Places to Visit in Maryland

Allegany

 

Thunder Mountain ​- A train ride that covers a 1,300 foot change in elevation--glimpses of scenery hidden for decades--300 years of history tied together by a ribbon of steel.

C&O Canal National Historical Park and Visitors Museum - Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural and recreational treasures! On July 4, 1828, President John Quincy Adams broke ground in Georgetown in Washington, D.C. for the 184.5 mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The Canal was then completed in Cumberland and opened on October 10, 1850. Original structures including locks, lockhouses, and aqueducts serve as reminders of the canal's role as a transportation system. On Allegany County's eastern end of the canal is the impressive 3,118 foot brick-lined Paw Paw Tunnel. Today, the canal towpath provides a nearly level, continuous trail through spectacular natural scenery, perfect for hiking and biking.

Thrasher Carriage Museum - Travel to a time when craftsmen practiced the art of carriage making

Gordon-Roberts House​ - The home has been occupied by only two families. Judge Josiah Gordon built the house and his family lived in the home for twenty years. Josiah served in the Maryland House of Delegates and was a President of the C&O Canal. The second and last family to occupy the home was the W. Milnor Roberts family. Mr. Roberts was an engineer involved in building railroads in Brazil. During the early time period of the Roberts family, Cumberland was the second largest city in Maryland and Washington Street, on which the home is located, was a political arena. Governor Lloyd Lowndes, state senators, and U.S. House of Representatives members lived on the street and were entertained by the Roberts family. Today the home is owned by the Allegany County Historical Society.

Baltimore

 

Hampton House - A vast estate from the 1700s.which tells the story of a seven generation family business, early American industry & commerce, & changing cultural tastes.

Battle Acre Park - Battle Acre Park is a 1-acre site dedicated in 1839 to commemorate those who fought in the Battle of North Point on September 12, 1814. Regiments of the Maryland militia engaged in battles with the British Army at the same time Fort McHenry was defending the Baltimore Harbor from the the British Navy. The success of the Maryland militia forced the British to withdraw from the Chesapeake Region for the remainder of the War of 1812.

Fort Garrison - The Royal Governor, Sir Francis Nicholson, commissioned construction of this frontier "garrison" in 1693. It was built to guard the western expansion and trading routes in Maryland, with two-foot thick walls, internal fireplace, and fireproof roof to protect from flaming arrows. The fort was utilized by mounted rangers at the end of the seventeenth century and in 1755 during the French and Indian War. Soldiers were placed to patrol, interact with settlers, and promulgate religious knowledge and values in the area. By 1798, it was in private ownership, and recent archaeological analysis has proven that it was used as quarters for slaves. A second story and new roof were added during the 19th century.

Fort Howard Park - This park's historical significance is its connection with the largest invasion of the United States in history on the morning of September 12, 1814. The British had landed about seven thousand men near the site that later became Fort Howard, as a part of a campaign to capture and burn Baltimore. In coordination with their navy's bombardment of Fort McHenry, the British troops were to march up Patapsco Neck and capture Baltimore from the east. But the British advance was first demoralized when American sharpshooters Daniel Wells and Henry McComas killed their popular commanding general. The advance had been temporarily stalled by the Americans in the Battle of North Point, and finally stopped dead when the British perceived the strength of the American defenses at Patterson Park. Disheartened, they re-boarded their ships near North Point and sailed away to another defeat, in the Battle of New Orleans.

Perry Hall Mansion - This historical treasure is located high on a hill overlooking the Gunpowder River Valley. The Perry Hall Mansion is one of the most important landmarks in Baltimore County, as it is the oldest standing home in the community and one of the last remaining colonial homes in the County. In the 1770's, iron-master Corbin Lee was to construct a new home on his 1,000-acre estate. Before its completion, Lee passed away in December of 1773. A gentleman named Harry Dorsey Gough purchased the estate from his widow and renamed his new purchase Perry Hall. The Perry Hall Mansion was originally a five part Georgian structure, but 60 percent was lost in an 1839 fire. It was rebuilt in Greek Revival style and now has 16 rooms including a library, ballroom with crystal chandeliers and several spacious bedrooms.

Fire Museum of Maryland - Through its collection of hand pulled, horse drawn and motorized fire fighting equipment, the history of fire fighting in the United States from the colonial days to the present is brought to life.

Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum - The 155-acre Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum in Oella dates back to the 17th century. This national landmark site was the farmstead of the original Banneker family, and the 155-acre park and museum are dedicated to preserving the legacy of Benjamin Banneker, who achieved national notoriety as the first African American Man of Science.

Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center - Our facility has been owned and operated by Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks since 1969 and encompasses 1,043 beautiful acres. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, open to the public, all year round. Oregon Ridge has an accessible playground, posted fitness area and miles of hiking trails. Visit the nature center, which offers year-round activities for the entire family. The center houses environmental displays and live animals including snakes, frogs and turtles. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ballestone/Stansbury House - Step back in time and experience the Ballestone-Stansbury House, one of the last remaining early farmhouses in the Essex, Maryland area. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the house is open for visitors at various times of the year. The house currently known as "Ballestone Manor" was erroneously named in the 1970's due to an incorrect title search. Ballestone Manor is actually a half-mile away at Balliston Point, and the ground is in fact "Stansburys Claim" or "Dickinson". The structure is actually the Stansbury House or the Cedar Point Mansion. Built between 1798 and 1813, it is currently a museum and is an excellent example of the Federal architectural style. The Heritage Society of Essex and the Essex/Middle River Bicentennial Committee desired to preserve the house and in 1969 Baltimore County purchased the property for park development.

Hart-Miller Island State Park - Hart-Miller Island is a 1,100-acre island located in Baltimore County on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of Middle River. It is accessible only by personal boat. The western shore of the island offers safe mooring, wading and access to a 3,000-foot sandy beach. Hart-Miller Island State Park also includes Hawk Cove and Pleasure Island, which also provide recreational opportunities and camping.

Soldiers Delight Environmental Area​ - Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area (NEA) is comprised of 1,900 acres of serpentine barren. The area has over 39 rare, threatened, or endangered plant species as well as rare insects, rocks and minerals. Rare grassland plant species are threatened by invasion of Virginia Pines. Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area is a nature reserve near Owings Mills in western Baltimore County, Maryland. The site is designated both a Maryland Wildland (1,526 acres) and a Natural Environment Area (1,900 acres) and is part of the Maryland Wildlands Preservation System.

The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum at Martin State Airport​Venture in and discover Maryland's aviation history while enjoying an up close visit with airplanes. See inside various aircraft on Open Cockpit Days. Engage in fun STEM learning experiences on Family Fun Days. Be challenged with a children's scavenger hunt every visit. Watch airplanes come and go at Martin State Airport when visiting the Museum's outdoor flightline of jet fighters, propeller powered trainers, helicopter, passenger plane and other flying aircraft. Explore indoor exhibits of the Glenn L. Martin Company, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland Astronauts, Titan Rockets and more.


Baltimore City

 

USS Constellation - The last all sail war ship built by the US Navy . . . before the US Navy went to all steam powered vessels. Hands-on experiences! Learn how this mighty sailing machine was powered, propelled and controlled.

Maryland Science Center - More than you can imagine! IMAX, too.

U.S. Star Spangled Banner House - The home of Mary Pickersgill who made the huge flag which flew over Ft. McHenry in 1814.

U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame which includes a history of lacrosse

The Great Blacks In Wax Museum, Inc . - a wax museum committed to the study & preservation of African American history . . . life-size, life-like wax figures highlight historical & contemporary people of African ancestry

Baltimore Civil War Museum - Technically, Maryland belonged to the Union during the Civil War. But the truth is more complicated than that . . . the Museum tries to untangle these various threads of history

Port Discovery - Three floors of endless, interactive fun for the whole family. An amazing array of hands-on activities & adventures.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the most sophisticated & technologically advanced aquariums in existence.

National Museum of Dentistry - Museum highlights will include a dental play station, a tour of Branches, Bristles and Batteries: Toothbrushes Through Time, thePenny Wilson Iron Jaw (Ms. Wilson performed a famous iron jaw act in the 1950's when she did her death defying feat of teeth suspended in mid-air only to be held aloft by her bite piece. The original bite piece is housed in the Museum's permanent gallery), and 32 Terrific Teeth.

Robert Long House - The oldest residence in Baltimore City (1765)!

B & O Railroad Museum includes a wide variety of steam locomotives -- arguably the most historic collection found in the United States.

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, home of a great American writer

The Maryland Historical Society - houses a priceless collection of treasures & everyday objects which celebrate Maryland's diversity & richness.

Fort McHenry, home of the Star-Spangled Banner

Baltimore Museum of Industry - If you are interested in the history of work in Baltimore, then this is the place for you. If you think this subject is boring, they will prove you wrong!

Walters Art Gallery, Henry Walters' (1848-1931) gift of 22,000 works of art to the City of Baltimore.

Babe Ruth Museum​ - rare photos, film highlights, & everything else you would want to know about "The Babe"

Calvert

 

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum - a state history & archaeology museum exploring the changing cultures & environment of the Chesapeake Bay region of the past 12,000 years.

Battle Creek Cypress Swamp - A sub-tropical tree found mostly in the Carolinas and Southeast, cypress stands are unusual this far north. The Battle Creek cypress stand is presumed to have established itself sometime in the last 10,000 years.

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, Annmarie is located in scenic Solomons, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. The sculpture garden features a walking path that meanders through the forest, past permanent and loaned sculpture, including more than 30 works of art on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art. The garden also presents a variety of award-winning special events, gallery shows, and engaging public art programs. Annmarie’s Studio School offers creative classes for all ages and abilities taught by a talented faculty. The garden is conveniently located just off Route 2-4, on Dowell Road in Solomons. To learn more, visit www.annmariegarden.org.

Flag Ponds N​atures Park​ - Chesapeake Bay Beaches and Calvert Cliffs For hundreds of years the forces of nature have reshaped the Chesapeake Bay shoreline of Flag Ponds Nature Park, creating a remarkable variety of natural environments--from sandy beach, to freshwater ponds, to the forested heights of Calvert Cliffs. Today, nature continues to play with the sand, changing the park's landscape with each tide, each storm, each season. Fossil Hunting and Beach Combing Millions of years ago, sharks, whales, crocodiles and other creatures inhabited the waters and shores of this area. Most of these animals are now extinct, others are just no longer found here. To the sharp-eyed visitor, sharks teeth and other Miocene fossils may be found along the park's shoreline. Hiking and Exploration A short, half-mile hike brings you to the sandy beach or you may take longer trail routes that allow you to experience the beauty of the park. Additionally there are observation platforms at two ponds, a fishing pier on the Chesapeake Bay and a visitor's center with wildlife displays.

Kings Landing Park - Along the shore of the Patuxent River, Kings Landing Park has a history stretching back to Captain John Smith's exploration and earlier. Once an active farm and later a YMCA camp, it is now managed by Calvert County's Natural Resources Division. Kayakers, canoeists, and fishermen enjoy Kings Landing's access to the river, nearby creeks, and marshes.

The Cove Point Lighthouse - The Calvert Marine Museum - The Cove Point Lighthouse is a beautifully restored and repurposed active lighthouse and keeper's home that sits on a seven acre point of land in one of the narrowest parts of the Chesapeake Bay. The gorgeous keeper's house can be rented as a vacation home or for your next special event or wedding. The grounds are also open to the public during the summer months to enjoy a view of the Calvert Cliffs, explore the base of the lighthouse tower, and learn about the history of the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay.

Calvert Marine Museum, - A museum about the collection, preservation, research, & interpretation of the culture & natural history of Southern Maryland.

Linden​ - A near-town farm, Linden is unique for its collection of most of outbuildings. There are presently ten. The architecture of the main building and the collection of service buildings are beautifully set on the land.

Caroline

 

Old Harford Town Maritime Wharf - A vast estate from the 1700s.which tells the story of a seven generation family business, early American industry & commerce, & changing cultural tastes.

Tuckahoe State Park - The Choptank River and Tuckahoe River have a wide variety of plant and animal life. Anglers may enjoy the opportunity to catch bass, perch, sunfish and catfish. Parks feature fishing, boating, camping, bird watching, cabins and picnic areas with a recycled tire playground sure to please the younger guests.

Adkins Arboretum - A new breed of arboreta where you will discover the native flora of the Delmarva Peninsula.

Idylwild Wildlife Management Area​ - Surrounding the headwaters of the Marshyhope Creek Idylwild consists of approximately 4,000 acres of diverse and unique recreational forest, including 27 miles of trails for bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, canoeing and kayaking. The trails are closed to motorized vehicles. Alongside of the Marshyhope Creek is Federalsburg’s four-mile long Greenway, which is paved for hiking and biking.

Carroll

 

Carroll County Farm Museum - Presents rural life as it was in the 19th Century.

Western Maryland Railway Museum - The museum houses an extensive collection of Western Maryland Railway artifacts and memorabilia, a voluminous photo archive, archival material directly from the Western Maryland, and an extensive railroader’s library featuring historical and technical publications about the Western Maryland and the other roads of the region.

Union Mills Homestead & Grist Mill - A family homestead for six generations, now a museum of American life.

The Civil War Driving Tour​ - Carroll County offers two driving tours which help the visitor navigate the troop movement throughout Carroll County. The rich farmland of Carroll County skirts the Mason-Dixon Line, denoting North from South. Picturesque and serene, this pivotal county remained relatively unscathed during the two years the Civil War raged here.

Charles

 

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House, - Dr. Mudd was imprisoned (and later pardoned) for tending to the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth.

Thomas Stone National Historic Site - Plantation home of Thomas Stone, one of Maryland's four signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Port Tobacco One-Room Schoolhouse - built in 1876 by the towns people with funds from the county and used as a school until 1953,

Smallwood Retreat House -a memorial to the life and public service of William Smallwood, a Revolutionary War officer and Governor of Maryland

Anne Arundel

 

Horizon Organic Dairy Farm - Learn about the important relationships between agriculture & the environment as you visit one of Maryland's many dairy farms.

Londontown Publik House & Gardens - Georgian architecture & colonial living; ongoing archaeological dig on the site, conducted by archaeologists from the Lost Towns Project; 8 acres of woodland gardens!

The Banneker-Douglass Museum "is dedicated to preserving Maryland's African American heritage, and serves as the state's official repository of African American material culture."

Hancock's Resolution - Learn about one of few existing stone buildings Built in 1784 – 1785 in Anne Arundel County that served as a signal point to warn Baltimore of the approaching British fleet and was one of many farms that utilized Maryland's waterways to transport produce to Baltimore and other ports.

Chesapeake Children's Museum, - A museum about the Chesapeake Bay.

The Maryland State House is the oldest State Capitol still in use.

The U.S. Naval Academy 's mission is "To develop midshipmen morally, mentally & physically . . . to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship & government."

The Shiplap House - was built about 1715, making it one of the oldest surviving buildings in Annapolis. The owner combined inn-keeping with the business of a "sawyer," cutting lumber into lengths suitable for building houses and ships.

National Cryptologic Museum​ - The National Cryptologic Museum is the National Security Agency's principal gateway to the public. It shares the Nation's, as well as NSA's, cryptologic legacy and place in world history. Located adjacent to NSA Headquarters, Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland, the Museum houses a collection of thousands of artifacts that collectively serve to sustain the history of the cryptologic profession. Here visitors can catch a glimpse of some of the most dramatic moments in the history of American cryptology: the people who devoted their lives to cryptology and national defense, the machines and devices they developed, the techniques they used, and the places where they worked.​

Cecil

 

Mt. Harmon Plantation, - A three-story brick structure built about 1730 & is an excellent example of Georgian architecture.

Plumpton Park Zoo - More than just a zoo!

Rodgers Tavern - A monument to the country's early history and a reminder of a past way of life.

Elk Neck State Park and Forest ​- Elk Neck is your year-round, travel destination to connect with the vast landscapes and waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The park boasts 2,188 acres of sandy beaches, marshlands, and heavily wooded bluffs overlooking the North East River, the Elk River and the Chesapeake Bay. As a result, there are several journeys you can take while in the park. You can launch your boat, tour the lighthouse, visit the beach, fish, crab, hunt, go camping, hiking or biking.

Dorchester

 

The Neild Museum - items illustrating industrial and agricultural life in Dorchester County from pre-colonial times to the recent past.

Annie Oakley's House - In 1912, this home was designed by and built for Wild West Sharpshooter Annie Oakley when she and her husband Frank Butler retired to Cambridge.

Spocott Windmill - 'Spocott' today has the only existing post windmill for grinding grain in Maryland. Also on the property are a colonial tenant farmhouse and a one-room schoolhouse.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument - The national monument designation encompasses various lands in Dorchester County that are either linked to places where Harriet Tubman lived and worked, or are similar to those landscapes.

Choptank River Lighthouse - This is a replica of a historic lighthouse that once guided mariners along the Choptank River. The lighthouse features a mini-museum and visitor information.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge​ - Located 12 miles south of Cambridge, the refuge has 27,000 acres of woodland, rich tidal marsh, freshwater ponds and managed cropland -- great for birdwatching, cycling, hiking, and paddling.

Frederick

 

Rose Hill Manor - A fine example of rural federal period architecture . . the last home of Maryland's first elected Governor, Thomas Johnson. Includes a Children's Museum, Carriage House & Farm Museum.

Fort Frede​rick State Park - The site of Maryland's frontier defense during the French & Indian War (1754-1763), the Fort's stone wall & two barracks have been restored to their 1758 appearance.

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine - The center for the study & interpretation of the medical history of the War Between the States.

South Mountain​ - An historic park with over 10,000 acres for year-round hiking along the Appalachian Trail.

Garrett

 

Savage River State Forest - at 52,812 acres, is the largest facility in the state forest and park system

Deep Creek Lake - The county's most popular tourist attraction, Deep Creek Lake is a hub of activity. At 3,900 acres, Maryland's largest freshwater lake is part Mother Nature, part human ingenuity. The Youghiogheny's Hydro-Electric Corporation created the lake using the surrounding streams to generate electrical power. One-thousand men began construction on November 1, 1923, and two-and-a-half years later, in May 1925, the electric plant began operation. The lake is 75 feet at its deepest and has 65 miles of shoreline.

Mt. Nebo - This 2,000-acre tract of land protects one of the most unique wetlands in Maryland, a red spruce bog.

Wisp Resort​ - Wisp is Maryland’s only alpine ski resort. It offers year-round recreational options: winter sports -- skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing – as well as biking, fishing, kayaking and golf. Wisp overlooks Deep Creek Lake, Maryland’s largest freshwater lake. You’ll see boats of all sizes on the lake. Cabins and lodges are available to rent.

Harford

 

Havre de Grace Decoy Museum - One of the finest collections of working & decorative Chesapeake Bay decoys ever assembled.

Ladew Topiary Gardens - Topiary figures show a huntsman & hounds chasing a fox. Includes swans, seahorses, a unicorn, giraffe, & more.

Concord Point Lighthouse -The oldest continually used lighthouse on the East Coast.

Havre de Grace Decoy Museum​ - The Decoy Museum celebrates the unique American folk art of decoy carving, the heritage of Havre de Grace and Upper Chesapeake Bay. Located on the banks of the historic Susquehanna Flats, the Decoy Museum houses one of the finest collections of working waterfowl decoys from the Chesapeake Bay and around the country. It exists to serve as a constant reminder of our heritage, and to support a greater awareness of the environment and wildlife of the Chesapeake Bay.

Kent

 

Watermans Museum - The watermen's own museum. The museum includes exhibits on oystering, crabbing, and fishing. A reproduction of a shanty house is on display, along with historical photographs, local carvings, and of course, boats.

Turner Creek Park - Located adjacent to the Sassafrass Natural Resource Management Area, Turner's Creek is part of the National Park Service, Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. Explore 147 acres of trails, wooded acres, open fields, and a waterfront bluff overlooking Turner's Creek off the Sassafrass River. Other attractions include two nature trails, an abundance of waterfowl and wildlife, and a national and historic tree grove. The soil conservation agricultural demonstration area along with the Kent Museum, Inc., displaying antique and historical agricultural equipment.

Geddes-Piper House - This beautifully restored 1783 merchant's home is a definite first stop for visitors to Chestertown and Kent County. The museum provides an overview of three and a half centuries of Kent County history, set against a backdrop of beautifully restored and furnished period rooms. The site offers an introduction to early Chesapeake settlement; the region as a center of Colonial economy and culture; 19th century transitions in agriculture and technology; and the Civil War and slavery. Local history and genealogical research library on site.

Cliffs Schoolhouse​ - Cliffs Schoolhouse is an architectural landmark that served a farming and fishing community in rural Kent County, and has survived for over 125 years. Lesson plans, for the seven grades taught in the one room, are written on the blackboards by the last teacher. It is well equipped with many of its original furnishings. Restoration and preservation of Cliffs is the current project of Port of Chester Questers, with assistance from the Retired Teachers Association.

Howard

 

Savage Mill - Historic shopping mill.

Thomas Viaduct - Circa 1836 bridge, was part of the main railroad between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., transported troops and supplies during the Civil War. It is the first multiple-arch railroad bridge in the world. The Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge in Savage is the only semi-suspension truss bridge still in existence.

Sharp's - At Waterford Farm

Terrapin Adventures ​- Let yourself soar at this unique outdoor adventure site! Climb the Terrapin Tower, experience the giant swing, or glide through the forest canopy on the zip line. Custom tours, parties and team building events can be arranged – perfect for schools, youth groups and company retreats. Additional adventures such as kayaking, horseback riding and rock climbing can also be arranged off site. Located at Historic Savage Mill.

Montgomery

 

Clara Barton House - home of the founder of the American Red Cross.

Glen Echo - Be sure to check out their carousel, the yurts, and the Bumper cars!

Sandy Spring Museum - All about how Sandy Spring came to be.

Woodlawn Manor Living History Museum - Woodlawn Manor Living History Museum in Montgomery County, Maryland offers a variety of educational programs keyed to social studies curriculum and environmental studies for students and groups of all ages...especially elementary grade levels.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal - A national historical park -- a pathway into history, nature & recreation.

National Trolley Museum - preserves & interprets the history of Washington's electric street railways.

Brookside Gardens - spectacular 50-acre public display gardens.

The National Museum of Health and Medicine​ - Founded during the Civil War as the Army Medical Museum, tells the story of military medicine. Artifacts include the bullet that killed President Abraham Lincoln, skeletal remains and wet tissue specimens, surgical kits and other medical tools, and more.

Queen Anne's

 

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center - Is a 510 acre wildlife preserve established in 1979. The mission is to promote stewardship and sustainability through education, research, restoration and conservation. Trails, observation blinds/towers, boardwalk, raptor exhibits, and kayak rentals.

Wye Island - Two of Maryland’s leading Revolutionaries acquired the island in the 1700s. William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence, held the eastern half and built Wye Hall, a large plantation house which burned in 1879. Paca is said to be buried on the mainland nearby. John Beale Bordley, a jurist, owned the western half and developed an enormous plantation. Attacked by Tories during the Revolution, the island was defended by a gunboat or barge, the Experiment. The island is now home to the Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area.

Kent Fort Manor Marker – Kent Island - The first English settlement in Maryland was predated only by colonies at Jamestown and Plymouth Rock. In August 1631, William Claiborne landed here and established an outpost for trading. His founding is acknowledged now only by an historic marker, approximately 8.5 miles south along Route 8.

The Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center (CHVC)​ - Helps visitors discover the many sights to see in our region. Staff can assist visitors with directions, information and local destination points of interest. The CHVC is also home to two exhibit spaces. The first space features a quarterly rotating artist series. The artwork is by local artisans with an emphasis on the Eastern Shore. The second exhibit space is dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of the area. The CHVC is accessible from the land and water and is a short drive from the Bay Bridge Airport. The Cross Island Trail encircles the grounds of the center. Also located on the property is the entrance to Ferry Point Park which includes a 530- foot boardwalk that takes visitors over marsh and onto a trail leading to open space, a wooded area and a beach overlooking the river.

Prince George's

 

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, a leading international research institute for wildlife & environmental research (Prince George's County)

Accokeek Foundation, - a living museum dedicated to care of the land.

Goddard Space Flight Center - Has mission responsibility for Earth Science, Space Science, & Technology.

Northampton Slave Quarters Archaeological Site - Historians and archaeologists are working reconstruct the lives of the many slaves and tenant farmers who lived at Northampton Plantation. Detailed information about the life of one slave, Elizabeth Hawkins, was obtained from descendants who live in the area.

Surratt House Museum, home of Mary Surratt, accused of participating in the conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln.

Marietta House Museum, - Plantation home of Gabriel Duvall, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, appointed in 1811.

Mt. Airy Plantation - According to the home's long-standing tradition.... it has played host to a number of ghosts!

Fort Washington Park​ - The first Fort Washington was completed in 1809 and guarded the Nation’s Capital until it was destroyed by its own garrison in 1814. It was the only defense for the Nation’s Capital until the Civil War when a circle of temporary forts was built around the city.

Somerset

 

The Smith Island Center - A museum on Maryland's only inhabited Chesapeake Bay island--you go by boat! The Center grew out of a request from the community for a place where the increasing numbers of tourists could learn about the Island, its history, economic and social life.

Crisfield Heritage Foundation - Is committed to preserve the heritage of Crisfield and its environs, to educate the public concerning this heritage, and to serve the catalyst for tourism in the Crisfield Area. The City of Crisfield and the surrounding areas are among the richest in the State of Maryland for cultural heritage and eco-tourism activities . Enjoy our areas pristine fishing, kayaking and canoeing opportunities; camping at Janes Island State Park and the relaxed tempo of our waterfront setting.

Accohannock Indian Tribal Museum - The village will demonstrate the daily life of the Accohannock by having American Indians engage in activities like basket weaving, cooking, dancing, gardening, and hunting and fishing. They will interact with visitors, welcoming them into the village and teaching them Indian words and skills. They will prepare native foods like corn, squash, wild rice, wild game, fish, oysters, and crabs.

Teackl​e Mansion​ - The Teackle Mansion is the 200 year old former residence of Littleton Dennis Teackle and Elizabeth Upshur Teackle. The neo-classical, 10,000 square foot American villa style house exhibits a grandiose plan that included formal spaces with decorative plaster finishes, an indoor bath, steam operated kitchen equipment (then unheard of modern conveniences in their day), and a wide range of elaborate furnishings. The Teackles lovingly called the property "Teackltonia" in order to distinguish it from Mr. Teackle's uncle's, John Dennis', Beckford estate next door.

Talbot

 

Oxford Museum - Our collection has more than 2,500 artifacts representing the cultural, historic and economic evolution of Oxford from one of the country’s earliest colonial ports through the American Revolution, the Civil War, the halcyon days of railroads, oysters and watermen, and its place as one of the premier sailing destinations on the East Coast. From the Indians early encampments to the modern day yachtsmen, the Museum presents a snapshot of all these intriguing periods of Oxford history. With only 700 residents, Oxford is remarkably unchanged over the centuries.

Tilghman Watermen`s Museum - Celebrates the culture and heritage of Tilghman’s Island watermen and their families. Housing an ever-growing collection of historical artifacts and boat models, it showcases the stories and experiences of the local watermen as well as the work of local artists.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum - Situated on the harbor in historic St. Michaels, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum brings to life the story of the Bay and the people who have lived and worked around it. Explore its nine exhibit buildings, the world's largest collection of traditional Bay boats, and its fully restored 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse. Try your hand at building boats as you play apprentice to master shipwrights. Meet local crafters and tradition bearers; pull up crab pots and nipper for oysters; and enjoy interactive exhibits delineating the Bays role in our nations history, the sport and art of chesapeake decoys, the golden age of steamboats, and oystering on the Chesapeake.

Wye Grist Mill & Museum - Wye Grist Mill​ (c.1682) is the oldest frame grist mill on the Eastern Shore and the oldest industrial commercial structure in continuous use in the state. Discover the long and colorful past of this National Register Landmark. Watch the waterwheel turn the heavy stones to grind the grain as millers explain the milling process. Explore exhibits that feature 300 years of grinding technology. Enjoy the rural beauty of this small village and its historic sites. The Mill's exhibit - "Wheels of Fortune - Wye Mills' Golden Age", explains three centuries of American industrial and agricultural advances on Maryland's Eastern Shore and features grinding technology from pre-colonial times to the early 20th century.

Washington

 

Sidling Hill - One of the best rock exposures in Maryland and indeed in the entire northeastern United States (also has museum)

Antietam National Battlefield - This Civil War site marks the end of General Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North in September 1862.

Fort Frederick - The cornerstone of Maryland's frontier defense during the French & Indian War (1754-1763). It served as an important supply base for English campaigns.

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts - exhibitions, musical concerts, lectures, films, art classes & special events for children & adults throughout the year.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park - The story of Harpers Ferry is more than one event, one date, or one individual. It involves a diverse number of people and events that influenced the course of our nation's history. Harpers Ferry witnessed the first successful application of interchangeable manufacture, the arrival of the first successful American railroad, John Brown's attack on slavery, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War, and the education of former slaves in one of the earliest integrated schools in the United States.

John Brown's Farm​ was the headquarters from which John Brown (1800-1859) planned & executed his raid on the Federal armory at Harpers Ferry in October 1859.

Wicomico

 

Ward Museum of Waterfowl Art - The most comprehensive collection of wildfowl carving in the world.

Adkins Museum and Historical Complex - In Mardela Springs, the Adkins Historical Museum & Complex offers visitors a tour of 8 historic buildings and the gravestones of a revolutionary war patriot and his wife. Visitors can explore over 800 mid-19th century artifacts on display in the Brattan-Taylor Village Store or one of the rotating exhibits housed in the Odd Fellows Lodge Hall. Also on site is a livery stable circa 1905, two small contractors sheds, the Gravenor-English one room school house and the Youngs Purchase Farmhouse built in 1724. The largest building on the complex, served as a warehouse for a local cannery during the early 20th century. Visitors are able to tour the warehouse, which was restored in 1991 and now houses a unique collection of antique furniture and rare books. The first floor of the warehouse hosts Barren Creek Clocks, a unique manufacturer of wooden geared clocks.

Barren Creek Springs Heritage Center and Museum - In the Barren Creek Heritage Museum, more than thirty permanent exhibits tell the story of the Barren Creek area & the town of Mardela Springs from 1660s to ca. 1950. Visitors can stroll through 300 years of history, following the stories of the area's earliest settlers from the Puckamee (Nanticoke) Indians to the tobacco planters, grist millers, enterprising shipbuilders, hotel keepers, spa operators, free black pioneers and spirital leaders who eventually made this area along the banks of the Nanticoke River home. Other facets of lower Eastern Shore life are explored in exhibits focusing on textiles, banking, early 20th century kitchens and parlors, sports and leisure, spirituality. The museum also features a Hall of Heroes, which honors local men and women who have served in the military as well as smaller exhibits on some of Mardela's nearby communities.

Salisbury Zoo - A hidden jewel in the forest. Alligators, river otters, jaguars, spider monkeys, spectacled bears and bison and a large bird area.

Popular Hill Mansion - This beautiful Federal period manor house was built circa 1800 and is Salisbury Maryland's oldest home. Now operated as a museum, the home was originally built by Major Levin Handy on a part of the tract called Pemberton's Good Will. Luckily, this house was far enough removed from the great fires in the center of town during the mid 19th century that it escaped destruction. The two-story, five-bay frame house is a richly decorated dwelling retaining a high percentage of its original woodwork. The bold block cornices, intricate fanlight entrance and Palladian style windows are prominent exterior features. The interior spaces are distinguished by a wealth of neoclassical carved woodwork and has recently been restored to its original color scheme and furnished true to its period.

Pemberton Historical Park​ - Pemberton Park is located on Pemberton Drive on the west side of Salisbury, Maryland, just a short distance from Route 50. The park's 262 acres offers the opportunity to hike 4.5 miles of Maryland nature trails, appreciate the beauty of nature and participate in environmental education, historical interpretation or special event activities. Informational brochures are available in the contact building near the parking lot. Brochures include trail guides illustrating various environmental features, bird and plant brochures and special event listings.

Worcester

 

Ocean City Life Saving Museum - Dedicated to collecting & preserving the history of the United States Life-Saving Service on the Eastern Shore. The museum also houses the history and heritage of Ocean City, Maryland.

Nassawango Iron Furnace & Furnace Town - Furnace Town is the site of the Nassawango Iron Furnace, Maryland's only bog ore furnace; it has one of the nation's earliest hot blast mechanisms still intact. Visitors enjoy a relaxing visit into 19th century village life in the heart of the Pocomoke Forest, 5 miles north of Snow Hill on the Nassawango Creek.

Bald Cypress Nature Trail - This trail is a 1-mile long self-guided glimpse of three forest types on the edge of the Pocomoke River: a pine grove, mixed hardwoods and bald cypress swamp. Observe three distinct plant communities competing and changing under the influence of the natural environment. A brochure is available.

Pusey Branch Nature Trail - This self-guided nature trail is a half mile long and is complimented by informational signs and exhibits. The trail leads you through pine plantations, mixed pine/hardwood stands and along bottom land hardwoods.

Assateague Island National Seashore - beach, dunes, forest, marsh, & bay in a wet and wild setting . . . surrounded by the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean and shallow expanses of Chincoteague Bay. . . wild horses & birds are among many kinds of island wildlife.

Rackliffe Plantation House - The Rackliffe House Trust, is presently restoring this notable 18th century plantation house overlooking Sinepuxent Bay. Rackliffe Plantation House, constructed in the 1740s, is believed to be the only property of its vintage and early Georgian character along the Mid-Atlantic coast.

Milburn Landing Hiking Trail - This 4-mile trail winds along narrow fire trails and wooded roads through Pocomoke State Forest. Observe managed woodlands and a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Pocomoke City Nature & Exercise Trail​ - This trail begins at Cypress Park and winds around Stevenson's Pond to Winter Quarters Landing, a public boat ramp, for a total of 4 miles. The trail is enhanced by several sections of floating boardwalk, exercise stations, a 57-foot pedestrian bridge, 260-foot fishing pier, gazebo and canoe launch sites.

St. Mary's

 

Piney Point Lighthouse Museum - The saga of lighthouses on the Potomac River.

Historic St. Mary's City - the fourth permanent settlement in British North America, Maryland's first capital. Restored.

St. Clement's Island Museum - Come & visit the people who made Maryland a reality.

Sotterly Plantation​ - older than Mount Vernon, older than Monticello, older than the nation, it is the only remaining Tidewater Plantation in Maryland open to the public.

Related Sites

Human Trafficking GET HELP

National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential

1-888-373-7888 233733 More Information on human trafficking in Maryland

Customer Service Promise

The State of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with friendly and courteous, timely and responsive, accurate and consistent, accessible and convenient, and truthful and transparent services.

Take Our Survey

Help Stop Fraud in State Government

The Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free fraud hotline to receive allegations of fraud and/or abuse of State government resources. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources.

More Information