By Adam Chubbuck
Congratulations. You closed, the truck is unloaded, and roughly half your kitchen is still living in boxes labeled “misc.” Now comes the part nobody prints on a moving checklist: actually feeling like you live here. That is what this Millersville MD bucket list is for. I built it for the brand-new Millersville homeowner who is tired of driving past all these places and ready to start walking into them.
Millersville sits in the sweet spot of Anne Arundel County, zip code 21108, with Severna Park to the east, Crownsville and Annapolis to the south, and Severn and Gambrills to the west. You have quick access to Route 3, Route 97, I-97, and Veterans Highway. You are about 20 minutes from the Annapolis waterfront, 15 from BWI, and an easy hop to Fort Meade. That location is the entire point. The best things to do in Millersville, MD are not all inside Millersville proper. They are a short drive in every direction, and you now live in the middle of all of it.
Here is the list I would hand any client the day we get the keys. Parks first, because that is where your new life outside the boxes should start.
Parks: Where Your Millersville MD Bucket List Should Start
What’s the best park in Millersville, MD for new homeowners?
Kinder Farm Park is the best park in Millersville, MD, hands down. It is a 288-acre county park with a working farm, a paved perimeter loop, natural trails, a big playground, and sports fields. It is the first place I send every new Millersville homeowner, and it sets up the rest of this list.
Kinder Farm Park (the crown jewel)
Kinder Farm Park sits on Kinder Farm Park Road, just off Jumpers Hole Road, tucked between Millersville and Severna Park. This is the one everybody means when they say “the park.” It runs 288 acres with a 2.4-mile paved perimeter loop that is flat enough for a stroller and long enough to burn off a hyper dog or a hyper five-year-old. Inside the fence line you get a real working farm with chickens, goats, pigs, cows, and sheep, a restored 1920s farmhouse, a community garden, a disc golf course, and ball fields.
Why a new homeowner should care: this is where you meet your neighbors without trying. Saturday mornings the loop fills up with the same faces, and after a few weekends you stop being the new person.
Insider tip: if you or someone in your household is active-duty or a veteran, entry is free with a military ID, and as a retired Navy guy I never let that one slide. If you are paying the daily vehicle fee, grab the regional annual pass instead. It is a strong value because it also covers the county’s other regional parks, so it pays for itself fast. Go early on a weekday morning if you want the quiet version before the youth sports crowd rolls in.
Quiet Waters Park (worth the short drive)
Quiet Waters Park sits south toward Annapolis on the South River side of things, and it is the polished cousin to Kinder Farm. Paved trails wind through the woods down to the water, there is an art gallery on site, a serious playground, and one of the better dog parks and dog beaches in the county. In winter they run a seasonal ice rink.
Why you should care: when family visits and you want to look like you already know the good spots, this is the one that impresses. Insider tip: come for a fall weekday when the leaves turn along the water. That is the park at its absolute best, and you will have most of the trails to yourself.
Downs Park (for the Bay lovers)
Downs Park sits up in Pasadena on the Chesapeake, a short ride north. You get a paved loop, a fishing pier, mature shade, and a dedicated dog beach where your dog can actually get in the Bay. Why you should care: it is your easiest saltwater fix without a boat. Insider tip: the same regional annual pass that gets you into Kinder Farm Park gets you in here and at the county’s other regional parks, so buy it once and use it everywhere.
Trails: Lace Up and Learn the Neighborhood
What’s the best trail in Millersville for a beginner?
The Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, known locally as the B&A Trail, is the best trail in Millersville for a beginner. It is a flat, fully paved, 13.3-mile rail trail that runs straight through Millersville. It is easy on the knees, safe for kids, and lined with places to stop, which makes it the perfect first trail for a new Millersville homeowner.
The B&A Trail (your everyday trail)
The B&A Trail follows the old Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad line from Glen Burnie down to Annapolis, passing through Pasadena, Millersville, Severna Park, and Arnold along the way. Millersville sits right around the middle of it. The surface is smooth pavement the whole way, the grade is gentle, and it is heavily wooded, so you get shade in July and color in October. There are half-mile markers and a run of historical markers labeled A through Z if you like a little history with your walk.
Why you should care: this is the trail you will use most, because it is close, it is free, and you can do a mile or ten depending on the day. Insider tip: park at the Earleigh Heights Ranger Station in Severna Park, a restored 1889 building that also houses a small railroad museum, and head north toward Millersville. Keep an eye out for the “Planet Walk,” a scale model of the solar system spaced out along the path, which is a genuine hit with kids. And yes, there is a Rita’s Italian Ice sitting right off the trail in Severna Park. Earning your gelati by pedaling to it is a rite of passage around here.
Kinder Farm Park natural trails (for the off-pavement crowd)
If you want dirt under your feet instead of pavement, Kinder Farm Park has several miles of natural surface trails threading through the woods and meadows inside the park. Why you should care: it is the same easy drive as your Saturday loop, but a quieter, shadier, more rugged walk when you want it. Insider tip: wear real shoes and check for ticks when you get home. It is a working farm and a real forest, not a manicured path, and that is exactly what makes it good.
The BWI Trail (for a change of scenery)
Follow the B&A Trail north to its end near Glen Burnie and it connects to the BWI Trail, a paved loop of about 12.5 miles that circles Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Why you should care: it is a longer ride when you are ready for one, and it is a straight shot from Millersville. Insider tip: the stretch near the runway observation area is a favorite with anyone who has a kid, or an inner kid, who loves watching planes come in low overhead.
Golf Courses: Two Public Tracks You Can Actually Get On
Where can you play public golf near Millersville, MD?
The two best public golf options near Millersville, MD are The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course in Crownsville and Compass Pointe Golf Courses in Pasadena. Both are open to the public, both sit within a short drive, and between them you get 54 holes without a country club membership.
The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course (my pick for a new homeowner)
The Preserve at Eisenhower sits on Generals Highway in Crownsville, the closest of the two to Millersville. Anne Arundel County owns it, and after the county bought it they brought in architect Andrew Green for a full renovation. He pulled out the sand bunkers and replaced them with grassy hummocks, which gives the course a distinctive, nature-first look, and it has since landed on lists of the top public courses in Maryland.
Why you should care: county ownership tends to mean friendlier rates than the private clubs, and there are five sets of tees, so a newer player and a scratch golfer can enjoy the same round from different boxes. Insider tip: play it from the forward or middle tees your first time out and let the course introduce itself. The redesign runs alongside a restored stream, so you are essentially playing through a nature preserve. Warm up on the practice facility first.
Compass Pointe Golf Courses (my pick for variety)
Compass Pointe sits on Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena and gives you 36 holes across four nines spread over 800 acres, designed by Lindsay Ervin. There is a full practice facility with grass tees and a full-service restaurant, Bogey’s Grill, for when the round is done.
Why you should care: four nines means you can mix and match combinations and play it a dozen times without it feeling like the same course twice. That is worth a lot when this is going to be your home track. Insider tip: tee times before 11 a.m. get snapped up, so book early online, especially on weekends. Then settle in at Bogey’s afterward. If you want help sizing up which Anne Arundel County neighborhoods put you closest to the courses you will actually play, that is the kind of thing our team at Team Alpha Charlie sorts out for buyers all the time.
Local Restaurants: Where to Eat Your First Month In
You cannot learn a town on takeout apps. Here is where I would eat my way through Millersville, starting with the everyday spots and finishing with the two that are worth a drive.
Ledo Pizza (your Maryland welcome pie)
Ledo Pizza on Veterans Highway in Millersville is the neighborhood standard, and before you write it off as “just a chain,” know that Ledo is a Maryland original that started up in College Park. The pizza is square, the sauce leans a little sweet, and the crust is thin and flaky.
Why you should care: it is the reliable Friday-night, feed-the-family, everybody-is-happy option two minutes from home. Insider tip: order the classic square pepperoni and add a large antipasto salad to share. It is the closest thing this list has to a “welcome to Maryland” meal.
Sushi Q3 (the surprise)
Sushi Q3 sits on Veterans Highway in Millersville, and the rolls come out fresh, generous, and a cut above what you expect from a strip-center sushi spot. Why you should care: every neighborhood needs a good weeknight sushi option, and this is yours. Insider tip: they run lunch specials that make a midday stop a genuine deal, and the house roll named for Veterans Highway, made with real crabmeat, is the one to order first.
Larry’s Tavern (the neighborhood bar)
Larry’s Tavern is the Millersville corner-tavern move: worn wooden booths, cheesy pizza, cold drinks, and a room full of regulars. Why you should care: this is where you become a regular yourself. Insider tip: Friday and Saturday nights get packed, so slide in on a Tuesday when you can actually get a booth and hear yourself talk. That is also breakfast-and-cafe territory if you prefer mornings, and Benta Box Cafe nearby is a cozy spot to linger over breakfast or lunch.
Cantler’s Riverside Inn (the Maryland rite of passage)
Now the drive-worthy ones. If you moved to Anne Arundel County and have not eaten a dozen steamed blue crabs dumped on brown paper, you have not really moved here yet. Cantler’s Riverside Inn sits on Mill Creek off Forest Beach Road, minutes from the Annapolis City Dock. It has been run by a waterman family since 1974, and the crabs come in on their own boats.
Why you should care: this is the meal that turns “I live in Maryland” into “I’m from Maryland.” Insider tip: go on a weekday afternoon to dodge the wait, order a dozen heavy males heavy on the Old Bay, and take a table on the deck over the water. They do not take reservations on crabs and parking is tight, so carpool and go a little early. Bring patience, a mallet, and a healthy appetite.
Blackwall Barn & Lodge (date night)
When you want to actually get dressed for dinner, Blackwall Barn & Lodge on Gambrills Road in nearby Gambrills is the special-occasion pick. It is a farm-to-table spot with exposed beams, fireplace seating, and live music some nights. Why you should care: every couple needs an anniversary and closing-day-celebration restaurant on file, and this is a strong one. Insider tip: ask for a table near the fireplace and finish with the Smith Island Cake, which happens to be the official state dessert of Maryland. Consider it homework.
Weekend Activities: The Big-Ticket Stuff
What is there to do on weekends near Millersville, MD?
On weekends near Millersville, MD you can catch the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville each fall, spend a beach day at Sandy Point State Park on the Chesapeake Bay, or walk the historic streets and City Dock of downtown Annapolis. All three sit within about 20 minutes of Millersville.
Maryland Renaissance Festival (basically your backyard)
Every fall, weekends from late August through late October, the Maryland Renaissance Festival takes over the village of Revel Grove on Crownsville Road, roughly eight miles from your new front door. You get armored jousting, which is the official state sport of Maryland, more than 200 costumed performers across ten stages, artisan shops, and turkey legs the size of your forearm.
Why you should care: this is one of the great regional traditions, and you now live close enough to go more than once. Insider tip: tickets often sell out, so buy them online in advance, and pick a themed weekend that matches your crowd, whether that is a kid-friendly weekend early on or the harvest weekends in October.
Sandy Point State Park (your closest beach)
Sandy Point State Park sits right at the western foot of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, off Route 50 toward Annapolis. It is a 786-acre state park with a mile-long swimming beach, a crabbing and fishing pier, boat ramps, and a small-craft launch for kayaks and paddleboards, all with the Bay Bridge framing the view.
Why you should care: it is a real Bay beach 20-odd minutes from home, no shore-house required. Insider tip: go on a weekday if you can, because Route 50 backs up with Eastern Shore beach traffic on summer Saturday mornings. When the guards let you choose, take the South lot for the closest walk to the guarded beach, and save the adjacent Corcoran Woods trails for a cooler-weather hike.
Downtown Annapolis and City Dock (the front porch of the county)
Downtown Annapolis is about 20 minutes south, and it is the reason a lot of people move to this county in the first place. Walk Main Street down to City Dock, watch the boats jockey in and out of the stretch locals call Ego Alley, and take in the U.S. Naval Academy. Why you should care: this is your go-to when out-of-town guests want the postcard version of Maryland. Insider tip: park once, walk everywhere, and time a spring or fall visit around one of the waterfront festivals.
Make It Yours: Your First 30 Days in Millersville
I am a retired Navy Chief, and between the service and this job I have helped more than 350 families settle into homes around Anne Arundel County. Here is the single most useful thing I have learned: the fastest way to stop feeling like a stranger in a new town is to go be a local on purpose. So do not treat this list as someday-material. Turn it into a plan. Here is a simple weekend-by-weekend way to knock it out in your first month.
Weekend 1: Plant your flag at Kinder Farm Park. Buy the regional annual pass, walk the 2.4-mile loop, meet the farm animals, and let the kids or the dog run. You will drive home already feeling more like a resident than a visitor.
Weekend 2: Ride the B&A Trail. Park at the Earleigh Heights Ranger Station, ride or walk north toward Millersville, hunt for the Planet Walk, and reward yourself with a stop at Rita’s. Grab dinner on the way home at Ledo Pizza or Sushi Q3.
Weekend 3: Eat like a Marylander. Make the drive to Cantler’s Riverside Inn and get your hands dirty with a dozen steamed crabs on the water. If crabs are not your thing, book a fireside table at Blackwall Barn & Lodge instead and celebrate the move properly.
Weekend 4: Go big. In the fall, that means the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville. The rest of the year, make it a beach day at Sandy Point State Park or a walk through downtown Annapolis and City Dock. Slot in a first tee time at The Preserve at Eisenhower if you play.
Do that, and 30 days in you will be the neighbor telling the next new family where to go. If you want a hand mapping any of this to the streets and neighborhoods that fit how you actually want to live, that is exactly the kind of neighborhood guidance for the Baltimore–Annapolis corridor I love to give. And when you are ready to help a friend land nearby, you can always search Millersville homes for sale right from my site.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Millersville, MD
What is the best park in Millersville, MD?
Kinder Farm Park is the best park in Millersville, MD. It is a 288-acre county park with a working farm, a 2.4-mile paved loop, natural trails, a big playground, and sports fields. Active-duty and veteran families get in free with a military ID, and the regional annual pass is the best value for everyone else.
What is the best trail near Millersville for beginners?
The B&A Trail is the best beginner trail near Millersville. It is a flat, fully paved, 13.3-mile rail trail that runs through Millersville, Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold. It is safe for kids and easy on the knees, with plenty of places to stop, including a Rita’s right off the path in Severna Park.
Where can I play public golf near Millersville, MD?
Two strong public courses sit near Millersville: The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course in Crownsville and Compass Pointe Golf Courses in Pasadena. Eisenhower is county-owned with five sets of tees, and Compass Pointe offers 36 holes across four nines plus a restaurant, Bogey’s Grill.
Where do locals eat in Millersville?
For everyday meals, locals hit Ledo Pizza, Sushi Q3, and Larry’s Tavern, all in Millersville. For a Maryland crab feast worth the short drive, it is Cantler’s Riverside Inn near Annapolis. For date night, Blackwall Barn & Lodge in Gambrills. Start with the steamed crabs at Cantler’s, then work your way through the rest.
What is there to do on weekends near Millersville, MD?
Weekend options near Millersville include the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville each fall, beach days at Sandy Point State Park on the Chesapeake Bay, and walking downtown Annapolis and City Dock. All three are within about 20 minutes, which is the whole advantage of living in this part of Anne Arundel County.
Is Millersville, MD a good place for a new homeowner?
Yes. Millersville, MD sits centrally in Anne Arundel County with fast access to Annapolis, BWI, Fort Meade, Route 3, Route 97, and I-97. New homeowners get parks, the B&A Trail, public golf, solid local restaurants, and Chesapeake Bay access all within a short drive, plus quieter residential neighborhoods to come home to.
Your Next Move in Millersville
That is the Millersville MD bucket list I would put in any new homeowner’s hands. None of these things to do in Millersville, MD are far, and none of them are complicated. They just take a little push to get out the door the first time. This list is that push.
If you are thinking about moving to Millersville, Maryland, already unpacking, or just curious what your home is worth in this market, I am glad to help. I have spent years in Anne Arundel County guiding buyers and sellers through the Baltimore–Annapolis corridor, and I am happy to talk neighborhoods, schools, commutes, or your next move with no pressure attached. Come with questions. I will bring the local knowledge. Feel free to reach out through my site any time.
Smile more.
Adam Chubbuck Team Leader, Team Alpha Charlie of Douglas Realty Retired U.S. Navy Chief | Tom Ferry Business Coach 📞 443-347-6692 ✉️ [email protected] 🌐 TACMD.COM
