Guitar building
Paul Reed Smith Guitars

Unique Experiences for Music Lovers

By Amanda DiGiondomenico

See where the music is really made at the PRS Guitars factory. Complete your collection with that impossible to find vinyl at world-class record stores. Try on a music clinic for size, or jam out at amazing dinner and music clubs. In Maryland, you’ll find a way to march to the beat of your own drum.

Share your music experiences with us on social media using #MarylandMusic, and make sure to check out our list of indoor music venues and outdoor concert spaces for more gatherings across the state.

Guitar building
Paul Reed Smith Guitars
1 of 16
1
The Sound Garden
Baltimore

For new or used vinyl records, CDs, DVDs or even cassette tapes, this music oasis in the Fells Point neighborhood is a must-visit for audiophiles. Photos of rock stars and celebrities who have popped in to shop, and sometimes perform, at this iconic institution line the walls.

The Sound Garden
www.sgrecordshop.com/
2
Paul Reed Smith Guitars’ Factory
Stevensville

Take a 90-minute factory tour and watch master craftsmen expertly build electric and acoustic guitars, basses and amplifiers—just be sure to make an appointment in advance. A few of the hundreds of famous players wailing on PRS maple wood instruments are Carlos Santana, John Mayer, Melissa Etheridge, Dave Navarro and Ricky Skaggs.

Guitar building
Paul Reed Smith Guitars
3
Rod 'N’ Reel Resort
Chesapeake Beach

For dockside entertainment, head to Rod ’N’ Reel Resort—Southern Maryland’s summer hot spot for great music on the water. Arrive by car or boat fully prepared for live and loud rock and country concerts.

resort on the water
4
MECU Pavilion
Baltimore

Boaters can also pull right up to this music venue on Pier 6, smack dab in the middle of the Inner Harbor and notable for its tensile roof. Entertainment’s biggest acts, from Iggy Azalea to B.B. King, have performed here. 

MECU Pavilion (formerly Pier Six Concert Pavilion)
Visit Baltimore
5
Keystone Korner
Baltimore

Keystone Korner is Baltimore's premier jazz and dinner club. Terrific tunes are served up by a roster of outstanding musicians. You’ll also appreciate excellent food and drink choices on happy hour, dinner and Sunday brunch menus.

Keystone Korner Restaurant and Bar with Live Jazz
Keystone Korner
6
Creative Alliance
Baltimore

For a musical experience that pushes the limits of art, visit this multipurpose hub in the heart of Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood. The center welcomes a range of performers from Irish acoustic and reggae to Klezmer music and zydeco, so you’re likely to find something you’ll love!

Creative Alliance
Creative Alliance
7
Live Arts Maryland
Annapolis

This nonprofit performing arts group features both the Annapolis Chorale and the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra. While splendid concerts are presented year-round, the holidays take performances to another level. Free shows at St. Anne’s Church make for an ideal night of culture downtown.

Live Arts Maryland
Live Arts Maryland
8
The Record Exchange
Frederick

This family-owned store buys and sells used vinyl records, CDs, video games, movies and more. As a gift for that music lover who seems to have everything, check out the selection of novelty items such as buttons, T-shirts and stickers.

The Record Exchange
Record Exchange
9
Boordy Vineyards
Hydes

More than a typical winery, Boordy features live music year-round. Hear seasonal holiday music and intimate acoustic performances in the winter. When the weather is warm, bring a picnic and sip Boordy’s wines at a relaxing outdoor concert, or stop by when food trucks pair up with guitarists and other performers, turning a low-key dining experience into a memorable event.

bluegrass performers
Boordy.com
10
Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club
Bethesda

For a classy night out, this club just outside of Washington, D.C. will not disappoint. Built in 1938 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the former art deco movie theater provides an intimate setting for blues, jazz, acoustic rock and soul.

Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club
Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club/Marc Rubin
11
Power Plant Live
Baltimore

At this entertainment destination near the Inner Harbor, restaurants, nightclubs and lively music venues include Rams Head Live and Angels Rock Bar. From the stage in the middle of the square, you're likely to hear live music played by national acts. Stay a while and enjoy the music while having a drink at one of the outdoor bars.

Power Plant Live
Power Plant Live
12
Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center
Baltimore

Participate in music workshops and clinics for jazz musicians of all skill levels as well as camps for kids, dance programs, musical theater and open mic poetry. This is also the place to go for live jazz performed by national acts and local artists, all while supporting cultural arts for the children of Baltimore.

Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center
www.eubieblake.org
13
Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore

One of the top music schools in the world, the Institute presents nearly 100 performances each year and hundreds of student recitals. Concerts, music lectures and even master classes are open to the public.

Peabody Institute
14
Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre
Annapolis

For a truly unforgettable summer night, take in a musical under the stars. An all-volunteer group stages and performs musicals outdoors at this historic waterfront building. Previous shows have included “Crazy for You,” “The Full Monty” and “The Producers.”

Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre
Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre
15
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Columbia

Nature is as big of a draw here as the stars performing on the stage of this beautiful amphitheater. Choose a lawn or orchestra-style seat at this venue in the 40-acre Symphony Woods park. During concert season, find the biggest stars in your favorite genre—rock, electronica, R&B, hip hop, classical and more—and enjoy the experience.

Merriweather Post Pavilion Fans Spread Out on the Lawn
Karmen Osei/Howard County Tourism
16
Manor Mill
Monkton

Manor Mill is a beautifully restored, pre-revolutionary grist mill that hosts intimate musical performances most weekends. Visitors can also browse for unique gifts in Manor Mill’s gallery space or take ceramics, welding, cooking, yoga or meditation classes.  Tucked away in a peaceful and beautiful area of rural Monkton, Manor Mill is a Maryland gem that has something new to offer each time you visit.

Manor Mill
manor-mill.com