8 Most Neighborly Towns In Maryland

Beyond its big cities, like Baltimore and Columbia, Maryland is home to several serene and cozy towns with hospitable people. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and the cold, lonely aura that’s prevalent in larger cities nowadays, these towns in Maryland are the perfect places to run to. With small populations, each of these towns has a strong sense of community, and locals are closely knitted. St. Michaels, one of the towns even made it to a recent ranking of most welcoming destinations in America curated by ElectricityPrices.com, a UK-based electricity price advisor. Without further ado, join the friendly residents and enjoy a laid-back experience in these eight most neighborly towns in Maryland today.

Leonardtown

This small town in St. Mary's County Town is a delightful laid-back destination for history lovers and retreat seekers, with a small population of just above 4,500. With a friendly atmosphere and proximity to the Patuxent River, the town is just the perfect escape for city dwellers or anyone seeking a quaint small-town experience. Once here, the Leonardtown Wharf Park by the riverfront is a leisure spot to boat, kayak, canoe on the water, or relax by its banks for the views. The park is also historic as it has a wayside marker commemorating the attack on the town during the War of 1812. Visitors can learn more about this war and the history of St. Mary's at the Tudor Hall and then enjoy lunch later at the Olde Town Pub while making new friends. Before leaving, be sure to enjoy a few glasses at Port of Leonardtown Winery and check out some jewelry and crafts at North End Gallery.

Frostburg

The university town of Frostburg — home to Frostburg State University — in Allegany County is home to around 7,000 people, yet visitors can still experience small-town vibes and a sense of community here. The downtown is particularly a warm spot full of establishments offering great services and opportunities to connect with the locals, which often include beautiful youths full of passion. Some favorite spots in the town center to check out include the Hotel Gunter Museum, Frostburg Museum, and the Princess Restaurant, where President Harry Truman and his wife once dined in the 1950s. In terms of arts, the Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery and Mountain City Traditional Arts are great destinations to explore creative artworks in the town. In the meantime, the town hosts the Frostburg Palace Theatre where locals often gather to laugh and sometimes cry together amidst ample entertainment.

Berlin

Berlin is a beautiful town full of history and saturated with a friendly aura. Whether you’re traveling with little kids or alone, this town has that refreshing atmosphere that will make you feel at home. First off, it has a downtown area that’s vibrant enough to make it entertaining and less chaotic enough for kids to safely ride their bikes. Year-round, the town even hosts events designed to mostly bring people together and some include the Berlin Farmers Market (held in the fall), and the Bathtub Races where local businesses compete against each other. In the meantime, Berlin hosts several fun attractions like the Mermaid Museum, the first of its kind in the world, featuring exhibits about mermaids. On the side of history, the town is home to the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, a restored 19th-century structure that details like in the town in the 1800s. For adventures, the Assateague Islands National Seashore is nearby for boating, sailing, kayaking, fishing, wild horse watching, camping, and beach fun.

St. Michaels

St. Michaels is a small river town of around 1,000 people, making it a less chaotic community and hideaway for those seeking undisturbed relaxation or recreation. Famous for its welcoming atmosphere, the town lies along the Miles River, a popular attraction for water sports. Also, visitors here will love to explore the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and climb the small Hooper Strait Lighthouse to enjoy water views. The museum features a collection of marine exhibits including the world's largest collection of Chesapeake Bay boats and many large vessels. More historic attractions visitors here will love include the Saint Michaels Mill (built in 1890) and the St. Michaels Museum, lavish with local artifacts. After the exploration, it’s always great to enjoy meals at Foxy’s Harbor Grille as it offers great water views and opportunities to interact with the hospitable locals.

Crisfield

Crisfield sits on the Chesapeake Bay and is one of the more relaxing destinations in the south. This town prides itself on being the seafood capital of the world and with so many restaurants in the area, there’s happiness and hospitality everywhere. Visit this town and head to its top restaurants like Crab Place and Fisherman Grille to satisfy your deepest seafood craving. Next, head to the Janes Island State Park on the Chesapeake Bay to enjoy over 30 miles of water trails, pristine beaches, and over 100 campsites. At the town’s Somers Cove Marina, tourists can stroll around or go fishing, cruising, and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Meanwhile, the Crisfield Heritage Foundation is a historic stop to learn about the town and its roots through tours and exhibits.

Solomons

Solomons is a beautiful riverside town also known as Solomons Island with just above 2,200 people. Positioned along the mouth of Patuxent River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay, this town is majorly a tourist destination where vacationers come to enjoy their weekends, and its small friendly population makes it more welcoming and less chaotic. Once here, history lovers visit the Calvert Marine Museum to explore marine exhibits, climb the Drum Point Lighthouse, and join tours to Cove Point Lighthouse. For more recreational activities on the water, visitors can head to Spring Cove Marina to rent boats for cruises or relax at its swimming pool with wines. When hungry, dine at the Solomons Victorian Inn while enjoying beautiful views of the harbor. Elsewhere, art enthusiasts can visit the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center to see many sculptures in a forested landscape.

Oakland

Oakland is a natural jewel in Maryland near the Potomac River, and its small population of about 1,900 people ensures the natural setting is pristine, but there’s more. Year-round, the town hosts a variety of events that help people socialize, have fun, and strengthen its community. Some of these top events include the Oakland Winter Fest (held in February), Kick Off to Summer (held in June), and Autumn Glory Carnival (held in October). Plus, there are interesting attractions in town to keep visitors busy year-round. The historic B&O Railroad Museum is just one such attraction featuring a Queen Anne-style railroad station built in 1884. History lovers would love this museum as it hosts a comprehensive collection of local and regional railroad artifacts. More exciting attractions in Oakland include the Carriage House Antique and the nearby Swallows Falls State Park, home to a 54-foot waterfall, old hemlock trees, over 60 campsites, and the Youghiogheny River. From this park, adventurers can hike a 5-mile trail into Herrington Manor State Park, another great spot centered around a 53-acre lake that is perfect for swimming and kayaking.

Thurmont

Thurmont is a family-friendly mountain town nestled on the eastern side of the Catoctin spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town has a neighborly feel and offers easy access to several outdoor attractions including the Catoctin Mountain Park, where 25 miles of trails beckon the explorer. Additionally, the park hosts the Camp David Presidential Retreat, which is inaccessible to the public but evokes that feeling of camping in a surrounding where presidents come for retreats. Meanwhile, the town is close to the Cunningham Falls State Park, home to campsites and Cunningham Falls, the state’s largest cascading falls. This park also has a 45-acre artificial lake where tourists can swim and fish or enjoy picnics on its banks. More interesting points of interest in town include the Utica Covered Bridge and the Rebecca Pearl Gallery. Notably, Thurmont plays host to the yearly Catoctin Colorfest, an art festival that attracts more than 100,000 people in fall. Don't miss this event if you're in the town in October.

Conclusion

If you live in a city or a larger town anywhere in the country, chances are, you long to experience life in a slow-paced environment where it is easy to connect with people. The eight most neighborly towns in Maryland are just the right places to get that experience. Besides their low populations, the people living in these little towns are welcoming and always ready to help others. You’ll also find exciting events year-round in these towns as well as numerous points of interest designed to entertain and bring everyone together.