Maryland Among Wild Horses, Trails, and History

At Assateague, you can observe wild horses in their natural habitat. Maryland also appeals to travelers interested in Appalachian trails, diverse habitats, historic sites, or seafood experiences. To help plan your trip, first consider which of these sides of the region you want to shape your journey.

Nature and Habitats

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge encompasses rich tidal marshes, mixed hardwood and loblolly pine forests, managed freshwater wetlands, and agricultural fields. Tidal marshes are shaped by the changing tides; together with forests, freshwater areas, and agricultural land, they create a remarkable variety of habitat types. This makes the refuge interesting for anyone who wants to experience more than a single type of landscape.

Assateague's wild horses offer a different way to experience nature: the focus here is on observing the animals in their natural habitat. Together with Blackwater's varied habitats, they provide a diverse perspective on nature in Maryland, without suggesting that the two places offer the same kind of experience.

Trails for Different Interests

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge has more than 5 miles of hiking trails and 17 miles of paddling trails. These distances refer to different activities. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether you would rather travel on foot or take a paddling trip.

The Appalachian Trail is a public footpath stretching more than 2,190 miles through the Appalachian Mountains and also passes through Maryland. Fort McHenry offers a different kind of trail: the Seawall Trail is one mile long and suitable for biking, walking, running, or relaxing. These figures illustrate different scales—from a very long-distance route to a trail with a specific stated length and several possible activities.

Historic Traces and National Significance

The defense of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13 and 14, 1814, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the national anthem of the United States. The Maryland State House, meanwhile, is the first state capitol building in the United States built during peacetime; in 1960, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. These two connections convey different aspects of U.S. history: an event that influenced a national symbol and the special historical standing of a capitol building.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves the early transportation history of the United States and offers a way to discover historic, natural, and recreational attractions. Maryland's historical interest therefore extends beyond individual events and buildings to include the history of transportation.

Scenic Byways and Seafood Experiences

Maryland has 18 Scenic Byways, six of which are recognized as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads. For travelers planning a drive through the region, these figures provide an overview of the designated Scenic Byways and their special recognition.

Hook-and-cook seafood experiences include fishing charters, crabbing excursions, and opportunities to learn about oysters. The range combines specific activities with educational offerings about oysters. If you are interested in these topics, you can distinguish between activity-based experiences and educational opportunities when planning your trip.

Choose a Hotel to Suit Your Plans

When searching for a hotel, you can first decide on your priorities, then check the location of specific options against your travel plans. This way, you can choose a base that suits the experiences you actually want to focus on in Maryland.

Discover more destinations:

Worcester, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore, Frederick, Harford, Washington, Wicomico, Cecil, Allegany, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Laclede County, Carroll County, Garrett County, Calvert County, Charles County, Kent County, Saint Mary's County, Caroline County, Somerset

See the main travel overview: USA.