Gifting experiences is quickly becoming the best way to exchange gifts with outdoor lovers during the holiday season. The promise of an adventure gives your loved ones something to look forward to, which is much better than stuff that will just collect dust or clutter the closet.
The variety of outdoor adventures along Maryland’s Coast make for the perfect hub of gifting outdoor experiences. We’ve rounded up some of our top outdoor adventuring gift ideas, many of which are off the beaten path, to help your friends and family experience all that Maryland’s Coast has to offer in the great outdoors.
Outfitters & Guided Tours
One of the easiest ways to gift the outdoors is by booking a tour or purchasing a gift certificate from one of the area’s local outfitters. Book a day exploring the bald cypress swamp with the Pocomoke Canoe Company. Get a gift certificate for a kayak rental or Wildlife Discovery Tour with Assateague Outfitters. For the budding birder in your family, an experience with Delmarva Birding Weekends is the perfect way to explore the region. Contact their team directly for gift certificates for spring trips along Nassawango Creek, Chincoteague and Sinepuxent Bays, and Historic Furnace Town. If you just want to get out on the water with the family, book a cruise on the OC Bay Hopper. They have everything from Assateague tours to pizza and ice cream cruises! And for the fishermen looking for a new adventure, book them on a guided kayak fishing tour through OC Kayak.
Park Passes, Admission, & Memberships
The only parks that require an entry fee along Maryland’s Coast are on Assateague - both the state park and the national seashore charge entrance fees. Gifting a Maryland State Parks Annual Pass will enable your loved ones to visit the state park all year long. Gifting an annual pass to Assateague Island National Seashore is a little trickier, but it can be done. We recommend giving $45 cash to cover the cost of the pass along with a cute holiday card with instructions on how to purchase it in person.
For adventures that are a little more off the beaten path, consider planning a day trip or purchasing an annual membership to Historic Furnace Town or the Delmarva Discovery Museum. Tucked away within the Pocomoke State Forest and Nassawango Creek Preserve, Furnace Town is a historic site that showcases the 19th-century village that once surrounded the Nassawango Iron Furnace. Outdoor enthusiasts love visiting Furnace Town because it provides exclusive access to a stunning 1-mile nature trail. In addition, several state forest trails begin just outside the Furnace Town parking area, making for the perfect day of outdoor adventuring.
The Delmarva Discovery Museum, located in the quaint, riverfront town of Pocomoke City, features beautiful exhibits about the natural and cultural heritage of the Pocomoke River. Daily admission and annual memberships both make excellent gifts.
Outdoor Day Trips & Date Nights
Nothing is better than an outdoor date night or a pre-planned itinerary for a day trip. Consider making your own gift certificate for a sunset hike on Assateague, followed by a romantic dinner in downtown Berlin. Gift your friend a hike in the Pocomoke State Forest and then grab some fresh, local ice cream at Chesapeake Bay Farms or lunch at Oaked 110. Plan a picnic with takeout from a local restaurant and pair it with a bonfire on the beach in Ocean City (be sure to purchase a special bonfire permit in advance).
Outdoor Overnights
Maryland’s Coast has some great options for camping, the ultimate adventure for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. While places like Frontier Town and Sun Outdoors campgrounds offer gift cards for purchase, other camping spots like Assateague and Pocomoke River State Park do not have gift certificate options. The best thing to do is select a weekend, book your stay, and simply surprise your loved one with a weekend camping getaway!
Another unique weekend getaway option is at Baywater Landing, located on the shores of Chincoteague Bay in Snow Hill. Baywater Landing is the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts as they offer overnight lodging on several different houseboats! They also offer a community fire pit area, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and fresh, local seafood. Gift certificates can be used for lodging, rentals, or seafood, making it a super convenient holiday gift package.
Not into rustic camping or houseboats? No worries. Book your stay in a hotel and use it as your gateway and launching point for all things outdoors along Maryland’s Coast.
Kid-Friendly Ideas
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While kids will likely enjoy just about everything we’ve listed so far, it’s always fun to get a gift that is specifically kid-friendly! For the local, budding marine scientist in your family, you’ll want to get them a membership to Assateague Coastal Trust’s Coast Kids program, which will give them access to a variety of local, monthly adventures. For kiddos that are not local to the area, a Wonder Park Guide to Assateague is a great option. These activity books are published by a local family and are packed with activities for kids to complete on their way to Assateague and during their visit.
Fishing and Boating
If you’re looking for a fishing or boating adventure to give as a holiday gift, book a trip on a fishing charter or purchase a gift card for one of the many headboats in the area. Search boating and fishing options here.
Donate & Advocate
Now let’s say you need to find the perfect gift for an outdoor enthusiast who has already done much of what we’ve already suggested. What on earth do you get them for the holidays? Consider making a donation to an outdoor advocacy organization in their name! Local organizations include the Assateague Island Alliance, Maryland Coastal Bays Program, and Assateague Coastal Trust. You can also donate to national organizations that support local parks and preserves such as The Nature Conservancy, the Old Growth Forest Network, or the National Parks Foundation.
Make this holiday season all about the outdoors. Skip the crowded stores, the clothes that don’t fit, and the hundredth scented candle, and instead, provide experiences your friends and family will remember for years to come.
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