Larry Hogan 2020-12-15 01:49:00
Dear Friends, I am pleased to bring you the 2021 edition of Destination Maryland: The Official Travel Magazine. This travel magazine provides a comprehensive overview of all that our state has to offer—from the Appalachian Mountains in the west to the sandy shores of the Atlantic Coast, and all of our vibrant cities and charming towns along the way. Let this be a valuable resource when planning your next getaway in Maryland. While travel planning has changed as a result of COVID-19, please know that Maryland is open for you. Our accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and other visitor services are all taking steps to keep visitors safe. Enhanced cleaning protocols, limited capacity, and a commitment to their guests and teammates are part of Maryland’s Back to Business Pledge, which assures you that they are taking all necessary precautions and following the guidance of the Maryland Department of Health and the CDC. This will be a unique year for travel, and we realize that you may be staying closer to home and taking more vacations as road trips. I encourage you to take time and explore our five regions to connect with unique attractions, historical sites, distinctive restaurants, and events and activities worth sharing with your family and friends. For a memorable adventure, check out Maryland’s 18 beautiful and diverse scenic byways, which offer the perfect opportunity to travel throughout our state by car. Maryland’s rich history makes our state an ideal travel destination. Follow in the footsteps of heroes such as Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, whose stories of bravery and sacrifice make Maryland the most powerful Underground Railroad storytelling destination in the world. Plan a visit to Antietam National Battlefield, site of one of the most dramatic battles of the Civil War. Tour Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, known for its pivotal role in the War of 1812. Check out our vibrant arts and folk traditions, such as the famous painted screens in Baltimore’s rowhouse windows, the exquisite craftsmanship of hand-carved decoys on display at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, or any of our world-class museums and art collections. Seafood lovers will be right at home in Maryland, with our famous Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, oysters, and rockfish. I encourage you to sample our other culinary traditions, such as stuffed ham from St. Mary’s County, a snowball or pit-beef sandwich in the Baltimore region, or our official state dessert, Smith Island cake. Maryland also boasts numerous world-class wineries and distilleries, and has a thriving craft beer industry, including the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, the company’s first brewing operation in the United States since the 1950s (see page 52 for our guided tour). When you visit, be sure to stop by one of our ten Welcome Centers around the state. Our knowledgeable and helpful travel counselors can make sure you get the most out of your time in Maryland. They can direct you to the perfect adventure—from exploring charming towns around the Chesapeake Bay, to historic sites along the Underground Railroad, and our unique Crab & Oyster Trail, with more than 100 seafood destinations from which to choose. If you’re looking for more Maryland travel inspiration, I invite you to our website, VisitMaryland.org, and to follow us on social media at #VisitMaryland and #MDinFocus. Let this Destination Maryland magazine help you to plan your perfect trip. We can’t wait to see you—Maryland is open for you. Sincerely, Larry Hogan Governor
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