Maryland

Chesapeake Bay and the Blue Crab

The Chesapeake Bay is the heart of Maryland, stretching 320 kilometres through the state and shaping everything from its economy to its cuisine. Blue crabs, steamed with Old Bay seasoning and served on paper-covered tables, are a rite of passage for any visitor. Fishing villages, skipjack sailboats and oyster bars dot the Eastern Shore, offering a slower, deeply satisfying version of coastal life.

History Around Every Corner

Maryland was among the original thirteen colonies and carries that history with remarkable pride. Annapolis, the elegant state capital, is home to one of America's largest concentrations of colonial era architecture. Civil War battlefields at Antietam and Monocacy tell sobering stories within easy reach of the capital, while the proximity to Washington DC means world class museums and monuments are only a short trip away.

Mountains, Trails and Open Skies

Western Maryland surprises visitors who expect nothing but flatlands and waterways. The Appalachian Mountains roll through Garrett County, bringing ski slopes in winter and spectacular foliage trails in autumn. The C&O Canal towpath offers one of the eastern seaboard's great cycling and hiking routes, tracing the Potomac River for nearly 300 kilometres from Cumberland all the way to the outskirts of Washington DC.