After a warm, sunny October, Deep Creek Lake & Garrett County are gearing up for the return of winter. The colorful leaves have made their last stand as we transition (always earlier than most!) into the winter season. November also marks the beginning of the holiday season, making it a fun and festive time to visit. We rounded up some of our favorite things to do during November to help you get started!
Festival of Trees – This two-day, Christmas extravaganza is definitely one of our can’t miss holiday events. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, you can walk through impeccably decorated trees, table top displays, and wreaths, have breakfast with Santa, make your own sundae and shop for the perfect gift for anyone on your list! All of the displayed trees are decorated and donated by local individuals and businesses and are auctioned off Saturday evening. The proceeds of this event benefit the Dove Center, which is a local shelter for women and children. Along with the auction items, festival goers can browse through a wide array of local vendors, selling everything from food to handmade furniture and everything in between. It’s the perfect event to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Visit Local Businesses – Even if you live here year-round, odds are there are a few places you have yet to visit, especially with all of the fun new businesses popping up lately! Late fall and early winter are a great time to explore the area because the weather is typically not agreeable and there’s not as much to do outside during chilly, wet weather. November is definitely a good time to explore local shops you’ve been wanting to pop into but haven’t made the time. If you haven't stopped by Cashmere Clothing Co. boutique at the lake - it's a must see for women's fashion! Also at the Fort is Blair's by the Lake, a brand new shop for men! Get suited up for winter and ski season at High Mountain Sports, find Christmas decorations and Deep Creek Lake memorabilia at the Christmas Chalet and Tourist Trap, or explore the down to earth and adorable Schoolhouse Earth. Downtown Oakland has also recently seen new businesses open and older businesses move locations. With all of the shops, restaurants, and museums within a 1-2 block radius, it’s an easy way to spend an afternoon dining and shopping.
Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner – If you’re in town for Thanksgiving and looking for that perfect Thanksgiving dinner without all of the effort, there are a few great spots around that usually offer food specials or whole meals to take home! Arrowhead Market and Shop ‘N Save both offer complete Thanksgiving dinners for you to take back to your house or rental, saving you all of the hassle while still giving you the at-home feel. If you’d rather dine out, check out Brewery & the Beast, Dutch’s or Ace’s Run for their Thanksgiving specials!
For now, we're just anxiously waiting for our first taste of snow! Late fall snow rarely sticks around long as the temperatures are not consistently below freezing, but you can expect a few bouts of snow to blanket the landscape at least a few times this month, with more consistency towards the end of the month. We’re very much excited for the holiday season to unfold at Deep Creek Lake and we hope you guys have a wonderful November!
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