Maryland holidays

You’ll find a wide range of things to do on your Maryland holiday. You can get lost in art, uncover the stories of America’s naval traditions, or simply take a trip into nature.
On the coast, you can watch wild horses gallop across the windswept barrier island of Assateague. Or skate along 10 miles of Ocean City Boardwalk past rides, shops and attractions – not to mention some of the finest purveyors of Delmarva fried chicken, saltwater taffy, and hot funnel cakes on America’s Atlantic coast.

Inland, meanwhile, you can tour the old US capital of Annapolis, or kayak among the wrecks of the Mallows Bay ghost fleet. Stand on the site of the Civil War’s bloodiest day at Antietam National Battlefield. Or take things easy among the beaches, spas, shops, and waterside restaurants of Deep Creek Lake.

Maryland’s biggest city, Baltimore is bursting with art, culture and history – which is partly why this state is called “America in Miniature”. Art-lovers will be in paradise on the banks of the Patapsco River. Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum combine to bring a unique and comprehensive history of art from all over the world, while the American Visionary Art Museum is a celebration of quirky, modern pieces.

Wander down to Inner Harbour and Fells Point, where aromas from restaurants and cafés mingle with the river breeze and constant music. Browse museums and boutique shops, or stop to tour historic ships such as the triple-masted USS Constellation, the USS Torsk submarine, and the Lightship Chesapeake. You can cheer on the Orioles during a baseball game at Camden Yards, discover the inspiration for The Star-Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry, or marvel National Aquarium’s fascinating water wonders and enormous indoor rainforest.

The brick and clapboard buildings of Annapolis mark the gateway to Chesapeake Bay and the playground beyond. It’s the home of the US Naval Academy Museum and Chapel, the William Paca House and Garden, and the oldest continuously used State House in America. You can uncover the proud naval past of Maryland at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. And learn of one woman’s dedication to freedom at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park.

Want to see Baltimore’s wilder side? Navigate 26,000 acres of marshes, ponds, and forest at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Or drive an hour to the Atlantic coast to take a turn on a 120-year-old carousel, ride a tram, or walk along Ocean City’s 10-mile boardwalk. Take to the water in kayaks, then tuck into saltwater taffy and hot funnel cakes. Or spend an afternoon fishing in the bay beside Assateague Island, or cross to its shores and see wild horses running through its windswept grass.

Maryland summers run from June to August, and this is by far the most popular time for local tourists to visit – so you can expect it to be busy. Temperatures often reach around 30°C but days can be humid and some attractions can be crowded, particularly those around Ocean City and Chesapeake Bay.

For flexible travellers, April, May, September or October is the best times to visit. Weather and temperatures are still pleasant in these spring and autumn months, but you won’t have to share the sunshine with as many people. The exception is Spring Break, when young Americans flock to the waterside areas in the east and Deep Creek Lake in the west.

Winter in Maryland is cold with snowfall common between December and February. But, if you’re happy to wrap up warm, German-style Christmas markets, twinkling lights and ice-skating make this a charming time to visit.