Maryland is Open for Time Travelers

Everyone knows Maryland is open for adventure, mountain vistas, ocean sunrises and great fun — but time travel? Well, the Old Line State is older than America, and we’ve got the sites, plus great places to stay and play, that let you journey through centuries of stories. Experience the birth of our National Anthem, or witness the bravery of Harriet Tubman and those who traveled on the Underground Railroad. Travel through the heart of the Civil War, get in touch with Chesapeake heritage, and even discover the roots of American traditions at the National Folk Festival in Salisbury. In Maryland, we’re open for time travelers — are you Open for It?

Explore the Chesapeake with these 25 Can’t-Miss Ideas

Travel the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop, dip a paddle for some stand-up paddle-boarding, stop off for an only-in-Maryland Smith Island Cake, tour our iconic lighthouses, or just spend a day out on the water. The Chesapeake is America’s playground, so get out there and have fun!

Find Your Groove During Maryland’s Summer of Music

The sounds of Maryland’s Summer of Music are sizzling with more funky, fantastic festivals bringing down the house all season, and July is no exception with three rockin’ festivals to choose from. First up is the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival in Mitchellville July 11-14. Then, it’s the Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival, now in its 20th year-- the festival has gone up to three days of great music and great food, July 12-14. Get the lowdown on all of the amazing Maryland Summer of Music festivals at our website and make plans to catch as much music as you can!

Beat the Heat With Maryland’s Water Wednesdays

You may not have noticed, but summer has come to the Old Line State, and there is no better way to beat the heat then a Water Wednesday mid-week retreat! Skip the crowds and make the most of your summer with an impromptu one-day getaway. Go sailing on the Chesapeake, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking at National Harbor, water skiing on Deep Creek Lake, white-water rafting, and more. In Maryland, you’re never far from a cool refreshing dip. Check out this link for 10 great suggestions for cooling off during Maryland's Water Wednesdays!

Don’t Miss Maryland’s Summer Restaurant Weeks and Food Festivals

Maryland’s top chefs are putting their best dishes forward with prix fixe menus featuring seasonal favorites during summer restaurant weeks. Don’t miss Howard County Restaurant Week through August 5, Baltimore Restaurant Week August 2-11, Baltimore County Restaurant Week August 2-17, and Baltimore Vegan Restaurant Week August 16-September 1. Plus annual food festivals featuring the best Maryland has to offer like the Fort McHenry Crab Feast in Baltimore August 3, Timonium’s Trifecta Food Truck Festival July 27, Cambridge’s Seafood Feast-I-Val August 10, and Crisfield’s National Hard Crab Derby and Fair August 28-September 1 to name just a few. Get the lowdown on all the best eats at Visitmaryland.org.

Take Advantage of Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week

You don’t always need an excuse for a shopping safari, but it’s nice to have one, right? And there’s no better reason to head to Maryland’s unique shopping destinations than our annual Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, August 11-17. Apparel, footwear, and back-to-school backpacks are all part of the tax holiday, find all the details of Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week here, and for inspiration and great Maryland shopping destinations, head to visitmaryland.org for 25 fantastic shopping tips!

Get the Scoop on Where to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month

Celebrating National Ice Cream Month is another cool way to chill in the summer heat. Follow the 2019 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trails featuring 9 cow-to-cone creameries across the state, each featuring an on-site dairy and the freshest ice cream anywhere. Download your passport and get it stamped at each location to prove you’re a real Maryland Ice Cream aficionado. And don’t miss Maryland’s other amazing ice creameries making only-in-the-Old-Line-State confections. Follow this link to get the low-down on everyone’s favorite sweet summer treat.

Enter to Win on Maryland Mondays!

Don’t miss your chance at free tickets for amazing events across the state. Every Monday on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, the Maryland Office of Tourism is joining with our sponsors to give away great Maryland travel experiences. We call them Maryland Mondays, but you can enter all week. This week's contest is for a pair of passes for Mellow River Tubing with River & Trail Outfitters. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to enter.