Laurel vacation rentals

Laid-back life on the edge of DC in Laurel

Although it's just a snappy 25-minute train ride from Laurel to Downtown DC, there's very little the same between the big city and this small-town hub of Maryland. Quaint and charming, it's anchored on a Main Street that oozes classic industrial past – think redbrick Federal buildings and whitewashed timber facades. Everything's clean and manicured and well-to-do, making it a wholesome place to base a family stay. With the White House within reach you'll never be short of attractions, while Laurel vacation rentals also have leafy parks and local wildlife institutions right on their doorstep.

Laurel packs its own sights

Laurel vacation rentals near the heritage district of Main Street will put you close to the charming heart of this erstwhile industrial town. Take some time to tour the exhibits at the Laurel Museum there – you will hear tales of WWII and the Civil War alike. A stone's throw away, the Montpelier Mansion stands grand and tall in its own parklands. Guided tours of that will explain the trends of Georgian architecture, and let you see what life was like back in the 1800s. The National Wildlife Visitor Center is another must, where nature trails and polar facts abound.

Laurel is street-strolling and local life

Laurel might have all the pulls of Washington DC on the horizon, but it's also got draws of its own. You can spend days exploring the old streets of redbrick houses and pretty Georgian homes, having guided tours of the blocks and mansions that pepper the place. And you can uncover natural history delights, too. Think of birding excursions to the Patuxent Research Refuge – keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles – or going fishing and kayaking on the Rocky Gorge Reservoir to the west of town.

Laurel lazes on the Patuxent

The Patuxent River is the defining feature of the nature reserves around Laurel. It wiggles like a slowworm through the very heart of the old town, past Main Street, and down to the North Tract of the Patuxent Research Refuge. There, you'll discover wetlands and creeks with purpose-built birding outposts on the side of the water. And talking of water, there's more on the north-west side of town. It comes with the Rocky Gorge Reservoir and the T. Howard Duckett Watershed, a place for canoers and horse riders and fly fishing.

Transportation to and around Laurel

The nearest airport is in Baltimore Washington Intl. Airport (BWI), located 10.9 mi (17.5 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you might consider flying into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is 20.6 mi (33.1 km) away.

If you'd rather travel by train, make your way to Laurel Station or Laurel Park Station and explore the city from there.