Maryland Travel Guide

Annapolis

Situated only 35 miles (56km) south of Baltimore, Annapolis is not only the small capital of Maryland but is also considered to be the sailing capital of the USA, with a huge concentration of recreational and racing yachts sheltered in its marina. It is also a college town and has been home to the US Naval Academy since 1845. The city's waterfront has grown into an attractive district having retained its 18th century appeal despite the collection of boutiques, expensive shops, bars, restaurants and inns that cater to the onshore sailing crowd and tourists who are drawn by the history, nautical outlook and the city's reputation as a party town.

Much of Annapolis's colonial past is preserved in the thousands of historical buildings scattered along the narrow streets and brick-paved sidewalks and the concentration of original colonial-style houses and grand public buildings is greater here than anywhere else in the country. Among the elite brick manors are numerous pastel-colored rows of wooden slatted cottages that lead down to the waterfront. At the center of Annapolis is the Maryland State House that once served as the Capitol of the country, where George Washington resigned as Commander-in-Chief and where Congress authorized the treaty ending the Revolutionary War. Apart from history and the absorbing waterfront, the city is a good base from which to explore the small towns across Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore, by way of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Baltimore

As Maryland's biggest city and one of the USA's busiest ports, Baltimore's position at the end of the Patapsco River that feeds into Chesapeake Bay gives the city easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and it became an important port and shipbuilding center. It was home to a large number of US Navy vessels as well as the famously swift Baltimore clipper ships that destroyed or captured many of the British merchant ships during the War of 1812. Unlike Washington DC, Baltimore survived the vengeful attack by Britain, and with the triumphant flying of the American flag over Fort McHenry the country's national anthem, the 'Star-Spangled Banner', was born.

Since its important role in the Revolution, Baltimore has experienced a turbulent history. Its fortunes have see-sawed from post-Revolution prosperity to a city crippled by the violence of divided loyalties during the North/South Civil War; from a railroad-rich 19th century to the devastation caused by the fire of 1904; and the economic despair of the Great Depression.

Nicknamed 'Charm City' for its fusion of small town hospitality and city finesse, Baltimore combines an interesting mix of neighborhoods, a diverse range of attractions, and delicious seafood specialties of the Inner Harbor that include the abundant Maryland steamed blue crabs. The distinct neighborhoods are an attractive feature of Baltimore, among them the historic maritime district of Fells Point, the broad avenues of wealthy Mt Vernon, the village ambiance of Little Italy and the Bohemian neighborhood of SoWeBo, or Southwest Baltimore. The dividing line between the northern and southern US states runs through the city and its southern heritage is visible in the wide front porches of the houses, and the typically laid-back attitude of its residents.

The waterfront area and Inner Harbor are the heart of this vibrant and growing city and has become a major tourist destination featuring the World Trade Center with its 27-story high Top of the World Observation Level, the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and the Port Discovery children's museum covering everything from art to black history and archaeology. There are also numerous restaurants, hotels and shops, and the fact that it is still a working port adds to its attraction. The water taxi service, besides providing an efficient means of harbor transport, is an excellent way to experience the waterfront and affords fantastic views of the city's skyline.

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Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore occupies more than half of the Delmarva Peninsula that is shared between Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, protecting the towns along Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean.

Although linked to the 'mainland' by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, life is much slower and sleepier on this side of the bay. Miles of country lanes and Chesapeake waterways await discovery, while old wooden farmhouses and wheat fields, waterfront towns and fishing craft, lonely wind-rustled marshes, and the sound of birds give the peninsula its charming character.

On the Atlantic Coast the summer-swollen resort of Ocean City with its lovely beaches, amusement arcades and busy fast-food stands is the most visited spot on the East Shore. In contrast, the quaint old towns of Oxford, the colonial college town of Chestertown, and St Michaels are waterfront communities that sport old-fashioned family-owned stores and are the essence of life along Chesapeake Bay. Crisfield and Smith Island are classic old-world villages in the south and home to huge amounts of soft-shelled blue crabs that are the delicious specialty of Maryland. Easton is the unofficial capital of the Eastern Shore and is the largest town with a picturesque downtown district of historical colonial buildings.

The farmlands invite exploration by bicycle along miles of quiet back roads, or explore the inlets and rivers by boat, stopping along the way to sample the fish, oysters and crabs found here throughout the year.