At Terrapin Nature Park in Stevensville, you can admire the Bay Bridge from the beach! The well laid out paths are stroller- and wagon-friendly until you hit the sand.

The 12-week stretch of summer sunshine always seems so long, but it goes by in a breeze!
Planning a last-minute jet ride off to Hawaii might be out of the question, but there’s lots of last-minute fun to be had on the Eastern Shore and nearby. Here’s a few ideas to squeeze in some summer fun.
• Easton Airport is surprisingly busy with air traffic, and Sugar Buns Cafe is a fun place to take it all in. They are family friendly and are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. so you can make it an early morning adventure before work and camp if you need to, or sleep in and take the crew for lunch. No matter what meal you join them for, their famous sugar buns are baked fresh daily. The airport is hosting an outdoor movie night on Friday, Aug. 2.
• Want a fun beach to spend time at but not up for the beach drive? Sail Winds Park in Cambridge is a great spot to spend a few hours. With double swings and swinging benches, it’s a playground that suits both younger and older kids and keeps them entertained for hours. From there, venture down to the beach area to wade around. Take a stroll down the old drawbridge and see if the fish are biting. If you set out in the morning, swing by Bay Country Bakery on the other side of town for a picture under their big pink donut or go to Rise Up Coffee across Route 50. If you go in the afternoon, grab a pizza for a picnic lunch.
• Also in Dorchester is Emily’s Produce Stand. The seasonal slushies, like their Peach, are worth the drive to Church Creek alone but their children’s area is open in the summer Friday – Sunday, and occasional Thursdays. They have everything you need for a great lunch there or bring home to grill yourself. Enjoy some fresh flower picking, and make your trip even better by dropping some by a friend or loved one’s house on the way home.
• At Terrapin Nature Park in Stevensville, you can admire the Bay Bridge from the beach! The well laid out paths are stroller- and wagon-friendly until you hit the sand. Signage along the way will tell you about some of the native plants and animals you might spot. Bring lunch and enjoy the scenery.
• In Kent County, Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge’s roads and trails are open to visitors to experience wildlife and outdoor activities. It boasts amazing birdwatching, boating and fishing adventures and the county itself has several quaint bed and breakfasts and restaurants.
• Tuckahoe State Park in Ridgely is a great spot for many activities, including the recycled tire playground and the aviary with non-releasable birds of prey. Get active with older kids and try a round of disc golf. This stop also has shaded hiking, biking and equestrian trails, a kayak launch and fishing. Load up the tent or camper and book a site for the night.
• Gone are the days of drive-through movies, but outdoor movies have made a comeback! Discover Easton is hosting movies throughout the summer around Talbot County. The Town of Hillsboro also does movies at their park. Check your town office or organization to see if they do too. Several towns also offer free street concerts in the summer months as well.
• Cool Off! The Talbot County ice rink is open for the summer for the first time this year, and offers lots of opportunities to try out ice skating.
• Take a ride on the Oxford Ferry and grab some ice cream at the Scottish Highland Creamery. Splash at the Strand beach and play on the playground while you are in town.
• August has the Caroline-Dorchester County Fair which features lots of great music in addition to their exhibits and Queen Anne’s County Fair, which has amusement rides and is heavy on livestock and equestrian activities.
A little farther …
• Look for Shark’s Teeth at Calvert Cliffs. If your kids are up for the 1.8-mile hike to get to the beach area, this can be a great treasure hunting experience! Read up and prepare before you make the trip!
• Visit Killen’s Pond State Park in Felton, Del., with a morning or afternoon pass. Book ahead as the park often reaches capacity.
• Frontier Town in Berlin offers not only a waterpark, but a western trick riding show, shootout and more. There’s even a zipline and ropes course. Get admission for the day, or book a tent, RV or cabin spot.
• Head to Annapolis for Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake! The lively pirate crew leads voyagers to find treasure on a cruise around on a pirate ship.
• Take your family out to a (Delmarva Shorebirds) ballgame! Root for the home team and eat all the ballpark snacks! Check the schedule to see if you can catch a fireworks show too.
• Take a tour at Coastal Wilds Barn Preserve in Frankford, Del. They offer unique opportunities like Kangaroo Yoga and Otter Swims. Not in the budget? Salisbury Zoo is free, and close to the large “Ben’s Red Swings” playground. Make the trip on the First and Fourth Tuesday of the month and take your littles to their storytime.
• Having FOMO on county fairs? The Maryland State Fair runs three weekend beginning Aug. 22 in Timonium. Tie that in with an O’s game or trip to the Inner Harbor.
Much closer!
• Stay home! Camp in the yard. Or don’t camp in the yard, but stay out late stargazing and playing flashlight tag. Cook hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire. Get a tye-dye kit and see what creations you can make. Blow their minds and suggest making slime. Buy a large variety of ice creams and toppings and have an ice cream social with friends. Create a complex Pinterest recipe or cake. Set up your own mini golf course and let each person “design” a hole. Grab some blank canvases and paint outside. Anything you made memories of from your youth, pull it out so your kids can, too.
There’s no right way or wrong way to do summer. Squeeze in a few more sunny memories as you wish, and look back at them in the wintery days ahead.