Spend an Enchanting Day at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden
The Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Calvert County, MD is pure magic. Seriously, this sculpture garden and arts center is absolutely gorgeous. And they offer so many kid friendly events and activities throughout the year. Check out this Guide to the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and make plans to visit!
It was a hot and sticky summer afternoon and although we had already had such a great day, I could tell my daughter’s energy was depleted.
However, as we emerged from the wooded path, she ran across the open field towards a covered pavilion. Then, for close to an hour, my fidgety 2-year old was completely absorbed in a world of color and art.
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Reds, blues, yellows, greens.. even black. There was a basket full of rocks and I bet that if I had let her, my daughter would have sat there and painted every. single. one. Painting rocks. Who thought of this brilliant idea? Well, every year the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center hosts a public art project.
Introduction to Annmarie Sculpture Garden
Ok, I am going to be completely honest with you for a second… the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center is totally awesome! Yes, I am gushing… it is that great. I wish we lived closer to Lusby, MD so we could visit more often. And don’t let the fact that it is a ‘sculpture garden’ dissuade you. This lovely garden is full of fun, whimsical, and downright enchanting activities for kids. My daughter had a blast!
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Fairy Lolly
The Fairy Lolly is absolutely delightful and will surely be a huge hit with your kids. It’s essentially a fairy-themed nature playground and is one of the most delightful places we have visited in Maryland.
Even though you can access The Fairy Lolly from the parking lot, once you purchase your tickets to the garden, linger in the Arts Center so your kids can get dressed up as fairies, princesses, or knights. You can even purchase a fairy wand from the front desk.
The Fairy Lolly is dotted with numerous play houses, tee pees, a stage, and other fun play features.
Check out this nature themed stage! The Fairy Lolly is such a fun place to let your imagination run wild!
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Sculpture Garden
The main sculpture garden is situated along a wooded path. There are numerous sculptures and even though kids won’t necessarily appreciate the art, they will love the wooded path.
During the late spring and summer months, the fairy homes from the Fairy and Gnome Home Festival dot the path, many of them with obligatory gnomes nearby. Kids will also love searching for the Tree Pops– famous art masterpieces painted into the trees, and checking out the developing Children’s Garden, which is about halfway through the garden walk.
Related: Brookside Gardens is another completely lovely garden in Maryland!
Public Art Project
As mentioned earlier, every year the sculpture garden puts on a public art project.
Visitors are encouraged to contribute, although contributions stay at the garden as part of the public art.
artLAB
This fantastic walk-in art activity center is located in the Arts Building.. which is the main building at the garden. The point of this space is to get creative and make some cool art projects that you get to take home with you!
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The day we visited, there were a number of projects set up for kids. However, visitors (kids and adults alike) are encouraged to just get crafty and creative!
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Special Events
Tip: Clearly, these festivals are meant for families and are super fun. However, I would highly encourage you to visit the sculpture garden during a non-festival weekend as well, especially if your kids are sensitive to chaos and crowds.
We have visited twice and there was a HUGE difference in visiting during a busy festival vs. when there aren’t a lot of other visitors. Still, these festivals are so much fun!
- Fairy and Gnome Home Festival
- Enchanted Summer at the Garden
- Artsfest
- Garden in Lights
- Bad Art Night
- Halloween in the Garden
- Insectival
- Mud Day
- MLK Days
- And more!
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FAQ/Know Before You Go
The garden is open M-F 9am-5pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday noon-5pm
For regular operating hours, there is a suggested donation of $5/person. However, the garden operates under a ‘pay what you can’ system. There is special pricing for special events.
Address: 13470 Dowell Road, Solomons, MDย 20688
Google Map Directions
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What’s Nearby? Make a Day of it!
Nearby attractions? So, you could spend a good part of the day here. However, you might want to break the day up and spend a few hours on the water too!
Solomons, MD— a great little waterfront town
Calvert Marine Museum— fantastic hands-on museum for kids!
Where to eat!
Rita’s Ice– this great ice cream shack is literally right next to the grounds of the garden. There are also fast food options in the immediate vicinity.
The Frying Pan— top rated breakfast place
Take your pick of the top-rated restaurants in Solomons, MD
If you are looking for a great day trip from Washington DC or Baltimore, you could hardly do better than a visit to the Annmarie Sculpture Garden. I hope you visit soon!
Address?
I want to go play in the Fairy Garden! Is there an age limit? Does it count that I am working on my 2nd Childhood?