Vacationing in Maryland in the spring, summer or fall gives you ample opportunity to take advantage of the beaches in coastal cities. Swimming and boating are two of the major attractions and if you visit Ocean City, you can even take a parasailing safety course (30 minutes) and enjoy the ocean from a whole new vantage.
Campers can spend a night on Assateague Island surrounded by free roaming wild ponies.
If you're an avid whitewater rafter visit McHenry in the western area of the state and take advantage of their manmade course. Bikers will enjoy the many state parks and the caverns in Boonsboro, a perennial family favorite.
Winter vacationers can take advantage of the Wisp Mountain ski resort in McHenry.
Baltimore is the home of one of the top five museums in America, the American Visionary Art Museum. This contemporary gallery offers theme based exhibitions by both seasoned and up-and-coming artists. The Geppi Entertainment museum is geared toward kids and collectors. It features antique and modern toys, comic books and pop culture memorabilia (yes that means there are plenty of Velvet Elvises).
The Port Discovery Children's Museum was ranked as one of the top five children's museums in the country by Child Magazine as offers several interactive activities for children of all ages.
For a more traditional museum experience you can visit the Maryland Science Center or the National Aquarium.
Frontier Town and Fort Whaley Campgrounds near Ocean City is full of family-friendly activities including a western theme park, waterpark and several mini-golf courses. There is a live Wild West show daily from mid-June to Labor Day with discounted tickets for campers.
If the wild west isn't your thing, check out Trimper Rides (open year round) or the Jolly Roger (open March to September) just to the east in Ocean City. These are traditional boardwalk parks with carnival rides for kids and adults. The Jolly Roger also features a Splash Mountain waterpark.
For a day long major roller coaster adventure try Six Flags Amusement Park in Mitchellville. They park runs daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on select weekends in late September and October.
Forty miles west of Baltimore in New Market, you'll find AdventurePark USA. This all around family fun destination has a roller coaster, arcade, laser tag, miniature golf and a water park. Indoor attractions are open year round and outdoor activities as weather permits.
Clark's Elioak Farm in Ellicott City offers the most unique corn maze in the country. The maze features a fairy tale theme including the huts of the three little pigs and a full size pumpkin carriage right out of Cinderella.
For a nature-based hands on experience, visit the Pocomoke River Delmarva Discovery Center in Pocomoke where you can interact with everything from aerodynamics to the inner workings of the human body. The Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake features a top down look at the entire ecosystem. This nature park is great for anyone ages 5 to 95 with the desire to learn.
