Our family loves vacationing at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland, and we just got back from the most amazing week away. Life at the lake can be so relaxing and there are so many ways to make the trip incredible for your whole family! All the parents out there know how hard it can be to entertain your kids on vacation when all you want to do is relax, but don’t worry -- I’ve come up with the perfect guide for everyone in your family to find joy at Deep Creek Lake. While I know you’re probably thinking that a vacation to the lake will only consist of swimming in the lake, fishing, and boating, but that’s truly not the case when it comes to Deep Creek! Check out my guide for the best things to do at Deep Creek Lake featuring family-friendly activities, Instagram worthy photo opportunities, restaurants, and the best nightlife. 

Family-Friendly Activities

Family time is truly the best time, especially on vacation because that means doing extra special activities. There are so many experiences around the area of Deep Creek, but our favorites are listed below!

• Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center: If you’re stuck with some bad weather at the lake, this discovery center is a great rainy day activity. This center is located at the Deep Creek Lake State Park and is full of educational, hands-on exhibits for kids. 

• Smiley’s Fun Zone: Aimery is obsessed with Smiley’s and asked us to go almost every day of our vacation. They’ve got it all -- mini golf, laser tag, go karts, bumper boats, batting cages, and a huge arcade. 

• Wisp Resort Adventure Courses: Wisp Mountain Park is great because they offer 3 zipline challenges that range in difficulty. This is a great day trip for the family to enjoy something adventurous together.

• All Earth Eco-Tours: I really love doing activities that are both fun and educational. With Aimery going back to school, it’s so important to keep the learning in and out of the classroom. All Earth Eco-Tours offers amazing fun learning outdoor adventures for all ages including kayak tours, guided hikes, nature workshops, and even custom farming programs!

Insta-Worthy Places

As a content creator, I am always looking for places to take photos. Deep Creek is such a beautiful place with so many photo opportunities to spice up your instagram game!

• Swallow Falls State Park: Another Deep Creek favorite is Swallow Falls! This state park is absolutely breathtaking and has so many photo opportunities. There’s a great hike to do with waterfalls (and a swimming area) that is so stunning for photos, but is also fun for the family to enjoy. 

• Lavender Fields: I’ve heard amazing things about Deep Creek Lavender Farms and plan to make the trip the next time we go! This locally run farm must smell so amazing, and you can even pick your own bouquet of lavender plants.

• Lakeside Creamery: The best part of any getaway is ice cream, right? Lakeside Creamery has amazing lake views that are Instagram-worthy! Their homemade ice cream is also so delicious and they have a ton of flavors to choose from. 

Restaurants

Mama’s gotta eat and boy did we eat this trip! Our favorite places to go are Brenda’s and Ace’s, but there are literally so many restaurants around to choose from. If you’re feeling burgers, pizza, or a nice juicy steak, then check out these three of our favorites below! 

• Ace’s Run Restaurant & Pub: We always go to Ace’s when we’re in Deep Creek because we love eating great food and seeing the lake views. Their menu changes seasonally and they cook with locally grown and raised items. Ben absolutely loves their Marsh Mountain Burger piled high with fried pickles, and their Atlantic Salmon Burger is my personal favorite!

• Brenda’s Pizzeria: With another great view to look at while you eat, Brenda’s is a fantastic New York style pizzeria located lake-front at Trader’s Landing. They make their dough from scratch daily and I swear it’s the best dough ever. Aimery loves pizza so grabbing take out during our last trip was so fun for him! 

• Pine Lodge Steakhouse: This steakhouse makes for a special dinner out with the family. The dining experience is amazing because it feels like you’re in a secluded mountainous area that feels so relaxing. They serve amazing meals like ahi tuna, jumbo lump crab cakes, specialty cuts of beef, and so much more. Definitely great for a date night with your hubby. 

Nightlife

Ready to hit the town? Chill at the pub? Stare at the beauty of the lake and mountains? Nightlife at Deep Creek is definitely poppin’ and low-key at the same time, but the options are there and they’re so good. 

• Honi Honi: We always go to Honi Honi when we’re in Deep Creek because it’s such a great family-friendly spot with happy hour deals, live bands, and your typical American-style food. We’ve never had a bad experience at Honi Honi and we always make sure to recommend it to everyone!

• Black Bear Tavern: With football season starting, this sports bar is an awesome American-style food joint where you can watch the games and grub. Black Bear Tavern even has an on-site nightclub where they bring in live music and DJs!

• Mountain State Brewing Company: If you’re looking for a low-key meal in the mountains, this is your place! Mountain State Brewing Company offers bar foods, house beers, and wood-fired flatbreads that are incredible. Not to mention the view is so stunning and peaceful, they have wildflowers in the summer that would make for some stunning photos! One thing I will say is to make sure you give your family plenty of time when enjoying a meal at this restaurant, we didn’t have the best service and it took a while to get in and out of there!

What’s one place you recommend in Deep Creek Lake? Let me know in the comments below!