If you’re open to providing your group with the trip of a lifetime, Maryland is open for you. From the state’s deliciously unique cuisine to its breathtaking waterways and its rich heritage, there are so many ways to enjoy Maryland.
Indulging in world-famous seafood
If you want to wow your group with unforgettable moments featuring seafood, Maryland is one of the world’s best destinations. Immerse your group in the crab-loving lifestyle with a crab feast at Suicide Bridge Restaurant on the Choptank River; at Phillips Seafood Restaurant, with locations in Baltimore and Ocean City; or at one of dozens of other famous dining spots across the state. Looking to add a show to the meal? Head to The Crab Place in Crisfield, where demonstrations on crab steaming, crab picking, and crab cake-making accompany lunch.
For a comprehensive seafood experience, include stops along the Maryland Crab Trail and Maryland Oyster Trail. These unique routes cover many of the state’s regions and offer your group a true sense of Maryland’s waterman culture. Interactive tours aboard a Chesapeake Bay charter boat or skipjack oyster-dredging boat immerse visitors into the commercial crabbing and oystering lifestyles. Visits to maritime museums and educational facilities offer hands-on experiences, such touring a working oyster house at the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center. Last but not least, local craft breweries like the Real Ale Revival in Cambridge serve up seafood-centric beverages, such as oyster stouts and oyster shooters.
Finding the perfect water experience
Not unrelated to Maryland’s delicious, fresh seafood, the state’s waterways are a fundamental part of its allure. Whether it’s a relaxing lazy river ride, an epic deep-sea-fishing adventure, or a thrilling whitewater rafting trip, Maryland spoils its guests with endless ways to explore the water.
Guided boat rides are available in Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michaels, Smith Island, Chesapeake City, and Ocean City, revealing hidden treasures on the water and engaging historical context.
Offer your group a true sense of the largest estuary in the United States by embarking on the Chesapeake Bay Loop. Complete with lighthouse tours, walkable bayfront towns, and unparalleled natural scenery, the loop offers a picture-perfect experience your group won’t soon forget.
And then there’s Assateague Island. Located just south of Ocean City, this 37-mile-long barrier island is famous for its picturesque beaches, wild horses, and abundant bird species.
Feeling the power of history
History buffs will feel at home in the nation’s seventh-oldest state. Let your group witness the incredible bravery of Harriet Tubman as you follow in her footsteps and discover the Underground Railroad. Provide your tour group with a dose of military history at destinations like Fort McHenry in Baltimore and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Or take advantage of Maryland’s close proximity to Washington, D.C., and its many historical, political, and cultural landmarks.
So there you have it. Just a sampling of everything Maryland can offer you and your group for the trip of a lifetime.
Learn more at visitmaryland.org/groups or email Rich Gilbert of the Maryland Office of Tourism Development.
Top photo by Maryland Office of Tourism Development
