7 Most Vibrant Towns In Maryland
Maryland is famous for its colonial and maritime past, but it also has a modern, vibrant side. Memorable small towns have been established all around the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Coast, and into the mountainous regions of the north. This means that visitors can expect pristine environments and a wealth of outdoor recreation to complement historic main streets, quirky festivals, and lots of great wining and dining opportunities. "The Old Line State" shows the power of combining a strong heritage with an open mind. These seven towns perfectly sample Maryland's natural, historical, and communal charms. Let's get started on the shore.
Ocean City
As the name suggests, Ocean City has a front-row view of the Atlantic. This summer resort town occupies a long, slim chunk of Fenwick Island – separated from mainland Maryland by Isle of Wight Bay and Assawoman Bay. This Worcester County gem is blessed with 10 miles of sandy shoreline that has been punctuated by a wooden boardwalk lined with delicious seafood restaurants, sweet treats, retail shops, cool bars, and lots of family-friendly attractions. Ocean City also puts on a quadfecta of major annual events: Springfest, Sunfest, Winterfest, and Dreamfest (and lots of smaller ones, too), to keep visitors laughing and boogying (when not busy boogie boarding) throughout the duration of their coastal vacation.
Berlin
Less than 9 miles west of Ocean City, still within Worcester County, the town of Berlin is ripe for an inland adventure. The downtown core is designated as a Maryland Main Street Community owing to its historic architecture (there are 47 structures on the National Historic Register), palpable heritage, and all-around thriving small-business center. Downtown Berlin is also a certified Arts and Entertainment District, thanks to its galleries, antiques, and live music venues. The Richard Gere/Julia Roberts film, Runaway Bride, was also filmed in the historic downtown. Sign up for the walking tour to cover the map of scene locations. Other local kicks include the Mermaid Museum and the railbike excursions that follow decommissioned tracks through the coastal forests surrounding Berlin (both great options for families).
Havre de Grace
Another small waterfront city with some pep in its steps is Havre de Grace, or HdG for short. This Harford County community sits on the southern shore of the Susquehanna River, right where it opens into the head of Chesapeake Bay – a transition marked by the restored Friends-Concord Point Lighthouse (the area's favorite landmark). HdG prides itself on its local park/trail system, giving its residents and visitors plenty of places to explore the tranquil yet stimulating surroundings. Enjoy a casual stroll on the promenade, or log some bigger miles on the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, which is in the process of developing a 40-mile network. In terms of state parks, Susquehanna is just a few miles up the namesake river, while Elk Neck is just a short drive (or boat ride) away. Museum buffs will also love Havre. There is the Maritime Museum, the Living War Memorial Museum, and even the Bahoukas Antique Mall & Beer Museum (to name a few).
Annapolis
It may seem odd to include a state capital on a "vibrant small town" list, but with a population of just over 40,000 and loads of fun ways to fill up a week, Annapolis fits right in. Sitting on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, engulfed by several rivers and coves, this colonial port city (founded in 1649 under the name 'Providence') continues Maryland's maritime aesthetic. Pay a visit to the United States Naval Academy, snag a spot on the shore from which to watch the Wednesday night sailboat races, or rent a canoe or kayak to get in on the action yourself. For a terrestrial adventure, be sure to stroll Annapolis' historic downtown, with architecture covering four centuries and an equally diverse array of dining and entertainment. Summer is great, but fall is also vibrant. As the leaves begin to change colors, farmer's markets and festivals pick up steam.
Chesapeake Beach
A little further south along Chesapeake Bay's western shoreline lies Chesapeake Beach – a railroad/steamboat town born out of recreation. Get in touch with this Calvert County community's wet and wild side by visiting the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, join a charter fishing tour (vessels even include their own authentic storytellers!), or catch up on the art and history of surfing at the Hang Ten at Bruce "Snake" Gabrielson's Surfing Museum. Or, for a softer approach to the weekend, check out All Aboard at the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum (housed in the 1989 depot that connected to Washington, D.C.), or stroll the two-mile C.B Railway Trail, enjoying the waterfront, educational gardens, and osprey platforms along the way.
Chestertown
Over on the east side of Chesapeake Bay, on the banks of the Chester River, the small college town of Chestertown is full of treasures. The stately campus of Washington College (i.e., the first college chartered in the sovereign U.S.) merges nation-defining history with the potential and vigor of budding youth. This expands into the rest of the community in the form of its brick-lined Arts & Entertainment District, its endless array of themed festivals (like the summer concert series, Pirates and Wenches Weekend, county fairs, the Chestertown Tea Party Festival, and the Sultana's Downrigging Weekend Tall Ship and Wooden Boat Festival), its Farmers and Artisans Market, and its cafe/bar scene. To cap it all off, this Kent County settlement has the second-largest district of restored colonial residences.
Thurmont
Northern Maryland's Thurmont is nestled in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains, providing all kinds of rewarding outdoor recreation outlets. Get things started with some hiking in Catoctin Mountain Park – a second-growth forest preserve with over 25 miles of nature trails that nudges right up against Thurmont's west side. Just south of there sprawls Cunningham Falls State Park, offering plenty of additional greenery, plus a man-made lake (with a cute sandy beach) and the 78-foot cascading namesake waterfall (the largest in the state). Back in town, Thurmont is another designated Main Street community, ensuring a charming exterior and lots of unique mom n' pop shops. This Frederick County community hits its peak in October when approximately 140,000 people show up for the Catoctin Colorfest, an arts and crafts festival that is perfectly complemented by the colorful mountain surroundings.
Maryland owes its exuberance to ample and varied natural surroundings, a colorful history that very much shaped the nation, and creative and friendly residents who are always ready to turn up for the next gallery opening, music night, or seasonal festival. These seven vibrant towns show off Maryland's abundant waterways, rich forests, and rolling mountainscapes while also flexing a healthy dose of heritage and communal spirit. So drop on by the Old Line State.
