Cultured, Adventurous, Family Friendly, Historic
Find live entertainment, Civil War sites and historic cities in the scenic Old Line State.
One of the original 13 colonies, Maryland encompasses history, culture and a spirited wine and food scene, with seafood (especially blue crabs) being a specialty, thanks to the Chesapeake Bay. Both DC’s attraction-loaded Maryland suburbs and storied nearby cities like Frederick, Baltimore and Annapolis are within driving distance of the nation’s capital.
Just over the DC line, you’ll encounter spirited neighborhoods like Chevy Chase and Bethesda (both known for exceptional dining and shopping), as well as Silver Spring, which features vibrant downtown area. The latter is home to the AFI Silver Theatre, a restored art deco movie palace that offers a virtual screening room to enjoy from your own home while supporting the theatre. In Rockville (just north of Bethesda), you'll find multidisciplinary arts center, Strathmore, which is also offering virtual programming.
Roughly an hour away from DC, other Maryland cities and natural wonders beckon. Baltimore, with its blend of history, neighborhoods and museums, appeals to families and couples. Don’t miss the wondrous National Aquarium or the lively pubs and cobblestone streets of Fell’s Point, the city’s oldest neighborhood.
Pay a visit to Annapolis, home to the late 18th-century Maryland State House (the oldest state capitol in continuous use in the country) and the U.S. Naval Academy. You’ll also find a charming, walkable downtown waterfront and historic inns.
State parks and Civil War sites lure visitors to the countryside, too. At Go Ape Tree Top Adventures, you can zipline through the green of upper Rock Creek Park. Or, explore the lives and struggles of Union soldiers at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in downtown Frederick, not far from the battlefield parks of Monocacy and Antietam.
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