New to Maryland? Check out these popular local attractions surrounding Maryland’s military bases and beyond. Don’t worry about them being too “touristy” — they’re beloved for a reason.
Places to Go
Baltimore
Oriole Park at Camden Yards: Cheer on the home team at a Baltimore Orioles baseball game.
National Aquarium: The award-winning aquarium is home to hundreds of different aquatic species and an indoor tropical rainforest. Tickets are half off every Friday after 5 p.m.!
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture: A relatively recent addition to Baltimore, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum celebrates the area’s vibrant Black community, its culture and its history.
Fort McHenry: This historic landmark was the site of the Battle of Baltimore, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Lexington Market: Lexington Market is a must-try for anyone visiting Baltimore, housing many different kinds of cuisine and locally-owned small businesses.
The Avenue in Hampden: More than 100 shops and restaurants make their home in this “hipster” neighborhood, making it a great place to browse.
Sherwood Gardens: During peak tulip season in the spring, this historic park comes alive with a rainbow of tulip varieties, hydrangeas, flowering cherries and more. It’s a great place to take pictures for weddings, graduations or just for social media.
Annapolis
U.S. Naval Academy: You don’t have to be a student to set foot on campus here, as you can arrange tours focused on specific Navy-related subjects through Naval Academy Tourism.
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum: Named for some of Maryland’s most famous Black figures, this museum houses more than 12,000 artifacts related to Black history in the state.
Maryland State House: Take a self-guided tour through the place Maryland lawmakers meet to discuss policy, which features several historical exhibits about the state.
William Paca House: This estate and garden was designed by its former owner, who was one of the four Maryland residents to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Annapolis Maritime Museum: Take a sailboat cruise or learn about the natural wildlife of the Chesapeake Bay at this museum celebrating Maryland’s maritime history and environment.
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse: This unique lighthouse is located in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay and can only be reached by boat. Though it is open to the public for touring, it still operates as a functional lighthouse.
Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park: Located right along the shore of the Severn River, this park is a great place to go fishing or take a seaside walk.
Montgomery County
Sandy Spring Adventure Park: Test your climbing and adventuring skills at this ropes course, voted the No. 2 Best Aerial Adventure Park in the 2024 USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards.
Rock Creek Regional Park: This park encompasses two lakes, Lake Needwood and Lake Frank. It’s the perfect place to go fishing or boating, or to take a tour on the Needwood Queen pontoon.
Great Falls Park: See some beautiful waterfalls and streams at this park, which features accessible trails for less experienced hikers.
Kensington Antique Row: This historic district in Kensington is the Washington, D.C. area’s largest and oldest antiquing district and is home to many small businesses selling eclectic goods.
Glen Echo Park: While the days of Glen Echo Park operating as an amusement park are long gone, the area still contains several interesting attractions, including an aquarium and a more-than-100-years-old carousel.
Eastern Shore
Assateague Island National Seashore and State Park: Assateague Island is most well known for its population of wild horses, and visitors are encouraged to observe their beauty from a safe distance.
Ocean City Boardwalk: There’s plenty of fun and games to be found on this boardwalk, from theme park rides to restaurants.
Trimpers Rides & Amusements: Located on the boardwalk, this amusement park has been operational since the late 19th century.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge: A birder’s paradise, this park is home to a large population of rare birds and other animals.
Salisbury Zoo: Take a walk on the wild side at this free zoo, which houses animals both native to Maryland and from around the world.
Foods to Try
Crab cakes: Maryland is best known for its crab dishes, but crab cakes are among its most popular.
Pit beef barbecue: If you’ve seen the show “The Wire,” you might be familiar with this distinctly Maryland barbecued beef sandwich topped with horseradish and raw onion.
Smith Island cake: The official dessert of Maryland, this cake layered with yellow cake and chocolate icing used to be made for islanders setting off to harvest oysters.
Lemon stick: A sweet and sour delicacy consisting of a soft peppermint stick shoved into a lemon half.
Stuffed ham: Smoked ham packed with leafy greens and chopped onions is a beloved Southern Maryland delicacy.
Snowballs: Snowballs differ from snow cones because they are made using shaved ice instead of crushed ice, making for a smoother texture.
Orange crush cocktail: First served at the Harborside Bar & Grill in Ocean City, this sweet drink is made with vodka, fresh-squeezed orange juice, triple sec and lemon-lime soda. You can also often find variations made with other fruits.
