Maryland Attractions Guide

Baltimore

Inner Harbor — The waterfront heart of Baltimore, lined with promenades, historic ships, restaurants, and street performers; the natural starting point for any visit.

National Aquarium — One of the top aquariums in the United States, home to thousands of marine animals including sharks, dolphins, and a walk-through tropical rainforest exhibit.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine — The star-shaped fort that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812; ranger programs and the flag-raising ceremony are highlights.

Baltimore Museum of Art — Free-admission museum with a strong collection of modern and contemporary art, including the largest holding of Matisse works in the world.

American Visionary Art Museum — A one-of-a-kind museum near the Inner Harbor devoted to self-taught and outsider art, with colorful, kinetic exhibits.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards — The beloved retro-style ballpark widely credited with starting the modern ballpark movement; tours run on non-game days.

Annapolis

United States Naval Academy — The undergraduate college of the U.S. Navy, with guided tours covering the chapel, Bancroft Hall, and the crypt of John Paul Jones.

Maryland State House — The oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use in the nation, dating to 1772, where George Washington resigned his military commission in 1783.

Annapolis City Dock — The historic waterfront at the head of Ego Alley, lined with colonial-era buildings, seafood restaurants, and sailing boats; great for an evening stroll.

William Paca House and Garden — The restored 18th-century home of a Declaration of Independence signer, with a two-acre colonial revival garden.

Kunta Kinte–Alex Haley Memorial — A waterfront memorial at City Dock honoring the author of Roots and the arrival of his ancestor Kunta Kinte in Annapolis.

Ocean City

Ocean City Boardwalk — A 3-mile wooden boardwalk running the length of the beachfront, packed with arcades, saltwater taffy shops, Thrasher's French Fries, and amusement piers.

Ocean City Beach — Ten miles of free, guarded Atlantic beaches with soft sand; the central stretch between the boardwalk and 30th Street is the liveliest.

Trimper's Rides — The historic family-owned amusement park on the Boardwalk, operating since 1893, with classic rides including a 1902 Herschell-Spillman carousel.

Antietam

Antietam National Battlefield — The site of the September 17, 1862 battle, the bloodiest single day in American military history; the visitor center film and auto tour cover the Cornfield, Bloody Lane, and Burnside Bridge.

Burnside Bridge — The stone bridge over Antietam Creek where Union troops made their famous assault; one of the most photographed spots on the battlefield.

Dunker Church — The small white church that became a landmark of the morning phase of the battle, reconstructed on its original site.

Pry House Field Hospital Museum — The National Museum of Civil War Medicine's field hospital site, showing how wounded soldiers were treated after the battle.

Assateague Island

Assateague Island National Seashore — A 37-mile barrier island with undeveloped beaches, marshes, and pine forests; excellent for swimming, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.

Wild horses of Assateague — The famous free-roaming horses believed to descend from shipwrecked Spanish galleons; best spotted along Bayberry Drive and the marsh overlooks in early morning or late afternoon.

Assateague Island Visitor Center — Exhibits on the island's ecology and history, plus ranger-led programs in summer.

Life of the Marsh Trail — An easy boardwalk loop through salt marsh with interpretive signs and frequent bird and crab sightings.

Practical Tips

• Best season: Late spring through early fall (May–October) for beaches and the boardwalk; September offers warm water with smaller crowds. Baltimore and Annapolis are pleasant year-round, and fall foliage peaks in western Maryland in mid-October.
• Getting around: A car is essential outside Baltimore and Washington, DC — Ocean City, Antietam, and Assateague are not well served by transit. Baltimore has a light rail, subway, and water taxi; Annapolis is walkable once you arrive.
• Book ahead: Naval Academy tours and Fort McHenry ranger programs can fill on summer weekends; Ocean City hotels book out early for July and August.
• Park passes: Antietam and Assateague charge entrance fees — the America the Beautiful annual pass covers both if you plan to visit multiple national park sites.
• Horse safety: Keep at least 40 feet from Assateague's wild horses and never feed them; food is stored in vehicle trunks or hard-sided containers at the campgrounds.

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