Day Trips from Baltimore, Maryland

1. Washington DC

There is no better place to learn about the history of democracy and American history than Washington, D.C. Not only are there plenty of historical landmarks to be seen, but visitors should also explore the cosmopolitan downtown area with high-end restaurants and shopping, world-class entertainment and nightlife, and cultural hot spots.

Some of the best attraction in Washington DC include The White House, The Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, The Smithsonian, The National Holocaust Museum, Mount Vernon, Historic Congressional Cemetery, The Pentagon, United States Botanic Gardens, Ford Theater, and much more.

2. American Visionary Art Museum

The American Visionary Art Museum, AVAM, is dedicated to art produced by artists who have not received formal art education and instead harbor unique personal vision with an ability to be self-taught and visionary. The AVAM keeps it all new and exciting due to their exhibitions changing and rotating with some exhibits curated from the permanent collection and others featuring traveling art exhibits. Not only can visitors take self-guided tours through the AVAM, but there are also workshops, classes, and special events to attend. The AVAM can also be rented for private events such as weddings, corporate functions, or fundraisers. Visitors can access AVAM by water taxi or land.

800 Key Highway, Baltimore, Maryland, 21230, Phone: 410-244-1900

3. Annapolis

Visit the capital of Maryland for a great day trip from Baltimore. Annapolis is on the Chesapeake Bay between Baltimore and Washington D.C. Annapolis is a politically significant city in American history and was once the seat of the Confederation Congress, the national capital of the US, and where the 1786 Annapolis Convention happened. Today, visitors to Annapolis can explore The Maryland State House, United States Naval Academy, and a host of history, science, and cultural museums. Visitors not interested in politics and history can enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities on the Chesapeake Bay, or stay for festivals and special tours.

4. Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam National Battlefield is a National Park that is the site of one of the bloodiest days in U.S. history. Over 23,000 soldiers were killed on September 17, 1862, after a 12-hour battle that stopped the Confederate army from invading Northern Virginia. This was the event that led to the first Emancipation Proclamation being declared by Abraham Lincoln. The Antietam Battlefield is a beautifully preserved historic landmark for visitors to tour that includes places like Dunker Church, Bloody Lane, Burnside Bridge, and the National Cemetery. A visitor’s center has additional information and exhibits. Some historic buildings are only open in the summer and/or weekends.

PO Box 158, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, Phone: 301-432-5124

5. Appalachian Trail Museum

The Appalachian Trail Museum is housed inside a building more than 200 years old that was once used as a grist mill in Gardners Philadelphia. Located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the museum outlines the history of The Appalachian Trail. Some of the exhibits at the museum are a trail shelter that was built by legendary trail hiker Earl Shaffer and more than 12,000 photographs of hikers on the trail and Harpers Ferry. A research library is also a part of the museum. Hiking is available on the museum property, and there is also a Children’s Discovery Area for little ones. The Appalachian Trail Museum is across from the historic Pine Grove General Store and nearby the Ironmasters Mansion and The Old Mill. If visiting the museum in person is a problem, you can access the digital archives online through the museum store.

1120 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA, 17324, Phone: 717-486-8126

6. Assateague State Park

Families who love water recreation and the great outdoors will enjoy Assateague State Park on Assateague Island at the National Seashore. The island is known for its heard of wild horses, sandy beaches, salt marshes, coastal bay, and maritime forests. Visitors to the state park can enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, biking, and even clamming. There are two visitors’ centers at Assateague State Park. Toms Cove Visitor Center is found on the Virginia side of the island in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Assateague Island Visitor Center is on the Maryland side of the island near the Verrazano Bridge park entrance.

7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, Maryland, 21811, Phone: 410-641-1441

7. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is a tranquil waterfowl sanctuary established in 1933 for migrating birds traveling the Atlantic Flyway. The refuge features three different habitats—marsh, shallow water, and forest and is home to 1/3 of the tidal wetlands of Maryland. Blackwater also helped the Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrels come off the endangered species list and are where visitors to the east coast can see the largest population bald eagles north of Florida. Visitors to Blackwater can hunt with a permit, fish, crab, walk several trails, participate in environmental education programs, and cycling. The visitors center has restrooms and exhibits, a library, upper deck observation area, and TV monitors that allow you to see inside the osprey and eagles nests. There is also a butterfly garden, bookstore, and gift shop.

2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD, 21613, Phone: 410-228-2677

8. Calvert Cliffs State Park

Calvert Cliffs State Park runs the Chesapeake Bay seashore for 24 miles. The majestic cliffs were formed almost 20 million years ago when Maryland was covered by ocean water. Today, visitors to the cliffs can see fossils of prehistoric sharks, whales, birds, and stingrays. Some of the birds are the size of small airplanes. Fossil hunting can be done on the beach connected to Red Trail. When visiting Calvert Cliffs State Park children can play on the recycled tire playground. There are sandy beaches for relaxing and swimming, places to fish, and both fresh and tidal marshes to explore through the 13 miles of hiking trails. Camping for youth groups is available, and there are several picnic shelters for visitors spending the day.

580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis MD, 21401, Phone: 877-620-8367

9. Cape May

Visitors looking for pristine beaches and a seaside getaway full of rich history and amazing restaurants should visit Cape May, New Jersey. This small town is full of amazingly preserved architecture and the Cape May Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Car, plane, ferry, or public transportation can access Cape May, and most visitors choose to park and spend the day getting around by bicycle or trolley. There are campgrounds, hotels, bed & breakfasts, and Guest Houses that accommodate visitors who come to Cape May for the amazing beaches, world famous oceanfront dining and boutique shopping. Cape May is also home to several museums, a lighthouse, old homes tours, and seaside spas.

513 Washington Street, Cape May, New Jersey, 08204

10. Chesapeake Beach

Chesapeake Beach is a quaint bayside town in Calvert County, Maryland along the Chesapeake Bay. The town was founded in 1896 by the Chesapeake Bay Railway Company who create a resort along the railway for people who wanted to take day trips from Washington D.C. which is only 28 miles away. The Chesapeake Beach Railway Resort was closed in 1935, but the communities from Chesapeake Beach and North Beach support the area with popular outdoor bay activities, a public school and both year-round and summer homes. This beach is a great place for families who love water recreation. Chesapeake Beach features a marina with boating opportunities, a water park, the Railway Museum, and Veterans Memorial Park. There are also many places for world-class oceanfront dining and several festivals that occur annually.