Day Trips in Maryland
Make the most of your summer by planning a day trip in Maryland with your family. Take a trip to Ocean City, MD to enjoy some fun in the sun, or make a visit to Baltimore, MD to enjoy family-friendly museums and local cultural events. Continue reading to discover even more attractions to see in Maryland. Don’t forget, Washington DC is only 40 minutes south of Baltimore and borders MD, so be sure to check out our recommendations in this post as well. Start planning your trip today!
Affordable Day Trips in MD
Ocean City- Ocean City, MD is the place to be in the summer. From top notch crabs and seafood, to dozens of water sports and outdoor activities, there is plenty of fun to have with the entire family. Hang out on the beach all day, or visit the boardwalk to watch live street performances, play arcade games, or visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! There is also an amusement park located on the boardwalk where you can ride roller coasters and see Ocean City from up high on the Farris wheel.
Beat the heat at the Jolly Roger water park located on 30th street, or partake in a friendly game of putt-putt or laser tag with your friends and family. Ocean City is also home to some of the east coast’s largest bars, including the famous Seacrets Bar and Grill and Fager’s Island. For additional fun and FREE activities to enjoy in Ocean City, click here.
State Parks- Maryland has a plethora of state parks to enjoy. A popular day trip is Gunpowder Falls State Park, where you can spend the day tubing and relaxing on the river. Tubing on the river is free, but if you need to rent a tube check out Monkton Bike, Tube, and Kayak. You can also hike, kayak, and mountain bike in Gunpowder State Park and Catoctin State Park, located in Thurmont, MD. At Rock’s State Park, located in Harford County, hike to the famous King and Queen Seat or visit the beautiful waterfalls at Falling Branch.
A visit to Sandy Point State Park makes a great day trip as well. Here you can hangout bayside on the “beach”, fish, crab, and boat. Don’t have your own boat? Rent one for the day at the Marina Store. For a full list of Maryland State Parks, click here.
Visit Baltimore– Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city, should be a must-visit on your travel list. Baltimore is home to historic sites including Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. Admission is only $7 for adults and is free for children 15 and younger. A walk through the famous Inner Harbor is something the entire family will enjoy. There are dozens of shops and eateries, including the famous Hard Rock Café. You can even rent a paddleboat and take your own tour around the harbor!
Take the family to explore the Baltimore Zoo, The National Aquarium, and/or the Maryland Science Center. Each are kid-friendly, fun, and Baltimore favorites. Take a stroll through famous neighborhoods such as Federal Hill, Canton, and Fells Point, or click here to check for upcoming Baltimore events such as festivals, concerts, and more.
Whether you plan a day trip to Baltimore in the summer or the fall, attending an Orioles baseball game, or a Raven’s football game, is a must! Tickets to Orioles games can be as low as $8, and certain games even end with a fireworks display. Orioles game tickets can be found here.
Visit Annapolis- Not only is Annapolis Maryland’s capitol, but it is America’s sailing capitol, which makes it the perfect place to rent a sailboat for the day, or to take a sightseeing cruise along the Chesapeake Bay. Annapolis is also home to the famous U.S. Naval Academy. Take a guided tour around the grounds and the museum to get a glimpse of U.S military history.
Plan a trip to the Annapolis Maritime Museum to learn about the history of the Bay, or take a boat ride out to the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse. A day trip to Annapolis wouldn’t be complete with walking through Ego Alley, which is the city’s Dock and Harbor. Here there are shops, eateries, old-fashioned ice cream parlors, and a beautiful view of the water.
Historic Saint Mary’s County-Plan a day trip to Maryland’s oldest county to get an in-depth look at American history. Here there are numerous Civil War era sites and monuments to visit, including Sotterley Plantation which offers tours of the 300 year old grounds. Fort Lincoln and the Civil War Museum at Point Lookout State Park is another great place to visit to learn more about the history of the Civil War. This park also has an extensive beach with posted lifeguards, picnic facilities, and a playground to enjoy after site seeing.
Saint Mary’s County also offers attractions for thrill seekers to enjoy. If you are into action sports such as drag racing or motocross, stop by the Maryland International Raceway or the Southern Maryland BMX Track in Mechanicsville, MD. Either participate yourself or spend the day watching these exciting races! For more information on what to see in Saint Mary’s County, click here.
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