If you are looking for a quiet, off the beaten path place to visit without driving too far, the Montpelier Arts Center makes a great nearby summer escape to explore history and nature

Located at 9652 Muirkirk Road in Laurel just minutes from the Route 1 corridor, the center was built on the grounds of the Montpelier Mansion, a historical landmark dating back to the 1780s. Major Thomas Snowden and his wife Ann Ridgley, who first occupied the mansion, hosted guests such as George Washington and Abigail Adams.

The arts center features galleries, workshops and classes, artist studios, a metal casting facility, gas- and electric-fired kilns, and other events including concerts and the annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts.

While the arts center has been temporarily closed due to the coronavirus, the grounds encompassing 70 acres of fields, boxwood mazes and wooded paths remain open, and it’s a great place for kids of all ages to explore.

The property includes several large grassy fields suitable for running around and some tree-covered areas for a picnic lunch, plus an outdoor herb garden and the mansion exterior itself are definitely worth checking out.

It’s unlikely that you’ll run into many other people, and even if you do, there’s plenty of space to maintain your social distance.