family activities Archives - Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales Blog

Mountain Coaster Fun at Wisp Resort

The Mountain Coaster at Wisp Resort offers year round fun! You have probably never experienced a roller coaster quite like this favorite Deep Creek Lake attraction.

mountain coaster

About the Mountain Coaster

The Mountain Coaster at Wisp Resort is a cross between an Alpine Slide and a roller coaster. It has 1,300 feet of uphill track that builds the suspense. Then, you twist, turn, dip and roll 3,500 feet down the eastern side of Wisp Mountain. Maximum speed is 28 mph. That might not be fast enough to scare coaster enthusiasts, but it is perfect for providing some thrills for everyone. You will ride in a “cart” that holds as many as two riders. Braking is up to you. Continue reading Mountain Coaster Fun at Wisp Resort

Tips for Your Deep Creek Lake Family Reunion

Planning your Deep Creek Lake family reunion can be a lot of work. We put together some tips to make the process easier for you. That way, you can put more focus on all of the fun you will have enjoying time with your favorite people.

Tips for Your Deep Creek Lake Family Reunion

Make plans early and pick a date

The earlier you plan your Deep Creek Lake family reunion, the easier it will be to find one large home for everyone or several homes close together. If possible, make your reservations a year in advance. Your chances of getting exactly what you want in term of location and amenities when you reserve well in advance of your arrival date. Summer and winter are our peak season and offer lots of fun opportunities for outdoor recreation. Spring and fall are quieter times of year when you can take advantage of great, low rates.

Some families create a “reunion committee” to help with decision making. You can delegate tasks and make sure all of the details are covered. Google docs can be beneficial for organizing your info.

Continue reading Tips for Your Deep Creek Lake Family Reunion

Blackwater Falls – A Favorite Deep Creek Day Trip

Blackwater Falls is less than an hour southwest of Deep Creek Lake. Blackwater Falls State Park is the centerpiece the West Virginia state park system. Strikingly beautiful, this enchanting park contains a dense hardwood and pine forest, half-mile wide 500 foot deep canyon and several cascading waterfalls. The region offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide array of activities to choose from including: hiking, kayaking, bicycling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, nature photography and wildlife observation.

blackwater falls

Blackwater Falls State Park History

Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the falls of the Blackwater River whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories, then twist their way through an eight-mile long gorge. The river’s “black” water is a result of tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Although they are a natural component of the ecosystem, the tannins cause the river to be highly acidic. In order for aquatic species to survive, lime is added to the river to counteract the acidity. Continue reading Blackwater Falls – A Favorite Deep Creek Day Trip

Upcoming Deep Creek Lake Holiday Events

Deep Creek Lake Holiday Events

Deep Creek Lake holiday events keep things festive in the mountain of Western Maryland throughout late November and early December. If you love unique, local art or are looking for fun kids’ activities, you won’t be disappointed.

It is easy to catch the spirit of the season when you experience fun activities with friends and family. The best way to start is to choose your perfect mountain home – maybe one with a cozy fireplace or bubbling outdoor hot tub – and then plan your trip around one of these favorite Deep Creek Lake holiday events.

FESTIVAL OF TREES GARRETT COUNTY
November 29-30 at the Garrett County Fairgrounds
Benefitting the Dove Center, there are lots of family activities to enjoy. Breakfast with Santa, crafts, face painting, and more will keep the kids entertained. Plus, you can shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and vendors. Beautifully decorated trees are found throughout the exhibit hall, and they are auctioned off at 6PM on Saturday as the grand finale. MORE INFO

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
November 30 at Honi-Honi Bar, 7PM
Fun for the entire family, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Honi Honi Bar also features photos with Santa Claus and live entertainment from 8-11pm. MORE INFO

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE
December 6-7 at the Spruce Forest Artisan Village, 4-8PM Fri., Noon to 8PM Sat.
This event is a local favorite. Candle luminaries light the village that is filled with fire-warmed artisan studios and historic museums. Get to know the artists and buy unique holiday gifts. There are activities for kids as well as choral programs. MORE INFO

A GREAT SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS
Downtown Oakland, December 6-7
Experience the small town charm of Oakland! The event centers around the historic town center. There are fun festivities every weekend that include photos with Santa, free soup from local non-profits, great deals at local shops, a tree lighting ceremony and much more!
MORE INFO

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at the Honi-Honi
December 21, 8PM-11PM
Break out your ugliest Christmas sweater and head to the Honi-Honi for great live entertainment by Brother Short. MORE INFO

Storytime with Santa at Taylor-Made
December 24
Santa makes his annual visit to the Taylor-Made office to read a story and take photos before heading out to deliver toys.

More Deep Creek Lake holiday events will pop up in the next week or two, so I’ll add them this post when I have more info. Check back, and I’ll keep you updated!

Garrett County Fair Schedule Quick Guide for 2019

Check out the Garrett County Fair schedule! Make plans to enjoy this favorite Deep Creek Lake area summer event.

Fair week is a popular time for Deep Creek Lake vacations. Our homes usually fill up early. There is something for every age and interest. From fun rides and great food to exciting events and adorable animals, families can experience the best of Garrett County. Check out our top 5 favorite things to see and do at the fair.

The Garrett County Fair also gives visitors a glimpse into Garrett County’s agricultural community. It is a key part of the area’s heritage. Many local children are involved in 4-H and enter animals that they raise. This is a family tradition that goes back decades.

Keep in mind that this schedule is tentative and is subject to change. You can check the Garrett County Agriculture Fair Facebook page to get the latest information.

Garrett County Fair Schedule for 2019

Continue reading Garrett County Fair Schedule Quick Guide for 2019

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

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

Festival of Trees Garrett County

The Festival of Trees Garrett County is held every Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Garrett County Fairgrounds. For 2019, the festival dates are November 29th and 30th. Friday hours are 9-5 and Saturday hours are 9-4 with the live auction of trees starting at 6PM. Tickets are available at the door for $5 and proceeds benefit the Dove Center.

Fun for all ages, you can see beautiful trees decorated with unique themes by local businesses and organizations. Each day, the fun kicks off with breakfast with Santa. The cost is $10 per person with seatings at 9 and 10AM. You will get a full breakfast plus priority in line for a professional photo with Santa in his sleigh. Continue reading Festival of Trees Garrett County

Favorite Autumn Glory Photos

To celebrate this favorite festival, we are sharing some of our favorite Autumn Glory photos from past years. If you love the Deep Creek Lake area or if you are a fan of beautiful foliage, it is an absolute must.

The five day festival includes concerts, band competitions, antique and craft shows, two parades and a lot more!

Continue reading Favorite Autumn Glory Photos

New at Deep Creek: Sang Run State Park

Sang Run State Park will officially become Garrett County’s newest state park at the ninth annual Fall Fest on September 30.

The historic Friends Store, election house, farm and waterfront area known as the greens was donated to the state of Maryland almost ten years ago. The staff of Deep Creek Lake State Park have been taking care of it ever since. The land was originally settled by John Friend in 1769 and was the center of activity for the Sang Run community for more than 100 years. The store sold food items and also bought and sold ginseng – which is a root that is prized as an herbal remedy. A shortened version of the word ginseng (Sang) also gives this area it’s unique name. Continue reading New at Deep Creek: Sang Run State Park