Maryland
Regions & Cities#
Explore
Baltimore
Ships, warehouses and crab shacks crowd Baltimore’s Inner Harbor; tourists browse the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, Poe’s haunts and the city’s rowhouses while ordering blue-crab cakes and steamed crabs.
Explore
Annapolis, Maryland
A waterfront city on Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis hosts the U.S. Naval Academy, colonial brick streets, and sailing schools.
Explore
Rockville, Maryland
Just outside Washington, Rockville offers a walkable Town Square, diverse international restaurants, the weekend farmers’ market and easy Metro access to DC museums and monuments, making it a practical stop for suburban amenities and city connections.
Explore
Frederick, Maryland
Civil War trails and a handsome 18th-century downtown draw visitors to Frederick: Carroll Creek’s walkways, antique shops, farm-to-table restaurants, and nearby parks like Cunningham Falls make it a practical stop between Baltimore and the Catoctin foothills.
Explore
Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown’s museums, industrial murals, and proximity to Antietam and C&O Canal country draw history-minded visitors; the valley’s farmers’ markets and diner breakfasts are reason enough to slow down.
Explore
Saint Michaels
On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the waterfront town offers oyster shacks, crab houses and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
Explore
Cumberland
Historic canal town in western Maryland
Explore
Ocean City
A classic Atlantic shore resort with a wooden boardwalk, amusement piers, and family beaches; tourists arrive for saltwater taffy, carnival rides, surf fishing and evenings under neon arcade lights.
Maryland at a Glance#
Maryland is a diverse mid-Atlantic state wrapped around the Chesapeake Bay, from Baltimore’s harbor to colonial Annapolis and the Atlantic beaches.
Known for: Chesapeake Bay crab country, historic ports, and the DC suburbs
Don’t miss: the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, colonial Annapolis and the Naval Academy, and the Chesapeake
When to go: spring and fall; summer for the bay
Maryland sits between the Mid-Atlantic coast and the Appalachian highlands, a narrow state defined by the sweeping estuary of the Chesapeake Bay, sandy barrier islands along the Atlantic, rolling Piedmont hills and the forested ridges of western Maryland. Its compact size masks a surprising variety of landscapes - from tidal marshes and seafood-strewn shores to cooler mountain forests.
City life and small-town charm sit side by side: the bustling port and cultural hub of Baltimore with its famous Inner Harbor; the colonial capital of Annapolis and the historic United States Naval Academy; the arty, fast-growing Frederick; and resort towns like Ocean City and quaint Eastern Shore ports such as Chestertown, Oxford and St Michaels. Nature lovers can also find refuge in places like Assateague Island National Seashore, Catoctin Mountain Park and Patapsco Valley State Park.
Outdoor options span easy coastal pleasures to mountain adventures: you can sail or crab on the bay, relax on Atlantic beaches, paddle waterways, hike ridgelines and walk stretches of the Appalachian Trail that cross the state, while western Maryland even offers alpine-style winter recreation around Deep Creek Lake and the Wisp Resort.
Maryland’s food scene is anchored by seafood - especially the blue crab and crab cakes - but also includes Chesapeake oysters, hearty Mid-Atlantic comfort dishes, Smith Island cake on the Eastern Shore, a growing craft-beer scene and numerous small wineries and distilleries across the state.
Why Visit Maryland#
Visit Maryland for a compact but wildly varied experience: iconic waterways and seafood around the Chesapeake Bay, the maritime energy and museums of Baltimore, colonial charm in Annapolis, barrier-island beaches and wild horses at Assateague Island National Seashore, and easy access to hiking and winter sports in the western highlands.
Best Things to Do in Maryland#
Park
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Historic canal corridor preserving 19th-century towpath and landscapes
Park
Catoctin Mountain Park
Wooded national park with hiking trails and campgrounds
Park
Antietam National Battlefield
Civil War battlefield commemorating the bloodiest single day
Museum
American Visionary Art Museum
Museum presenting outsider and self-taught visionary art
Park
Hampton National Historic Site
Historic plantation estate preserving 19th-century architecture and gardens
Park
Clara Barton National Historic Site
Home and workplace preserving Red Cross founder Clara Barton
Museum
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
Regional art museum featuring American and European collections
Museum
National Cryptologic Museum
Museum of cryptology and NSA history exhibits
Maryland Bucket List#
Don't Miss
Inner Harbor (Baltimore) - Stroll the waterfront, visit top museums and dine on seafood where the city’s maritime history meets modern attractions.
United States Naval Academy (Annapolis) - Tour the historic campus and watch the long naval traditions that shape Annapolis’ waterfront life.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Catch a baseball game in one of the ballpark classics, beloved for its intimate sightlines and retro feel.
Assateague Island National Seashore - See wild ponies, wide beaches and undeveloped dunes - a unique coastal wilderness experience.
Great Outdoors
Deep Creek Lake & Wisp Resort - Boating and fishing in summer, skiing and snowboarding in winter - the state’s go-to mountain recreation area.
Appalachian Trail (Maryland section) - Hike scenic ridge walks and forested valleys along Maryland’s stretch of this famous long-distance trail.
Chesapeake Bay boating and crabbing - Charter a boat for a day of sailing, crabbing or exploring tidal creeks and oyster bars.
Patapsco Valley State Park - Explore extensive trail networks, riverside scenery and historic mill sites just outside Baltimore.
Local Flavor
Steamed Blue Crabs and Crab Cakes - Sample Maryland’s signature dishes - best enjoyed with Old Bay seasoning at a waterfront crab house.
Smith Island Cake - Try this multi-layered cake, a Maryland specialty and the state’s official dessert, especially on the Eastern Shore.
Oysters on the Chesapeake - Taste freshly harvested oysters at oyster bars and shucking events around towns like St Michaels and Chestertown.
Eastern Shore Wineries and Craft Breweries - Spend an afternoon sampling local wines and small-batch beers that pair well with regional seafood.
Best Time to Visit Maryland#
Maryland’s climate shifts from humid coastal lowlands along the Atlantic and Chesapeake to a cooler, hillier western interior - summers are hot and humid on the shore, while mountain areas stay milder. Choose the season based on whether you want beaches and boating or hiking and snow.
Spring
Mild and often wet with blooming shorelines and trails - ideal for sightseeing in Annapolis and walking waterfronts or early-season hikes.
Summer
Hot and humid, perfect for beach days at Ocean City, sailing or crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay, and lively waterfront festivals.
Autumn
Crisp, clear weather with fall color in the hills - a great time for hiking, scenic drives and harvest events on the Eastern Shore.
Winter
Chilly and variable (wintry in the mountains) - head to Deep Creek Lake and the Wisp Resort for snow sports or enjoy quieter city museums.
Getting Around Maryland#
Most visitors get around Maryland by car - the state’s compact size makes driving the easiest way to link cities, shorelines and mountain escapes, while commuter rail, Amtrak and local transit serve major corridors.
Major Highways
Major routes include I-95 (the backbone connecting Baltimore with Washington, D.C. and points north), I-70 (east - west from Baltimore toward the western mountains), I-83 (north from Baltimore), I-81 (across far western Maryland near Hagerstown), I-97 (between Baltimore and Annapolis) and US 50/US 301, which cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Eastern Shore and lead out to Ocean City.