What to do and see in Maryland, United States: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

September 17, 2021 Concepcion Newsome

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. The Walters Art Museum

600 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201-5118 +1 410-547-9000 [email protected] http://thewalters.org/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,445 reviews

The Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum is a cultural hub in the heart of Baltimore. Located in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, the Walters is free for all. The museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5,000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects from around the world. Walking through the museum’s historic buildings, visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 19th-century images of French gardens to mesmerizing Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and serene images of the Buddha. The Walters' mission has been to bring art and people together and to create a place where people of every background can be touched by art. Admission to the museum and special exhibitions is always free.

Reviewed By davisellu

My most recent trip here was to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School exhibit. It was great-- informative, interactive, and you could get so close to the many items on display. I love the medieval items and many other parts of the collection as well. The museum is free (but I encourage you to become a member to support the work going on here!) and just a few blocks north of the main downtown part of Baltimore. The main building is lovely and the overall floor plan twists around a bit. The gift shop and cafe are worth checking out-- some nice things in the first, and just enjoying the pretty room and ambiance in the second.

2. Oriole Park at Camden Yards

333 W Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201-2496 +1 888-848-2473 http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/ballpark/index.jsp
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,031 reviews

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

One of major league baseball's newest stadiums, the Orioles' home field has the intimate feel and charm of an old-fashioned park.

Reviewed By 975aprile - Mathews, United States

Traveled to Baltimore to see the Yankees play the Orioles and what a GREAT game it was! Very impressed with the absolute beauty of this stadium!! Excellent seats behind home plate, awesome food and would LOVE to visit again!

3. U.S. Naval Academy

121 Blake Rd Armel - Leftwich Visitor Center, Annapolis, MD 21402-1300 +1 410-293-8687 http://www.usna.edu
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,930 reviews

U.S. Naval Academy

Established in 1845, this undergraduate college for the Navy prepares men and women to become professional officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Reviewed By phillipleeb - Valley Center, United States

The US Naval Academy is the epitome of the service academies (sorry West Point, CG and MA) The campus is steeped in history, the openness and availability to stroll its park-like environs, make it an amazing visit, something you need to incorporate if you're ever in the Annapolis area. Oh and the Midshipmen are the most polite, articulate focused yond men and women you'll ever have a chance to meet. Go Navy!

4. Northside Park

200 125th St Bayside, Ocean City, MD 21842-2247 +1 410-250-0125 [email protected] http://www.oceancitymd.gov
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 752 reviews

Northside Park

Northside Park is located on 125th Street and the Bay. It is Ocean City's largest and most popular park and home to the Recreation and Parks Department administrative offices. This 58-acre complex boasts three lighted softball/baseball fields, a lighted soccer field, multipurpose field, a foot bridge, mini-borrowing library, concession stands, accessible playground, picnic shelter, two piers, over 1 mile of walking/jogging paths and a state of the art outdoor exercise area. Indoor facilities include a Community Center with 14,200 square foot gymnasium, kitchen, community room, conference room, patio, sitting areas and a Sports Center annex with a 21,000 square foot multi-use arena. Northside Park hosts more than 100 special events and recreational programs and activities each year for both residents and visitors to Ocean City.

Reviewed By 266rudyb - Ocean City, United States

One of OC’s best outdoors attractions. Multiple softball fields, an indoor recreation center hosting several activities, and an outdoor walking track with several courses mapped out. The park also has a playground and a covered pavilion with BBQ grills. There are several other activities there as well. I saw where you could rent a kayak or standing paddle board. While you’re walking around the soccer field, don’t forget to take a look at the pier that goes very far out into the bay. My wife and I go walking here several times a month.

5. Great Allegheny Passage

13 Canal St, Cumberland, MD 21502-3052 +1 724-309-4041 http://www.gaptrail.org
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 235 reviews

Great Allegheny Passage

The Great Allegheny Passage soars over valleys, snakes around mountains, and skirts alongside three rolling rivers on its nearly level path from Cumberland, Md. to Pittsburgh. Cyclists pass through the Cumberland Narrows, cross the Mason-Dixon Line, top the Eastern Continental Divide, wind their way through Pennsylvania’s breathtaking Laurel Highlands, journey through the region’s coke, coal, mining, and steel-making corridor, and end at Pittsburgh’s majestic Point State Park. Stunning views of waterfalls, gorges, river valleys, and farmland are everywhere, especially from outside the Big Savage Tunnel, from the sweeping Salisbury Viaduct, at both ends of the Pinkerton Tunnel, and via the Ohiopyle High and Low Bridges. Riders overlook the joining of rivers at Confluence, McKeesport, and Pittsburgh, and can explore adjoining peninsulas, state parks, hollows, wildflower stands, and forests on foot at many places along the trail.

Reviewed By obsidian2017 - Dearborn, United States

I biked this with three friends. Over the course of two days, we biked about 100 miles, starting from Pittsburgh, overnight stop in Connellsville, then to Ohiopyle and back to Connellsville. The trail is incredibly well tended--not only clean and cleared but also with great signage indicating miles to go to next city. In addition, many cities have air pumps and water stations. It is an incredibly beautiful trail and mostly level. The crushed limestone is almost like pavement. Ran into one of the guides/marketing staff for one of the cycling groups that helps tend the trail. He was full of useful info. From him, we learned that biking from Ohiopyle to Falling Water was less than ideal--no trail, no shoulder, lots of car traffic, curves, and inclines. So, once in Ohiopyle, we took a shuttle (offered by the local outfitter) up to Falling Water and back. That was perfect.

6. Sagamore Spirit Distillery

301 E Cromwell St, Baltimore, MD 21230-5012 +1 410-624-7488 [email protected] http://www.sagamorespirit.com
Excellent
92%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 854 reviews

Sagamore Spirit Distillery

Committed to putting Maryland back on the map as the premier distiller of Rye Whiskey. Sagamore Spirit's award-winning Straight Rye Whiskey is cut to proof with unique spring-fed water from Sagamore Farm. We are currently open for whiskey tastings and other guided experiences. Visit SagamoreSpirit.com to book your experience today. We also have curbside pickup for those shopping our online store!

Reviewed By viclaureano - Worcester, United States

Great tour guide, extremely clean facility, fun, informative, pleasantly short, and a great tasting at end.

7. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

213 N Talbot St Navy Point, St. Michaels, MD 21663-2103 +1 410-745-2916 [email protected] http://welcome.cbmm.org/
Excellent
72%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,019 reviews

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

*Before visiting, please visit welcome.cbmm.org for updates on our reopening. Each time you experience the Chesapeake Bay with us, you’ll find something different. Be sure to talk to our Shipwrights and apprentices in our Shipyard for insight into their current work in progress. Additionally, CBMM offers changing exhibitions, educational programs, boat rides on the Miles River, small craft rentals, and annual festivals celebrating Chesapeake Bay culture, boats, seafood, and history. With a waterfront, park-like setting, including numerous outdoor and indoor exhibitions, a Museum Store (with an ATM machine), and a member’s marina, you’ll find us on the Miles River in the heart of the historic town of St. Michaels. With two-day general admission, we encourage you to take a harbor-side stroll over Honeymoon Bridge to enjoy unique shopping, delicious dining, and fabulous lodging experiences. And be sure to check out the local brewery, winery, and distillery, and other town-wide events.

Reviewed By zap2504

Learned a great deal about how the English settlers treated the Native Americans (who taught them about oysters and crabbing); the two black resorts built in the Jim Crow era; the story about the yacht Isabel (was in a different slip than advertised - near the reconstruction shed) which was donated to the museum along with large funding grants to build the museum building; how life was like on a screw-pile lighthouse remotely placed in the bay. Got an entrance fee discount by having a Blue Heron coffee cup. May also apply to other local businesses.

8. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230-5390 +1 410-962-4290 http://www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,361 reviews

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

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!!

9. Fell's Point

Fell St, Baltimore, MD 21231 +1 410-675-6750 http://baltimore.org/neighborhoods-maps-transportation/fells-point
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,779 reviews

Fell's Point

This charming national historic district, dating back to the 18 century, has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, craft and antique stores, coffee houses and street fairs. Stop by the Art Gallery of Fells Point to see some fine work by local artists.

Reviewed By scraphollie27 - Comox, Canada

Fell’s Point is such a quaint, historic area and you definitely won’t be disappointed with the fabulous food and drink you find down here!

10. B&O Railroad Museum

901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223-2699 +1 410-507-1891 [email protected] http://www.borail.org/
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 825 reviews

B&O Railroad Museum

The B&O Railroad Museum, a full affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the birthplace of American Railroading, is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment. You’ll enjoy exploring our expansive Museum campus, known as the Mount Clare Shops and Station and was the original railroading complex of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). Founded in 1827, the B&O had a dramatic economic, social, and cultural impact on our society. Its nearly 200-year history is deeply intertwined with the story of America and helped shaped our nation through invention, innovation, and ingenuity. Experience two centuries of American railroading history throughout our campus of historic buildings, exhibitions, interactive displays, and our world-class collection of rolling stock —locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and maintenance vehicles. All Aboard!

Reviewed By MarkM4418 - Frederick, United States

One of the best train museums I've every seen. Well worth the admission. Plan on at least 1 - 2 hours. Beautifully restored trains and cars - from the very earliest, horse-pulled rail cars to rudimentary steam engines, to modern diesel engines. Beautiful museum.

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