Spring Has Sprung in Charles County

Spring has officially made its way to Charles County. Flowers are blooming, local road stands are bursting with fresh produce, and the waterfront attractions are ready and waiting for visitors. With warmer weather here to stay, there are plenty of restaurants and activities to keep you busy and outdoors. Whether you’re a Maryland native or visiting from out of town, you’ll find Charles County to be the perfect getaway for some springtime fun. Here is everything you can’t miss when you come to visit!

For those who love spending time outdoors, spotting wildlife, or simply taking advantage of warming temperatures, Charles County has a park for any adventure. Gilbert Run Park, located between La Plata and Charlotte Hall, features a 60-acre freshwater lake where you can take to the water with pedal boats, fishing, canoeing, and more. Nature trails surround the lake and lead you to playgrounds, volleyball courts, and picnic pavilions. This includes the newly-redone 2-mile hiking trail and playground. Smallwood State Park along the Potomac River offers great camping and fishing options across its 600+ acres. While at Smallwood, try to catch a glimpse of the ospreys and other birds that make the park their nesting grounds in the spring and summer. Both Gilbert Run Park and Smallwood are great places to spend a sunny afternoon, especially if your family enjoys the water! To add more fitness to your park experiences, check out the Indian Head Rail Trail, converted from an old railway into a hiking and cycling trail. The 13-mile adventure allows cyclists and nature lovers to experience the diverse wildlife and flora of southern Maryland at any pace they desire. 

The true gem among Charles County’s parks, however, is Mallows Bay. Mallows Bay is a marine sanctuary located along the Chesapeake Trail on the Potomac River. Spend a day kayaking through the bay’s renowned ghost fleet, remnants of over 100 shipwrecks and abandoned vessels that date all the way back to the Civil War. You can follow your own path through the waters or use the park’s provided guide to help you seek out specific historical sites. Make sure to register in advance through the park’s website or Atlantic Kayak Tours before heading out on the water. Mallows Bay also offers plentiful bird-watching and fishing opportunities. You may even see a bald eagle while you’re there!

The parks aren’t the only wonderful part of spring returning to the county. With the arrival of warmer sunshine comes roadside farm stands bursting with flowers, farmer’s markets with fresh produce, and U-Pick farms! For a longer experience this season, the La Plata Farmers Market is open April through November, and the Waldorf Farmers Market opens in May. The La Plata market offers produce and handicrafts, bath and beauty products, and prepared foods, while the Waldorf market specializes in the fresh, local produce of the area. For a fun-filled family afternoon, check out Shlagel Farms and Legacy Farm Lawnscapes to pick your own strawberries straight from the vine as well as blackberries at Shlagel.

Sports lovers also have plenty to do in the area. Check out Southern Maryland Paintball and Airsoft for a variety of group activities. Jump into a paintball match, an airsoft battle, or a gellyball game if you want lower-impact gameplay on one of ten different fields. Some fields even have themes like Call of Duty. Make sure to check out the brand new ax-throwing lanes to add some excitement to your visit! You can make a reservation or play as a walk-on for any of Southern Maryland Paintball and Airsoft’s activities. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs start their season on April 26 at Regency Furniture Stadium for the sporting fans who can’t wait for an afternoon at a ball game. Grab a baseball cap at the team store, hang out in the picnic area or kids zone, and snack on a crab pretzel and Blue Crabs beer. By the time the game begins, you’ll be part of the local “Crustacean Nation.” You can even grab a photo with Pinch, the Blue Crabs’ mascot, during the game as he makes his way through the stadium crowds.

Speaking of blue crabs, Charles County is known for its excellent local seafood and waterfront dining options. You can find great seafood pretty much anywhere in Charles County, and you especially can’t miss the trio of “captains.” Located in Newburg, Captain Billy’s Crab House is the local’s favorite spot, while Captain John’s Crab House and Captain Charles Seafood House can be found on Cobb Island at the southern tip of the county. Like the three “captains,” Port Tobacco Marina and Restaurant offers great ambiance and a view of the water that you just can’t beat. Crabbing season has officially begun in Maryland, so we recommend ordering anything with crab!

Crabs and Old Bay seasoning certainly go well together, but did you ever think to pair it with ice cream? Landon’s Ices & Creams in La Plata sure did. Their signature Old Bay Caramel ice cream is just one of many homemade flavors – including allergy-friendly ice cream recipes – that will make your mouth water. Landon’s is part of Maryland’s Ice Cream Trail that crosses the state and features plenty of wonderful shops. Another ice cream favorite of Charles County is Twin Kiss, located inside Texas Ribs & BBQ in La Plata. They use the root beer float recipe from the original Twin Kiss owner from 1959. You can’t visit Charles County without grabbing a float or a sundae from them. Ice cream has its continental origins in Maryland, so you can’t truly say spring has begun without grabbing some cones for you and your family.

Wherever you go in Charles County, you’ll find the world coming to life again, from the blossoming parks and nature trails to the marinas to the flowers and farms. Plan your first spring trip today to take advantage of all the adventures inside Charles County. No matter when you visit this season, Southern Maryland is ready to welcome you with all it has to offer. We’ll see you soon!