Laurel isn’t in the national spotlight very often, but the Maryland suburb will get a moment in the sun this weekend as Laurel Park hosts the 151st Preakness Stakes.

The racetrack sits just outside the city, which is located halfway between Baltimore and Washington. With a population of 30,000, Laurel is one of the largest cities in Prince George’s County, but it feels almost like a sprawling constellation of small towns, each with its own beloved local spots.

You can get gourmet Indian food at Amber Spice (13524 Baltimore Avenue), a spicy Mexican dish at Toucan Taco (315 Gorman Ave.) or pick up reading material at The Book Life (9125 Bursa Road). With an influx of tourists, media and horse racing fans in town, here’s a quick guide to what’s worth seeing in Laurel this weekend and beyond the big race.

Music history

“Voices From the Past: Black Music of the Colonial Period and Forgotten Patriots” is a musical history lesson with period instruments, showcasing the folk songs and spirituals of early African Americans. The free concert is at the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center (9652 Muirkirk Road) at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

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Mansion vibes

The Mansion at Laurel (13910 Laurel Lakes Ave.) is a historic Greek Revival-style farmhouse that regularly hosts weddings and banquets. Music at the Mansion is a good chance to enjoy live entertainment, food and drinks in that glamorous environment at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. But bring an ID, this free event is for ages 21 and older only.

Tourist opportunities

The historic Main Street district is one of Laurel’s most walkable and picturesque neighborhoods. The Laurel Museum (817 Main St.) is open for tours from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Ragamuffins Coffee House (385 Main St.) is the neighborhood’s coziest spot to get a beverage or snack, and the Memphis-style barbecue at Red Hot & Blue (677 Main St.) is the best place to find a delicious and filling lunch or dinner. Local quartet Lost ‘N’ Found will play classic rock covers at the American Legion (2 Main St.) at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 15th.

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Dinosaur Park

Laurel has been the site of some significant paleontological findings over the years, including the 2023 discovery of the largest theropod fossil in eastern North America, a leg bone from the acrocanthosaurus. Laurel’s Dinosaur Park (13100 Mid Atlantic Blvd.) is a family-friendly place to find out what scientists have learned about the Early Cretaceous period right here in Laurel. The playground area is open daily, while the historic fossil site has an open house on the first and third Saturday of every month, which will fall on the 16th, the same day as Preakness.

Water fitness

If you want to take a dip while you’re in town, the North Laurel Community Center pool (9411 Whiskey Bottom Road) hosts a SPLASH Water Fitness event on Fridays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with a $10 admission fee.