Owings Mills: Trail time, powerful stories, and something bold for every interest

Soldier's Delight Natural Environment Area is located near Owings Mills, Baltimore County, Maryland. It consists of 1,526 acres of Maryland Wildland and 1,900 acres of Natural Environment Area. Soldier’s Delight is part of the Maryland Wildlands Preservation System. The site protects rare serpentine soil and more than 39 rare, threatened, or endangered species of plants, rare insects, rocks and minerals. There are seven miles of hiking trails for hikers but not for bikers and horseback riders, in order to protect fragile soils. There is a visitors’ center open on Saturdays that offers environmental education programs, exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area and a scavenger hunt. Bowhunting is permitted from mid-November to the end of January.

5100 Deer Park Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117, Phone: 410-461-5005

Irvine Nature Center is located in Owings Mills on 210 acres of land in the Caves Valley Historic District. The Irvine Nature Center includes a 17,200-square-foot green exhibit hall, indoor and outdoor classroom, amphitheater and trails. The center is famous for offering green weddings. It also offers family nature programs, the Nature Preschool and summer camps. Irvine Nature Center was founded in 1975 by Olivia Irvine Dodge. It was originally located in an old barn on the grounds of St. Timothy's School in Stevenson, Maryland. It was meant to teach children about how vulnerable the planet is. The only private, non-profit nature center in the area, the center’s mission is to inspire an educate young people to respect and protect nature.

11201 Garrison Forest Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117, Phone: 443-738-9200

The Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball, Inc. is a non-profit corporation and a unique educational resource in Baltimore County. It has been established in order to honor of all Negro League baseball players and their role in the cultural history of the country. The museum’s programs aim to promote the culture and ideals of the Negro Leagues and their players. The museum works with various advocates who are promoting educational research, organizing exhibitions and the disseminating historical information about the Negro leagues. All programs and projects foster better understanding of the plight of African-Americans as they fought for their rightful place in the world of sports.

10302 Grand Central Ave Owings Mills, MD, Phone: 410-597-9797

Located in Metro Centre at Owings Mills, Maryland, Times Square Kitchen is modern, spacious bi-level pizzeria that offers “a slice of New York City.” There is a giant poster of Times Square, with brilliant flashing colors to greet guests. They offer pizzas by slices, pies, sandwiches and build-your-own salads. Beer and wine are available. Cool vibe of the pizzeria makes Times Square Kitchen a popular gathering place. Folks come with a bunch of friends to share one of their delicious gourmet pizzas and check their facebook or instagram – the wifi is free. The pizzas are all made in-house, fresh every day. They also make their own breads for their imaginative sandwiches.

10309 Grand Central Ave #100, Owings Mills, MD 21117, Phone: 410-902-4400

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

The Gwynn’s Falls Trail is a delightful urban greenway corridor which meanders through Baltimore City along the Gwynn’s Falls stream valley. The 15 mile trail is ideal for walking, hiking, trail running and cycling and can be easily accessed from one of 9 trailheads dotted along its route. To easily find the trail and to find your way around you can download the free Gwynn’s Falls Trail Map. The trail connects no fewer than 30 Baltimore neighborhoods and parks, providing a remarkable urban recreational asset for city dwellers. There is convenient parking at each trail head, as well as a trail map and information about the area.

Gwynn’s Falls Trail, Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21207, 410 396 0440

Northwest Regional Park is a large recreational area located along Deer Park Road. Although large tracts of the park are wooded, other areas have been set aside for sporting activities. You will find 4 soft-ball/base ball diamonds, 2 fields suitable for soccer or lacrosse. There is a large central gazebo and a children’s playground – a new “destination playground” which will cover almost an acre will open at the end of 2021. The park also includes a paved 2.7km trail which meanders through an attractive forested area and is very popular with walkers, joggers, trail runners and dog walkers. The park is open from Monday to Friday only.

Northwest Regional Park, 4515 Deer Park Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117, 410 887 1163

GUNTRY of Maryland offers gun enthusiasts a unique concept – an up-market Gun Club with Country Club-style amenities. GUNTRY covers 64,000 square feet and is known to be the premier shooting and training facility in the area. The club boasts 34 indoor ranges – you can book a lane in advance and come and perfect your target practice. The club also has expert instructors who can teach beginners everything they need to know about guns and shooting, including how to maintain your weapon correctly. More experienced shooters can hone their skills in advanced training classes and on the simulator. After your session you can relax at the Café or the Cigar-Bar.

GUNTRY of Maryland, 10705 Red Run Boulevard, Owings Mills, MD 21117, 443 973 4867