Maryland
A traveler goes to Maryland for Chesapeake Bay seafood, Atlantic beaches and a short drive between historic towns and big-city neighborhoods.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Maryland is a state on the Mid-Atlantic coast of the United States, bordered by Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Chesapeake Bay cuts through the middle of the state and divides it into the Western Shore and the Eastern Shore. Baltimore, the largest city, sits on the Western Shore. Annapolis, the state capital and home of the United States Naval Academy, is a short drive south of it.
Visitors come for blue crab and crab cakes, the Atlantic beaches at Ocean City and Assateague Island, and Civil War ground at Antietam National Battlefield in the western part of the state. A trip suits a road trip or a split stay between the city and the coast, with the bay and the historic towns in between. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking and driving, and four to seven days covers the bay, the coast and one or two historic towns.
Maryland in five
- Rent a car for the Eastern ShoreSt. Michaels and Ocean City are easiest to reach by car over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on US 50. Trains and buses do not reach most small towns on the shore.Getting around
- Set up E-ZPass before you driveMaryland's toll facilities, including the Fort McHenry Tunnel and the Bay Bridge, are electronic. Ask your rental company about its toll pass fee before you accept the car.
- Ride the free Charm City CirculatorThe Circulator's free buses run through downtown Baltimore and the Inner Harbor. Use them to skip a taxi between the main sights.
- Buy National Aquarium tickets onlineBuy National Aquarium tickets on its website before you go, and check the day's opening times there.Tours and tickets
- Eat steamed blue crabs in summerBlue crabs are steamed with Old Bay seasoning and cracked at the table, often sold by the dozen. The season runs from spring into early fall, and summer is the peak.
Neighborhoods
Annapolis
- Best for: Sailing town, slow pace
- Price band: $$$
- Main Street and City Dock
- US Naval Academy campus
- About 30 to 45 minutes by car from Baltimore
Skip if you want a late-night city or a major rail hub.
Baltimore
Baltimore is a harbor city where you can see the Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry and Fells Point in a long weekend.
Ocean City
A Maryland beach town built around a long boardwalk, wide sand, and day trips to Assateague Island's wild ponies.
Things to do in Maryland
See all attractions in Maryland
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for visa-free visitors; others need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected: 18 to 20% at restaurants and bars
- Time
- UTC-5 Eastern; UTC-4 in summer daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, grey
- MarchCool, changeable
- AprilMild, spring
- MayWarm, green
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyCrab season peak
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberWarm, mild
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, grey
Right now in Maryland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 40%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Maryland
03:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°6°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue20°7°4%Tuesday: Fog. High 20°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed23°13°1%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu18°16°48%Thursday: Rain. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Fri19°11°47%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sat15°8°20%Saturday: Clear. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 20%.
Updated 11:59 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Annapolisabout 30 to 45 min by carHarbor walks, the Naval Academy and crab houses on the water.
- Washington, D.C.about 1 hour by MARC or Amtrak trainThe Smithsonian museums are free to enter, and the trip takes about an hour by train.
- St. Michaelsabout 1.5 hours by car via the Bay BridgeA Chesapeake waterfront town with a maritime museum.
- Ocean Cityabout 2.5 to 3 hours by carA long Atlantic beach and boardwalk, best in summer.
Before you go to Maryland
Rules for Maryland, checked
- Declare fresh food, plants and meat on your CBP declaration. The officer at the border decides what can be brought in.Source
- Maryland's Clean Indoor Air Act bans smoking in restaurants, bars and most indoor public places. Check the Maryland Department of Health for the full rules.
- You must be 21 to buy or drink alcohol in Maryland, and bars and shops may ask for photo ID.
Plan around Maryland
Regions, cities and entry rules across the country
Read the guideBaltimoreThe harbor city, its museums and neighborhoods
Read the guideGetting aroundDriving the shore, tolls and city buses
Read the guideVisas and entryChecking ESTA eligibility before you fly
Read the guideMoney and costsTipping, cards and typical daily prices
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in Baltimore, Annapolis and the shore
Read the guideMaryland FAQ
Is Maryland worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a working harbor city, the Chesapeake shore and Annapolis in one trip. Baltimore alone takes two days; add the shore for a slower week.
How many days do you need in Maryland?
Three to four days covers Baltimore, Annapolis and a day on the Eastern Shore. Add two more for Washington, D.C., which is about an hour away by train.
Should I base in Baltimore or Annapolis?
Baltimore, if you want museums, the Inner Harbor and easy trains. Annapolis suits a quieter trip with harbor walks, and the Naval Academy is in the town.
Can you visit Washington, D.C. from Baltimore?
Yes. MARC and Amtrak trains run between Baltimore and Washington Union Station, about an hour each way. A day trip works, but two nights in D.C. fit the museums better.
What food is Maryland known for?
Blue crab steamed with Old Bay is the classic. Also try crab cakes, Berger cookies from Baltimore, and Smith Island cake, the state dessert.