Maryland Vacations Idea #1:
Baltimore's Inner Harbor, is one of America's oldest seaports - and one of the world's newest travel destinations. The showpiece is the National Aquarium with it's multiple huge tanks and pools. Climb aboard the last all-sail ship built by the United States Navy, the
U.S.S. Constitution. Explore a World War II submarine. Shop and dine in the 160 store Harborplace market.
Maryland Vacations Idea #2:
On this historical vacation idea, follow a Colonial-era costumed guide on a tour of charming
Annapolis. Learn about the rigorous life of a midshipman on a guided tour of the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Museum. The
London Town House and Garden is the state's largest on-going archaeological dig. A tour boat will take you out to enjoy the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland Vacations Idea #3:
A driving tour is another fun getaway idea for Maryland. The state has thirty-one themed driving tours called
Maryland Scenic Byways. They are all marked by signs which bear the distinctive picture of the flower, black-eyed Susans. They are all designed to showoff the multitude of historical and cultural attractions the state has to offer. Civil War sites, the 78-foot Cunningham Waterfalls, or the Underground Railroad Trails cut by slaves and liberators.
Maryland Vacations Idea #4:
The Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37 mile-long barrier island with wind, surf, sandy beaches, and salt marshes to explore. Canoe the waters of the bay and walk the pine forest. There are a wide variety of ranger-guided interpretive programs. There are miles of biking trails. The
National Park Service provides year round camping in oceanside and bayside campgrounds.
Vacation Ideas in Maryland #5:
Since 1842
Prince George's County Fair has been a fun place providing entertainment for the
whole family. It's Maryland's oldest fair and one of the best around. Set aside four days in September to enjoy some good old-fashioned fun like pie-eating contests, petting farm, pig and duck races, and the
Beautiful Baby Contest. You will also find competitions for the best jams, jellies, canned goods, pies, breads, cookies, clothing, quilts, and handicrafts.
Maryland Vacations Idea #6:
The Ladew Topiary Gardens is a wonderful Maryland spot for the family or a romantic vacation getaway. Located just north of Baltimore the fifteen different gardens that make up the Ladew Estate are known around the world. "The most outstanding topiary garden in America." is how The Garden Club of America describes these 22 acres of thematic gardens. Enjoy the "living statues" of animals, birds, staircase, a fox hunt and more.
Maryland Vacations Idea #7:
The heart of Maryland's eastern shore is
Dorchester County with 1700 miles of shoreline to explore. In this Dorchester vacation spot, you can ride an authentic skipjack. Help raise the sails and take a turn at the helm. There are activities such as excellent charter fishing, boat rentals, canoeing and kayaking, clay and target shooting, and guides for seasonal hunting. The opportunities for outdoor fun are endless.
Maryland Vacations Idea #8:
How about a
romantic vacation in Maryland at
Haley Farm Bed & Breakfast, Spa and Retreat Center near Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. Have a cozy romantic weekend at this charming bed & breakfast situated on a beautiful 65 acre farm with gardens, orchards and horses. Relax in a hammock or vist Swallow Falls, Wisp Ski and
Golf Resort or the five nearby state parks. Some ammenities include heart-shaped Jacuzzis, fireplaces, and Romantic Packages (with flowers, champagne, dinner and massage or reflexology).
Maryland Vacations Idea #9:
You can enjoy the quiet atmosphere of a
New England Fishing Village while only an hour away from the D.C. Beltway. This Maryland getaway spot is on idyllic
Cobb Island. It is the perfect waterfront getaway for your next family vacation. In between fishing, crabbing, boating you can soak in the breathtaking waterfront view. Get away from it all without going far.
Maryland Vacations Idea #10:
Where can you take the family to mix science and fun? At the
Maryland Science Center, of course. Join the more than half a million people every year who enjoy fun and learning at this Baltimore vacation attraction. Marvel at the full size dinosaurs, the latest discoveries from the Hubble Space telescope or the artifacts from the Titanic. There's even a special play and learn room for kids under eight years old.
Maryland Vacations Idea #11:
Talbot County on Maryland's Eastern Shore is known as "The Land of Pleasant Living". The area is steeped in rich colonial history and makes a great vacation idea for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. The
Inn at Perry Cabin is an excellent choice to stay at while enjoying the local sights and activities. It is a luxurious manor house resort that sits on a 25-acre estate in the Victorian resort town of St Michaels. It features the
Linden Spa that focus on pampering, rejuvenation and wellness.
Maryland Vacations Idea #12:
Head across the Maryland border into Washington D.C. for a visit to the
International Spy Museum. Here you can see some unique exhibits like the
"The Secret History of History" and a
"School for Spies". You can learn about some really cool spy stuff here, like microdots, invisible ink, listening bugs and clever disguises. They have a fun feature where guests can compete against each other in a Scavenger Hunt. As you make your way through the museum, you use a top secret bag of tricks to attemp to decode messages, answer questions or solve problems.
Maryland Vacations Idea #13:
Near the Washington Dulles International Airport is the National Air and Space Museum -
Udvar-Hazy Center. Here you can see thousands of aviation and space artifacts. There are loads of aircraft, helicopters, ultra-lights, and experimental flying machines all on display. One example is the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet in the world. You can also see the deHavilland Chipmunk aerobatic airplane and the space shuttle
Enterprise. The planes are on display where you can walk around them in the museum hanger. Also at the museum is an IMAX Theater and flight simulators where you can experience air-to-air combat in an F-4 Phantom II jet fighter. This great place to go on a vacation with teenagers.
Maryland Vacations Idea #14:
Antietam National Battlefield is the Civil War site of the bloodiest single-day battle in America's history. The fight here at Antietam marked the end of the Confederate invasion of the North. A self-guided driving tour is a good way to view the battlefield. You can get an audio tape at the visitor center that will narrate the trip. For a better close-up experience you can walk or bike the route. The visitor center also has two films, the 26 minute "Antietam Visit" and the one hour long "Antietam Documentary". Along with the museum exhibits, this is a good way to learn about the battle before you go out and take a tour of the actual battlefield. Maryland was a central player in the American Civil War and Antietam was one of the key battles of the war.
