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The 10 Best Places To Visit In Maryland In 2018

Discover ten unique outdoor adventures in Maryland, from nature parks to river tubing.

Published Jan 28, 2018

Written by 

Jamie Alvarenga

Today we're looking back on some of our best articles from 2017, and combining them into one epic list of things to do. This year, resolve to take more outdoor adventures. You won't regret it.

To learn more about each place, click on the blue link in the description.

1. Flag Ponds Nature Park

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TripAdvisor / Alexsa B

This Calvert County gem is overflowing with fossils and the sprawling water views are spectacular. Head here during a beautiful day for a day trip to remember.

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Click here for more information

2. Explore Maryland's Barn Quilt Trail

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Flickr / Heart of the Civil War

Did you know that Maryland's Carroll County has over two dozen barns that are adorned with intricate "quilts" like this one? Spend a day or weekend seeing them all!

Click here for more information

3. National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

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Flickr / A.Currell

This hidden shrine in Emmitsburg is picture perfect for exploring. Stroll the grounds, which include a spring, woodland views, shrines, and more. You don't have to be religious to take in the beauty of this enchanting place.

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4. C & O Canal

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Flickr / KnowledgeCommonsDC

If it's been a while since you've visited the canal, then wait no more. This year, resolve to stroll, jog, or bike along this historic towpath. This place is so rewarding.

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5. The Fairy Garden at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center

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TripAdvisor / walyfipe

This southern Maryland exhibit is outdoors, and oh-so magical. The fairy garden usually runs from April through September, so mark your calendar and keep your eyes peeled for a whole lot of magic.

Click here for more information

6. McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area

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Flickr / Forsaken Fotos

This is one summer attraction that you don't want to miss. This Poolesville field of yellow is at peak bloom in July and the sights are splendid. Be sure to bring a camera.

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7. The Butterfly House at Brookside Gardens

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TripAdvisor / bala2803

This Wheaton attraction is filled with gorgeous gardens and during warmer months, you can experience the butterfly house. Be in awe as hundreds of butterflies flutter around you, similar to a fairy tale.

Click here for more information

8. Riverboat Cruise

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Facebook / Suicide Bridge Restaurant

Head to Suicide Bridge Restaurant in Hurlock, which is so much more than just an eatery. This spot also offers riverboat cruises, some of which include crab feasts! Check it out for a charming step back in time.

Click here for more information

9. Crystal Grottoes Caverns

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Flickr / A.Currell

Maryland isn't necessarily known for caves, so Crystal Grottoes Caverns is sure to surprise you. This natural cave has more formations per square foot than any other cave in the world. Quite impressive, indeed.

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10. Go river tubing at Gunpowder River

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monktonbike.com

There are several tubing spots in the Old Line State, but Gunpowder River is the perfect lazy river to float your cares away. The scenery is quite epic.

Click here for more information

What would you add to the list? For a list of Maryland's best state parks, click here!

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Experiences

How to Spend a Day in Congress Heights

Published Nov 11, 2024

In Partnership With 

City Cast DC

Written by 

OnlyInYourState Staff

City Cast DC is the easiest way to stay updated on what's happening in DC. Their daily podcast and newsletter covers local news, gives the best life hacks, and curates recommended events. For more DC insider information visit dc.citycast.fm.

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Colorful playground equipment in front of a building with a mural reading "Congress Heights Recreation Center."
Congress Heights playground. (Austin Graff/City Cast DC Contributor)

Congress Heights is a mostly residential neighborhood east of the river that has emerged as a hub for Black culture and arts. It’s also home to the Entertainment and Sports Arena which holds many concerts and basketball games. So if you’re heading there for an event, make a day of it!

First, Coffee:

Start with an Ethiopian coffee from Buna Talk Cafe in Sycamore & Oak, a small retail village with over a dozen Black-owned local businesses. For something more untraditional, grab an Oreo milkshake from Corner Cafe, which also serves perfectly greasy breakfast sandwiches.

What to Eat:

Do yourself a favor and splurge on the crab cake sandwich at MLK Deli, a small deli in the basement of a rowhouse. Triceys D.C., an Afro-Caribbean food stand inside Sycamore & Oak, has unreal mac & cheese, jerk chicken, and fried white fish. And of course, you have to try the mumbo sauce at Hong Kong Delite, a carryout made famous by Keith Lee.

A mural of a woman with curly hair and a mask, painted on a utility box in an urban setting.
Call box mural in Congress Heights. (Austin Graff/City Cast DC Contributor)

What To Do:

Shop for Black art, decor, and clothes from the woman-owned Anacostia Art Gallery & Boutique. Walk around and see murals, like the Go-Go music one on the side of Liff’s Market, or paintings of Black heroes along the wall outside Eagle Academy.

For the sports-inclined, watch the Washington Mystics play a game at the Entertainment & Sports Arena. And if you’re there on a Saturday, grab some fresh produce at the Ward 8 Farmers Market.

After Hours:

Grab cocktails from the bar inside Sycamore & Oak, then learn to line dance (only on Tuesdays). If you’re looking for something a little more intense, Ace Lounge has sugary cocktails and strobe lights to match for a weekend night you’ll probably regret.

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Check out more DC insider information with City Cast DC. Their daily newsletter and podcast are the easiest way to stay up-to-date on DC. For life hacks, daily event recommendations, and local news visit dc.citycast.fm.

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Experiences

Everyone in Maryland Should See What’s Inside the Walls of This Abandoned Fort

Did you know about Fort Carroll Baltimore? Check out the incredible footage and photos of this abandoned fort in Maryland.

Updated Oct 2, 2024

Written by 

Jamie Alvarenga

One thing I love about Maryland is that the state is brimming with abandoned places. Over the years, we have introduced you to many of these dilapidated locations including spooky mansions, creepy state parks, terrifying hospitals, and ghost towns, just to name a few. But did you know that there's an abandoned fort in Maryland that can be found in the middle of the Patapsco River?

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You may have spotted Fort Carroll from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and many passersby wonder what this hexagonal structure is, including me. After some research, I discovered that it was originally a fort, built in 1847. Once the fort was no longer deemed necessary as a defense spot for Baltimore, it was left abandoned. Today, Fort Carroll Baltimore only inhabitants are migratory birds and overgrown plant life. 

A small, overgrown island with a concrete structure surrounded by blue water and distant industrial sites.
Preservation Maryland/Flickr

YouTube user Pat Gavin took a kayak trip to the abandoned fort near Baltimore, Maryland, and captured some amazing Fort Carroll photos. Check out the video at the end for the spectacular images and eerie footage.

A person kayaking on a river beneath a large stone bridge, with city buildings in the background.
Ben Schumin/Flickr

There's only one way to reach Fort Carroll these days, and that's by kayak or canoe. Use caution, as this area is the main route for large ships. It's also considered trespassing, but that didn't thwart our adventurous videographer as you will see when you watch the footage below. The sight as you paddle up to the fort is surreal, as it's completely surrounded by water and offers a great view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. If you don’t know, a portion of this bridge collapsed after a cargo ship collided with it. 

An abandoned, overgrown island with a lighthouse, surrounded by water and a distant industrial skyline.
Jon Dawson/Flickr

While most of Fort Carroll crumbles away, many of the walls and archways are in surprisingly good shape. If you can get close enough to the fort, you'll see that trees and vines have overtaken this structure, claiming it as their own. I find it quite beautiful when nature reclaims abandoned places. This neglected and historic place is a far cry from what it once was, yet somehow, there's something eerily peaceful in it all.

A small, green island surrounded by water, with boats sailing nearby under a clear blue sky.
WorldIslandInfo.com/Flickr

Fun fact: The fort was named after Charles Carroll who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

For more views and footage of Fort Carroll, an abandoned fort in Maryland, check out the below video.

Abandoned places can be fascinating because they show us a slice of history. What are your thoughts on this abandoned fort in Maryland? Have you visited before? If so, be sure to share your experiences with us — we’d love to hear from you!

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Are you fascinated by abandoned places like Fort Carroll Baltimore? Then, check out these abandoned places in Maryland.

And, if you'd like to read more about the most fascinating abandoned places, check out this book: Atlas of Abandoned Places: A Journey Through the World's Forgotten Wonders.

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