Maryland Travel Guide

Why visit Maryland

Maryland packs a lot into a small state: the Chesapeake Bay and its crab houses, colonial streets in the capital Annapolis, Baltimore's Inner Harbor and museums, Civil War battlefields, Atlantic beaches at Ocean City and mountain scenery in the west. Its position between Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia makes it easy to combine with a larger East Coast trip. This guide organises Maryland by region and points you to our more detailed regional guides.

Maryland's main regions

Baltimore and Central Maryland

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is the city's tourist heart, with the National Aquarium, Fells Point's cobbled streets and waterfront pubs, and historic Fort McHenry, where the 1814 defence of the fort inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner." The city is also known for the Walters Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and neighbourhood food halls and markets.

Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay

Annapolis is the state capital and is known as a sailing town. Its historic district has one of the largest collections of 18th-century buildings in the country, the Maryland State House and the U.S. Naval Academy. The City Dock is the place to watch boats, eat seafood and browse small shops.

The Eastern Shore

Across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the Eastern Shore is a flat, watery landscape of small towns such as St. Michaels and Easton, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Dorchester County. Further out, Smith Island is reached by boat and is known for its layer cake, Maryland's official state dessert. See our Eastern Maryland guide for more.

Ocean City and Assateague Island

Ocean City is Maryland's beach resort, with a boardwalk of roughly two and a half miles, arcades, amusement rides and long sandy beaches. A short drive south, Assateague Island National Seashore is a quieter barrier island where wild horses roam the beach and dunes; keep a safe distance from them and never feed them.

Southern Maryland

South of Washington, D.C., Southern Maryland combines Chesapeake and Potomac waterfront, lighthouses, colonial-era sites and seafood restaurants. See our Southern Maryland guide.

Western Maryland and Frederick

West of Baltimore, Frederick has a lively historic downtown, and Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg preserves the site of the Civil War's bloodiest single day in 1862. Further west, Deep Creek Lake, Cumberland and the C&O Canal towpath offer hiking, cycling, boating and skiing in the Appalachian Mountains.

Best time to visit Maryland

• Spring (April–May): mild weather, blooming gardens and the start of crab-house season.
• Summer (June–August): beach season in Ocean City and boating on the Bay; hot and humid.
• Fall (September–October): comfortable temperatures, fall colour in the west and outdoor seafood dining.
• Winter: quieter; skiing near Deep Creek Lake and museum visits in Baltimore.

Getting around Maryland

Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) is the main airport, and Amtrak and MARC commuter trains serve Baltimore and the Washington suburbs. Baltimore and Annapolis are manageable without a car, but you will want one for the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland and the mountains. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge can back up on summer weekends, so travel early or later in the day.

What to eat in Maryland

• Blue crabs and crab cakes – steamed crabs covered in Old Bay seasoning are a Maryland tradition; crab cakes are a staple on menus statewide.
• Old Bay – the seasoning was created in Baltimore and flavours seafood, fries and even snacks.
• Smith Island cake – a many-layered cake with thin layers of icing, the official state dessert.
• Pit beef – a Baltimore sandwich of grilled, thinly sliced beef.
• Oysters – a Chesapeake classic, best in months with an "r" if you follow the traditional rule.

A 5-day Maryland itinerary

1. Day 1: Baltimore Inner Harbor, the aquarium and dinner in Fells Point.
2. Day 2: Fort McHenry in the morning, then Annapolis for the historic district and City Dock.
3. Day 3: Cross the Bay Bridge to St. Michaels and the Maritime Museum.
4. Day 4: Head to Ocean City or Assateague Island.
5. Day 5: Return via the Harriet Tubman visitor centre, or head west to Frederick and Antietam.

Maryland travel FAQs

What is Maryland best known for?

The Chesapeake Bay, blue crabs, Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Annapolis and the U.S. Naval Academy, and the beaches of Ocean City.

How many days do I need in Maryland?

A long weekend covers Baltimore and Annapolis. Five days allows the Eastern Shore and the beach.

When is the best time for crabs?

Crab houses are busiest from late spring through early fall, when local steamed crabs are most widely available.

Can I visit Maryland without a car?

Baltimore and Annapolis can be done by train, bus and rideshare. For the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland and the mountains, a car is much easier.

Where can I see wild horses?

On Assateague Island National Seashore. Keep a safe distance and never feed or touch them.

Is Maryland a good beach destination?

Yes, Ocean City has the classic boardwalk beach experience, while Assateague offers a quieter, natural setting.

Is Maryland close to Washington, D.C.?

Yes. Many Maryland towns are within an hour of D.C. by car or train, so it combines easily with a capital-city visit.

What should I pack?

Comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, sun protection for the beach and layers for cooler evenings on the water.