Maryland welcomed me with water—rippling in harbors, whispering through marshes, and stretching wide into the Chesapeake Bay. But what struck me most wasn’t just the coastline—it was the diversity of experiences tucked within a few hours' drive. One moment I was walking cobblestone streets steeped in Revolutionary history, the next I was surrounded by jellyfish, or standing silent where battles once shook the ground. Maryland held layers, and each stop felt like a different side of the same soulful place.
Best Things to Do in Maryland
Sunset strolls and waterfront sparkle at National Harbor
I took a 30-minute drive to National Harbor from D.C. to enjoy ocean views. Since it's located on the Potomac River, you can reach it by water taxi as well. You'll discover a treasure trove of accommodations, shops, boutiques, and places to eat here.
National Harbor felt like the kind of place designed for pausing. I arrived just before dusk and walked the promenade as lights began to flicker along the waterfront. The Capital Wheel turned slowly overhead, its reflection stretching across the water, and as I stood looking out at the Potomac, I thought, “This is where city energy meets vacation pace.”
I explored boutiques along American Way, stopped to snap photos of the whimsical “Awakening” sculpture rising from the sand, and watched couples sipping wine on patio lounges. The harbor buzzed gently—alive but not rushed. As night fell, the Ferris wheel lit up in soft neon hues, casting a dreamy glow over the marina.
Dinner was at Bond 45, where I ordered the sea bass with lemon butter and roasted asparagus, paired with a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Everything tasted fresh, unfussy, and timed perfectly with the slow rhythm of the harbor. I lingered for dessert—chocolate budino—just to soak up a few more minutes of river air and twinkle lights.
Where I Stayed: I checked into the Gaylord National Resort, which felt like a world of its own. Towering glass atriums, riverside views, and a spa I didn’t know I needed until I walked in. It was just steps from everything, yet peaceful enough to feel like an escape.
National Harbor At a Glance
- Location: 165 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD 20745
- Vibe: Upscale, scenic, walkable
- Highlights: Capital Wheel, waterfront promenade, boutique shops, seasonal events
- Best Time to Visit: Evening for sunset views and light shows
- Cost: Free to explore; dining and activities vary
- Hours: Open daily; some shops and restaurants open later
- Tip: Ride the Capital Wheel at night for panoramic views of D.C. and the river aglow
Tradition and pride at the U.S. Naval Academy
From National Harbor it's just 45 minutes to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Stop by the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center or take a guided tour of the undergraduate college where U.S. Navy and Marine Corps members receive their four-year undergraduate training.
The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis felt instantly weighty in the best way—like I was walking through the backbone of something enduring. I joined a guided tour that wove through stately halls and granite walkways, stopping in the chapel with its massive dome and stained glass windows glowing softly. Beneath it lay the crypt of John Paul Jones, and as I stood there in silence, I thought, “This is the kind of place where ideals aren’t just taught—they’re lived.”
The campus buzzed with discipline and pride. Midshipmen passed in crisp uniforms, and our guide spoke with reverence about the rigorous training and honor system. Bancroft Hall—the largest dorm in the country—stood like a fortress of stories. There was something magnetic about the place, even if you had no military ties. It felt purposeful, and it moved me.
Afterward, I walked along the docks of Downtown Annapolis and stopped at Iron Rooster for brunch. Their crab hash and house-made pop tart were oddly perfect together—local, playful, and full of character. Just like Annapolis.
Where I Stayed: I booked a night at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, right by the harbor. My room had floor-to-ceiling windows, and I fell asleep watching boats sway under moonlight.
U.S. Naval Academy At a Glance
- Location: 121 Blake Rd, Annapolis, MD 21402
- Vibe: Historic, disciplined, patriotic
- Highlights: Chapel, John Paul Jones Crypt, Bancroft Hall, museum
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for pleasant weather and active campus life
- Cost: Guided tours around $12; ID required for entry
- Hours: Daily, typically 9am–5pm
- Tip: Wear comfortable shoes—this is a walking campus, and every turn has something to say
I enjoy writing about Annapolis, restaurants and art you can visit there.
Art through the ages at The Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore swept me off my feet—not with grandeur, but with intimacy and depth. Tucked into the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, it felt like a jewel box of human creativity. I wandered from medieval armor to illuminated manuscripts to ancient Egyptian jewelry, and every room felt like a different world. At one point, standing in front of a 17th-century Dutch portrait, I thought, “Art doesn’t have to shout to be unforgettable.”
The collection spans millennia, yet the museum feels personal. The layout is fluid and welcoming, the signage thoughtful but never overwhelming. I especially loved the sculpture court, where natural light filtered down through glass ceilings. I sat on a bench there for a long time, just breathing it in.
After the museum, I headed to Dooby’s, a nearby Korean-inspired café, and had the kimchi grilled cheese with tomato soup. It was comforting and unexpected—like the museum itself.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at Hotel Revival, just steps away. It’s eclectic, artsy, and filled with personality—an ideal match for a day spent among masterpieces.
The Walters Art Museum At a Glance
- Location: 600 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Vibe: Elegant, contemplative, global
- Highlights: Ancient to 19th-century art, rare manuscripts, sculpture court
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for a quiet experience
- Cost: Free admission
- Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm
- Tip: Take your time—the museum rewards those who linger
Tracing tides and traditions at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
From Baltimore, I drove to St. Michaels to see the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. You'll find it located in thirty-five buildings over eighteen acres directly on Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels felt less like an exhibit and more like a living shoreline. Spread across a dozen waterfront buildings and working boatyards, the museum was full of salt air, creaking docks, and the echo of stories carried by the Bay. As I climbed the Hooper Strait Lighthouse and looked out over the Miles River, I thought, “This isn’t just history—it’s home for generations of watermen.”
Inside the exhibits, I learned about the lives of oyster harvesters, crabbers, and shipbuilders—hard work, but deeply rooted in rhythm and reverence for the water. Outside, the working shipyard was alive with the sounds of hammers and saws as craftsmen restored historic vessels. There was even a boat-building program for kids underway, and the energy was contagious.
I walked from pier to pier, eventually finding myself at Awful Arthur’s Seafood Company nearby. I ordered a basket of fried oysters, hush puppies, and coleslaw with a cold local IPA. It was simple, briny, and exactly what I wanted after spending hours immersed in maritime life.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum At a Glance
- Location: 213 N Talbot St, St. Michaels, MD 21663
- Vibe: Coastal, hands-on, heritage-rich
- Highlights: Hooper Strait Lighthouse, working shipyard, waterman history, rotating exhibits
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer for outdoor exhibits and boat tours
- Cost: Around $18 for adults
- Hours: Daily, 10am–5pm
- Tip: Bring sunscreen—you’ll want to explore the grounds thoroughly
I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay for the night (another great option is the Inn at Perry Cabin).
If you prefer to explore this area with a local guide, check out the guided walking tour or the sunset cruise.
We returned to D.C. to complete our first leg of the trip.
Walking with history at Antietam National Battlefield
A few weeks later, I took a second trip discovering the best things to do in Maryland. Once again, we started in D.C. and drove 1 hour and 30 minutes inland to Sharpsburg, MD.
Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg was still. The kind of stillness that settles over you like a quilt. I arrived on a misty morning, the sky low and gray, and began walking the Bloody Lane Trail. The fields stretched out on either side, deceptively quiet, and I found myself whispering without realizing it. At the sunken road, where hundreds once fell, I paused and thought, “This is the kind of silence that holds memory.”
The visitor center offered context, maps, and a sobering film that outlined the 1862 battle—the bloodiest single day in American history. But it was the open land that spoke loudest. Cannons rested along ridge lines. Fences leaned, unchanged for generations. I drove the self-guided tour route afterward, stopping often to walk short trails and stand alone with history.
Afterward, I drove a few minutes into Shepherdstown and had lunch at Blue Moon Café, sitting out back by the creek. I ordered a black bean burger with mango salsa and an iced tea. The food was light and fresh—a sharp contrast to the weight of the battlefield, and just what I needed to exhale a little.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Bavarian Inn Resort & Brewing Company nearby—charming, quiet, and perched above the Potomac. It offered a warm end to a contemplative day.
Antietam National Battlefield At a Glance
- Location: 5831 Dunker Church Rd, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
- Vibe: Solemn, open, contemplative
- Highlights: Bloody Lane, Burnside Bridge, visitor center, walking and driving tours
- Best Time to Visit: Fall for color and cool air; early morning for solitude
- Cost: Around $10 per person or $20 per vehicle
- Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk; visitor center 9am–5pm
- Tip: Walk at least one trail—it deepens the experience in a way the car can't
Diving into wonder at the National Aquarium
From Sharpsburg, MD, we once again drove to Baltimore because there were more attractions I wished to explore there. The drive took 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore felt like entering a dream in slow motion. From the moment I stepped into the darkened entryway, the sound of cascading waterfalls and distant dolphin calls surrounded me. Each level took me deeper—not just physically, but into ecosystems I’d never seen up close. As I watched moon jellies pulse under blacklight, I thought, “This is what awe feels like when it swims right up to you.”
I wandered through the glass tunnel of the Atlantic Coral Reef, stood transfixed by a 500-pound sea turtle, and lost time in the Amazon Rainforest exhibit where frogs chirped and sloths napped in the canopy. The Living Seashore touch pool brought me eye-to-eye with horseshoe crabs and anemones, and the Australia exhibit surprised me with birds swooping just inches overhead. It was more than a visual experience—it was sensory immersion.
For lunch, I walked to Miss Shirley’s Café on the Inner Harbor and ordered their crab cake po’ boy and sweet tea. It was vibrant and bold—like everything I’d just seen inside the aquarium, but on a plate.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore in nearby Fell’s Point. Historic, harborfront, and effortlessly cool, it gave me calm waters and luxurious linens after a day beneath the sea.
National Aquarium At a Glance
- Location: 501 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202
- Vibe: Enchanting, immersive, world-class
- Highlights: Shark Alley, Amazon Rainforest, Australia, coral reefs, Living Seashore
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or early mornings for fewer crowds
- Cost: Around $40 for adults
- Hours: Typically 9am–5pm daily; varies by season
- Tip: Reserve tickets in advance and start from the top floor—less crowded and better flow
Closing Thoughts
Maryland moved with both rhythm and reverence—sailboats skimming past lighthouses, solemn trails through battlefields, and aquariums that pulsed with life. Every destination gave me something unexpected, whether it was laughter at a sculpture garden, quiet reflection under a chapel dome, or a crab cake that reminded me why the Bay is so beloved. I left Maryland not with a single impression, but with a mosaic of experiences—coastal, cultural, and completely unforgettable.