10 Most Relaxing Maryland Towns

The Old Line State offers a combination of supreme natural beauty, rich cultural flavors, and fun outdoor adventures that deliver a soothing holiday experience for tourists. While most people rush towards the glamor of the big cities like Baltimore and Annapolis, the smaller and often overlooked towns are more tailored for a laid-back retreat. They are less crowded, easily navigable, and have a slower pace of life. Luckily, there is no shortage of options between the Atlantic Coast and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

These hidden gems delight with simple life pleasures, whether seeking an outdoor experience, a pleasant cultural encounter, or a luscious culinary journey. From scouring through vintage treasures in New Market to savoring ocean views in Chesapeake City, uncover the most relaxing towns in Maryland.

Chesapeake City

Home to less than 1,000, Chesapeake City offers a relaxing vibe in its wide-open nature spaces, panoramic water views, and captivating historical heritage. People often gather at Pell Gardens Park to revel in its green natural surroundings and gentle breeze from the sea as they watch passing vessels on the Chesapeake Bay. It gets even more relaxing with the Chesapeake Water Tours as guests experience the sights from the water during an easygoing boat cruise. This is accompanied by refreshing craft beer and wine tastings while listening to soothing music.

A walk through the Chesapeake City Historic District reveals that many of its 19th and 20th-century structures remain intact, resulting in a calming sense of nostalgia. According to the Chesapeake City Museum, the community was founded in the early 19th century and was initially named Bohemia Manor by Augustine Herman, a famous Bohemian colonist.

Ocean City

Ocean City's unique coastal setting, between the Isle of Wight Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, lures those seeking a stress-free environment to let their hair down and unwind. Almost 8 million annual visitors come to the town, most during the summer, to relax on the smooth sands of Ocean City Beach and stare into the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, the Ocean City Boardwalk provides a family-friendly atmosphere, where eateries, craft shops, carnival rides, and more line the historic promenade from 1902.

The surrounding waters remain busy with boating and kayaking tours for guests who want to sail into the open sea. West OC Watersports is an excellent option if you consider a laid-back fishing, tubing, or sightseeing cruise, with a chance to discover gems like the nearby Assateague Island.

New Market

This unassuming town in Frederick County charms newcomers with its small-town atmosphere and quaint historic district. The sleepy streets of the New Market Historic District give a feel for its rustic allure. They host a cluster of welcoming antique shops, from Robert Esterly Antiques to Fleshman's Antiques, giving credence to the community's nickname "Antique Capital of the World." Besides shopping for cute vintage treasures, you can take a surreal journey through time while browsing the series of 19th-century buildings in the district, including the 1800 Henkel House.

Another excellent way to relax in New Market is to play a round of golf at the Whiskey Creek Golf Club, which features manicured greens in a peaceful natural setting. Later, you can spend the night at the Fingerboard Farm and enjoy a countryside retreat.

Berlin

Famous for its charming Main Street, Berlin has a vibrant historic district where a cluster of restaurants, bakeries, antique shops, galleries, museums, and other local establishments get first-timers in a happy-go-lucky mood. The Mermaid Museum intrigues with a quirky collection of exhibits centered around mermaids. Meanwhile, Bour Agave Bourbon & Tequila Joint treats visitors to savory Southern-style seafood cuisine with a touch of Spanish flavors to go with refreshing cocktails and tequilas.

Berlin's proximity to Assateague Island provides for exciting escapades to Assateague State Park, where serenity and solitude await. The isolated sanctuary has sandy beach trails for lazy strolling, a fishing pier, and boat ramps, but what excites the most is the herd of wild ponies that call the island home.

Sharpsburg

Sharpsburg interests travelers with a rare trip down memory lane stretching back to the height of the Civil War. Its rich heritage intertwines with the invasion of Maryland by Confederate General Robert Lee and his army, resulting in the "Bloodiest Day in American History." Today, the Antietam National Battlefield preserves the actual site of the conflict, where almost 23,000 soldiers perished, were severely injured, or went missing. Many of the victims were buried at the Antietam National Cemetery, and you can pay tribute to over 4,700 Union soldiers.

Beyond the Civil War, Sharpsburg hosts additional historical landmarks that remind tourists of America's war history. Among these is the Kennedy Farm, remembered for housing abolitionist John Brown as he planned his raid of Harpers Ferry in 1859.

Oakland

Oakland boasts scenic natural surroundings punctuated by mountains, waterfalls, and parks. Its abundance of outdoor recreation makes it one of the most relaxing towns in Maryland. The municipality is home to Swallow Falls State Park, whose lovely trails lead adventurers to one of the most spectacular scenes in the state, Muddy Creek Falls. This breathtaking 54-foot waterfall compels many to capture it on camera before dipping into the natural swimming hole at the base of the cascade. The vibe is the same at the Oakland Golf Club, which has a mild setting minutes from Deep Creek Lake that lets you put your thoughts aside for a fun round of golf.

Guests are invited to join Oakland's lively arts community at Our Town Theatre for a socially, artistically, and culturally stimulating affair as local artists, dancers, and actors entrain the audience with their stage performances.

Frostburg

Situated smack in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Frostburg boasts picturesque natural surroundings and houses a close-knit community that takes pride in its historical heritage. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad showcases the town's scenic beauty as it journeys through the Allegheny Mountain wilderness. Tourists delight in fantastic sightseeing opportunities during this mellow-paced excursion on a vintage steam engine.

At the Frostburg Museum, you will learn that the community traces its origins to 1812. The venue's collection of exhibits highlights life in Frostburg in the early days. Additionally, the Thrasher Carriage Museum focuses on a primary transportation mode used by pioneers, displaying a fleet of horse-drawn carriages from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Chestertown

Chestertown's waterfront charm, eclectic art culture, and delectable dining scene provide the ingredients needed for a relaxing getaway. The municipality sits on the banks of the Chester River, cultivating carefree cruises on the calm river waters courtesy of the Chester River Packet Company. A lively local arts community welcomes tourists to enjoy entertaining stage performances at the Garfield Center for the Arts. The atmosphere is always welcoming as regional artists showcase their talent through drama, concerts, musicals, and plays.

There is no shortage of opportunities for winers and diners in Chestertown, and you can sample exotic Italian flavors like penne and spaghetti in the romantic setting of Luisa's Cucina Italiana. Later, a glass of exceptionally crafted wine at Casa Carmen Wines will put you in a chilled-out mood.

Saint Michaels

This adorable community lies along the Chesapeake Bay and has long maintained a rich sailing and crabbing culture. Today, it preserves its nautical identity at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum through a vast collection of artifacts and old vessels chronicling various on-the-water experiences. The St. Michaels Harbor Shuttle takes foreigners on nonchalant boat cruises that explore the area's history and ecology. These also involve unique sightseeing encounters featuring photogenic landmarks like the historic Hooper Strait Lighthouse.

The trip is incomplete without sampling St. Michael's famous Chesapeake Bay cuisine. Fortunately, numerous restaurants dot the downtown region, including Ruse. The joint boasts an intimate atmosphere with vibrant decor and serves some of the best oysters in the area.

Havre De Grace

Between its waterfront vistas, charming museums, beautiful parks, and sailing adventures, Havre de Grace has something for anyone looking for a relaxing time. The Havre de Grace Promenade is a popular escape where you can enjoy a stress-free stroll. From the walkway, the dramatic scene of the Susquehanna River joining the Chesapeake Bay proves gratifying for many.

Susquehanna State Park offers a serene atmosphere with its dense forest cover and isolated trails running along the banks of the Susquehanna River. The setting is perfect for uninterrupted picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing, and bird-watching, which can be therapeutic for the body and mind. Finally, the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum tells an engrossing story of the community's nautical heritage with its catalog of interactive exhibits about crabbing and fishing.

It is always essential to take some time off your regular schedule to let your body rest and mind rejuvenate. One of the best ways to do this is to take a weekend vacation in any of the relaxing towns in Maryland. With their enticing mix of small-town charm, picturesque natural scenery, and pleasant outdoor adventures, they provide the sweet spot for those seeking to replace the urban hustle and bustle with raw rural tranquility in the United States. You have all the options between lounging on the beach in Ocean City or savoring tasty seafood in Saint Michaels.