Downtown Oakland has a new spot for families to spend an afternoon. Play Out Loud, a year-round indoor play space, recently celebrated its grand opening with support from Garrett County Business Development, Oakland’s Mayor and Town Council, and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.
The new business is built around hands-on, interactive exhibits meant to get kids moving, imagining, and experimenting rather than just watching a screen. Because the space is indoors and open all year, it gives Garrett County families another option for entertainment during the colder months when outdoor activities are harder to come by, as well as a rainy-day option in summer.
Local officials framed the opening as part of a broader wave of new investment in downtown Oakland, joining other recent additions to the town’s business community. Chamber of Commerce leaders and town officials have said they expect Play Out Loud to draw both local families and visiting ones, adding another reason for people to spend time in the downtown business district.
The grand opening celebration brought together business leaders, town officials, and community members to mark the milestone, with organizers describing it as a welcome addition to the town’s mix of family-friendly attractions.
Source: Garrett County, MD Business Development newsletter, August 2026.
