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Maryland
Visit Maryland

Annapolis

Visit Annapolis

Maryland has a charming old capital city in Annapolis. You can stroll streets lined with historic buildings including the Maryland State House and check out the shops along the way. Have lunch or dinner on the historic City Dock, and look for the plaque marking the arrival spot of African slave Kunta Kinte, made famous in Alex Haley's family history, Roots. All kinds of public boat tours depart from the City Dock as well. Visit the U.S. Naval Academy -- join a guided tour or pick up a map and explore on your own.

Antietam National Battlefield

National Park Service web site

Lovely, peaceful Antietam Creek, its surrounding farms, and the town of Sharpsburg were the site of the bloodiest one day battle in American history in 1862. Drive, walk, or bike around the battlefield or join a ranger program to learn about this sad day and its importance in the American Civil War.

Assateague Island

Assateague Island National Seashore

This barrier island south of Ocean City is home to the famous wild ponies and site of Assateague State Park. Ranger-guided programs help visitors understand the barrier island environment of the national seashore, and water-related activities are possible at the state park. There's a bike trail and campsites as well.

Baltimore and Inner Harbor

Baltimore.org

Baltimore's revamped Inner Harbor is home to the National Aquarium and the 145-year-old USS Constellation. The harbor is also the site of Fort McHenry National Shrine and Monument, birthplace of America's national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Fells Point is a waterfront community where you can stroll cobblestone streets, dine at a water-view restaurant, and charter a fishing boat or sailboat. An evening out might include a stop in one of many Fells Point nightspots:

* The Greene Turtle
* Max's on Broadway (great selection of beers)
* Reefers
* Kooper's Tavern (the crab dip there is great)
* The Horse You Came in On Saloon
* Bertha's Restaurant and Bar (their specialty is mussels, and they have great jazz music)

If you get tired of Fells Point, there's lots of other neighborhoods like Federal Hill, Charles Street, Mount Vernon, Canton, or even the Power Plant Live.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park

National Park Service web site

Bicycling Guide for C&O Canal Towpath

Looking for a 184.5 mile adventure? Hike or bike the C&O Canal Towpath from Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland.

Ocean City

Welcome to Ocean City

Ocean City is probably Maryland's best-known beach community with a historic boardwalk and a restored 109-year-old carousel. Soak up the sun, splash in the ocean, and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and ice cream!