Furloughed? Here Are 5 Free Activities to Try in Maryland

1)   Take a walk around one of Maryland’s state parks. The weather is nice, the trees are starting to turn, and now just might be the perfect opportunity for some quiet time in nature…. A guide to state parks in Maryland can be found here.

2)   Indulge in the old-fashioned art of window shopping. Maryland has charming downtown districts sprinkled across the state, which can be lovely spots for a relaxed stroll. Try the main streets in Ellicott City, Westminster, Catonsville and Sykesville, to name a few.

3)   Visit a free museum. A few suggestions off the beaten path: Try the Bowie Train Station Museum, fun for little train lovers, or the Havre De Grace Maritime Museum Inc, which tells the story of the region’s maritime heritage.

4)   Snag some free food. There are deals across the state for furloughed employees, including free coffee at Birdie’s Coffee Shop, 233 E. Main St.  in Westminster, and a free sandwich from Jaleo, 7271 Woodmont Ave., in Bethesda.

5)   One last idea: Patch reader Charlene Daniel-Green said on the Elkridge Patch Facebook page she would use some furlough time to catch up on all the good television out there. The Howard County library recently tweeted about the plethora of great television available via DVD for free checkout at the library.

This article includes reporting from Patch editors Jenni Pompi, Elizabeth Janney and Kym Byrnes