by Maryland has more to offer than hosting our nation’s capital. From various museums to national parks, Maryland provides a lot to explore. Deciding where to go first can be challenging, so we’ve made this top ten to help kickstart your journey.
If you’re visiting the Old Line State, you don’t want to miss out on these. Customize to your taste, and don’t forget to share your favorites on Instagram!
Did you know that the official state food of Maryland is crab? So while you’re in town, take the opportunity to experience the freshest steamed crab or crab cakes around. But, of course, if you want the whole experience, make sure your crab comes seasoned with Old Bay— and don’t forget to chase it down with the official state dessert, Smith Island Cake! This iconic symbol boasts eight to ten layers of yellow cake and chocolate frosting that just melt in your mouth. While the original recipe sprinkled them with peanut butter cup pieces, you can find them with coconut, lemon, red velvet, blueberry, and more!
From Ocean City’s Thrasher Fries to Baltimore’s official beer, Natty Boh, there’s plenty to choose from. Not a fan of seafood? Try the Pit Beef; this roast is crispy on the outside but nice and tender on the inside. Maryland has several iconic foods, and everyone needs to eat. So make sure you add some local specialties to your itinerary!
Baltimore alone contains two art museums you can visit for free, and several museums are scattered throughout the state. Want to learn about the history and culture of Chesapeake Bay? Head to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum! Are you passing through Frederick? Pull into the National Museum of Civil War Medicine to learn about the soldiers and surgeons during one of the darkest periods in American History. Interested in the railroad industry? You won’t want to miss the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum! Maryland is also home to several historical homes that have been preserved or restored.
For families with children, don’t forget to explore Port Discovery Children’s Museum! Your kids can discover more about the world through hands-on play areas and exhibits. Kids five and older can enjoy the SkyClimber, or your little ones can splash around in the water room. And that’s just a sample!
From the Baltimore Ghosts to Fallingwater, Maryland boasts several guided tours worth experiencing. Maryland offers historical, bus, culinary, brewery, and city tours.
Looking for a taste of Maryland’s spirit? Head for the Wine, Beer, and Spirit tour in Frederick. Want to see as much of Baltimore as possible? Get a bird’s eye view with a helicopter tour— you can even follow it up with a dinner at Capital Grille. Just be sure to book your excursions in advance!
Perhaps bustling cities and national monuments aren’t your jam. Maryland has many luscious landscapes and incredible parks. Love beaches, kayaking, or horses? Then you want to head to Assateague Island. This 37-mile barrier island is home to sandy beaches that shift with the ocean, salt marshes, coastal bays, and roaming wild horses. If you’re after something more traditional, head to Chesapeake Bay, the country’s largest estuary and a name practically synonymous with Maryland. If you want hiking trails, waterfalls, or camping grounds, then Calvert Cliffs State Park or Great Falls Park should be your destination of choice.
Sometimes just getting away from it all can be one of the best things to do in Maryland.
Adventure Park USA offers more than just coasters, including go-karts, mini golf, and laser tag. Maryland’s largest family entertainment center has something fun for all ages! The park has a variety of indoor and outdoor attractions, including a smokehouse and an arcade.
Do you have a goal to visit every single Six Flags park? Head to Bowie, MD, and visit Six Flags America. Instead of letting down your hair, let down your feet on the Firebird— the only floorless coaster in Maryland! Or visit rides themed after your favorite Looney Tunes and DC characters.
5. Sightsee with a ‘Splash’ of Education
Make friends with the fish and animals, and learn about conservation efforts across the globe. The National Aquarium has gallons and gallons of exhibits, from the spine-tingling shark tanks to the interactive Living Seashore. Meanwhile, the Salisbury Zoo may only be 12 acres, but there is a lot to see and do! It’s one of the best places to visit in Maryland, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
4. Let Out Your Inner Science Geek
Did you know the James Webb Telescope was built in Maryland? NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is bursting with active space exploration. It houses a full-size rocket garden and self-guided tours of various collections and exhibits.
Want something that offers a little more hands-on? The Maryland Science Center has interactive exhibits alongside its planetarium and observatory. A five-story IMAX offers life-size educational films, and there is no shortage of activities for curious minds.
3. Delve into the Crystal Grottoes Caverns
Small but stellar, the Crystal Grottoes have been open to visitors since 1922. These caverns are Maryland’s only known natural caverns. Despite the Caverns’ small size, they boast the most formations per square foot of any cave known to man. The Crystal Grottoes have been managed by the same family for three generations. The cave is 54℉ all year, so be sure to dress appropriately!
2. Explore the Ocean City Boardwalk
Nostalgia is heavy in the air— or is that the wafting aroma of funnel cake? Either way, the boardwalk boasts three full miles of experience. From music to arcade games, the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum to Thrasher Fries, the boardwalk is packed with things to do and taste. Every season brings something fresh, making the boardwalk a must-see year-round. Don’t miss out on Trimper’s Rides pavilion, which includes a twin carousel to the one destroyed in the Coney Island, NY fire.
The most crucial aspect of any trip to Maryland is that you enjoy it. We hope this guide gave you some great ideas while planning your trip. Whether you go for the history, the food, the sports, or something else entirely, Maryland welcomes you
