From Wikitravel

For other places with the same name, see Maryland (disambiguation).

Maryland [1] is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America. It is characterized by diversity, including both sea and mountain, urban and rural, historic and modern opportunities for the visitor. One of its nicknames is "America in Miniature" because it has a little bit of everything. Maryland is bordered by the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.

[edit] Regions

Capital Region The population core of Maryland—mostly suburbs and exurbs of Washington, D.C.

Central Maryland Including the quintessentially Maryland cities of Baltimore and Annapolis

Eastern Shore Maryland's lowlands east of the Chesapeake, home to the beach resort Ocean City as well as Assateague Island National Seashore

Southern Maryland A solidly Chesapeake region with charming bed & breakfasts and bay island destinations, an easy drive from D.C.

Western Maryland Where Maryland gets mountainous and rugged, with some charming, laid-back, smaller cities, and outdoor opportunities at Deep Creek Lake and on the Appalachian Trail

[edit] Cities

• Annapolis — the quaint state (and one-time national) capital, with strong maritime, naval, and seafood traditions
• Baltimore — Maryland's big city on the Chesapeake, home to the Inner Harbor, a magnificent Aquarium, Camden Yards, lots of history, and vibrant city life
• Bethesda — the urban-upscale hotspot in the D.C. inner suburbs, with over 200 restaurants
• College Park — a vibrant college town just outside the D.C. city limits
• Cumberland — railroad town in the Appalachian Mountains and the C&O Canal terminus
• Frederick — Bustling historic city near Harpers Ferry, famous for antiques and outlets
• Hagerstown — quaint small city at the foot of the Appalachians, famous for its outlets
• Ocean City — very popular seaside resort city on a barrier island, with loads of restaurants and night clubs
• Solomons Island — a small historic town and popular weekend getaway on the Chesapeake at the mouth of the Patuxent River

[edit] Other destinations

• Antietam Battlefield — site of the bloodiest single day in American History, at the first battle of the Civil War in the North
• Appalachian Trail — the great Appalachian Trail passes through the Maryland panhandle for a mere 40 miles, but that includes one excellent and easy hike to the ever popular rock-climbing mecca of Annapolis Rock
• Assateague Island National Seashore — a beautiful national park of a barrier island, populated by wild ponies
• Catoctin Mountain Park — a big, rugged National Park centered around Catoctin Mountain, and home to the Presidential retreat of Camp David
• Chesapeake Bay — the Great Shellfish Bay is a whole travel region of its own, offering fishing, crabbing, swimming, boating, sailing, unique island communities, placid bed & breakfasts, and just plain beautiful sunsets
• Deep Creek Lake — Maryland's mountain/lake resort and spa
• Great Falls — the spectacular Great Falls along the Potomac River, plus endless walking/biking trails along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
• St. Mary's City — Maryland's original colonial capital and one of the very first British settlements in North America
• Patapsco Valley State Park — a big state park with over 32 miles of well-marked trails leading to historic and natural sites of interest, all just a half-hours drive away from Baltimore

[edit] Understand

The largest and most well known geographic feature of Maryland is the Chesapeake Bay, the world's largest estuary. At one time it was called the world's protein basket because it produced so much seafood in the form of fish and shellfish, in particular its most famous product, Blue Crabs. Today the bay is a poster child for what happens from overfishing and pollution, but Maryland leads the country in many progressive "Save the Bay" programs to save wetlands, and halt the flow of pollutants from the more than 12 million people who live in its watershed from Pennsylvania to Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay is a magnet for sailing and fishing sports activities.

The state is bounded to the south by the Potomac River, which offers opportunities for boating, and bicycling along the disused Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail, leading from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland.

The western part of the state is much more mountainous than the eastern lowlands, and offers hiking along the Appalachian Trail, whitewater recreation in the Youghiogheny River, and historical sites such as Antietam Battlefield, where the events of the bloodiest single day in American history unfolded.

Ocean City offers an economy that caters to the huge seasonal influx of beach-goers. It has an odd charm in the winter, with discounted hotels, deserted beaches and empty restaurants.

[edit] Geography and Climate

The state crosses many different geographical zones, from the low, sandy barrier islands of the Atlantic Coast to the fertile, lowlands of the Chesapeake Basin, which rise into the foothills of the Piedmont, and eventually the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains. Maryland has been called "America in Miniature" because of the great difference of landscape one can experience in such a small area.

The climate of Maryland varies as much as its topography. The lower elevation Atlantic Coastal Plain, which surrounds the Chesapeake Bay and includes the major cities of Baltimore, Annapolis, and Salisbury has a mild subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cool winters with very little snow. As one moves away from the Bay and higher in elevation, the climate becomes more continental, with milder summers and colder winters including the major cities of Hagerstown and Cumberland. In the mountains of the west summers are cool, and winters can be very cold with heavy snows. The mountains protect the eastern half of Maryland from much of the harsh winter weather experienced in the Great Lakes region.

[edit] Talk

[edit] Get in

Airplane: Many international and domestic flights arrive into the states's main airport, Baltimore-Washington International (BWI). Many air travelers to Maryland arrive at Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD), both located in northern Virginia. In addition, regional flights can be booked to Hagerstown (HGR), and Salisbury.

Train: Amtrak trains arrive at stations in Aberdeen, Baltimore, BWI, Cumberland, New Carrollton, Rockville, and Salisbury.

Car: Maryland is served by several main Interstate highways, and a number of other routes enter the state. Interstates 68 and 70 are the main east-west interstate highways in the state, and Interstates 81, 83, 95 and 97 are major north-south routes. In addition, US Routes 219, 220, 29, 11, 15, 1, and 13 are major north-south arteries.

[edit] Get around

• Maryland Transit Authority [2] for bus, light rail, subway, and MARC commuter train information.
• Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Central Maryland are served by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (METRO) [3]

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

• Duckpin bowling Maryland is one of the few remaining places to experience this dying sport. With smaller bowling balls, funny-shaped pins and three throws per frame, duckpins represent a unique regional experience.
• Lacrosse Maryland is perhaps the hotbed of high school and college lacrosse -- it became the official state team sport in 2004. Johns Hopkins is a perennial contender for the men's national championship; the University of Maryland has been powerhouse on the women's side. A ticket to one of these matches represents a different sort of spectator experience than you get at a football, baseball or basketball game.
• Maryland Renaissance Festival Crownsville, MD. Phone: (800) 296-7304. http://www.rennfest.com/ Celebrating its 30th year as of 2006, the Renaissance Festival is held every fall on the weekends (and Labor Day) between the last weekend of August and the third weekend of October. Probably your only chance to view the Maryland state sport of jousting.
• Maryland State Fair, Timonium, MD. [4]. Livestock shows, entertainment, a vast midway full of thrill rides and carnival attractions, and even a horse race all make up the Maryland State Fair, held the last weeks of August through the first days of September.
• Preakness Baltimore, MD. [5]. The second jewel in the legendary Triple Crown of thoroughbred horse racing happens every May at Pimlico Race Track in northwest Baltimore. Parties, parades, and other events throughout the Baltimore lead up to the anticipated race.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Maryland is renown for its crab cakes which come in many varieties. Steamed crabs with Old Bay seasoning is also a favorite Maryland food although it is seasonal and has become expensive.

Shellfish are a classic cornerstone of Maryland cuisine, and raw oysters on the half shell are a local delicacy. They're typically appreciated with a dash of hot sauce, and clams are often served the same way. Steamed mussels can make for a warming winter evening dinner, and Bertha's in Baltimore serves the state's most famous (and tastiest) mussel.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Beer lovers will want to try a few of the state's great craft brews. Wild Goose and Blue Ridge Ales are among the most popular. Both brands offer a variety of styles - stouts, porters, ales, ESBs, IPAs,and Goldens. Also, Clipper City, Deep Creek, and Foggy Bottom are brands worth sampling.

[edit] Stay safe

In Baltimore, the Inner Harbor region is a very safe and clean tourist area, however, one does not have to wander far to find more dangerous areas.

[edit] Get out

• Washington, D.C.

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