Challenges, Camaraderie Await At Activity Centers Around Town

Nothing interrupts the dullness of a routine like trying a new experience or finding time to enjoy a once-beloved activity. Luckily for residents of Severna Park, Arnold and Millersville, there is plenty of variety within a short drive.

Looking for a new hobby? Annapolis Home Brew carries supplies to help you make your next perfect batch of beer, wine, mead, hard cider, kombucha or soda. The shop also carries cheese-making kits and ingredients as well as fermented vegetable supplies.

“This is not just dad’s den; this is a place the whole family can enjoy,” said store manager Steve Bolton. “It’s a great activity for couples and we have a lot of solo female brewers; it certainly is not just a guy hobby.”

Another activity for the whole family: bowling. Experienced and new bowlers can head to Severna Park Lanes, which has 16 tenpin lanes and 16 duckpin lanes. To keep younger children happy and their bowling balls out of gutters, there are bumper bowling lanes too. For extra fun, come for galaxy bowling where normal lights are turned down, the music is turned up and special effects lighting transforms the place into a party atmosphere.

If you’re looking to engage a party of friends, family members or coworkers in a collaborative exercise, EscapeTime Escape Rooms has locations in Severna Park and Annapolis. Teams of two to 10 people enter a theme-based room and have 60 minutes to solve the clues.

Owners Jose Matos and Russell Paterno opened the Severna Park location in 2018.

“Our rooms are generation three level,” Matos previously told the Voice. “A lot of places are generation one, which are just locks. Generation twos are locks and regular puzzles. Generation three, the level of technology here and props … we have a command center where someone is watching, giving clues.”

It doesn’t take many clues to find the target in our next recommendation. Ax House Annapolis, located in Severna Park, challenges guests to hit targets using any of the following tools: hatchets, ninja stars, knives, throwing cards, tactical axes, custom axes, tomahawks, shovels and two-handed axes. No experience is necessary, but reservations are required.

For a different kind of thrill, check out Eco Adventures. The Millersville facility houses over 100 native and exotic animals and features a simulated rainforest full of animal exhibits and a glowing volcano, an "Underwater Pier" discovery room, an outside sluice and fossil dig, and an outside field and classroom that neighbors the Severn Run wildlife area.

Another outdoor experience awaits at Scoring Zone Golf in Arnold. Playing lessons help golfers learn the rules of the game, understand their shot options, read the greens and get the most out of their range time.

With a 19,000-square-foot indoor arena, Benfield Sportscenter gives Anne Arundel County residents a place to play futsal, soccer, baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, dodgeball and kickball. Featuring a large viewing lobby with Comcast video, Wi-Fi and a snack bar, Benfield Sportscenter is also a great location for birthday parties.

Children eager to take on a long-term commitment and earn a gratifying reward can try a variety of hobbies. The Maryland Performing Arts Center, for example, educates girls and boys in the genres of dance, conditioning, acrobatics and vocal training.

For all ages, Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Arnold offers beginners dance lessons, wedding dance lessons, ballroom dance lessons and dance classes.

Whatever piques your interest, hopefully this list helps you discover a new activity or rekindle an old passion.