Nickname: Old Line State
Capital City: Annapolis, MD
Avg Highs: 88°F Summer / 41°F Winter
✅ Must Do: Kayak the Chesapeake Bay at sunrise
✅ Must Eat: Steamed blue crabs (or crab cakes)
✅ Bring Home: Customized wooden crab mallet
🧠 Trivia: The U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was written during the War of 1812 in Baltimore.
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From the high-stakes thunder of the Preakness to the quiet, salt-misted mornings on the Chesapeake Bay, find the perfect window for your Maryland vacation.
From the geysers of Wyoming to the ancient swamps of Georgia, America’s parks are a treasure map of natural wonder. Here’s your guide to the one must-see natural gem in every single state!
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Not Everything You Need to Know, But a Good Place to Start
The best times to visit Maryland are in the late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October). These seasons offer warm, pleasant weather ideal for sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, exploring historic Annapolis, and enjoying Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Summer is peak season for the beach resorts, while fall brings beautiful foliage to the mountains of Western Maryland. The prime season for enjoying Maryland’s famous blue crabs runs from summer through early fall.
Read our season-by-season guide on choosing the right time to visit Maryland.
Maryland hosts several world-class events. The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, is a major sporting and social event held in Baltimore on the third Saturday in May. In October, Annapolis becomes the sailing capital of the world with the U.S. Sailboat Show. The Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville is a massive and beloved event running from late August through October.
Maryland experiences four distinct seasons. Springs are mild and beautiful, with blooming flowers making it a perfect time for outdoor activities. Summers are typically hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, especially in July and August. Fall is often glorious, with warm sunny days, crisp nights, and less humidity. Winters are cold and damp, with occasional snow and ice storms, particularly in the western and northern parts of the state.
Maryland is best known for classic beach vacations in Ocean City and for getaways centered on the Chesapeake Bay, which involve sailing, fishing, and exploring charming waterfront towns. The state is a top destination for American history tours, with key sites from the War of 1812 and the Civil War. City breaks to Baltimore and Annapolis are also very popular.
Yes, you can take a major ocean cruise from Maryland. The Port of Baltimore is a year-round home port for cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival, offering voyages to destinations such as Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Canada/New England.
The main cruise port in Maryland is the Cruise Maryland Terminal at the Port of Baltimore. Located just a few minutes from the city’s downtown attractions and major highways, it is a convenient departure point for thousands of cruise passengers each year.
The most visited and historically significant national site in Maryland is Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, the birthplace of the U.S. national anthem. Assateague Island National Seashore is another top destination, famous for its pristine beaches and wild horses. For history buffs, Antietam National Battlefield preserves the site of the bloodiest single day in American history.
Assateague State Park, which is adjacent to the national seashore, is extremely popular for its beautiful beach and is the only place on the island that offers public camping. In Western Maryland, Deep Creek Lake State Park is a four-season destination for boating in the summer and skiing nearby in the winter. Calvert Cliffs State Park is a unique spot where you can hike to a beach on the Chesapeake Bay to hunt for prehistoric fossils.
Maryland’s most popular beach destination is Ocean City, a classic East Coast resort town with a three-mile-long boardwalk, wide sandy beaches, and countless family-friendly activities. For a more natural and rustic beach experience, the undeveloped coastline of Assateague Island National Seashore offers a peaceful escape where you can often see wild horses roaming the dunes.
Ocean City is a bustling, developed resort town with a high-rise-lined beach, a famous boardwalk, and thousands of shops, restaurants, and amusements. Assateague Island is a protected, undeveloped barrier island known for its natural beaches, sand dunes, and wild horses. They offer completely opposite beach experiences.
While the commercial strip of Ocean City is a hub of summer fun, it can be very crowded. For a more authentic taste of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, consider spending time in the nearby historic town of Berlin, voted one of America’s coolest small towns, or exploring the quieter coastal villages and natural areas that surround the main resort.
Maryland is world-famous for one thing: blue crabs. You must experience a traditional crab feast with steamed crabs covered in Old Bay seasoning. The state is also renowned for its Maryland crab cakes, which are made with flavorful lump crab meat and very little filler. Other local specialties include Smith Island Cake, the official state dessert, and pit beef sandwiches, a Baltimore-style barbecue.
To eat crabs like a Marylander, find a casual crab house with outdoor tables covered in brown paper. Order crabs by the dozen, along with a wooden mallet and a knife. Don’t be shy about making a mess. Crack the claws with the mallet, use the knife to pry open the body, and pick out the sweet meat. It’s a social, hands-on, and delicious experience.
Pit beef is a Baltimore-style barbecue. It consists of a bottom round roast that is grilled quickly over a hot charcoal fire until it’s charred on the outside but rare to medium-rare on the inside. It is then thinly sliced and served on a roll, typically with horseradish and raw onion.
Baltimore is a top destination, known for its historic Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, unique neighborhoods like Fells Point, and a rich maritime history. Annapolis, the charming state capital, is called “America’s Sailing Capital” and is home to the U.S. Naval Academy and a beautifully preserved colonial historic district. Ocean City is the state’s premier beach resort town, bustling with activity all summer long.
The top attractions in Maryland celebrate its history and connection to the water. Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, with the National Aquarium and historic ships, is a must-see. Fort McHenry National Monument is an essential piece of American history. A tour of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis is a unique and impressive experience. The Ocean City Boardwalk and the wild horses of Assateague Island are other premier attractions.
The most unique wildlife experience in Maryland is seeing the herds of wild horses that roam the beaches and marshes of Assateague Island. The Chesapeake Bay is also a critical habitat for wildlife, including the majestic osprey, bald eagles, and, of course, the iconic blue crab. In the mountains of Western Maryland, you can find a healthy population of black bears.
A uniquely Maryland experience is standing on the grounds of Fort McHenry in Baltimore and watching the flag raised over the very spot that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the War of 1812.
Maryland is steeped in American history. It was a pivotal border state during the Civil War, and the Battle of Antietam was a crucial turning point in the conflict. The state’s role in the War of 1812 is commemorated at Fort McHenry. Annapolis served as the temporary capital of the United States after the Revolutionary War. You can also explore the state’s maritime heritage in Baltimore and its colonial roots in Historic St. Mary’s City.
The primary natural risks are coastal storms. Hurricanes and tropical storms can impact the state from late summer through fall, bringing high winds and flooding, especially to the Eastern Shore. Severe thunderstorms are common in the summer. At the ocean, it’s always important to be aware of and respect warnings about rip currents.
Yes, the U.S. Naval Academy offers guided walking tours to the public. These tours provide a fantastic glimpse into the life of a midshipman and the history of the institution. You must have a valid government-issued photo ID to enter the grounds.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves a 184.5-mile historic canal that runs from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. Its towpath is a flat, dirt and gravel trail that is exceptionally popular for biking and hiking, offering a scenic journey through history and nature.
Calvert Cliffs State Park on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay is one of the best places on the East Coast to find fossils. The park’s beach is famous for the Miocene-era fossils, especially shark teeth, that erode from the massive cliffs and wash ashore.
We wouldn’t blame you for guessing lacrosse, but the official state sport of Maryland is jousting! It became the state sport in 1962, honoring a tradition that has been practiced in Maryland for centuries. You can still see jousting tournaments held at fairs and events throughout the state.
The Baltimore Water Taxi is a boat transportation service that connects key destinations around the city’s harbor, including the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and Fort McHenry. It’s a fun, scenic, and practical way to get around and see the city from the water.
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