If you’re lucky enough to spend time with your kids or grandkids you probably have a few favorite spots for family time – like the boardwalks in Rehoboth and Bethany or at the festivals that you learn about through the Cape Gazette https://www.capegazette.com/ and the News Journal https://www.delawareonline.com/. But another great benefit of living in Delaware is that we’re right alongside Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, which opens up lots of possibilities for day and weekend trips and new adventures.
Here are some especially fun options just over the Maryland border.
IF YOU’RE INTO CAMPING . . .
Consider a trip to Elk Neck State Park https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/elkneck.aspx, located in Cecil County between the Chesapeake Bay and Elk River. There are 250 campsite along with cabins that accommodate as many as six people. All of the campsites have fire rings and grills and picnic tables. There are also bathhouses and a park store that’s open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
While you’re there you can climb up to the top of a lighthouse for spectacular water and land views, swim at the park’s beach, or take a peaceful canoe or kayak trip.
Tuckahoe State Park https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/tuckahoe.aspx is another option if your family like hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing. There are also campsites and day camp options in case you want to sign kids up for next year. There’s also a camp store that’s open through Memorial Day.
If you’re in Sussex County, you’ll love visiting historic Berlin, with its beautiful downtown shops and restaurants, and if you’re into camping you can do so at Assateague State Park https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/eastern/assateague.aspx on the ocean. You can set up your RV or rent a campsite with a fire ring and picnic table and, in some cases, electrical hook-ups. There’s so much you can do here, from swimming and surf fishing at the beach to kayaking on the Sinepuxet Bay to watching the wild horses that roam on the island. And if it gets too hot or you just want to have fun with a little more civilization, you can also visit the nearby Ocean City Boardwalk.
IF YOUR YOUNGSTERS LOVE WATERPARKS . . .
You probably know about Jungle Jim’s https://www.funatjunglejims.com/ in Rehoboth, which is Delaware’s largest, and the waterpark at Midway https://midwayspeedwaypark.com/ closer to Lewes, which also offers Go-Kart racing. But if you’re in northern Delaware consider Great Wolf Lodge https://www.greatwolf.com/maryland?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-maryland in Perryville near Baltimore.
This is a great option if you don’t want to worry about being rained-out because the water park is indoors. It’s also great if you want to stay overnight in comfortable lodgings since there are 700 hotel rooms. There are also lots of activities for younger kids besides the water park and an aerial obstacle course for brave and fun-loving teenagers. There are also restaurants and food trucks onsite.
AND THE BEST AQUARIUM . . .
The Baltimore National Aquarium is a marvel of nature and ingenuity, with thousands of marine and amphibious animals habituating dozens of exhibits. It’s a 2.5 hour drive if you live down in Sussex and a bit shorter if you’re in Kent or New Castle county.