Maryland USA

[PrettyCandles]

We're contemplating a holiday in Maryland USA, based in a small town about 40 miles northish of Washington. But what is there to do in the area?

Any Marylanders around, or anyone visited the region?

Please advise - this is probably the last opportunity we'll have of travelling longhaul for a good few years, so I need to persuade dh that it's a good idea!

Twirl lives in MD so if you can catch her she should be able to help. I used to live on the East Coast and have been to DC but don't know a great deal about that area.

Any reason for going there? Seems like an unusual choice.

DC is fab - if you like Musuems. All the Smithsonians are free and are fabulous. Also, the monuments/ memorials and the White House. And the FBI museum is meant to be good too although I didn't go there.

I've linked this on the All Those in the US thread in case anyone can help.

Hello, I'm here. I live in Maryland, just on the border of DC. If you let me know where you are thinking of basing yourselves, how long for, how old your kids are etc then I'll do my best to help you!

Thanks!

A friend who lives near New Market has invited us to come and stay. They both work full-time and their children are in school, so we wouldn't expect them to show us around. We will have use of a car.

Our LOs are 7, 5 and 1. I thirst for culture and history, dh (well, I'm never entirely sure what dh likes) is a bit of a walker, likes landscapes I think. We're both quite interested in visiting the seat of US government. The children are children, will tolerate so long in a museum and not longer - particularly the baby!

I haven't been to New Market but it looks like you can have quite a few day trips from there if your kids can tolerate an hour or so in the car.
These sites should be a good starting point for you:
stage.visitmaryland.org/Pages/Destinations.aspx
www.washington.org/index.cfm?blnNavView=True&idContentType=36&idCurrentPage=7 (tourist info site)

You should try and find an online driving distances calculator or use www.mapquest.com/ (type in destination to get driving times and routes) so you can see how far things are from your friends place.

I would definitely look into visiting:

Frederick (historical)

Baltimore (for the kids)
Port Discovery is a fantastic hands-on children's museum
Baltimore Aquarium is superb
Maryland Science Center

Leesburg
Leesburg Shopping Outlet

Poolsville Poolsville for scenery, walkingWashington DC
National Zoo is free and brilliant
National Air and Space Museum (brilliant for kids)

www.washington.org/index.cfm?blnNavView=True&idContentType=36&idCurrentPage=70

I live south MD so I'm afraid I can't advise on anywhere north of where you will be.
Kids are well tolerated here, and loved!

I'll have a think and try and send some more ideas, this is just off-the-top of my head.
What time of year are you thinking of coming?

dc.about.com/od/touristattractions/a/TopTenToDo.htm

www.mdisfun.org/planningamarylandvisit/aboutmaryland/AboutMaryland-PlanningaVisit.html

Wow, twirl has been busy!

I have heard wonderful stories about the Baltimore Aquarium. It is meant to be very good. Also the zoo in DC is free and is very good too.

Please eat some crab cakes.

Have visited the Baltimore aquarium and it is certainly well worth a visit. There are lots of nice restaurants in the area around the aquarium as well.

This is fantastic! I shall have a good browse of the websites, thanks.

We're thinking of traveling around May-ish. I get the impression that the climate is similar to the UK, but rather more humid. Is there a particularly nice time of year to visist? And is there a time of year to avoid?!

Why crab cakes?

First the Aquarium is Awesome!!

Second, crab cakes just because they are so delicious and Maryland is known for seafood.

Duh! Of course, Atlantic coast. Dh loves crab, I don't, I prefer lobster. Mmmmm, memories of Legal Seafood in Boston - the first time I ever tasted lobster....and the second and third times, too !

I have family in Anapolis which is beautiful I loved it there!

M2LB

Don't tempt me. I should just make them myself.

Oh if you go in May you should take a cruise around Inner Harbor.

Weather is more extreme than in UK. Don't come in August! It is horribly humid. May should be lovely.