As a local of 21 years, I’ve had my fair share of being bored here. However, the first time I came back after going out of state for college, I realized how much our little peninsula has to offer. For those of you who are tired of watching Netflix all day, here’s a list of fun things you can do.

1. Visit a Park.

Pasadena has beautiful parks where you could spend a whole day hiking and inhaling the fresh air. Downs Park might be out of the way for some people, but it has some of the best views of the Bay along it’s trails. If you’ve never gone back in the woods by the Mother’s Garden and checked out the Falcon they have back there, you’re missing out. There’s also Fort Smallwood, Tick Neck, and Lake Waterford, which all have just as much nature to offer.

2. Go Fishing.

What else do you do with two major creeks and the Chesapeake Bay right in your backyard? There are multiple captains that will charter a trip for you and your friends all the way into November. Or, if you have a friend with a boat (because, let’s be honest; who in Pasadena doesn’t know anyone who owns a boat?), head out on the Magothy and see if you can catch any white perch.

3. Go to a high school sporting event.

Chances are, if you’re from Pasadena, you’re an alum of Chesapeake or Northeast. What better way to cheer on the Cougars or the Eagles than under Friday Night Lights?

4. Visit a local restaurant.

If you’re getting the munchies, you don’t have to drive all the way to Severna Park. There are plenty of local places in Pasadena to find a bite, including Two Rivers, Bella Napoli, Lista’s, Cheshire, Mike’s Crab House, and so many more. Chances are, you’ve probably been to these at least once, and didn’t even know that some of them are family-owned. My family loves Primo for Italian and their amazing customer service.

5. Go see a show.

Pasadena Theater Company does shows year round with a cast of all locals and all ages. Check out their website for show locations and dates. The high schools usually put on shows around the holidays, too.

6. Have a bonfire.

What else would you do on a cool Saturday night? Call up your friends, grab some wood, and make some s’mores!

7. Get on a boat and watch the sunset.

Like I mentioned before, it’s impossible to not know at least ONE person in Pasadena who owns a boat. The only excuse you need for a boat ride is a full tank of gas— or, in the case of sailing, a strong breeze. Once you've watched the sun go down over the water, it never looks the same.

8. Go bar hopping.

Okay, this one sounds a little weird. You’d probably go to another city for this, but there are actually a few places to grab a beer or a cocktail in the Dirty Dena. If you’re more into Craft Beer and whiskey flights, and you’ve never been to Founder’s, you need to go. Or, if you’d rather experience some real, live Pasadena culture, check out the Victory Lounge— they have cherubs in the garden.

9. Check out a local event.

There may be things going on in your community, and you might not even know about it. Did you know the Lake Shore Fire Department hosts bingo nights and has pit beef on the weekends? Did you also know we have a local newspaper that reports on all the local events?

There are plenty of things to do in our small town; you just have to dig around a bit to find them.