St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks is offering residents two chances to leave the driving to someone else this fall and winter, with bus day trips to Ocean City’s Sunfest and a holiday outing to New York City.
The first trip, Saturday, Oct. 24, coincides with Ocean City’s Sunfest — which happens to be marking its 50th anniversary this year. The four-day festival, running Oct. 22–25 at the Inlet Parking Lot on the south end of the boardwalk, is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the region, featuring more than 200 artisan and craft vendors, two stages with more than 20 musical acts, food vendors, and free family activities including Dock Dogs canine competitions and a pet parade. Admission to the festival itself is free. The R&P bus departs Leonardtown at 7 a.m. and picks travelers back up in Ocean City at 8 p.m., giving riders a full day at the shore.
The second trip, Saturday, Dec. 12, heads to New York City for the holiday season. The bus drops travelers in Times Square, giving riders the day to explore Manhattan at their own pace — whether that’s Broadway, Rockefeller Plaza, Central Park, or the city’s museums. The bus departs Leonardtown at 6 a.m. and picks up from Times Square at 7 p.m.
Online registration for both trips is open now through the R&P Online Catalog. R&P officials say the bus trips are meant to offer an easier alternative to driving, parking, and coordinating travel logistics on your own.
Anyone with questions or needing help registering online can contact the R&P main office at 301-475-4200, ext. 1800, or email RPinfo@stmaryscountymd.gov.
