Top Things to See and Do in Central Maryland
Home to Maryland’s biggest cities, small towns with wide-open green spaces, sailing routes that go straight into the harbor and uncompromising style amplified in memorable local cuisines and bay culture, the Central Region is simply amazing—so make it your own unforgettable destination
1 Sail into the Sunset in Annapolis
Take a public cruise or romantic sunset sail, join a thrilling schooner race or take a day’s charter cruise on a classic sailing yacht like the Schooner Woodwind, departing daily from the Annapolis docks.
More about Annapolis City Dock
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Type:
Boating & Sailing
Location:
One Dock St
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-263-7973
Photo By: Visit Annapolis
2 Visit the U.S. Naval Academy
Take a walking tour on the historic grounds of the United States Naval Academy, where the next generation of Navy leaders are made. Visiting the beautiful crypt of John Paul Jones, father of the American Navy, is a transformative experience. Be sure to catch a Mids game at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.
More about U.S. Naval Academy-Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center
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Type:
Tour Services
Location:
52 King George St
Annapolis, MD 21402
410-293-8687
3 Toast to a Good Knight at Medieval Times and have (REALLY) Old School Fun at Renn Fest
Evenings are all about chivalry, rivalry and revelry at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Cheer on daring knights, as they sword fight and joust on horseback, while feasting on scrumptious roast chicken and hearty Middle Age fixings. Lace up your bodice and jerkins, grab a turkey leg and prepare for some good “Olde”-fashioned fun at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, one of the biggest Renn fests in the country.
More about Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
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Type:
Attraction
Location:
7000 Arundel Mills Cir
Hanover, MD 21076
443-755-0011
Photo By: Merriweather Post Pavilion
4 Feel the Funk at Merriweather Post Pavilion
The lawn at Merriweather is where music memories are made. This legendary outdoor amphitheater, nestled into Symphony Woods in the heart of downtown Columbia, is the perfect place to catch the biggest bands around. The annual Capital Jazz Fest is a can’t-miss event.
More about Merriweather Post Pavilion
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Type:
Music Venues
Location:
10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy
Columbia, MD 21044
410-715-5550
5 Wine Along the Trails and Vineyards
With a mild climate, rich piedmont soil and a varying topography that makes a rich diversity of styles possible, it’s no wonder five Maryland Wine Trails cross this region. Take the Carroll Wine Trail through Carroll County or travel the Piedmont Trail with eight wineries in the region. Spring, summer and fall weekends mean concerts and gatherings at idyllic local vineyards and exceptional tastings year-round.
Photo By: Clark Vandergrift
6 Eat Crab Like a Local
You’ve had steamed crabs, crab cakes, but crab fluff? It’s a crab cake dipped in rich batter and deep fried. Or try fried hard crab—steamed, then stuffed with Crab Imperial and fried golden brown. Spots like Kahler’s Crab House in Rosedale, Cantler’s Riverside Inn in Annapolis, Faidley Seafood in Baltimore, Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn in Dundalk and Captain Dan’s Crabhouse in Eldersburg serve crab the traditional Maryland way. Check out the Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Greater Baltimore Area Crab and Oyster Trails too.
Photo By: Ken Stanek Photography
7 Oh Say, Have You Seen the Ramparts at Fort McHenry?
Built on a beautiful peninsula at the head of Baltimore Harbor, Fort McHenry and its brave defenders saved the city during the War of 1812 and gave America its National Anthem. The fort’s flag inspired Francis Scott Key to pen “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and the 15 brilliant stars of its enormous flag continue to inspire to this day.
More about Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine
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Type:
Attraction
Location:
2400 E Fort Ave
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-962-4290
Photo By: Clark Vandergrift
8 For Rail Riding Fun, Choo-Choo-Choose to Visit the B&O Railroad Museum
Train buffs can touch—and even ride—the amazing collection of historical iron at this one-of-a-kind museum. For kids, the rides, games and occasional visits from Thomas make this museum a must. Plus, how often do you get to visit a site from the Monopoly board?
More about Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
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Type:
Attraction
Location:
901 W Pratt St
Baltimore, MD 21223
410-752-2490
Photo By: Visit Baltimore
9 Fully Experience Baltimore Arts
The Baltimore Museum of Art hosts a phenomenal display of 19th-century and contemporary art, including the world’s largest collection of works by Matisse, while Walters Art Museum holds works from different ages and places across the globe. The American Visionary Art Museum only adds flavor to the mix with an unusual, imaginative and eclectic side to its galleries.
More about American Visionary Art Museum
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Type:
Visual Arts
Location:
800 Key Hwy
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-244-1900
10 Encounter African-American Roots
Explore an extensive collection at the African Art Museum of Maryland in Fulton. Come face to face with American heroes like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and discover the breadth of the African-American experience at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore. Or get in touch with history at the Howard County Center of African American Culture and The Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum in Oella.
More about Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture
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Type:
Visual Arts
Location:
830 E Pratt St
Baltimore, MD 21202
443-263-1800
Photo By: Visit Baltimore
11 Fly High & Dive Deep at the Aquarium
Everyone must see the National Aquarium, with its soaring glass pyramids rising above the harbor like shark fins. Try a “Fly & Dive Package” by Charm City Helicopters for an unforgettable journey that combines an aerial tour of Baltimore with a rare chance to scuba dive with sharks, rays and more in the aquarium’s 335,000-gallon Atlantic Coral Reef tank.
More about National Aquarium in Baltimore
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Type:
Attraction
Location:
501 E Pratt St
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-576-3800
12 Explore Korean Way in Howard County
A five-mile stretch of highway in Ellicott City is the perfect place to familiarize yourself with Korean culture between 166 Korean specialty shops, eateries and recreational activities. Connect with the local population by making it a spa day, diving into Korean-style cuisine and sweet treats or singing along to karaoke in the evenings.
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Photo By: Preakness Stakes
13 Saddle Up for the Triple Crown
Everyone knows about Baltimore’s annual Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of Thoroughbred Horse Racing’s Triple Crown, with its legendary InfieldFest concert and beautiful Preakness Balloon Festival. But horse lovers will also tell you about Maryland’s steeplechase races, bringing together the world’s best crosscountry equine athletes for a thrilling series.
More about Preakness Stakes
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Type:
Events
Location:
Hayward & Winner Avenues
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-542-9400
Photo By: Clark Vandergrift
14 Be “Fore” You Golf Bulle Rock
Bulle Rock is a Pete Dyedesigned course that once hosted the LPGA championship. This vast green in Havre de Grace is an ideal place to test your skills across 18 holes with challenging terrains and serene leisure scenes.
More about Bulle Rock
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Type:
Sports
Location:
320 Blenheim Ln
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
410-939-8887
Photo By: Courtesy of the Lacrosse Museum
15 America’s Oldest Sport The U.S.
National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum in Baltimore County tells the story of lacrosse, America’s oldest sport, and honors notable men and women for their contributions. Follow along with a field and exhibits that recollect the history of this popular pastime originating with the Native Americans.
More about Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame
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Type:
Attraction
Location:
2 Loveton Cir
Sparks, MD 21152
410-235-6882
Photo By: Mitch Lebovic
16 Make It a Home Run
Catch a Baltimore Orioles baseball game in Oriole Park at Camden Yards or watch budding Minor League teams like the Aberdeen IronBirds. Kids will cheer when they hear fans of the Orioles under 9 years of age can attend games for free.
More about Oriole Park at Camden Yards
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Type:
Attraction
Location:
333 W Camden St
Baltimore, MD 21201
Photo By: Visit Baltimore
17 A Kid’s Day at the Museum
Baltimore offers a world of scientific exploration for kids at Port Discovery Children’s Museum with multiple floors of adventurous hands-on activities, while the Maryland Science Center hosts ten fullsized dinosaurs for aspiring paleontologists. Kids also love the interactive exhibits and old antiques and relics of firefighting past at the Fire Museum in the Lutherville, the third-largest of its kind in the world.
More about Port Discovery Children's Museum
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Type:
Attraction
Location:
35 Market Pl
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-727-8120
Photo By: Maryland Live! Casino
18 Hit the Jackpot at Maryland Casinos
When it comes to world-class nightlife, fantastic food and great gaming, three is the magic number in Maryland’s Central Region. Maryland Live! brings 2,200 slots, high-rolling table games and an elegant 17-story hotel to Arundel Mills. Don’t miss the baccarat table to live out your James Bond dreams. Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino ups the culinary ante with restaurants by celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Guy Fieri and Giada De Laurentiis. And Hollywood Casino Perryville rolls out the red carpet with topflight entertainment featuring world-class comedy and music.
