11 Incredible Vacation Spots In Maryland

Maryland is an amazing destination with so much loaded into a small area. Despite being the country’s ninth smallest state with a 12,400 square mile area, this state contains an impressively diverse topography ranging from sandy dunes to wetlands, rolling hills, and mountains, among others. Maryland is also bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and contains the Chesapeake Bay as well as a wide variety of fauna and flora, and diverse cultures. It's no wonder the state has been nicknamed "America in Miniature." From an island inhabited by wild, majestic horses to parks offering various activities, find incredible spots in Maryland to visit for a memorable vacation.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Assateague Island National Seashore is a large part of the 37-mile-long Barrier Island on the Atlantic Ocean known as Assateague Island. This area is in Maryland and invites visitors year-round to spend quality time on its beautiful sandy beaches, salt marshes, and maritime forests. Visitors can camp on its beaches, kayak, canoe, or swim in the water and see the island's iconic wildlife, such as feral horses, waterfowl, geese, osprey, and herons.

Additionally, the park has paved bike paths, walking trails, and designated horse-riding areas for more fun. Thankfully, the park is close to Ocean City, where the Comfort Suites Ocean City and other amazing hotels await to offer tourists pleasurable lodging experiences.

National Harbor

National Harbor is one of the most exciting destinations for a vacation in Maryland. Every year, more than 25 million flock to this waterfront destination along the Potomac River to enjoy incredible views from the Capital Wheel, kayak, or cruise on the river, stroll on a waterfront trail, and enjoy luxury lodging. The harbor also has a massive casino hotel known as MGM National Harbor. This hotel's facilities include more than 300 rooms, a spa, a 3,000-seat theatre, over a dozen restaurants, and a casino to offer premium entertainment.

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is another fine establishment on the harbor that just makes it all the more exciting. This resort is complete with everything from a full-service spa to several restaurants, and a 19-story glass atrium with river views.

Easton

Easton is a town in Talbot County, perfect for a vacation full of historical and artistic discoveries. Travelers here will love a stay at the historic Tidewater Inn, which was first built in 1874. Positioned at the heart of the town, this hotel offers easy access to some of the town’s top attractions, like the Academy Art Museum, which is designed to promote regional art.

The Avalon Theatre is another nearby point of interest built in 1921 and was once considered the most famous entertainment venue in the Eastern Shore region. More attractions in town to keep vacationers busy include Flying Cloud Fine Art Posters, home to incredible vintage posters, and Trippe Gallery, featuring local, regional, and international arts. Away from history and arts, vacationers in this town can still enjoy a bit of water fun on the Tred Avon River from Easton Point Marina.

Janes Island State Park, Crisfield

Janes Island State Park is a tourist draw on the Chesapeake Bay, outside the city of Crisfield. This park is a hotbed for water sports as it boasts around 30 miles of water trails that weave through the island’s salt marsh and lead to beautiful beaches. These beaches are great spots to bask in the sun, enjoy picnics, and watch the sunset. The park also hosts over a hundred campsites, birds, fish, and crabs for wildlife lovers. Visit this park on vacation to explore the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, or stay at Crisfield Budget Inn for a more comfortable experience.

Annapolis

The capital of Maryland prides itself on being one of the state's front-line vacation destinations with plenty of amazing experiences to offer. From its location on Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of Severn River, the city is already scenic and alluring while flaunting its reputation as America's Sailing Capital. Visit this city and join a Watermark cruise to explore the waters of Chesapeake Bay. Next, spend time at Sandy Point State Park, which features beautiful beaches, picnic areas, and a marina for boating. On a cool evening, head to the Annapolis City Dock to relax and patronize the Dock Street Bar & Grill.

In the meantime, keep in mind that Annapolis is home to the US Naval Academy, so when visiting, tour this academy and check out its museum. Later, visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park to delve into the area’s marine heritage and ecology. To better enjoy this city and its attractions, stay at some of its top hotels, including Hampton Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

Cunningham Falls State Park, Thurmont

The Cunningham Falls State Park is a magical outdoor paradise in the Catoctin Mountain, perfect for a vacation with family and friends or just alone in nature. This park’s highlight attraction is the 78-foot Cunningham Falls, Maryland’s highest cascading waterfall. This waterfall is a jaw-dropping beauty to behold and visitors can easily reach it via a short walking path. The park also has an artificial 43-acre lake for swimming, dozens of campsites, and great hiking trails for more fun. Some popular trails in the park include the Old Misery Trail and the Cat Rock Trail, both of which offer expansive views of the area.

For lodging, the Super 8 By Wyndham in Thurmont is one of the best nearby options to explore.

Gunpowder Falls State Park, Kingsville

Gunpowder Falls State Park is one of Maryland's biggest parks at 18,000 acres and a paradise for nature-based adventures. The park is home to the Gunpowder River and several streams, which set the stage for exciting water activities activities, including tubing and canoeing. While the Dundee Creek Marina is the perfect spot for boating and fishing, the Hammerman Area of the park features a swim beach and picnic areas. The park also has over 120 miles of multi-use trails and the Jerusalem Historic Mill Village, one of the oldest and most well-preserved living history museums in Maryland. This museum offers a glimpse into life in the 18th and 19th centuries and features a grist mill, a blacksmith shop, and a covered bridge.

For accommodation, visitors can head to the park's Mill Pond Cottage in the Hereford area or explore top establisments like Holiday Inn Express White Marsh and Hilton Garden Inn Baltimore/White Marsh.

Solomons

Solomons is an exciting destination at the mouth of the Patuxent River on Chesapeake Bay, perfect for year-round vacations. Ideal for lovers of sea life, this island town is home to the Spring Cove Marina, one of the finest in the Chesapeake Bay, from where adventurers can embark on boat cruises, sailing, and fishing expeditions. The town also has the Calvert Marine Museum, which is a great place to learn about the region’s prehistoric past, rich maritime history, and natural environment. Exhibits in the museum include the Drum Point Lighthouse, artifacts from the Old Cedar Point Lighthouse, an aquarium, and one of the world’s largest collections of Miocene fossils.

Meanwhile, the town has a boardwalk that invites visitors to enjoy relaxing strolls while admiring the beautiful Patuxent River. For the love of arts, the Ann Marie Sculpture Garden & Art Center is in town and features dozens of outdoor sculptures and a gift shop. When it's time to lodge, head to the Quality Inn Solomons just by the harbor.

Chesapeake Beach

Chesapeake Beach is a small town along Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County full of charms, exciting attractions, and great hotels like Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort. Vacationers here will be delighted with the Chesapeake Beach Water Park as it has waterfalls, slides, a lazy river, and swimming pools for endless water adventures. The town also has a public boat ramp for boating and fishing expeditions on the bay. For history buffs, the town's Veteran's Memorial Park is a must-visit as it honors the country's national war heroes in a serene and scenic environment. Even more exciting, the town hosts the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum, which preserves the history of the Chesapeake Bay Railway and its impact on the local region.

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Deep Creek Lake is one of the most popular recreational destinations in Maryland, located in Garrett County. Covering a 3,900-acre area, the lake is a year-round vacation hotspot, with plenty of things to do and sights to relish. Head to the Deep Creek Lake State Park on the lake's northeastern shore for a memorable experience. This park near Frostburg town has more than 100 campsites, 20 miles of trails, a mile-long shoreline, and two swimming beaches. With all these incredible facilities, visitors can spend their vacation here boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and swimming in the water or hiking around the lake to spot birds. The park also has a discovery center where visitors can explore the area’s wildlife and plant exhibits.

For accommodation, look to the park’s Lake Pointe Inn or nearby options like the Lodges at Sunset Village or the LakeFront Lodge.

Ocean City

Ocean City is Maryland's foremost tourist destination, where vacationers will forget about time. This resort town nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay is home to a breathtaking 10-mile sandy beach and a world-famous magnificent three-mile boardwalk lined with restaurants, shops, an amusement park, and a Ferris wheel, among others. Trimper’s Rides, an amusement park on the boardwalk, is even home to one of America's oldest carousels. Experience thrills in this historic amusement park and then enjoy steak or seafood at Bull on the Beach restaurant before heading to the beach to play on the sand or boat in the water.

Meanwhile, more thrilling adventures await at Splash Mountain Water Park which is home to numerous slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool among other incredible attractions. For history lovers, the Ocean City Life Saving Museum on the boardwalk is worth visiting to learn about the history of life-saving in Ocean City. For lodging, Comfort Suites Ocean City and Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront are ideal options to explore.

Maryland remains one of the best vacation destinations in the US due to the diverse range of experiences it offers. This state has something for everybody from travelers seeking peaceful spots to adrenaline seekers in pursuit of thrilling experiences. Even more interesting, its top vacation destinations are reflections of what the US is made up of. While Assateague Island is a small example of the country's coastal splendor, Ocean City stands as a testament to America's love for recreation. Visit one or more of these incredible vacation destinations in Maryland and be prepared to be blown away by fascinating experiences.