Maryland Official Visitors Guide - 2018 Maryland Official Visitors Guide
Sports & Such
2017-11-28 06:56:29
Fun and Games
Maryland scores big with sports fans, entertainment enthusiasts and players of all ages.
Game on: with national sporting events and teams, modern casinos and gaming, and a varied nightlife, Maryland is packed with fun games.
Spectator Sports
Maryland is the perfect place for a one-state baseball road trip. Start at Camden Yards in Baltimore to cheer on the hometown Orioles, then catch family-favorite minor league ball with the Aberdeen Ironbirds, Bowie Baysox, Delmarva Shorebirds, Frederick Keys, Hagerstown Suns and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
Plan a visit around college basketball season for a trip to Xfinity Center in College Park, home to the high-flying Maryland Terrapins, bringing the Big Ten’s best to this cutting-edge arena. Football fans are spoiled for choice with the Baltimore Ravens playing at M&T Bank Stadium, and the Washington Redskins take to the turf of FedExField in Landover.
Lacrosse and soccer fans have it good in Maryland, too. Sparks is home to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum, and Maryland schools have brought home two dozen NCAA Division I titles, more than any other state. Soccer followers know that the Terps are a perennial powerhouse, and the Baltimore Blast, with their fast-paced indoor soccer style, are reigning champs of the MASL.
Grand Slam Golf Courses
Congressional Country Club in Bethesda is on every golfer’s bucket list. The Blue Course has hosted three U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship, and Golf Digest ranks the course as one of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, home of the 2017 Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, features a state-of-the-art practice facility that is second to none. Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace, a Pete Dye masterpiece, is another Maryland course that never disappoints.
If you’ve ever dreamed of teeing off from the Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s Golf Club in England, or of hitting the links at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, Renditions Golf Course in Davidsonville has recreated the most famous holes from around the world on one unbelievable course.
Pit yourself against the mind of a legend at the Jack Nicklaus-designed lakeside course at Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort. Maryland National Golf Club in Middleton may be architect Arthur Hills’ greatest work yet—this challenging course seems to have sprung naturally from the surrounding terrain with panoramic views of the Catoctin Mountains. For big-hitter bragging rights, the 17th hole at River Marsh Golf Club at the Chesapeake Hyatt in Cambridge challenges you to make the long drive across Shoal Creek.
You can’t go wrong with a golf trip to Ocean City. Seventeen spectacular courses, most with ocean views, historic surroundings, and great packages available through Ocean City Golf’s website, make this seaside resort a golfer’s dream destination. For optimal tee time near the city, play Baltimore’s Classic Five. These public courses are budget friendly and have views of the downtown skyline.
Nightlife Hot Spots
Maryland’s dynamic nightlife provides ample reason to step into a pair of dancing shoes. Power Plant Live! is one of Baltimore City’s most popular destinations, with a variety of dance clubs and live music venues. The town of Silver Spring offers amazing international cuisine and venues including The Fillmore, the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center and more—all packed into a walkable Arts and Entertainment District. For the perfect date night, head to Glen Echo Park’s Spanish Ballroom. Dance events start with an introductory lesson to get you started on a night of dancing.
Frederick’s Weinberg Center for the Arts consistently hosts celebrated stars of the entertainment world. In the mountains, Black Bear Tavern, a restaurant and nightclub that hosts live music, is a go-to destination after a day on Deep Creek Lake.
On the Eastern Shore, stroll the streets of Cambridge for its mix of restaurants and a collection of traditional pubs. In Ocean City, after the sun sets you have plenty of nightlife options. And while Southern Maryland’s tranquility is part of its charm, nights are anything but quiet at The Rex in Leonardtown. Housed in a repurposed movie theater, the restaurant and bar hosts high-energy DJs and live music. The streets of National Harbor offer plenty of opportunities to play, including the MGM National Harbor hotel and casino.
High Rolling Fun at Maryland’s Casinos
Whether you’re a keen card player or looking for a low-key, slots-and-a-show experience, Maryland’s casinos offer up non-stop entertainment and excitement.
Combine a trip to the beach with a visit to the Casino at Ocean Downs in Berlin, with its 800 slot machines and live harness racing. If you want the excitement of gaming at a top-notch casino with small-town friendliness mixed in, Hollywood Casino, just a quick hop off I-95 in Perryville, is the place. There’s live music every Saturday evening and you often have a chance to play for fabulous, unique giveaways.
Horseshoe Casino is a major hub for exciting nightlife in Baltimore. Enjoy the lavish setting of the high-limit Oriole Palace Room, off-track betting, and special events like weekly “Rockstar” karaoke with a live band. It’s also home to several celebrity chef restaurants.
Located at National Harbor on the banks of the Potomac River, the MGM complex has 12 restaurants, a world-class casino, and luxurious shopping and accommodations packaged in a bold, contemporary design, all within minutes of Washington, D.C.
Maryland Live! in Hanover prides itself on its one-of-a-kind promotions. Past giveaways include a trip to space and five Teslas. Guests can also see headline entertainment at the casino’s 500-seat performance venue. Rocky Gap, near Cumberland, offers slots, blackjack, craps and roulette in a breathtaking mountain setting. Retreat to the pristine shores of Lake Habeeb where you can play a round on the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course or relax at the spa when you aren’t gaming.
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