9 Coolest Maryland Towns For A Summer Vacation In 2025
Maryland is a great place to visit year-round, as it offers almost everything America is known for, which is why it has been nicknamed America in Miniature. From beaches and islands to mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, delicious seafood, and diverse cultures, so much is packed into this state’s 12,400 square miles. In summer, particularly, Maryland showcases its best across its small towns like Thurmont and Ocean City. During the warm season in these towns, opportunities abound for a wide range of activities from beach fun to watersports, hiking, and more. Moreover, some of the state’s best events, like the Maryland Folk Festival, are held in summer, and several thrilling attractions that stay closed in winter are open during this season. Without further ado, here are the nine coolest Maryland towns for a summer vacation in 2025.
Havre de Grace
Havre de Grace is a charming waterfront town on Chesapeake Bay, ideal for a relaxing summer vacation. The town has a promenade for strolling with views of the bay and waterfowl. From the boardwalk, it is easy to visit and tour the magnificent Concord Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1827 as the second oldest lighthouse in Maryland and served for 148 years. Havre de Grace is also home to the Susquehanna State Park, an exciting place to cool off in summer with activities like boating, fishing, and picnicking. The park also has trails for hiking and biking, plus campsites and cabins for extended stays. Moreover, the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum is a cool place to visit as it offers exhibits, educational programs, and special events that reveal the maritime heritage of the region, including the Chesapeake Bay and the Lower Susquehanna River.
Boonsboro
Boonsboro is a lovely town with so many outdoor adventures to delight summer travelers. Here, the Greenbrier State Park with its 42-acre lake and white sandy beach set the stage for boating, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and beach relaxation. Plus, the park has 164 campsites, more than 10 miles of hiking trails, and picnic areas. Less than two miles from downtown Boonsboro, the Crystal Grottoes is the only commercial cave in Maryland and the largest of its kind in the state, offering a unique way to cool off from the heat. Summer visitors on a tour of this cave’s beautifully lit interior will enjoy cool temperatures and sights of stalactites, flowstones, stalagmites, and a small lake formed by dripping water.
Notably, several battles of the Civil War were fought around Boonsboro, notably the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, 1862. Today, the town is home to the Boonsborough Museum of History, which sheds more light on the Civil War with its collection, including a Confederate land mine, hand grenades, and rifles. The museum also features other interesting collections of Egyptian artifacts, like Egyptian animal mummies. Also, if you love hiking and great views, the five-mile hike to Annapolis Rock is a must-experience as it presents breathtaking views of the Cumberland Valley and Greenbrier Lake.
Thurmont
A summer vacation in Thurmont is a delicious recipe for unforgettable memories. This quaint mountain town has so much under its sleeves, especially outdoor attractions like Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park. At Cunningham Falls State Park, the state’s highest waterfalls await to delight all. The park also has campsites, hiking trails, and a 43-acre lake, perfect for boating, swimming, and fishing. Meanwhile, Catoctin Mountain Park features 25 miles of hiking trails, scenic summits like Chimney Rock, campsites, picnic sites, and fishing spots. In addition, the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo is in Thurmont and invites visitors to see hundreds of exotic animals, including leopards, monkeys, and bears. Wine lovers will be thrilled at the Catoctin Breeze Vineyard & Winery, as it offers tastes of some of the region’s finest wines and stunning mountain scenery.
Ocean City
Ocean City is Maryland’s most popular summer destination, located right on the Atlantic Ocean. This town is a paradise for beach fun, entertainment, and all things water sports. For starters, it is home to the famous Ocean City Boardwalk, a bustling, nearly three-mile stretch along the beach lined with vibrant shops, restaurants, and amusement parks. Visitors can stroll through this boardwalk and enjoy some thrilling rides at Trimper Rides & Amusement Park or savor fresh seafood at the Angler Restaurant, which has nice water views. At the 10-mile-long beach, the pleasure continues as the sand is soft while opportunities abound for water sports like surfing and parasailing on the Atlantic. As for art lovers, the Art League of Ocean City is always a great spot to check out the artworks from local and regional artists and partake in art classes.
Solomons
Solomons is a tiny town with a surprising list of things to offer on a summer vacation. Located on the Patuxent River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay, this town is a haven for boating adventures, and it has several full-service marinas like Spring Cove Marina for easy access to the surrounding waters. There’s even a boardwalk on the waterfront, perfect for strolling, dining, and fishing with views of the river. Moreover, Solomons hosts the famous Calvert Marine Museum, where the maritime and ecological history of Southern Maryland is preserved and showcased. This museum is a must-visit to explore exhibits and artifacts, including actual lighthouses, boats, marine creatures in their various habitats, and original fossils highlighting the region’s history. As for art enthusiasts, the town’s Anmarie Garden is always a delightful place to walk through a nice sculpture garden and shop for artsy gifts at the gift shop. Meanwhile, the Tiki Bar & Grill is a spacious outdoor spot in Solomons where visitors are invited to enjoy live music, delicious food, and tropical vibes.
Berlin
Berlin is one of the coolest towns in America, famous for its proximity to Assateague State Park. As Maryland’s only oceanfront park located on Assateague Island, this attraction alone is worth spending the summer in Berlin. This park has two miles of ocean beaches, perfect for surfing, fishing, and sunbathing; a bayside ideal for kayaking and canoeing, and hundreds of campsites. Moreover, the famous Assateague wild horses can be seen roaming freely around the park, as well as raccoons, red foxes, and hundreds of birds, as the area is on the Atlantic flyway.
Besides the park, walking through Berlin’s tree-lined downtown is a pleasurable experience as it offers sights of Victorian-era structures and access to several historic attractions. From here, visitors can easily learn about the town from the 1800s to date at the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum or step back to the area’s colonial era at the nearby 1740s Ratcliffe House Museum. Those fascinated by mermaids are invited to the Mermaid Museum to see mermaid artifacts and exhibits, enjoy interesting tales about the creatures, take a mermaid photoshoot, and shop for unique gifts. Additionally, the Windmill Creek Vineyard & Winery is always a great place in Berlin to enjoy some of the region’s best wines and explore an old farmhouse.
Salisbury
Salisbury is one of Maryland’s larger towns, where summers are always vibrant and exciting due to its numerous attractions. Part of the Delmarva Peninsula, this town is home to the Salisbury Zoo, featuring over 100 animals. This zoo alone is worth a summer vacation in Salisbury, as animals to see include ball python, red wolf, and white-tailed deer, among other exotic animals from North America, South America, and Australia. The town also has the Pemberton Historical Park, where 4.5 miles of nature trails slice through wetlands, ponds, hardwood forests, and upland pines. Plus, the park hosts the Pemberton Hall, which dates to the 18th century and is open for tours. For visitors in town around the third weekend of September, the Maryland Folk Festival is a must-attend. This event is free and celebrates American culture with food, workshops, and a lineup of some of the country’s best traditional musicians and performers.
Cumberland
Summer in Cumberland promises to inspire a sense of appreciation for nature and the area’s history and culture. Located along the Potomac River in the Appalachian Mountains, this town is naturally gorgeous, and summer is just the perfect time to hit the river to boat, kayak, and fish, but that’s just the beginning. Even more exciting, Cumberland is the starting point of the Great Allegheny Passage, which stretches 150 miles to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Summer travelers to Cumberland can enjoy an exciting bike ride on this smooth trail as it winds through the beautiful mountains, valleys, forests, and rivers of Maryland.
Nearby, the Rocky Gap State Park hosts the 243-acre Lake Habeeb, which is excellent for paddling, fishing, and swimming. Plus, the park has hundreds of campsites and several trails, like the 5.3-mile Lakeside Loop Trail that winds along the lake’s shoreline and through woodlands. For something different, summer visitors to Cumberland can always head to the Allegheny Museum to learn about the region’s history and heritage from its earliest Native American residents from 12,000 years ago to European settlers, art, and industry.
Rock Hall
Rock Hall is one of Maryland's most charming waterfront towns to experience a summer of seafood, waterfront views, nature, and a bit of history. Visit this town this summer and start with some nature at the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a great place to fish, crab, kayak, see birds such as bald eagles, and hike or drive several short trails through the park’s varied habitats. Those who love history will enjoy the Waterman’s Museum’s collection of exhibits on crabbing, fishing, and oystering. A recreated shanty house is also on display in the museum alongside historical photos and local carvings highlighting the history of the Chesapeake Bay’s watermen. Rock Hall surprisingly has a cute little beach known as Ferry Park where one can relax, picnic, watch the sunset, and swim carefully as there are no lifeguards on duty. Meanwhile, a visit to Harbor Shack, one of the town’s best restaurants, is recommended as it is located right on the waterfront and offers delicious seafood, Mexican dishes, and steak.
Maryland remains an amazing place for a summer vacation as the state has 3,190 miles of coastline, numerous waterbodies, and other natural gems, and exciting cultural, culinary, and historical pleasures to offer. While the state’s larger cities like Baltimore and Columbia definitely deserve some spotlight, these towns are excellent places to make memorable summer experiences this year. In these coolest Maryland towns, you’re never far from refreshing waterbodies, and there’s always a mix of things to enjoy, especially delicious seafood. In Ocean City, for instance, it’s adventures galore all summer, particularly at its boardwalk, where everything from seafood restaurants to theme parks can be found. Visit these coolest towns in Maryland this summer and prepare to enjoy a warm-weather vacation for the ages.
