Sona Chaundhary 2020-12-31 16:16:48
Sophistication Meets Serenity in Central Maryland You can choose your own adventure in the heart of Maryland, at the crossroads of diverse cultural and natural landscapes. With big-city draws of Baltimore and Annapolis, maritime adventures along the Chesapeake Bay, eclectic artist spaces in the cities and downtown, rural relaxation around Carroll County, and suburban splendor in between—the Central Region is truly the heart of it all. ENTERTAINMENT ANY WAY YOU WANT IT If you want to shop ‘til you drop, head to the top of Anne Arundel County and check out the largest mall in the state at Arundel Mills in Hanover. With 225 outlet and retail shops, restaurants, a movie theater, Dave & Busters, and even Medieval Times Dinner Theater with real live knights, it’s easy to make a day of it. If you’ve got more energy to burn, head to the Maryland Live! Casino right next door to indulge, then unwind in one of the Maryland Live! Hotel’s luxe rooms—or the spa. Looking for more of that Vegas-style thrill while catching prime entertainment? The Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore offers great gaming and a side of celebrity chefs just a short walk from Camden Yards. Maryland’s first casino was the Hollywood Casino in Perryville, and it’s still filled with endless action from more than 800 slot machines, live music, trivia, and an expansive bar. Did we mention it’s open 24 hours? Music lovers can’t miss the massively remodeled Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia—one of the top five amphitheaters in the country, according to Rolling Stone. Known for presenting superstar acts throughout its more than 50-year history, Merriweather Post Pavilion has hosted everyone from Led Zeppelin to Wu-Tang Clan and countless other legends. Make sure to check out Rams Head on Stage in Annapolis, and in Baltimore try Rams Head Live, Ottobar, and Baltimore Sound Stage. Common Ground on the Hill, Maryland’s newest folklife center, features music and festivals throughout the year. Baltimore is also home to a thriving theater scene. The Hippodrome Theatre is a legendary venue for Broadway shows and more, the Modell Performing Arts Center hosts everything from opera to stand-up, and smaller theaters like Everyman Theatre, Center Stage, and the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Theater shine the spotlight on local greats. Or for the silver screen, check out The Charles Theatre, The Parkway Theatre, and the historic Senator Theater, all featuring the big hits and hard-to-find classics. Maryland Science Center @visitbmore Beyond the music, Baltimore boasts an art scene like no other. The American Visionary Art Museum displays the treasures drawn, sculpted, found, photographed, altered, and recorded by self-taught artists. The Baltimore Museum of Art maintains a massive collection (including the most Matisse paintings in the world) while the Walters Art Museum houses masterworks from around the globe— both totally free to explore. Throughout Baltimore, you’ll also find artist-run galleries promoting local talent and artist collectives that often offer lessons and studio space to anyone interested. For the kids, try the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, and the Port Discovery Children’s Museum, all huddled together at the harbor. Visit the beautiful, walkable Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. And for a special treat, take the kids to Camden Yards for an Orioles game, or catch the Ravens dominating the gridiron. THE CENTER OF MARYLAND CULTURE In Annapolis—once the nation’s capital, now the “Sailing Capital of the U.S.”— you’ll walk the beautiful brick streets of this unforgettable waterfront town. Get up close to the harbor’s famous “Ego Alley” to see the city’s iconic yachts on display, or come take to the water yourself on a sunset sail. History is alive in Annapolis from the beautiful 18th-century capitol dome—where George Washington resigned his commission from military service and the statues of two of the nation’s freedom fighters, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, showcase Maryland’s role in history—to the sparkling waterfront grounds of the United States Naval Academy, offering public tours, monuments, and a U.S. Naval Academy history museum. Outside Annapolis you’ll find Historic London Town and Gardens. In 1683, London Town was a significant Colonial seaport. Today, the area is home to a 23-acre park dedicated to showing you its rich past through museums, reconstructed buildings, and an archaeology lab. The gardens are no afterthought either, maintaining blooming flowers and diverse native plants throughout the year. US Naval Academy @benoit0844 Another must-visit is charming Old Ellicott City. It’s gotten through major flooding events with a renewed sense of community and commitment to its small businesses, meaning the historic downtown has as much energy as ever. Take a walk through the winding, cobbled streets and experience its unique offerings, from fine furniture and fashion boutiques to elevated second-hand clothing and antique stores to sweet bakeries and candy shops. Take a break and sip some craft beer brewed at Manor Hill Tavern while you’re at it. In Baltimore, celebrate the lives and legacies of African-American Marylanders at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture. The museum houses exhibits covering more than 400 years of history with collections dedicated to sports, politics, art—and everything in between. Baltimore’s Fells Point was once home to Frederick Douglass. Learn more about the life of this American hero at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park. Travel one hour up I-95 North and you’ll find Havre de Grace at the mouth of the Susquehanna River. Explore the past at fantastic museums including the Maritime Museum, the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, and Steppingstone Farm Museum, to get a picture of how the town evolved. Visit the Concord Point Lighthouse for a sweeping view over the water, then check out the downtown stores to get some souvenirs and food on the waterfront. ORDER UP Foodies will find plenty of flavor in Central Maryland, as the area is home to many restaurants rooted in rich cultural traditions. Indulge in some nationally renowned Korean barbecue or laidback dim sum restaurants on Route 40’s “Korean Way.” This five-mile stretch of road in Ellicott City is home to more than 100 Korean restaurants and shops. For soul food, head to some of Baltimore’s beloved Black-owned restaurants like Ida B’s Table and Connie’s Chicken and Waffles. Baltimore’s Little Italy— nestled between the Inner Harbor and Fells Point—serves up ravioli dinners, fine wines, and plenty of pastries, and vegans always have a place at the table at spots like Land of Kush. Sagamore Spirit Distillery @mandysphototiles Maryland’s decadent seafood is—of course—a hallmark and staple of Maryland cuisine. Try famous steamed blue crabs, mouthwatering and versatile rockfish, quintessential Maryland coddies, and delicious fried lake trout—and don’t forget to indulge in generous portions of Old Bay to get the full experience. Excellent crab houses and grills dot the region, and we Marylanders think seafood is best enjoyed by the water. Don’t forget a beverage, as well. Breweries abound including Union Craft Brewing, lynchpin of The Union Collective. Located in hip, happening Hampden, it includes an ice creamery, the Gypsy Truckstaurant, and even a bouldering gym. The Central Region is home to much of Maryland’s burgeoning distilling scene with tours available at spots like Old Line Spirits, Baltimore Spirits Company, and famous Sagamore Spirit Distillery by the water in Port Covington. And the Carroll Wine Trail, one of several in the region, brings it all together with fantastic charm, character, and history along with the happy sampling of hand-crafted wines. Since 1984, Carroll County has also been the home of the annual Maryland Wine Festival, bringing together wineries from across the state in a celebration of the bounty of vineyards. If you’re looking for more than grapes in the area, you can visit Baugher’s Orchards & Farm and pick your own fresh fruits. IN ON THE ACTION Maryland is steeped in equestrian history and happenings, with steeplechase racing throughout the Central Region including the legendary Hunt Cup and other steeplechase and point-to-point races. At Fair Hill International, you’ll find nearly every sort of equestrian event. Watch dressage, carriage driving, endurance races, show jumping, and steeplechases—or catch three at once during the world-renowned Maryland 5 Star. Naturally, the annual Preakness Stakes in Baltimore is also always a party. The festivities around the second jewel of horse racing’s famous Triple Crown kick off with a hot air balloon festival and only get more hyped up leading to the race. EXPLORE OUTDOORS Central Maryland also provides a feast for the eyes in the form of the Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton. This immaculate and lush getaway is hailed as one of the best topiary gardens in the country. Spend an afternoon walking its short loops and trails or get a good look at the historical grounds, especially through the Manor House, which was built in stages over the course of a century. Visit the Gunpowder State Park Hammerman Area in Baltimore County to rent a kayak or sailboat and spend a day on the water. At the Carroll County Farm Museum, you’ll get a beautiful look at the region’s piedmont farming culture, and it serves as a great starting point to explore the Carroll County Barn Quilt Trail. If you like your outdoor adventures served with a side of science, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is an active research center and a certified Chesapeake Bay Storytellers tour provider (for more on Chesapeake Bay Storytellers, see page 44). Dive in deep with a fascinating lecture, see the science and beauty for yourself on a self-guided walking trail, or join SERC’s storytellers for a canoe tour through the living laboratory that is this beautiful Chesapeake marshland. Catoctin @dennisonhikingclub Fun Facts The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is the country’s only wax museum of African- American history. Patapsco Valley State Park @beentheredonethatwithkids The city of Havre de Grace was just 1 vote away from being named the capital of the United States of America. Find more things to do in Central Maryland online at: visitmaryland.org/regions-cities/central-maryland
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