- June 24, 2026
- By Karen Shih ’09
Bumping into a buddy or starting a spikeball game on McKeldin Mall might be hard over the summer, when most Terps have scattered.
But for those who’ve stuck around, finding fun around the University of Maryland and the D.C. metro area is easy—and often college budget-friendly.
Beyond that extra class or internship in the Discovery District, here are seven ways to make the most of your time at UMD this summer:
Sign up for Terp-tivities: If you’re taking a fully in-person course, your student fees cover RecWell access! Make a splash in the outdoor pool during sunny summer days, take that Zumba or cycling class you never had time for during the school year, or even grab some friends to rent the campfire pit for some s’mores and spooky tales. Want to get off campus to cheer on the Nationals or the Mystics, make yummy sushi or cruise the Chesapeake Bay? Sign up for one of the Stamp Sizzlin’ Summer series activities.
Tour the Smithsonians: Hop on the Metro (or take a run, like these hardcore Terps) to visit more than a dozen free museums, covering everything from African American history to air and space exploration and a wide range of art. Some require tickets, so be sure to reserve them before you go. Another gratis option? Planet Word, a private museum about speech and language, where you might run into UMD faculty and students conducting research at the Language Science Station. And if you’re willing to brave D.C.’s swampy weather, check out the National Zoo (say hi to baby elephant Linh Mai!), the National Arboretum with its iconic freestanding columns and bonsai collection, or discover the colorful floating lotuses at the Kenilworth Aquatic gardens—all for no charge.
Jam out when the week’s out: Walk over to Friday Night Live! in front of College Park City Hall, bring a picnic to the National of Gallery of Art for Jazz in the Garden, or watch the sunset over the Potomac with Rock the Dock at the Wharf (designed in part by Terps)—just a few of the lively options around the area.
Discover dinos—just up the street: Don your Dr. Alan Grant fedora and head up Baltimore Avenue to the Dinosaur Park in Laurel, Md., where paleontologists show off their finds and chat with the public the first and third Saturday of each month, as well as the second Sunday over the summer. The most dinosaur fossil-rich site east of the Mississippi River, this “bone bed” reveals the plants and animals of the Cretaceous period, including the long-necked, plant-eating Astrodon johnstoni, Maryland’s state dinosaur. Terps have even made their own discoveries at the site!
Explore the great outdoors: Lace up your running shoes or rent a bike to explore nearby trails. Local favorites include Lake Artemesia, the Trolley Trail and Paint Branch Trail, where you can join up with the College Park parkrun’s Saturday morning 5K. Further afield, explore the hidden treasures of Rock Creek Park (where Terp Brian Joyner ’99 serves as superintendent), scramble up some rocks at the popular Billy Goat Trail, or if you’re not sure where to go, sign up for a RecWell Adventure Program trip for guided hiking, paddleboarding or kayaking throughout the state.
Get some goodies at a farmers market: Pick up a pint of pickles or a colorful summer bouquet at the mini version of the UMD Farmers Market, held once a month in the Discovery District, where there will also be baked goods, fresh veggies and sweet treats. Others close by include Riverdale Park on Thursdays, Hollywood and Gateway on Saturdays, and Greenbelt on Sundays. And if you’re craving more options, there are dozens to choose from in D.C., including Eastern Market with its adjacent flea market.
Watch the stars under the stars: Leave those Love Islanders behind for a night and head out to D.C. see classic rom-coms like “Clueless” and “When Harry Met Sally,” thrillers like “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park,” or even one with a with UMD connection: “National Treasure: The Book of Secrets” (July 1 at the Wharf), which was filmed partially on campus.