Maryland - never visited, is it worth the trip?

[overlyspoiled4sure]

Very true, Christine; I should have noted my friend lives north of the Balto area; Hampstead, actually. Very nice area.

We hoped to get to DC but time got away from us.

 

[Disney+Family=Fun]

I live near Annapolis. I must admit that I enjoy my state. You have a little bit of everything here. To the west are mountains and woods. DC and Baltimore are big cities and have great museums and sites. Annapolis is all about sailing and the Academy (we also have beaches here...just on the Bay, not the ocean). Cross over the Bay Bridge and you're in the rural Eastern Shore, full of bog marshes and chicken farms with Ocean City to the far east. South of us are Calvert Cliffs with fossils and great scenery. In St. Mary's County you can see some of the oldest settlements in the country.

Maryland has something for everyone...depends on what you like.

One of Mayland's nicknames is "America in Miniature" for that very reason. We have it all big cities, little towns, open fields, forest, rivers, lakes, ocean, streams, mountains, history, every kind of food on this planet (and the people to go with it), huge malls, tiny shops, recreation galore (ski, tube, swim, hike, bike, boat, golf, ice skate, horseback riding, horse racing,...), art, endless number of museums, Maryland Science Center, National Aquarium, B&O Railroad, Maryland Zoo, Port Discovery Children's Museum,...

There sure is a lot packed into this little state.

 

[bluesaturn]

The areas of Maryland around DC and Baltimore are anything but cornfields. Very suburban, very urban, very congested.

I don't know about that. Drive 30 minutes (or less) from the cities (still the "suburbs" of the metro areas) and you'll find cornfields.

To the OP - Maryland is very diverse, which is why it's a nice place to visit. You have the mountains, the ocean, lakes or the bay, the country, the city, small towns and huge suburbs, all in one state.

 

[Kteacher]

We just stayed in Fells Point pre cruise. This website was really helpful:
http://www.harbormagic.com/ we loved Baltimore

 

[ems_mom]

I am a life-long resident of "The Free State" and while I agree that Baltimore and the DC adjacent areas can be crowded and congested, they can also be beautiful. When traveling to other parts of the country, I miss the trees and greenery that is everywhere around me, in the city and out.

Our climate runs the gamut...we have had blizzards in the winter and blistering summers, but I love experiencing all 4 seasons distinctly. And no tornados or floods!

Ocean City is a wonderful beach town, if you stay in the north side of town. I know locals who love the boardwalk, but its just not my scene. We have a beach house north of 140th St. This is where to go for a family vacation. You can find homes for rent on vrbo (no, not ours, but some neighbors do this). The beach is big, wide and beautiful; and there are many restaurants on the bay side with beautiful sunsets.

 

[marcyinPA]

We love OC MD! We usually go every year, but off-season. Our favorite motel is the Flamingo Motel on 32nd-ish. It is ocean view...about 100 yards from the beach. It has three separate buildings...the newest one is "tower 2" and has suites and kitchenettes and an indoor pool. There is also an outdoor pool. It is not the Ritz, but it is clean, and family run. We've been staying there for the past 10 years and have always had a very good experience.

It is right across the street from Higgin's Crab House, which we always eat at one night, and two blocks from the Jolly Roger amusement park.

OC MD is pricey, but I think any beach town is. The beaches are clean, and FREE. And the boardwalk is great! Thrasher's Fries...YUMMMMMM!!!!