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Tourism in Maryland’s 1st Congressional District
Whether you are traveling for fun, planning a meeting or special event, considering a group tour or interested in holding a sporting event in the Annapolis-Baltimore area, you will find a unique range of attractions, history, accommodations, dining and shopping guaranteed to please all palates in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Just a short drive or train ride from Baltimore and BWI International Airport, Anne Arundel County plays host year-round to events of all kinds. If shopping is your thing, the options are endless in the one-of-a-kind boutiques in downtown Annapolis or at Arundel Mills Mall, one of the largest malls in the country.
The State House and Downtown Area in Annapolis.
With so much to see and do, Baltimore County is truly a special place. A day can begin with shopping in one of our neighborhood downtowns and end with a beautiful dinner overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Only a short drive from Baltimore City’s Inner Harbor, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and just an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., Baltimore County offers accommodations, activities, shopping, and dining to fit every taste and budget.
Hampton National Historic Site
Located on the Chesapeake Peninsula between the Choptank River and the Mason-Dixon Line, Caroline is the perfect destination for heritage enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Here you’ll find a rural and relaxing lifestyles where you can ease all the way back to the 1700’s, retrace Underground Railroad pathways, and revisit captivating stories of the Civil War. Enjoy Caroline’s wealth of unique heritage experiences, nature preserves, winding waterways, gently curving countryside, small town charm and one-of-a-kind group excursions.
Martinak State Park, located just outside of Denton.
Moments after leaving the hustle and bustle of I-95, you're in beautiful Cecil County. Resting along the upper banks of the Chesapeake Bay, halfway between Philadelphia and Baltimore, we offer travelers a change of pace, and breathtaking scenery. Once you sample our shimmering harbors and history, rolling hillsides and horse country, antiques and outlets, and unforgettable eateries and inns, we know you'll visit us again and again!
Turkey Point Lighthouse, located in Elk Neck State Park.
Delight in endless waterviews and stunning sunsets along our 1,700 miles of shoreline. Savor Maryland crab fresh from local waters. Discover stories of Harriet Tubman and Annie Oakley. All less than an hour from the Bay Bridge.
A sailboat navigating the waters around Cambridge.
A scenic peninsula, on Maryland’s Upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, the County of Kent is less than a two-hour drive from Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Annapolis and Northern Virginia.
Quaint waterfront towns, including Historic Chestertown, Rock Hall, Galena, Betterton and Millington, offer sunset cruise charters, small beaches, kayaking, fishing charters, boating, sailing, museums, theaters, art galleries, brick sidewalk shopping, antiquing, farmers’ market, local seafood, including the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab, Maryland’s second largest collection of 18th century structures and more.
The schooner Sultana.
Harford County is located just 25 miles northeast of Baltimore and is strategically located on I-95 along the shores of the scenic Chesapeake Bay. The vibrant area offers visitors picturesque beauty, bustling urban centers, historic harbor towns and a variety of world-class cultural and sports amenities. The County’s three municipalities – Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace – are only minutes apart, but each offers guests a unique experience.
A view of Downtown Bel Air, a Main Street town.
Embraced by miles of scenic Chesapeake Bay waterways, and graced with acres of pastoral rural landscape, Queen Anne’s County offers a relaxing environment in which to find peace of mind. An ideal habitat for wildlife and waterfowl, this setting is the perfect spot for birdwatchers and sportsman alike.
Spectacular sunsets compliment some of the finest waterfront dining in Maryland. Come play a challenging round of golf or cycle the Cross Island Trail. Enjoy a restful night in a charming B&B, casual outlet shopping or exploring/antiquing in one of our historic small towns.
Equestrian Trail at Conquest Preserve.
Somerset County is an area rich in Eastern Shore and Maryland history, boasting more historic buildings and sites per capita than any other county in Maryland. Vividly reflecting the past is a wealth of surviving eighteenth and nineteenth century plantation, farm and town dwellings, churches and agricultural buildings.
Crabbing in Somerset County is tradition for many.
Talbot County beckons travelers with irresistible picturesque hamlets and distinctive charm. With more than 600 miles of shoreline, its waterman`s villages, and sophisticated small towns have the perfect balance of rural simplicity and urban refinement. Here, you can stroll through historic neighborhoods, paddle down a river, and celebrate film, art, and music at a festival. Some cities and towns to consider visiting include Easton, St. Michaels, and Oxford.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
With a population just under 100,000, Wicomico County, Maryland offers a perfect blend of metropolitan and small town charm. As the largest municipality on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Salisbury is the region’s hub for entertainment and shopping. Its neighboring towns and communities offer a great way to explore Eastern shore treasures of history, outdoor adventure and culture.
Pemberton Historical Park, located in Salisbury.
Located next to the Atlantic, Worcester County is home to Ocean City, Maryland’s top family beach. Recreational activities include surfing, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, and many other exciting activities. Nestled next to Ocean City is Assateague Island, an area of pristine parks, beaches, and wildlife including the famous wild ponies.
Wild ponies of Assateague Island.
*Information and photographs provided by the Maryland Office of Tourism