Top Things to do in Maryland
Top Hotels in Maryland
- 1. Hyatt Place Ocean City / Oceanfront
- 2. Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort
- 3. Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore
- 4. Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor
- 5. Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos
- 6. Graduate Annapolis
- 7. Historic Inns of Annapolis
- 8. Staybridge Suites Baltimore - Inner Harbor, an IHG Hotel
- 9. Dunes Manor Hotel, Suites & Court
- 10. Grand Hotel
Countries
Things to do in Maryland, United States: The Best National Parks
Maryland is known as “America in Miniature” because of its great variations in topography and culture. This makes it a perfect east coat travel destination for those who would like to experience a little bit of everything. From amusement parks, to beaches, to mountains and historical sites, there is plenty to see and do. Each region of Maryland provides its own unique and fun activities to do. If you're headed for some fun in the sun in Ocean City on its eastern coast, be sure not to miss the Ocean City Beach, the Boardwalk, or Trimper's Rides and Amusement Park for an all-ages fun experience. Central Maryland is home to a Six Flags theme park, the Annapolis Golf Club, and countless hubs of art and culture such as the African Art Museum and Annapolis Opera, Inc. Heading to western Maryland? It is perfect for lovers of nature and the outdoors, with the Washington Monument State Park, Wisp Resort ski slopes, and the spectacular Muddy Creek Falls.
Restaurants in Maryland
1. Antietam National Battlefield
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,373 reviews
The Bloodiest One Day Battle in American History: 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Antietam National Battlefield is located in western Maryland, 10 miles south of Hagerstown in Washington County. The best place to start your visit is at the park visitor center. The GPS address for the visitor center is 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, Maryland, 21782. We have brochures, museum exhibits, a film, a museum store, and park rangers and volunteers on duty to help you get oriented. The battlefield is approximately 3,000 acres that you can explore in your car or by walking. Operating Hours & Seasons: Open All Year, The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park Grounds are open daylight hours. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day The park has an entrance fee of $5.00 Per Person (age 16 or older; 15 and under FREE) or $10.00 Per Vehicle.
Reviewed By TrojanSkyCop1 - Reston, United States
After first reading about the Battle of Antietam way back in 1985 as a mere 10 y/o lad, it was so great to finally see it up close and personal. Sorry I’m 3 weeks late with posting these, but anyway, here are the pics from my trip to Antietam Battlefield on the last weekend of August. I had an amazing tour guide by the name of Justin Mayhue, a retired Fire Chief who personally knows/knew American Civil War authors such as Perry Jamieson (author of “Attack and Die”) and the late Joseph L. Harsh (“Taken at the Flood”). Justin has an incredible wealth of knowledge!
2. Assateague Island National Seashore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,112 reviews
One of America's last fully functioning barrier island ecosystems.
Reviewed By Sbyman - Salisbury, United States
I come here a lot as it’s one of my favorite places to visit. It’s a great place to bring your family as you can see wildlife here. Remember to use your bug repellent May through late September as the mosquitoes and biting flies are vicious and even if you are going to come early in the morning to get sunrise pictures. They have several trails that you can walk on. Life of the dunes Trail, and life of the forest trail and also life of the marsh Trail. It’s also a great place for stargazing or taking pictures of the night sky.
3. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,361 reviews
A unit of the National Park Service. Site of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to pen "The Star-Spangled Banner" in September of 1814.
Reviewed By Y1591GWamyl - Simpsonville, United States
Great trip for students of any age. Mr. Raymond wats very helpful as we made plans for our trip. He got us the paperwork needed for the Dept. of Interior to apply for a Fee Waiver, making the trip free to our 100 students and 12 chaperones. He sent schedules for activities and talks on the grounds, information for teachers to use prior to trip, and maps of the fort to plan. And despite the extreme heat wave we experienced during our trip, this was a great opportunity to share the history of the War of 1812 with our kids and the penning of the National Anthem by Francis Scott Key!!
4. Fort Washington Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Visitors can take a ranger-led tour to explore this historic fort's features and its role as the only defense for the Nation's Capital until the Civil War.
5. Little Italy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 471 reviews
Reviewed By Room-in-my-suitcase - Ottawa, Canada
I just finished an almost all day stint at the Baltimore National Aquarium and I was famished, but I did not want to eat fish. Meandering around the surrounding area, a short walk from The Big Fish House, I stumbled upon the warm and inviting neighbourhood of Little Italy, nestled nicely between the Inner Harbour and historic Fells Point. This community is small, full of vintage houses, fragrant bakeries, charming cafes and a bevy of fine Italian restaurants. Italian immigrants settled here, and not only brought over their bodies, but their culinary skills as is reflected in the reputation of the cluster of eateries that are here. What better place to seek out a meal. To accomplish this task, I needed to get the lay of the land , so I decided to explore Little Italy a little further. As I strolled through the narrow streets I noticed this area is embraced by the gentrification efforts in the revitalization of Baltimore. Buildings here seem almost bolted together, but each exhibited their own unique personality. Restaurant facades showcased like the neat row houses that flanked the streets. Peeking inside a few restaurants, I discovered that the decor generally followed the standard Italian eatery pattern, much like the restaurant depicted in the Godfather movie where Al Pacino whacks his fathers arch gangster enemy along with a NYC police captain. The building footprints are not over spacious and on entry to these establishments you are usually greeted with a substantial display case sporting all kinds of Italian desserts: cannolis, napoleons and the like, accompanied by signs that display quips like 'Eat Desserts First Or Perish' or some such. Lots of exposed brick, painted and unpainted, candles, large salami, pastrami and pepperoni sticks hang around as well as an assortment of shelved cheese rounds and walls are usually profusely adorned with a collection of photos of the old country ...Italia. The tables are squashed closely together and to wiggle your way to your chair you have to suck your belly in only to worry that after you eat you may not be able to accomplish this manoeuvre. The table cloths are predominately a matrix of 1" x 1" squares that could sub for a chess or checker board. These restaurants are usually a mom and pop or intergenerational operation reflecting lots of pride in ownership, strong customer relations and exemplary Italian culinary delights. The range of restaurants is outlandish, from casual to fine dining, all aimed at tickling your taste buds. I passed Amicci's, touting it's 'Build Your Own Pasta" plate by selecting your favourite pasta type and smothering it with your sauce of choice, and then there was Sabatino's with its signature, tongue tingling Penne with vodka sauce. Don't forget La Tavola, renowned for its home-made ravioli avalanched with cream sauce or Gambino's, ( a mafia sounding name), serving up authentic Italian cuisine with a contemporary twist. The sheer number of eateries in Little Italy causes pandemonium when it comes time for restaurant selection. So I decided to just meander down the streets and randomly, , walk into Little Italy restaurants to consume a different portion of my meal at each....sort of a game of Italian restaurant 'roulette'. All the restaurants in Little Italy are worthy of going too.....so what did I have to lose..I'm like a blind monkey playing darts and can't help but hit the bullseye. First up was was a Moretti beer and an appetizer in the form of Spicy Bruschetta..nicely diced Romano tomatoes with a zesty sprinkling of herbs on a bed of Italian baguette.. that altogether sparkled like a firecracker.....takes the nip out of your belly. Next stop, another beer, Peroni this time with Italian wedding soup....beef broth packed with pingpong sized meatballs, kale, micro sized pasta spheres and lightly sprinkled with mozzarella cheese.......this was a slam dunk. Continuing on, I opted for a 50-50 pizza, half Garlic BLT Cauliflower and because we are in Maryland, the other half was a Blue Crab. I ordered an extra large since I wanted leftovers for tomorrow. Both parts were tasty, but the more savoury Cauliflower side won the taste test. Now for my sweet tooth, the piece de resistance, a 1/2 orange with its innards scooped out and filled with Italian gelato with a smidgen of limoncello over the top...ooh so good. Winding down at a bakery/bar, a cappuccino was in order, not the ones made with a high tech appliance but custom-crafted with goats milk froth and mildly capped with shaved chocolate...the real McCoy. As an ending, I opted for a shot of grappa. This stuff can come almost 100% proof making it nearly a fire accelerant. I spilled a drop or two on my shirt and it burnt a hole in it and after a drink of this stuff, your lips pucker up like you just kissed your mother-in-law. All of the 4, on a wim restaurants I haphazardly visited provided savoury food, well presented, in comfortable surroundings and with great service, sometimes even from the owners of the establishment, a rarity these days. So, if you would like to visit the essentially Italian community of Baltimore, with its cadre of Italian eateries amped up to provided authentic hand-crafted Italian food.....try Little Italy......to Tickle Your Taste Buds.
6. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By chammeratkins
Love coming here with my dog to walk. Safe and friendly atmosphere. Even path and well maintained. Weekends can be busy with bikers and walkers. Relaxing
