deep creek activities – Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales Blog

Tips for Your First Deep Creek Summer Vacation

If you are planning your first Deep Creek summer vacation, it can be a little overwhelming. There are tons of fun activities and adventures to enjoy! We put together a list of some absolute “musts” for first-timers.

see the sights

No Deep Creek summer vacation is complete without a little sightseeing! One of the most popular attractions is Muddy Creek Falls at Swallow Falls State Park. This towering waterfall is the tallest in the state of Maryland. It is surrounded by pristine forests and amazing scenery. Plus, hiking trails lead you to two more picturesque waterfalls. This is a great selfie spot!

If you have kids in your group, you cannot pass up a visit to the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park. Hands-on displays highlight the environment of Western Maryland. During the summer, they have daily events that include seeing the birds in the aviary, arts & crafts, guided hikes, fishing with a naturalist and more!

Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center — See the Birds in the Aviary at the Discovery Center

Continue reading Tips for Your First Deep Creek Summer Vacation

What’s New at Deep Creek Lake – 2018 Edition

Discover what’s new at Deep Creek Lake! We have started compiling our 2018 list of new activities, eateries and events in the Deep Creek Lake area. Check back often for updates!

The next time you are in town, stop by one of these fine establishments:

monkey business adventure park

Monkey Business Adventure Park – 1-866-DCL-SOAR
This aerial adventure park opened last fall and has had folks monkeying around ever since! Their ziplines offer amazing lake views, and they have something for almost every age and ability level. They recently added an arcade too!

The Rolling Pin Bakery – 301-746-8500
From delicious deli sandwiches to amazing baked goods, The Rolling Pin in Accident is quickly becoming a local favorite. Be sure to try their donuts!

Sacred Ground Gem Mining

Sacred Ground Mining Company
Mine for “gems” in Sacred Grounds lake front sluice. This is a fun family activity that is perfect for the little ones in your group. Plus, you can browse for jewelry and Deep Creek souvenirs next store or grab some ice cream at the Lakeside Creamery.

Escape Games at Wisp Resort – 301-387-4911
The theme for their summer game is “Detention Breakout”! This is a reality game where you are put in a room and must use team work and problem solving to complete puzzles with clues, hints and strategy to ‘escape’ the room in a set amount of time.

The Manor Steakhouse
Opening in late spring 2018, this Oakland landmark is under new ownership. Serving lunch, dinner, drinks and Sunday brunch, their menu is yet to be unveiled but will feature the freshest of ingredients.

sang_run_state_park

Sang Run State Park
Deep Creek’s seventh state park opened last fall. Formerly a farm, there are 77 acres to explore that include an old-fashioned general store and access to the Youghiogheny River. Volunteers open the Friend’s Store each Monday in July and August to sell locally hand made crafts and food snacks reminiscent of country living and trade stories of the history of the area. There are also guided hikes that are led by naturalists from DCL State Park. Check the Discover Center website for more details.

The Casselman Bakery & Cafe – 301-895-5055
Enjoy a wide variety of fresh homemade breads and desserts along with hearty breakfast & lunch options, and a salad and homemade soup bar. Continue reading What’s New at Deep Creek Lake – 2018 Edition

Deep Creek Lake Upcoming Events

Deep Creek Lake upcoming events for spring offer something for all ages and interests. May and June weekends are ideal for enjoying the lake and the great small towns that surround it.

We put together a list of some of the Deep Creek Lake upcoming events that you don’t want to miss!

Deep Creek Lake upcoming events

Opening Weekend!
May 19 & 20, Adventure Sports Center International
Weather permitting, you can take a thrilling ride on the man-made white water rafting course. MORE INFO

Little Crossings Festival Artisan & Epicurean Faire
May 19, 11AM-6PM, Little Crossings Festival Ground in Grantsville
This annual event features numerous local artisans as well as lots of specialty foods. There is a beer and wine tent along with beverage tastings. Area musicians will provide live entertainment on the shores of the scenic Casselman River. MORE INFO Continue reading Deep Creek Lake Upcoming Events

Your Guide to Easter Weekend at Deep Creek Lake

Spring is coming to the mountains of Western Maryland! If you are spending the extended Easter weekend at Deep Creek Lake, there are lots of fun events to keep you entertained. Plus, you can spend time enjoying the outdoors. Check out area state parks that offer hiking trails, fishing and biking.

I will update the post as more local Deep Creek Lake events are announced.

Our Guide to Easter Weekend at Deep Creek Lake:

Saturday, March 31

Swallow Falls Nature Tour
9am at Swallow Falls State Park
2hrs. Learn about the park, the ecosystem, bears and the local inside scoop. $15 per person. Perfect for first time visitors. http://allearthecotours.com

Natural Egg Dyeing
10am-Noon at the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park
This hands on activity demonstrates how beets, onions, grape juice, and other natural items can be used as dyes. Bring 6 hardboiled eggs (per child) wiped off with a mild vinegar solution. Plus, there’s a chance to meet the Easter bunny!

Smiley’s Fun Zone Easter Egg Hunt
11am-1pm at Smiley’s Fun Zone
Bring your basket for candy, prizes, and pictures with the Easter Bunny and Smiley!

Egg Hunt
Noon-4pm at Broadford Park
This egg hunt is divided into age groups: 2 and under, 3 – 5, 6 – 8, and 9 -12. The Easter Bunny will be hiding over 6,000 eggs!

Continue reading Your Guide to Easter Weekend at Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake Cross Country Skiing Guide

Deep Creek Lake cross country skiing offers adventure to some and peace of mind to others. It is an accessible sport that appeals to all ability levels and ages. One of the best aerobic workouts in the world, this multi-generational activity is known for its quick learning curve, low injury rate and low impact motions. Refreshing the mind as well as the body, cross country (Nordic) skiing provides a sense of solitude for many as they inhale crisp mountain air and travel through hardwood forests and open meadows.

Garrett County and the surrounding areas offer miles trails. Most of the trails in the county were developed in the 1930’s through the combined efforts of the state of Maryland’s Forestry Department and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC is responsible for much of the labor that went into developing New Germany and Herrington Manor State Parks.

New Germany State Park

New Germany’s 12 miles of trails are probably the most well known. Lending themselves to all ability levels, the groomed trails are perfect for beginners. Novice skiers will enjoy the flat Green trail that parallels Poplar Lick or the Three Bridges trail. For more advanced skiers, there are many trails that branch off the Green Trail and climb the steeper walls of the stream valley. The trails are very well marked, but always have a map handy just in case. Cross country ski and snow shoe rentals are available as conditions allow. Continue reading Deep Creek Lake Cross Country Skiing Guide

New at Deep Creek: Monkey Business Adventure Park

Monkey Business Adventure Park offers new ways to get your adrenaline pumping when you visit Deep Creek Lake! Brought to you by the folks behind Splash Island Inflatable Water Park, it is a great option adventure-seekers of all ages.

Located at 970 Deep Creek Drive, across the street from the Lakeside Club, you can tackle ziplines and take on aerial obstacles with beautiful lake views in the background. Get your thrills the 450 ft. and 600 ft. dual racing ziplines! There are three levels of varying difficulty, so it can be as easy or as challenging as you like. They even have a mini course for kids 4-7!

Continue reading New at Deep Creek: Monkey Business Adventure Park

Taylor-Made Top 5: Garrett County Fair Edition

2018 Garrett County Fair Dates: July 28th – August 4th

This year is the 62nd anniversary of the Garrett County Fair and to mark that milestone, I put together a Top 5 list of things you absolutely have to do. As a native of the Deep Creek Lake area and longtime fair attendee, I feel I’m more than qualified to point out some of the best things about this favorite summer event. Continue reading Taylor-Made Top 5: Garrett County Fair Edition

Deep Creek Lake Vacation Specials & Employee Fun!

While Mother Nature hasn’t quite made up her mind lately on whether we should have spring or winter weather here in our mountainous region, we are still encouraging our guests to visit and take advantage of some of the awesome out of season discounts we are offering right now!

Newly constructed and new to the vacation rental market, our home Man Haus is offering 15% off any stay from now through June 25^th! This is truly a luxury log home that boasts all of the amenities one needs for a fabulous Deep Creek getaway. Gleaming hardwood floors, an impressive stone fireplace, a state of the art gourmet kitchen, and elegant furnishings are just some of the highlights this home offers. Add in the level lakefront with a private dock, Air Conditioning, steaming outdoor hot tub and more guarantees that you and your family will experience a relaxing stay. Call 1-866-351-1119 to find out more about this special offer!

Browse all Deep Creek Lake vacation specials for spring!

In other Taylor-Made news, we recently held our annual Soup Cook Off. Going on our 6^th year, this is a fun activity where we invite all of our employees to test their culinary skills by creating a favorite soup to be shared by all. We then have our “Celebrity Judges” choose their top three winners with the Grand Prize winner receiving a Telli’s Deli gift basket filled with goodies! Winners of this year’s contest were the following~ 1st Place Jason Nuce, 2nd Place Chris Rodeheaver, 3rd Place Laurra McClean, and People’s Choice Joe Refosco. A great time was had by all and we thank all of our employees that participated and the judges who took time to stop by and help out. It’s time to plan your Deep Creek stay, we can’t wait to see you at the lake!

Spring is in the Air: Deep Creek Lake Weekend Getaways

Warmer temperatures up here on the mountain this past week have been a pleasant surprise and are starting to entice the longing for true spring to arrive! Hard to believe that we are quickly approaching St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Breaks, and of course the “Springing Ahead” with the time this weekend.

We are so excited that our kids and many of the kids in the surrounding cities and up and down the East Coast will get to enjoy a few extra days off for either Easter, Spring Break, or both this year. Although Jonas heaped a pile of snow on us, we had less snowfall this year than normal, hence less makeup snow days. If you haven’t made your family plans, you should definitely consider a Deep Creek Lake weekend getaways.

Are you wondering what there is do at Deep Creek Lake in the spring? First, it’s the perfect time to get back outside, embrace Mother Nature, and explore our many state parks. Swallow Falls State Park is always a favorite choice and the #1 recommended “Must See” spots in Garrett County as it houses numerous waterfalls and nice walking trails. However, Deep Creek State Park and Herrington Manor also have nice hiking and mountain biking trails.

Wisp Resort is still offering some skiing options as well as the snow tubing park, ice skating rink, and the mountain coaster! All of which are enjoyable for kids of all ages as well as adults. Smiley’s Fun Zone has an awesome indoor arcade which includes laser tag, bowling, and a variety of arcade type games. They also offer Smiley’s Fun Value Cards which gives you bonus cash which can be used to save on food and the arcade.

Of course, there is also the many different shopping and dining establishments that we encourage you to patronage but we also do our best to find you the perfect vacation home so you have plenty to do whether you choose to head out and seek adventure or spend a casual afternoon at home bonding with friends and family.

We are currently offering some fantastic last minute specials and have even put together a “Family Fun Spring Package”! For only $85, this package includes a free night’s stay (3 day minimum), a free Early Check In or Late Check Out (a $35 value), 4 movie tickets, 4 CARC passes to our local Aquatic Center, and a $25 Cash card to Smiley’s with $25 Bonus cash added on! A fantastic deal that gives you and your family plenty of options of fun activities to do while visiting us here at Deep Creek Lake! Our location in Western Maryland makes us an easy destination for weekend getaways near Pittsburgh or the Baltimore/Washington, DC area.

A little savage, something new, and a festival!

We are sailing into fall and are now starting to see the first changing of the leaves. This weekend is the big SavageMan Triathlon where athletes flock to our mountainous area to tackle our hills with their bikes, swim in Deep Creek and race down our roads! Definitely a competitive sport and one that is intense to watch! Of course we welcome these athletes and their families with open arms! We love that they can participate in such a great charitable event and experience the beauty of our area at the same time. We are also being gifted with dream like weather this week with bright blue skies and lots of sunshine. Temperatures have been ideal and in the mid-70s. This is also the perfect time for evening bonfires. Many of our vacation rentals have outdoor fire pits so if you are planning on visiting us, make sure you let your Reservationist know this so she can help you find one with this particular amenity. Call us at 1-866-351-1119 or go online www.deepcreekvacations.com and click this option when you are putting in your requirements for your search. Speaking of going online, have you checked our newly launched website. As before, it is very user friendly but also has a fresh new look. Not only is it easy to search for a home with your certain criteria but you also see our vacation packages, check out our photo gallery, read our policies and procedures and more. You can also easily navigate over to our Real Estate section for those that are thinking of buying or listing a home. As I continue to somewhat boast, there is also a very thorough and informative 3D virtual floor plan that we now offer for our homes (not all have one right now but they all will in the near future). This is a great tool to have when you trying to see if a house would work out for you and your family. You can go in and maneuver throughout the rooms and floors, perfect for trying to decide who may be sleeping where. I highly recommend you check out (plus it’s kind of fun!)
The Autumn Glory Festival will be here shortly. The entire festival kicks off on Wednesday October 7^th and the big parade held in Oakland is Saturday the 10^th. There are so many fun filled family activities to do that weekend! By tradition if you do join in the celebration, don’t forget to pick up your turkey dinner. There are numerous dining establishments in the area who join in with awesome local tradition and offer a full turkey dinner with all of the trimmings! Again, give us a call and let us help you find your Deep Creek home! We can’t wait to see you at the lake!