10 Underrated Destinations In Maryland To Avoid Summer Crowds

Maryland is sometimes mistaken for being home to the city of Baltimore and nothing else. This could not be further from the truth. The state of Maryland, also called the Old Line State, is also home to a plethora of state forests, like Savage River, Green Ridge, and Pocomoke, as well as a variety of state and national parks, like Catoctin Mountain, Gambrill, Gunpowder Falls, and Dan’s Mountain. Amid these scenic wonders, several unnoticed small towns and destinations, live and thrive. From Thurmont and Loy’s Station Covered Bridge to Havre de Grace and the Concord Point Lighthouse, discover ten of the most underrated destinations in Maryland that are perfect for avoiding those summer crowds.

Thurmont

The town of Thurmont, located just outside Catoctin Mountain and Cunningham Falls state parks, is a great place to avoid those summer crowds while still enjoying a great vacation. Both state parks offer hiking, fishing, picnicking, bird watching, and camping options. Plenty of other attractions await in and around Thurmont as well.

Loy’s Station and Roddy Road covered bridges are both a sight to see, while there are also several orchards and vineyards in the area, ideal for picking fruit straight from the tree or vine. Some excellent dining and lodging options are also available in Thurmont, like the Thurmont Kountry Kitchen on Water Street, the Inn at Springfield Manor, and Rambler Inn on Church Street.

Cumberland

Located to the west of Thurmont, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the town of Cumberland is a hidden gem when it comes to underrated destinations. From the Great Allegheny Passage, the Cumberland Narrows, and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to Rocky Gap State Park in nearby Flintstone, the pastoral town of Cumberland and the area around it is a natural and historical haven.

Downtown Cumberland is home to great dining and lodging choices as well. Puccini’s and Ristorante Ottaviani both serve delicious Italian food, while the Bruce House Inn on Fayette Street is known for comfort. There are also a variety of informational venues in downtown Cumberland, like Allegany Museum, the C&O Canal Museum, and the F. Brooke Whiting House Museum.

Berlin

Unlike Ocean City, its largest neighbor aside from Salisbury, the quaint town of Berlin offers adventure while not getting overwhelmed from annoying summer crowds. Instead of having to tolerate all of the people at the beach and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, the town of Berlin is home to the tranquil Assateague State Park, which boasts a less-crowded beach while also providing the opportunity to experience wild horses in their natural habitats.

After hitting the beach, check out the shops in downtown Berlin, like the Mermaid and the Calvin B. Taylor House museums, along with around 50 different buildings showcasing various architecture styles from Federal to Victorian to 20th-Century.

Chestertown

Just north of the Chester River and across the Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore, Chestertown is an oasis of historical and natural attributes. It is home to a variety of outdoor activities, like boat tours along the banks of the Chester River and viewing various wildlife, from turtles to muskrats, at Chesapeake Farms.

Historic Chestertown, founded in the early 1700s and incorporated in 1805, features 18th and 19th century houses that were previously inhabited by wealthy merchants of the town. Chestertown also has a variety of restaurants, eateries, and mom-and-pop shops downtown, including the Blue Bird Tavern, Play It Again Sam, and Angela’s Cottage.

New Market

The town of New Market, east of Frederick and west of Mount Airy, is possibly one of the most underrated destinations in Maryland. Yet this tiny town of less than 2,000 people is home to some of the best natural, historical, and cultural attractions anywhere.

Adventure Park USA is less than three miles away in Monrovia, offering everything from roller coasters to laser tag to a giant arcade. There are also a vast variety of shopping options in New Market, as it is nicknamed the “antiques capital of Maryland.” Fleshman’s, Robert Easterly, and RP Bradley are just three of the antique stores in New Market, and they are all located on Main Street.

Boonsboro

The town of Boonsboro, situated at the base of South Mountain, is an underrated destination that possesses a great blend of natural and historical values. Home to Crystal Grottoes Caverns, Greenbrier and South Mountain state parks, both of which have excellent camping and hiking options, and Cronise Market Place, Boonsboro has that nature-oriented feeling.

In addition, other must-see locales, including the Trolley Station Museum, the Boonsborough Museum of History, and the Rural Heritage Museum of Washington County, speak of the historical past of Boonsboro. A variety of dining and lodging choices are also available in town if camping is not an option, including Branded Chophouse, The Admiral, and the Antietam Overlook Farm Bed and Breakfast, which offers a great night’s stay and breakfast the next morning.

Hampstead

About 30 miles north of Baltimore, the town of Hampstead is home to a variety of attractions guaranteed to please even the most serious outdoor enthusiast. Leister and the Lion’s Club parks are in Hampstead, while Prettyboy Reservoir, Gunpowder Falls, and the Sunflower Garden are relatively close. There are also several amenities that make Hampstead an underrated destination, as well.

Happy on Hooves provides great horseback riding opportunities, while New England Falconry offers a closer look at falcons, the predators of the sky. Discover a variety of great dining options in and around Hampstead, including Greenmount Station, which features outdoor and indoor seating.

St. Michaels

In the shadows of Easton, on the opposite side of the Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore, the town of St. Michaels is full of natural and historical wonder. This quaint town, with about 1,000 permanent residents, is home to Waterfront and Muskrat parks, as well as numerous museums, like the Classic Motor and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime museums, and the Hooper Strait Lighthouse, which was built in 1879.

Walk the streets and find a plethora of restaurants in St. Michaels that are guaranteed to enliven your Maryland visit. Plates at 208 is quite close to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, while The Crab Claw is right around the corner from the Hooper Strait Lighthouse.

Crisfield

The town of Crisfield, located between Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound, has many activities and amenities that make it a great summer destination while still avoiding all of those intrusive summer crowds. Home to Janes Island State Park, visitors are able to enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, and even camping for the entire weekend. And, if you possess a boat or decide to rent one, South Marsh Island is great for fishing the marshes of Chesapeake Bay, and Smith Island is well-known as a dream location for the avid kayak enthusiast.

There are several events held annually in downtown Crisfield as well, like the Sandcastle and Sea Glass Festival, happening in July, and the National Hard Crab Derby, which occurs every Labor Day weekend.

Havre de Grace

Havre de Grace, tucked away in Maryland's northeastern reaches, is an underrated gem, with fewer than 15,000 residents. West of the Susquehanna River and along the northern reaches of Chesapeake Bay, the town of Havre de Grace is also not known for possessing much in the way of adventure and excitement.

Yet this peaceful waterfront town is home to everything from lighthouses to historical aspects worthy of enticing even history enthusiasts. For instance, Friends of Concord Lighthouse, built in 1827, is the second oldest standing lighthouse in the state of Maryland, right down the road from the Bayou Hotel & Restaurant, which was built around 1918.

While Baltimore possesses a multitude of attractions that cater to anyone and everyone, the summer crowds these larger communities produce tend to make these locations less than pleasurable to visit. The most underrated towns in Maryland cater to guests and visitors without producing throngs of people. From Thurmont in Frederick County to Havre de Grace in Harford County, these ten underrated destinations are great for experiencing an awesome vacation while still avoiding the annoyance of the summer crowds.