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 nationally renowned Korean barbecue or dim sum in Ellicott City’s Koreatown. Stretching 5 miles along Route 40, Koreatown is home to more than 170 Korean shops, restaurants, and businesses. For soul food, head to some of Baltimore’s beloved black-owned restaurants like Connie’s Chicken and Waffles or Next Phaze Café. 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. 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, either. Breweries abound including Union Craft Brewing, lynchpin of the Union Collective, which includes an ice creamery, The Queen’s Truckstaurant and even a bouldering gym. Can’t make it to Ireland? Visit the nation’s only Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe. The Central Region is also 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. The Carroll Wine Trail, one of several in the region, exudes fantastic charm, character, and history along with offering 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 or Larriland Farm to pick your own fresh fruits. Old Line Spirits @oldlinespirits IN ON THE ACTION Maryland is steeped in equestrian history and happenings, with racing throughout the Central Region including the legendary Hunt Cup and other steeplechase and point-to-point races. 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. The Central Region is also home to two casinos: Horeshoe Casino Baltimore and Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover. Both casinos are renowned for their gaming, dining, and live entertainment options. Pimlico Race Course Photo: The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore (Jim McCue) 84 / VISITMARYLAND.ORG
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2022 Maryland Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 84
