisure pool with various water slides and water features, lap pool with diving boards, shower rooms, sun bathing and shade areas, and a full-service concession stand. Doesn't open till noon, but go early and enjoy lunch at the big playground right next to it. Make the drive worth it! (see FB photo here)
Charles County Parks n Rec Pools
Outdoor pools open June 4th! (see link for information)
Pax River Base Outdoor Pool St. Mary's
Free to active military and families to use this summer!
My Summer Bucket List
Sunflower Fields SoMD has a sunflower maze! Click link to see where!
Tubing on the Rappahannock River, Fredricksburg
Not far and a fun area with lots of spots to choose from. While visiting Fredricksburg we drove around the river and saw lots of families enjoying it!
Pineview Amish Grocery (completed see story here!)
9035 Glock PL, Charlotte Hall (Mon-Sat 7 am 4 pm-closed Sundays)
I have heard from a good friend this is a great spot to buy dry goods in bulk, local spices and typical grocery items. It's a one of kind of experience, all running on a generator, and takes you back in time. She also enjoyed an Amish cheese shop, Clover Hill Dairy at 27925 Woodburn Hill Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659, sample cheese while you shop with homemade items.
