Activities can be a big part of choosing where to relocate and Laurel real estate offers a suburban lifestyle, less than thirty-minutes from all the Big-City amenities of Washington DC and Baltimore. If you're an art mogul, you can quickly jump on the highway and be at The Smithsonian Museums or take a ride out to see the Baltimore Orioles play ball.

#1: Go Antique Shopping! If you need some furniture to go in your Laurel real estate – particularly antique furniture, then you'll love the AAA Antique Mall at 8751 Freestate Drive, which was voted the best antique mall in Maryland! People have traveled from all 50 states and more than 60 countries to view the rich selection of mahogany, cherry and walnut furniture. You may have seen some of these collectibles in major Motion Pictures such as Gettysburg, Runaway Bride and Liberty Heights.

#2: Catch a dog or a horse race! Fine dining and live Thoroughbred racing await residents of Laurel real estate at the Laurel Park Racing track. Though the 360-acre facility has been around since 1911, recent renovations have helped Laurel Park endure. Updated clubhouses with special VIP treatment are popular spots for bachelor parties, wedding receptions and charities alike, allowing access to watch from the Winner's Circle and commemorative photos with the winning jockeys. This city is moving ahead with plans of adding slot machines as well.

#3: Experience nature at the Patuxent Research Refuge's National Wildlife Visitor Center. The Visitor Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge offers interactive exhibits focusing on environmental issues, wildlife habitat preservation and endangered species rehabilitation. A large auditorium provides informative presentations on migratory bird studies, animal life cycles and environmental research tools. As Laurel real estate residents can imagine, there are miles of hiking trails on the 12,841-acre site. Catch a glimpse of elusive coyotes, fishers, red fox and South American nutria. Bird watchers will love the diverse species that live at Patuxent, including: whooping cranes, blue jays, brown thrashers,yellow-shafted flickers, mallards, American kestrels, wrens, Eastern towhees, Kentucky warblers, Summer Tanagers, Great-crested Flycatchers and the Tufted Titmouse.

# 4: Take a stroll down Historic Main Street. Some of the oldest Laurel real estate can be found on Main Street, where some of the houses and shops date back to the 1840s. St. Mary's of the Mill Catholic Church and St. Philip's Episcopal Church are two of the oldest relics, commissioned by the Snowden family. One of the district's anchors is the breathtaking, restored Baldwin American Anne Victorian train station. The Laurel Armory is another eye-catching national landmark. You can wander the ruins of the Avondale Mill, catch a play at the award-winning Laurel Mill Playhouse and grab a bite to eat at the Main Street Sports Grill. Don't miss the Main Street Festival in May, which attracts over 100,000 people who come to partake in the 350+ vendors, arts/crafts displays, live entertainers, culinary delights and parade through the historic district.

#5: Spend a day at Laurel Lakes and Granville Gude Park! You can grab some snacks at the Lakehouse before renting a $5 paddleboat to take out on the two lakes, hiking 1.25 miles of trails or watching a concert on the outdoor stage. Kids will have a blast a tot lot, while adults square off at the horseshoe pits. Whether you're grilling, picnicking, fishing, biking or boating, what better place to enjoy the great outdoors than the quaint 29-acre Granville Gude Park? Locals living in Laurel real estate say the fireworks at the May LakeFest and Independence Day are a magnificent sight to behold.