Free Things To Do In Maryland: The Ultimate Maryland Trip Bucket List
BY
sagnika
Oct 12, 2021
The Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit 2024, which took place from November 6th to 8th, saw the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC), like in the last 50 years, unite all segments of the state’s tourism and 300 delegates to develop Maryland tourism.
This event is likely to impact tourism and the state's economy. We can expect many developments in amenities and infrastructure, with names like American Airlines, United Airlines, Quality Inn, and Holiday Inn Express Easton, an IHG Hotel, participating in the event.
Further, thanks to proximity to airports like the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Maryland remains accessible to tourists across the globe.
Moreover, the free things to do in Maryland, like Exploring the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp or visiting the Salisbury Zoo, make Maryland a tourist’s delight. So, despite being considered one of the more expensive states of the USA, you can plan a budget-friendly itinerary here.
If you are ready to travel like a local and pick budget-friendly activities, the pocket pinch (flight and hotel) will be around $270-350 per person. However, if you are not already aware of the free and cheap things to do in Maryland, this Tour and Travel guide will be of great help.
Free And Cheap Things To Do In Maryland | Traveling On A Shoestring
In this blog, I will tell you about what I have explored in Maryland and what all things can be done in Maryland. We will also discuss the food of Maryland attractions that you must try when you are visiting Maryland. We will cater to you about all the possible information about Mary’s land and tourist attractions in Maryland which you can follow up.
So let’s start to take a glimpse of the famous places in Maryland.
There are a lot of things to do in Maryland but before that, I will tell you tips for first-time New York visitors. Most people who visit New York, tend to confine themselves to Manhattan only. But the real beauty of New York lies when you leave Manhattan.
I think the best way to convey this to you is to first tell you about the things to do in Maryland. While telling you about that I will also give you some tricky insights about New York.
I would like to start by saying that New York is a secret city in the United States. New York has surprised me quite a little there are so many things to do in new york. All you have to know is when to visit New York to enjoy the most.
There are a lot of things to do in Maryland but before that, I will tell you tips for first-time New York visitors. Most people who visit New York, tend to confine themselves to Manhattan only. But the real beauty of New York lies when you leave Manhattan.
I think the best way to convey to you is to first tell you about the things to do in Maryland. While telling you about that I will also give you some tricky insights about New York.
April to June and late August to October are two ideal seasons to try the free things to do in Maryland. However, during these two seasons, the cost of accommodation shoots up due to a tourist influx.
So, you really need to pick the activities or visit the places that will cost you less when traveling on a shoestring.
Here, we will provide you with all the possible information about Maryland so you can visit these places without hassle.
1. Visiting The Calvert Cliffs State Park
Location: 0540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD
Contact Number: +1 443-975-4360
Vehicle Fee: $5 for State Residents, $7 for Residents of Other States, $10 for Small Bus, $20 for Large Bus
Hours Open: 7:30 AM to 5 PM
Exploring the fossil-bearing Calvert Cliffs is one of the best things to do in Maryland. I loved the atmosphere and the place.
Here, the large collection of fossiliferous is known as the Chesapeake Group. Further, the cliff contains Miocene fauna.
Fossil Hunting | Know The Things To Do In Maryland Park At Calvert Cliffs State Park, you can go to the end of the red trail. There, you will find the open beach area for fossil hunting. Here, you will find fossils from the Miocene era, covering more than 600 species. Some common variations here are Miocene-era oyster shells, shark teeth, and Chesapectens, which you can hunt using shovels and sieves.
The Calvert Cliff in Maryland is mostly forested, with some ponds and wetlands. Moreover, the things to do here are hunting turkey, deer, and bird watching. You can also stroll along the beautiful flora-fauna-rich beach in Calvert.
2. Exploring The Washington County Museum Of Fine Arts
Location: 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown, MD
Contact Number: (301) 739-5727
Hours Open: 10 AM - 5 PM (Tuesday to Sunday), Monday - Free
Admission and Parking: Free
The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the hub of many exhibitions and events, houses more than 6,500 permanent collectibles. Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Singer, Jr founded the museum, and they donated the initial exhibits.
Currently, the museum has sculptures, decorative arts, drawings, and prints. Further, the collectibles here are cosmopolitan, with a focus on 19th-century European art and American art.
Some of the most prominent collections in the museum are the European Old Masters, The Singer Memorial Gallery, American Narratives: 1700-1920, and The Eight to Abstraction: Modernism & Innovation.
3. Spending A Day At Assateague Island National Seashore
Entry Fee: Standard Pass - $0.00–$25.00, Annual Pass - $45.00, America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) - Free–$80.00
Hours Open: 24*7
The United States Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service manage Assateague Island National Seashore. You will find feral ponies walking and galloping across the island and the surrounding waters.
Further, the Assateague Island National Seashore is for everyone. You can go fishing, catch crabs, take a bike ride, or hike through the barrier island.
Moreover, you can collect a permit and enjoy the most adventurous ride in Over Sand Vehicles or OSVs. Also, for a wonderful outdoor experience, you can camp at the Assateague Island National Seashore.
4. Sightseeing At Ego Alley
Location: 1 Dock St, Annapolis, MD
Hours Open: 24 Hours
Entry: Fee
Ego Alley is a narrow waterway that spills out into Spa Creek. This narrow waterway got its name from the expensive boats parading in the evenings and during the weekend.
A visit to Ego Alley is one of the free things to do in Maryland. Here, you can soak in the Sun while gorging on local delicacies.
Further, people gather in large numbers at Ego Alley for St. Patrick's Day in March, the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show in April, or the Independence Day Celebration in July.
5. Visiting The Beautiful Sculpture Gardens, Baltimore Museum Of Art
Location: 10 Art Museum Dr, Baltimore, MD
Hours Open: Monday and Wednesday to Sunday - 10 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday: Closed
Entry: Free
As you take a walk along the Beautiful Sculpture Gardens, you will discover close to 33 sculptures.
The sculptures here are a good mix of old and new sculptures of the last 100 years.
6. William British Planetarium
Location: 820 Commonwealth Avenue, Hagerstown, MD
Hours Open: Monday-Friday (8 AM to 3:30 PM), Special Shows: Second And Fourth Saturdays (5:30-7 PM)
Entry Fee: $3.75 for Adults, $2.75 for Children and Students
If you love to see the stars, moon, Milky Way, and galaxy, then William British Planetarium is the place you must visit.
Enjoy an immersive planetarium show that looks back at rare classes of eruptions that have marshaled the energy that lurks.
You will also be able to witness the details of the space. I enjoyed this place thoroughly because it took me back to my childhood.
7. National Aquarium
Location: 501 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD
Hours Open: Monday-Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday - 9 AM-6 PM, Friday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Entry Fee: Free for Children below 4 Years, $24.95 or Half Price on Fridays from 5-9 PM
When you visit Maryland, you cannot miss the National Aquarium, especially its wide variety of sea creatures, such as sharks, dolphins, living reefs, and jellyfish.
It is a non-profit public aquarium known as the Baltimore Aquarium, by the locals.
The aquarium's water capacity is more than 2.2 million gallons, and it ranks as one of the top three aquariums in the country. It features amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals, and birds.
8. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park
Location: 4068 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD
Hours Open: Tuesday-Sunday (10 AM to 4 PM), Monday Closed
Entry Fee: Free
Another activity that must be included in your list of things to do in Maryland is visiting the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park!
The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park commemorates the life of the activist Harriet Tubman, who was formerly enslaved during the American Civil War.
The national park encompasses 480 acres and is managed by the US National Park Service Unit.
The state of Maryland is responsible for the park's upkeep. Throughout the park, exhibits are dedicated to Tubman, who operated the Underground Railroad after she was free from slavery.
9. Exploring The Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
Location: 2880 Grays Road, Port Republic, MD
Hours Open: Monday-Friday (9 AM to 4:30 PM), Saturday (10 AM to 4:30 PM), Sunday: 1-4:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp is home to bald cypress trees and is the first preserve of The Nature Conservancy in Maryland.
You will also find pink lady’s slipper and May apple plants here.
Moreover, the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp has Warblers and Kentucky.
10. Visiting The Salisbury Zoo
Location: 755 S Park Dr, Salisbury, MD
Hours Open: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Salisbury Zoo is home to a wide range of animals, including guinea pigs, great horned owls, gopher tortoises, painted turtles, box turtles, and burrowing owls.
Salisbury Zoo is accessible, and it has wheelchair facilities to offer more inclusivity to visitors.
Don’t Miss The Local Food | Best Things To Do In Maryland
My best experience in Maryland was trying local food like Steamed Crabs.
The place is popular in the United States for fishing and its blue crabs. The dish of steamed crabs combines spices, herbs, beer, and blue crabs.
Remember to add butter along with different blends of seasoning so you will get both a spicy and savory taste.
Another great thing I had was the Crab Cake. Also, don’t forget to try the Roasted Pit Beef.
Raising A Toast At Flying Dog Brewery | Best Things To Do In Maryland
The next on my ‘things to do in Maryland’ list is a visit to the Flying Dog Brewery. What can be a better place for a connoisseur than the Flying Dog Brewery as they believe “Beer is Art.”
Flying Dog Brewery has a good mix of year-round gems and some seasonal attractions. The Double Dog Juicy Double IPA is my favorite among the year-round attractions.
Again, the Deep Fake Non-Alcoholic is the best seasonal offering here.
The Flying Dog Brewery's tasting room is open from Thursday to Sunday. I had a great time tasting different seasonal beers there.
However, don’t forget to carry your ID, as they only serve beer to 21+ visitors.
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