Maryland Travel Guide
In a state with so much coastline, it is inevitable that
Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean will be central to a holiday
in Maryland. A large part of the state's appeal is related to the
sea, with fishing boats and 'watermen' who pull fresh seafood from
Chesapeake Bay, historic waterfront towns and vibrant harbours,
pleasure sailing, bustling ports and important shipyards, beaches
and speciality crab cakes.The maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay region is evident in
the major attractions of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the sailing
capital of Annapolis and the sleepy boating communities on the
Eastern Shore, with old towns like St Michaels and Crisfield
preserving traditions from hundreds of years ago. The sprawling
resort of Ocean City on the Atlantic Coast sees the most action,
especially during summer when the miles of white beaches and the
action-packed boardwalk are crowded with vacationers from around
the state.The inland regions have their own kind of charm with lakes,
waterfalls, mountains and valleys, rivers and savage rapids that
are a delight for kayakers and white-water rafters. The western
part of the state has endless opportunities for the outdoor
enthusiast as well as beautiful scenery, from hiking and fishing to
skiing, ensuring there's always plenty of things to do in Maryland,
no matter the season.As a result of Maryland's role in the history of the US,
visitors can retrace the colonial past and movements of the
Revolution and resistance to British rule, the War of 1812 and the
Civil War. The country's national anthem was penned by Francis
Scott Key after the unsuccessful attack on the key shipbuilding
centre of Baltimore, as a desperate last effort by the British to
keep America from independence, which left the city intact and the
flag flying that inspired the words for the 'Star-Spangled Banner'.
The fields stretching out towards the foothills of the Appalachian
Mountains were the site of the Civil War's bloodiest battle at
Antietam; and the mixture of both Northerners and Southerners in
Baltimore, straddling the line separating the North and South, was
the cause for divided loyalties and violent friction that
contributed to Maryland's fascinating history.
Maryland Travel Guide
Money:
Time:
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
Electricity:
Language:
Health:
Tipping:
Safety:
Customs:
Business:
Duty Free:
Maryland Travel Guide
|
|
Description:
The striking glass, steel and concrete structure on the Inner
Harbor houses the Maryland Science Center with five storeys of
interactive exhibits, an IMAX theatre, the world-famous Davis
Planetarium and an observatory. The Maryland Academy of Sciences is
one of the USA's oldest scientific institutions, dating from 1797,
and the institution remains focused on education. There are
imaginative and hands-on displays ranging from astronomy and space
travel, to dinosaurs and general science experiments. 'Your Body:
The Inside Story' exhibition explores the biological world inside a
human being and the challenges and advances in health science
through interactive exhibits are the focus of BodyLink, while
Newton's Alley offers dozens of hands-on experiments to provide
insight into light, magnetism, mechanics, sight, and sound. The
planetarium runs programs with stargazing at night and sungazing
during the day through the observatory telescope. Other popular
attractions include The Kids Room and the National Touring
Exhibit.
Address:
601 Light Street, Inner Harbor
Postcode:
Telephone:
(410) 685 5225 (24-hour information line)
Email:
Website:
www.marylandsciencecenter.org
|
|
|
Description:
The National Aquarium is Maryland's leading tourist attraction,
and one of the best aquariums in the world. It was recently voted
one of the top ten family attractions in the US. Here visitors can
tour the tidewaters of Maryland, the Pacific coastland or a
tropical rainforest without leaving Baltimore. The permanent
residents include sea horses, turtles, stingrays and octopi. The
aquarium offers much more than marine life: there are several
special exhibits like the Amazon Rainforest display with poison
dart frogs, dwarf caiman, anacondas, sloths, colourful birds and
conehead lizards, as well as plants and fish. A sea cliffs habitat
features puffins and other north Atlantic sea birds, while the
Coral Reefs and Open Ocean tanks are walk-through displays bringing
visitors face to face with sharks and exotic fish. In addition to
the permanent exhibits, dolphins jump, wave and flip in regularly
scheduled shows at the Marine Mammal Pavilion. Visitors can catch
an underwater view from an atrium below the pool or watch the
tricks from the stands, but be warned: the areas marked Splash Zone
really are splash zones, so don't sit there unless you don't mind
getting wet.
Address:
Pier 3, Inner Harbor, 501 East Pratt Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(410) 576 3800
Email:
Website:
www.aqua.org
|
|
|
Description:
The B&O Railroad Museum's roster of rolling stock, historic
railway buildings, and assortment of memorabilia from stations and
trains makes it a must-visit for trainspotters, but even for those
who are not train fanatics this is one of the best sights in
Baltimore and is a fascinating place for the whole family. Housed
in the huge Roundhouse is an enormous collection of locomotives,
passenger cars, classic heritage trains, mail cars and Pullman
sleepers. A full-scale model of the first locomotive, Tom Thumb, is
on display along with a red caboose from 1907. Other exhibits
include posters, historic photographs and newspaper cuttings, as
well as a superb model railway, and numerous interactive and
entertaining exhibits. Some recreate experiments from the 1830s
such as sail-powered carriages, hand cranks and propulsion using
dogs or horses. The B&O was the first railroad in the US,
dating from 1827, and the museum is located on the site of the
first station in America.
Address:
901 West Pratt Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(410) 752 2490
Email:
Website:
www.borail.org
|
|
|
Description:
The Fort McHenry National Monument will forever be associated
with America's national anthem, written by the poet Francis Scott
Key while watching the British attack Baltimore during the War of
1812. After more than 25 hours of non-stop bombing by the British
naval forces in an unsuccessful attempt to stop America gaining
independence, the fort still stood with the huge American flag
flying high. It was the only action the brick fort had seen in more
than 100 years of guarding the water approach to Baltimore. A visit
to the fort includes a short historical film 'The Defence of Fort
McHenry', and a guided tour with exhibits in the various quarters
recalling the siege and the fort's Civil War service. On summer
weekends military ceremonies and drills are performed, as well as a
living history program simulating the daily activities during the
battle. The monument and its grounds are a national park and visits
to the parklands are free. There is also a daily changing of the
flag ceremony that involves about 20 people required to fold the
enormous star-spangled banner. The ceremony is concluded by a short
historical talk about the fort, flag and anthem. From the fort
there are fine views down the Patapsco River to the Inner Harbor
and towards Chesapeake Bay.
Address:
2400 East Fort Avenue
Postcode:
Telephone:
(410) 962 4290
Email:
fomc_superintendent@nps.gov
Website:
www.nps.gov/fomc
|
|
|
Description:
The unique sport of lacrosse is played extensively in the
eastern United States, and nowhere is it more wildly popular than
in Maryland, where 'LAX' stickers are to be seen on multitudes of
fancy cars alongside decals for posh private schools, in accordance
with the sport's elite reputation. The origins of lacrosse lie with
multiple Native American tribes, for whom the game had great
significance in both performing religious rites and preparing men
for war. The Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame showcases
the history of America's oldest sport as well as today's top male
and female players, coaches and contributors. A drive to the
museum, just north of downtown, takes visitors to the edge of the
beautiful campus of Johns Hopkins University and the elegant
neighbourhoods of Guilford and Roland Park.
Address:
113 W. University Parkway
Postcode:
Telephone:
(410) 235 6882
Email:
Website:
www.uslacrosse.org/museum/halloffame.phtml
|
|
|
Description:
The Baltimore Museum of Art, in the leafy city neighbourhood of
Charles Village, was founded in 1914 with a single painting. Today,
the BMA is home to an internationally renowned collection of
European and American fine and decorative arts, 15th through 19th
century prints and drawings, works by established and emerging
contemporary artists and objects from Asia, Africa and the Pacific
Islands. Its 90,000 works include the world's largest holding of
pieces by Henri Matisse. The grand museum building, designed by
famous American architect John Russell Pope, is surrounded by two
beautifully landscaped sculpture gardens, where yoga classes or
jazz concerts often take place in the early evening. Visitors can
sample signature Chesapeake Bay cuisine on the lovely outdoor
terrace of Gertrude's, the museum's well-regarded restaurant.
Address:
10 Art Museum Drive, at North Charles and 31st
Streets
Postcode:
Telephone:
(410) 443 573 1700
Email:
Website:
www.artbma.org
|
|
|
Description:
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, two Baltimore men,
William Walters and his son, Henry, amassed a diverse range of
artwork from around the world, which they then bequeathed to their
hometown. The 22,000 pieces they collected span 55 centuries,
including ancient Egyptian art as well as late 19th century
European art and decorative objects. Some favourite pieces on
display at the Walters include seven ancient Roman sarcophagi,
judged to be among the finest in the world; a collection of
Japanese arms and armour; a medieval ivory casket covered with
scenes of jousting knights, one of only a dozen such items
remaining; and 900 illuminated manuscripts as well as the letters
of Catherine the Great and the diary of Napoleon.
Address:
600 N. Charles Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(410) 547 9000
Email:
Website:
www.thewalters.org
|