Things To Do In Maryland In 2026: 11 Places Worth Your Time

Contents

This guide covers major places to visit across Maryland for a general U.S. traveler. It does not rank hotels or restaurants.

For a first trip to Maryland, start with Assateague Island National Seashore, Annapolis, Baltimore, Harriet Tubman's Eastern Shore sites, and Great Falls.

Assateague is the best choice for wild horses and an open Atlantic beach. Annapolis is best for a walkable mix of history and Chesapeake Bay views. Baltimore is the best choice for a big indoor attraction.

The Harriet Tubman route gives the Eastern Shore a deeper history stop, while Great Falls gives visitors near Washington, DC an easy way to add a strong outdoor day.

Things to Do in Maryland

The biggest planning mistake is trying to cross the whole state in one day. Ocean City and Assateague fit together. Annapolis and Baltimore fit together. Swallow Falls belongs in a Western Maryland trip.

Maryland at a glance

The time ranges below are planning estimates, not official visit times.

Rank	Place	Best for	Plan this much time	Cost checked	Main thing to know
1	Assateague Island National Seashore	Wild horses, beach, nature	Half day to full day	$25 per private vehicle for 7 days; no fee to enter on foot or by bike in the Maryland area	Stay at least 40 feet from horses; no lifeguards in the Maryland area
2	Historic Annapolis	First visit, walking, history	Half day to full day	The NPS walking route is free; some buildings charge admission	City Dock is under major construction; Naval Academy visitors need accepted ID
3	Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center and nearby route	Black history, Eastern Shore history	Half day to full day	Visitor center is free	Closed Monday and Tuesday
4	National Aquarium and Baltimore Inner Harbor	Families, rainy days, city trips	Half day to full day	Adult aquarium ticket: $49.95	Weekends and busy times can sell out
5	Fort McHenry	War of 1812 history	About 2 hours	$15 per adult 16+ for the historic fort area; most grounds and the visitor center are free	Best paired with another Baltimore stop
6	C&O Canal at Great Falls	Waterfall views, easy walks, hard hikes	2-5 hours	$20 per private vehicle at Great Falls	Billy Goat Trail Section A is much harder than the canal path
7	Antietam National Battlefield	Civil War history	2-4 hours	$20 per private vehicle	The driving tour has 10 stops and is about 8.5-9 miles
8	Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum	Boats, Bay life, St. Michaels	2-4 hours	Adult admission: $20	Some paths are gravel or boardwalk; the lighthouse has stairs
9	Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls	Hiking, mountain views	2-5 hours	Catoctin has no entrance fee; state park fees can apply depending on where you park	The main falls hike is rocky and crosses Route 77
10	Ocean City beach and Boardwalk	Resort beach, families, nightlife	Half day to full day	The public beach is free	Pick this over Assateague when you want more services and things to do
11	Swallow Falls State Park	Waterfalls, forest, Western Maryland	2-4 hours	Through Labor Day: $3/person for Maryland residents; $5/person for out-of-state visitors; extra booking fee may apply	Summer weekends and holidays require a reservation to enter for the day

Best choices for different trips

Best overall outdoor stop: Assateague Island National Seashore

Best first-time city stop: Annapolis

Best rainy-day stop: National Aquarium in Baltimore

Best for families: National Aquarium or Ocean City

Best free history stop: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center

Best for U.S. history: Antietam National Battlefield or Fort McHenry

Best outdoor stop near Washington, DC: Great Falls

Best beach with shops, rides, and food nearby: Ocean City

Best beach for wild horses and a quieter setting: Assateague Island National Seashore

Best Western Maryland nature stop: Swallow Falls State Park

How we chose these places

This guide was written from current research. We did not visit, buy tickets for, or test every place for this update.

We chose places that do at least one of these jobs well:

give a first-time visitor something strongly tied to Maryland;
add a different kind of day, such as beach, city, history, or hiking;
work as a clear stop in a real trip plan;
have current official information that can be checked before a visit;
are worth the drive compared with nearby choices.

Official pages were used for prices, hours, rules, trail lengths, safety notes, and entry rules.

Travel-list rankings were not used as proof that one place is "better" than another.

The order here is our judgment based on how useful each stop is for a broad first-time Maryland trip.

1. Assateague Island National Seashore - best for wild horses and beach

Assateague Island National Seashore is the best outdoor pick in this guide for travelers who want wild horses, beach time, and open space in the same day.

The Maryland part of the island has beach, dunes, marsh, camping, biking, fishing, and horse watching.

Horse sightings are common but not guaranteed. National Park Service

What to know

Best for: Wildlife, beach walks, photos, camping
Time: Half day to full day
Price: $25 per private vehicle for 7 days; no entrance fee for people arriving on foot or by bike in the Maryland area
Main limit: The Maryland beach has no lifeguards
Safety rule: Stay at least 40 feet from the horses.

Do not feed or touch them.

The National Park Service says the horses can move across the whole Maryland part of Assateague.

If a horse comes toward you, you are expected to move away and give it room. NPS horse rules

The 2026 fee page lists a $25 seven-day pass for a private vehicle in Maryland.

Walking and biking in have no entrance fee. NPS fees

The National Park Service also says there are no lifeguards on the Maryland beach, so swimming takes more care than at a guarded resort beach.

NPS beach safety

Choose Assateague if wild horses and a less built-up beach matter more than rides, shops, and nightlife.

Choose Ocean City instead if you want an easy resort day with food and entertainment close by.

2. Historic Annapolis - best for a first Maryland city day

Annapolis is the best first-time city stop for travelers who want history, old streets, boats, and the Chesapeake Bay in one walkable area.

The National Park Service has a free walking route that starts at City Dock and passes the Maryland State House area and the U.S. Naval Academy.

The route itself takes about 60-90 minutes, but a full day makes more sense if you stop for museums, shops, or a meal.

NPS Annapolis walk

What to know

Best for: First visits, walking, history, waterfront views
Time: Half day to full day
Price: The NPS walking route is free; individual museums and buildings may charge
Main limit: City Dock is under construction
Naval Academy rule: Visitors age 18+ need an accepted ID for general public entry

General public visits to the U.S. Naval Academy resumed on May 11, 2026.

Adults 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID, a U.S. passport or passport card, or an Enhanced Driver's License from an accepted state.

General public visits by non-U.S. citizens remain restricted under the current rule. U.S. Naval Academy access rules

City Dock is also in the middle of a major flood-protection rebuild.

In August 2026, the city said the work was ahead of schedule and that the park could reopen as early as July 2027.

Construction can still change how parts of the waterfront are reached. City of Annapolis update

Choose Annapolis if you want an easy day on foot with history and waterfront views.

Do not build the whole day around the Naval Academy unless everyone in your group meets the current entry rules.

3. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center - best for Eastern Shore history

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center is the best place to start a day about Harriet Tubman's life and the Eastern Shore places tied to her story.

The center has exhibits, a film, staff help, and information for visiting nearby stops.

It works best as the start of the day, not the only stop. National Park Service

What to know

Best for: Black history, family learning, Eastern Shore road trips
Time: Half day for the center and nearby stops; full day for a longer drive through the area
Price: Free
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday-Saturday
Main limit: Closed Monday and Tuesday

The visitor center is free.

The current National Park Service hours page shows the center closed on Monday and Tuesday. NPS hours NPS fees

Choose this stop if you want to understand Harriet Tubman's story in the part of Maryland where she was born and lived.

Give yourself more than an hour if you also want to drive to nearby places tied to that history.

4. National Aquarium and Baltimore Inner Harbor - best for families and rainy days

The National Aquarium is the strongest indoor choice on this list for families, rainy days, and travelers who want one major Baltimore attraction.

It sits on the Inner Harbor at 501 E. Pratt Street, so it is easy to pair with a waterfront walk before or after the visit.

National Aquarium visitor page

What to know

Best for: Families, rainy days, first Baltimore visit
Time: Half day
Adult ticket: $49.95
Youth ticket, ages 5-20: $39.95
Children 4 and under: Free
Main limit: Busy times can sell out, and parking adds cost

The Aquarium's current page lists September 2026 hours and says the last entry is 60 minutes before closing.

It also lists several nearby partner garages with a $18 guest parking rate for up to 24 hours.

National Aquarium visitor page

Friday evenings after 5 p.m. have a half-price offer.

The current 2026 event page lists $24.95 per person. Half-Price Friday Night

Choose the National Aquarium if your group wants a big indoor attraction.

Choose Fort McHenry instead if the main reason for the Baltimore day is U.S. history.

5. Fort McHenry - best short history stop in Baltimore

Fort McHenry is the best short Baltimore stop for travelers who want to connect the War of 1812 with the story of the U.S. national anthem.

The fort's defense during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814, led Francis Scott Key to write the words that later became "The Star-Spangled Banner."

National Park Service

What to know

Best for: U.S. history, a half-day Baltimore plan
Time: About 2 hours for most visitors
Price: $15 per adult age 16+ to enter the historic fort area
Free parts: Most park grounds, the visitor center, and the movie
Main limit: It is a focused history stop, not a full day for most visitors

The National Park Service says an entire visit usually takes about two hours.

The current 2026 fee is $15 per adult for the historic fort area, while most of the 43-acre park remains free.

NPS visit details NPS fees

Choose Fort McHenry if you want a clear, easy-to-understand history stop.

Pair it with the Inner Harbor or another Baltimore neighborhood rather than making it the only stop of a full city day.

6. C&O Canal at Great Falls - best outdoor day near Washington, DC

Great Falls is the best Maryland outdoor stop near Washington, DC because one parking area gives you several very different choices.

You can take an easy walk along the old canal path, walk out to the Great Falls overlook, learn about the canal, or take on the much harder Billy Goat Trail.

NPS Great Falls Tavern

What to know

Best for: Water views, easy walks, hard hikes, short outdoor trips
Time: 2-5 hours
Price: $20 per private vehicle at the Great Falls area
Main limit: Billy Goat Trail Section A is not an easy walk
Current check: Trail closures can happen after flooding or high water

The National Park Service says Section A of Billy Goat Trail is 1.75 miles one way and requires climbing over rocks and large stones.

It can close when river levels rise. NPS Billy Goat Trail

The Great Falls area is the only part of the C&O Canal park with an entrance fee.

The current fee page lists $20 per private vehicle. NPS fees

Choose the canal path and overlook for an easier day.

Choose Billy Goat Trail Section A only if your group wants a hard hike and the trail is open.

7. Antietam National Battlefield - best for Civil War history

Antietam National Battlefield is the strongest stop in this guide for travelers who want to understand a major Civil War battle by seeing the actual ground where it happened.

The National Park Service recommends a driving tour with 10 stops, plus the museum, film, and ranger talks when time allows.

NPS things to do

What to know

Best for: Civil War history, road trips through western-central Maryland
Time: 2-4 hours
Price: $20 per private vehicle
Driving tour: About 8.5-9 miles with 10 stops
Main limit: You need a car for the easiest visit; there is no public transit to the battlefield

More than 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing after the fighting on September 17, 1862.

The Union result gave Abraham Lincoln the chance to issue the first version of the Emancipation Proclamation five days later.

NPS Antietam history NPS slavery and freedom page

Choose Antietam if you are willing to give the place enough time to drive and stop.

If you only have two hours in Baltimore, Fort McHenry is the easier history choice.

8. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum - best for boats and life on the Bay

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels is the best stop on this list for understanding how people have lived and worked around the Chesapeake Bay.

The 18-acre waterfront site has indoor and outdoor displays, old boats, a working boat shop, and the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse.

CBMM plan your visit

What to know

Best for: Boats, Chesapeake Bay history, families, St. Michaels trips
Time: 2-4 hours
Adult ticket: $20
Children 6-17: $8
Children 5 and under: Free
Main limit: Some paths are gravel or boardwalk, and the lighthouse has stairs

The museum's current ticket page says admission is valid for two days except on the day before a festival.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily from April through October. CBMM hours and tickets

Choose the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum if the Bay itself is a major reason for your Maryland trip.

It fits especially well with a day in St. Michaels.

9. Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls - best mountain hike without driving far west

Catoctin Mountain Park is a good choice when you want a mountain hike but do not want to drive all the way to Garrett County.

The main walk to Cunningham Falls from the Catoctin visitor center is 2.8 miles round trip and usually takes at least 90 minutes.

National Park Service

What to know

Best for: Hiking, mountain views, a day near Frederick
Time: 2-5 hours
Catoctin entrance fee: None
Main falls walk: 2.8 miles round trip
Main limit: The trail has hills, rocks, uneven ground, and a road crossing

Cunningham Falls itself is inside Cunningham Falls State Park, even though this route starts in Catoctin Mountain Park.

State park rules apply once you reach that side. NPS trail page

If you want a shorter hike, the park lists a one-mile round trip to Thurmont Vista. NPS trail page

Choose Catoctin when you want a shorter mountain trip from Baltimore, Washington, or Frederick.

Choose Swallow Falls when waterfalls and Western Maryland are already part of the trip.

10. Ocean City beach and Boardwalk - best resort beach day

Ocean City is the better Maryland beach choice for travelers who want sand plus food, shops, rides, hotels, and nightlife close together.

The town lists 10 miles of free public beach and a 2.9-mile Boardwalk. Town of Ocean City

What to know

Best for: Families, resort trips, beach plus entertainment
Time: Half day to full day
Beach price: Free
Beach hours: 5 a.m.-midnight
Main limit: It is much busier and more built-up than Assateague

Ocean City's beach patrol is on duty during set daytime hours from Memorial Day into September, but hours and season dates should always be checked before swimming.

Town of Ocean City beach rules

Choose Ocean City when easy food, rides, shops, and a guarded beach matter more than quiet.

Choose Assateague when wild horses and open nature matter more.

11. Swallow Falls State Park - best waterfall stop in Western Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park is the best compact waterfall stop in Western Maryland.

The 1.25-mile Canyon Trail runs through old forest and passes several waterfalls, including 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls.

Maryland says Muddy Creek Falls is the state's highest waterfall where the water drops freely. Maryland DNR hiking page

What to know

Best for: Waterfalls, forest walks, Western Maryland road trips
Time: 2-4 hours
Price: $3 per person for Maryland residents and $5 per person for out-of-state visitors through Labor Day; extra booking fees may apply
Main trail: 1.25 miles
Main limit: Wet weather can make the trail slippery
Summer rule: Weekend and holiday reservations are required through Labor Day

For 2026, Swallow Falls was one of the parks added to Maryland's summer entry booking system.

Required weekend and holiday reservations began June 27 after a short start-up period and run through Labor Day.

The park charges $3 per person for Maryland residents and $5 per person for out-of-state visitors during the summer period, and extra booking fees may apply.

Maryland DNR reservation FAQ Maryland DNR service charges

The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Maryland DNR park page

Choose Swallow Falls if you are already heading to Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake.

It is too far from Baltimore, Annapolis, or Ocean City to treat as a quick add-on.

Ocean City or Assateague: which beach is better?

Choose Ocean City for a classic resort beach day. Choose Assateague for wild horses, camping, and a less built-up shore.

Choose	When it is the better fit
Ocean City	You want lifeguards in season, food, rides, shops, hotels, and nightlife close to the sand
Assateague	You want wild horses, nature, camping, marsh views, and fewer resort-style extras

The two are close enough to fit the same Lower Eastern Shore trip, but they are not the same kind of beach day.

Great Falls or Catoctin: which is better for hiking?

Choose Great Falls for Potomac River views and more choices in one area.

Choose Catoctin for a mountain hike and a waterfall walk near Frederick.

Great Falls can be easy or hard depending on the route.

The canal path and overlook are much easier than Billy Goat Trail Section A. Catoctin's main route to Cunningham Falls is a 2.8-mile round trip with rocks and hills.

Fort McHenry or Antietam: which history stop should you choose?

Choose Fort McHenry for a shorter Baltimore visit. Choose Antietam for a deeper Civil War day.

Fort McHenry usually takes about two hours and fits easily into a Baltimore day.

Antietam works better when you have a car and at least two to four hours for the driving route, museum, and stops around the battlefield.

Simple Maryland trip plans

One day in Baltimore

Start with the National Aquarium if you are traveling with children or need an indoor plan.

Add Fort McHenry in the afternoon if history matters to your group.

This keeps the day inside Baltimore instead of adding a long drive.

One day in Annapolis

Start with the free NPS walking route through downtown.

Add the U.S. Naval Academy only if everyone in the group can meet the current entry rules.

Leave extra time around City Dock because construction may change paths and access.

Two days on the Lower Eastern Shore

Use one day for Assateague and Ocean City.

They are close enough to compare two very different Maryland beach experiences without a long move.

Use the second day for the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center and nearby stops if history is a priority.

Two or three days in Western Maryland

Use Antietam on the way west if Civil War history interests you.

Add Catoctin if you want a mountain hike near Frederick.

Save Swallow Falls for the Garrett County part of the trip rather than trying to rush there and back from Baltimore.

What can you do in Maryland for free?

Several strong Maryland stops are free or partly free.

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center has no entrance fee.
The NPS walking route in Annapolis is free, though some buildings charge admission.
Ocean City's public beach is free.
Most of Fort McHenry's grounds and the visitor center are free, while the historic fort area costs $15 per adult.
Catoctin Mountain Park has no entrance fee.

Assateague is also free if you enter the Maryland area on foot or by bike, but most visitors arrive by car and pay the vehicle fee.

What are the best things to do in Maryland with kids?

The National Aquarium, Ocean City, Assateague, Fort McHenry, and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum are the easiest family choices on this list.

The National Aquarium works in any weather. Ocean City gives families a beach plus food and entertainment.

Assateague adds wild horses and beach time, but parents need to keep children well away from the horses and watch ocean conditions.

Fort McHenry gives families open outdoor space plus a short history visit.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum has boats, outdoor areas, and hands-on learning.

Frequently asked questions

What is the number one thing to do in Maryland?

Assateague Island National Seashore is the best single outdoor choice for most first-time visitors.

It combines wild horses, Atlantic beach, marsh, and open space in one place.

Annapolis is the better number-one choice for travelers who would rather spend the day walking through a historic city.

What is Maryland best known for seeing?

Maryland is best known for the Chesapeake Bay, Ocean City, Assateague's wild horses, Baltimore, Annapolis, and major U.S. history sites such as Fort McHenry and Antietam.

A good first trip includes more than one of those sides of the state.

Is Annapolis worth a day trip?

Yes.

Annapolis is easy to enjoy in a day because downtown history, the State House area, City Dock, shops, and the Naval Academy sit close together.

In 2026, City Dock construction and Naval Academy entry rules need an extra check before you go. NPS Annapolis walk

Can you do Ocean City and Assateague in the same day?

Yes, if you start early and accept that each stop will be shorter.

They are close enough to fit one day, and the contrast is useful: Ocean City is a resort beach, while Assateague is the better choice for wild horses and open nature.

A full day at Assateague is still better if wildlife, biking, fishing, or camping is the main reason for the trip.

Are the horses at Assateague safe to approach?

No. The National Park Service requires visitors to stay at least 40 feet from the horses and bans feeding and touching them.

The horses are wild animals and can bite or kick. NPS horse rules

Is the National Aquarium worth the ticket price?

It is the best fit when your group wants a major indoor attraction and can spend several hours there.

The adult ticket was $49.95 when checked.

Travelers on a tight budget may prefer Fort McHenry, free Annapolis walking, or the free Harriet Tubman visitor center.

National Aquarium

What is the best thing to do near Washington, DC in Maryland?

Great Falls is the best outdoor pick near Washington, DC.

It gives you a waterfall overlook, canal path, and several hiking choices from the same area.

The $20 vehicle fee applies at Great Falls. NPS fees

What is the best place to visit in Western Maryland?

Swallow Falls State Park is the best short nature stop on this list for Western Maryland.

Antietam is the stronger choice for history.

Deep Creek Lake can also be a useful base for the area, but this guide does not rank lodging or lake resorts.

How many days do you need for Maryland?

Three to five days is enough for one or two parts of the state, not the whole state.

A short trip can combine Baltimore and Annapolis.

Another can focus on Ocean City, Assateague, and Harriet Tubman sites.

Western Maryland works better as its own trip.

What should you not miss on a first trip to Maryland?

For a broad first trip, do not miss at least one Chesapeake Bay stop, one history stop, and one outdoor stop.

A simple mix is Annapolis, Fort McHenry or Antietam, and Assateague or Great Falls.

Final pick

For most first-time visitors, Assateague Island National Seashore is the most memorable single outdoor stop, Annapolis is the best all-around city day, and Baltimore gives families the strongest indoor option.

The best Maryland trip does not try to cover every corner of the state.

It picks one or two areas and gives each place enough time.