Boordy Vineyards Photos: (clockwise from left) Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, Boordy Vineyards (Boordy Vineyards) Come foodies, come anglers, come sports fans, and sun worshippers— Maryland’s restaurateurs, innkeepers, boat captains, and tour guides stand ready to help you host a gathering your crew will never forget. Here’s a sampling of beloved favorite destinations and well-kept local secrets to get your planning started. You bring the guest list, we’ll do the rest. If you’re looking to meet up with friends for a memorable meal, Maryland’s famous crabs, oysters, and other seafood make any dinner a celebration. For fair-weather travelers, this is a state that loves a picnic—tables in scenic spots abound at national, state, and local parks, and ever more commonly, at breweries, distilleries, and wineries with rustic settings. Reconnecting with family and long-time friends comes naturally with Maryland’s charming experiences and iconic attractions, making it a beloved destination for weddings, birthdays, and reunions. Whatever you do in Maryland is likely to be such a success, you’ll want to make it an annual tradition—the locals certainly do, showing up for Sunfest in Ocean City, DelFest in Cumberland, Artscape in Baltimore, and any number of other local festivals every year. Maryland may be one of the smaller states on the map, but when it comes to options for group relaxation, recreation, refreshment, and renewal, we’re the right size for big fun. L.P. Steamers @annelottt GATHER AROUND THE TABLE What better way to reconnect with family and friends than by sharing a meal together—and around here, a meal means amazing Maryland crab. From the Crab Cake Cafe in the National Harbor, the glitzy waterfront development on the Potomac, to The Original Crab Cake Factory in Ocean City, hundreds of mouthwatering versions of the state treat are competing for your love. Feast like a local with steaming hard crabs piled high on a paper-covered table. Pick ‘em yourself at time-honored crab houses like L.P. Steamers in Baltimore and Schultz’s in Essex. Crab & Cruise in Crisfield combines all-you-can-eat crustaceans on shore with a sunset sail. Crisfield is also a perfect spot to try Smith Island Cake. This thinly layered, chocolatey masterpiece is the official state dessert, and Smith Island Baking Company makes a mean one. No matter what you put in your basket, we’ve got the perfect picnic table—from Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis (which also has a dog beach), to Catoctin Mountain Park (which also offers hiking and historic rental cabins) to wineries, breweries, and distilleries like Boordy Vineyards in Hydes and Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Co. in Gaithersburg (which also offers tastings). VISIT MARYLAND / 39
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2022 Maryland Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 39
