Maryland

Historic Charm and Chesapeake Bay

Maryland provides a varied landscape where mountains meet coastal waters. The state’s capital, Annapolis, features historic buildings and a working harbor that supports both trade and recreation. In the western part of Maryland, the Appalachian Mountains offer hiking trails and scenic drives through forests rich with wildlife. To the east, the Chesapeake Bay shapes daily life, supporting fishing industries and providing spaces for boating or kayaking. Throughout its cities and rural areas, Maryland balances modern culture with longstanding traditions in food, music and community events.

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State/Prefecture in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.3

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is the primary and widely spoken language. Spanish is also common, particularly in urban communities, aiding communication for many visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Maryland Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Strong for maritime history and coastal culture. Explore harbor cities, visit naval museums, enjoy seafood markets and relax along Chesapeake Bay.

Place score

7.2

Best at:

Local cuisine

Aquariums

Sea

Spotless

Museums

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Maryland, United States

❄️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Climate and season vary by region: Ocean City beaches best June to early September, Baltimore, Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay best April to June and September to October, western mountains good for hiking in summer and autumn

Ocean City: many hotels, restaurants and attractions close from mid October to April

Hurricane and tropical storm season June to November, peak risk late August to September, mainly on the coast

Don't miss

⚓ Explore the historic waterfront and U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis
🦀 Try blue crab at a Baltimore Inner Harbor restaurant
🏰 Tour Fort McHenry, birthplace of the national anthem
🥾 Hike through the scenic trails of Catoctin Mountain Park
🐠 Visit the National Aquarium and see marine life up close

You've been here?

Why travel to Maryland?

Travelers are drawn to Maryland for its rich history showcased in sites like Annapolis and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, along with access to vast natural areas such as Assateague Island's wild beaches and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The state’s seafood cuisine, especially blue crabs and its lively arts and music scenes add layers of culture and flavor. Visitors should note that certain urban areas have pockets of higher crime and traffic congestion, while the summer brings hot, humid weather sometimes accompanied by hurricanes.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Baltimore
Historic port city on the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore offers a mix of maritime heritage and modern culture. The Inner Harbor hosts museums, waterfront restaurants and iconic landmarks like the National Aquarium and Fort McHenry and
2 National Harbor
A historic waterfront district in Baltimore, National Harbor offers a mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. The area features a large Ferris wheel, river views and easy access to the Inner Harbor and surrounding parks.
3 Assateague Island
This narrow barrier island connects Maryland and Delaware, featuring pristine beaches and vast dunes. Wild horses roam freely along the Atlantic shore, while historic lighthouses guide ships through shallow waters teeming with marine life.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Maryland State House
2 National Aquarium
3 Great Falls Park
4 Inner Harbor
5 Assateague Island National Seashore
6 Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
7 Antietam National Battlefield

🎡Places for activities

1 Inner Harbor
2 Boardwalk
3 Deep Creek Lake State Park
4 Walkersville Southern Railroad
5 Watkins Regional Park
6 Cunningham Falls State Park
7 Calvert Cliffs State Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
2 Catoctin Mountain
3 Patapsco Valley State Park
4 Seneca Creek State Park
5 Chesapeake Bay
6 Deep Creek Lake
7 Gunpowder Falls State Park
8 Greenbrier State Park
9 Tuckahoe State Park

🛍️Shopping

1 The Mall in Columbia
2 Towson Town Center
3 Arundel Mills Mall
4 Fells Point Farmers Market
5 Cole’s Pawnbrokers Outlet

🎈Events

Preakness Stakes at Pimlico
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Baltimore Book Festival
Annapolis Boat Shows
Maryland Film Festival
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Festival
National Folk Festival
Towson Music Week
Maryland Seafood Festival
Ocean City Sunfest

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Knowledge before you go

Pack light layers; Maryland weather varies from humid summer heat to cool winter mornings.
Reserve accommodations near Baltimore or Annapolis early, as peak tourist season attracts many visitors and limited rooms.
Use the MTA's Metro SubwayLink for affordable travel between major cities, but check schedules during holidays for reduced service.
Explore historic sites like Fort McHenry at dawn to avoid crowds and capture sunrise reflections on Chesapeake Bay.

How to travel to Maryland

Maryland, located in the eastern United States, is accessible via several major transportation hubs. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport serves as a primary entry point for air travel, offering domestic and international flights. The state is connected to the Northeast Corridor rail line, with Amtrak services linking it to Washington, D.C. and New York City. Major highways such as I-95 run through Maryland, facilitating road access from surrounding states. Public transit options include MTA buses and light rail in urban areas like Baltimore. Ferry services operate along the Chesapeake Bay, connecting coastal communities. The state’s proximity to major East Coast cities makes it reachable by car, train or air within short travel times.

Access summary

From Baltimore–Washington (BWI): MARC/Amtrak train or shuttle to Baltimore, 20–40 minutes.
From Washington, DC: MARC/Amtrak train or I‑95/I‑295 drive, about 1 hour.
From Philadelphia or New York City: Amtrak Northeast Corridor trains into Maryland, 2–4 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Maryland

Maryland offers a spectrum of lodging from historic inns along the Chesapeake Bay to modern boutique hotels in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. In coastal towns like Annapolis and Ocean City, waterfront bed‑and‑breakfasts provide charming, locally themed stays with easy access to sailing and seafood markets. The state’s capital hosts upscale suites that blend colonial architecture with contemporary amenities, appealing to business travelers and tourists alike. Rural areas such as the Appalachian foothills feature rustic cabins and agritourism lodges, often equipped with farm‑to‑table dining experiences. For budget-conscious visitors, a range of motels and extended‑stay apartments across the region offer clean, comfortable accommodations at competitive rates.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square Hotel

9.0

Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill

8.8

Phoenix Park Hotel

9.1

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

8.5

Melrose Georgetown Hotel

8.6

The Watergate Hotel

8.5

Washington Plaza Hotel

8.8

Wingate by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport

8.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Maryland

Urban areas like Baltimore and Annapolis have public transit including buses and light rail. For exploring natural and rural areas, renting a car is recommended. Trail networks support biking and hiking activities.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-2 %

Daily expenses in Maryland are around 2% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£76	£170	£474
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£90	£240
🍝 Food per day	£31	£72	£209
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£7	£25

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£30
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£14
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11
☕ Cappuccino	£3.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£95
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£15

Safety information overview

General safety

Maryland offers generally safe travel conditions, with low violent crime rates in most areas and robust law‑enforcement presence. Visitors should stay alert in crowded tourist spots, avoid poorly lit streets at night and keep valuables secure to minimize petty theft risks.

Health & Medical

Maryland offers high‑quality medical care with numerous top‑rated hospitals and specialists, especially in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Public health services are robust, but travelers should watch for seasonal flu, air pollution near urban centers and limited rural emergency coverage.

Accessibility

Maryland offers many accessible attractions, especially in Washington‑D.C. public transit and major museums are well equipped, yet some older historic sites lack ramps or elevators. Travelers should check ADA compliance ahead, use mobility apps and plan for limited parking spaces.

Tap water

Maryland’s tap water is consistently high quality, meeting strict EPA standards with low lead and chlorine levels. Most cities provide free public fountains and many parks feature refill stations, making it easy for residents and visitors to stay hydrated safely throughout the state.