Your Ultimate Guide To Summer Fun In Maryland

Maryland is so much fun in the summer. I remember visiting my aunt and uncle during the summers here as a child and my aunt would take us to Annapolis, Ocean City, and some other wonderful destinations. As an adult, I lived here for a time and absolutely loved exploring the state during the summer season. If you're intent on making the season great, here's your guide to the best things to do in Maryland in summer!

Best Summer Vacation Destinations In Maryland

Whether it's a city, a small town, or a beach you want to visit, there are so many fun Maryland summer activities to enjoy wherever you go. Here are a few of the best summer vacation destinations in Maryland:

1. Ocean City

Location: Ocean City, MD

Popularity: Incredibly popular in the summer months, especially between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Need to know: Make hotel and vacation rental accommodations well in advance if you plan on taking a vacation here.

One of the best and, albeit, most popular places to spend some time during the summer, Ocean City has so much to offer. Laying out on the beach and going for a swim are among the obvious things to do here. However, there is a boardwalk that offers a slew of fun things to do in Maryland in summer. Grab some Thrasher's French fries, visit the tourist shops and boutiques, and take photos in front of the Boardwalk arch. This is what summer in Maryland is all about!

2. Annapolis

Location: Annapolis, MD

Popularity: Very popular between June and August.

Need to know: The city is very walkable and offers numerous historic sites.

The state's capital of Annapolis is a wonderful day-trip destination any time of year but there's quite a festive feel here when summer rolls around. Enjoy the walkability of the city along with the shopping, dining, and historical sites. Set along the Chesapeake Bay, you'll feel the cool breeze coming off the water on a hot summer day as you watch the boats coming in. When I lived in Maryland, I loved coming here during the warm weather.

3. Havre de Grace

Location: Havre de Grace

Popularity: A relatively popular summertime destination.

Need to know: This is a great town for exploring the outdoors. With several parks and numerous hiking trails as well as historic sites, this is an ideal summertime destination.

Sitting at the point where the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay meet, Havre de Grace is a charming and historic town worth visiting. During the summer months, there are a number of community-wide events like First Fridays featuring music, art, and food, and a weekly farmers' market. Take a stroll around town to see the historic sites and public art pieces along the street. You may also want to spend time out on the water by taking a boat tour, water skiing, or jet skiing. While this is a laid-back town, you can have quite a bit of fun!

Best Beaches To Visit In Maryland This Summer

Did you know that the state of Maryland has over 3,000 miles of coastline? While that number seems overwhelming, the state at least has some absolutely gorgeous beaches to spend time at. Here are a few of the best beaches to visit in Maryland in the summer:

4. North Beach

Location: North Beach, MD

Popularity: This is a hidden gem beach town with a beach by the same name.

Need to know: This beach is small and charges a fee. Out-of-county visitors: $25/adult (12-54) and $10/child (3-11). Calvert County Residents: $9/adult (12-54) and $6/child (3-11). North Beach residents can visit the beach for free.

North Beach is a quaint beach town in Calvert County on the Western side of the Chesapeake Bay. Here you'll find the small and beautiful North Beach, a boardwalk, shops, and wonderful seafood restaurants. This is a place you can come to in order to fully relax.

5. Breezy Point Beach & Campground — Chesapeake Beach

Location: Chesapeake Beach, MD

Popularity: This is a very popular spot for both the beach and camping, and usually fills up quickly on weekends and holidays.

Need to know: Fees are charged for the beach. Calvert County residents: $4-$10; Non-county residents: $8-$20.

Breezy Point Beach & Campground is a public beach that is open seasonally from May 1 through Oct. 31. If you're looking for family things to do in Maryland in summer, consider spending time here. While there is a beautiful beach where you can lay out all day, there's also a 200-foot fishing pier, a playground, boat rentals available, and a picnic area. To maximize your time here, consider reserving a campsite.

6. Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach — Stevensville

Location: Stevensville, MD

Popularity: This is a hidden gem.

Need to know: This beach is located on Kent Island in the Chesapeake, and is open daily from sunset to sunrise.

Located in Queen Anne's County, Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach is a wonderful hidden gem public beach for making memories during the summer months. Take a trip to Kent Island where you'll find a public beach along with a public dog beach, a clubhouse, a 1-mile trail, an outdoor amphitheater, and a picnic area. Not only is this beach secluded but you'll have a wonderful view of the Bay Bridge.

Parks To Visit In Maryland This Summer

Did you know that Maryland has 77 state parks? It's true! You can really spend your entire summer exploring all of them if you'd like. With hiking, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, camping, and other recreational opportunities, here are some of the best parks to visit in Maryland this summer:

7. Assateague Island National Seashore — Berlin

Location: Berlin, MD

Popularity: Due to its beauty and unique features, this park is one of the most popular to visit in the state.

Need to know: There is an entrance fee of $25/vehicle and $20/motorcycle. The option is a $45 annual park pass.

Assateague Island National Seashore is such a magical place. This 37-mile-long barrier island is where wild horses roam freely and when you visit, you'll see them everywhere. However, you must keep your distance from these majestic creatures — a minimum of 40 feet by law. Aside from the horses, recreational opportunities abound. Camping is quite popular here, unsurprising given its coastal location. You may also want to try the popular Maryland activity of crabbing, explore the island on foot or by bike, go fishing, go swimming, or get an Over Sand Vehicle permit if you want to take a drive on the sand. There's so much to do within this beautiful park. Visiting here is one of the most fun things to do in Maryland in summer.

8. Sandy Point State Park — Annapolis

Location: Annapolis, MD

Popularity: This is another extremely popular park in Maryland.

Need to know: There is a fee of $5/person on weekends and $4/person on weekdays.

At 786 acres, Sandy Point State Park has a stunning mile-long beach and a marina with docks for day-use. If you want to take a break from Annapolis, you must come here for some peace and quiet. This is such a beautiful park on the Chesapeake Bay and there are historic sites here like The Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse and The Sandy Point Mansion to check out. Spending a day at this Maryland state park is a must this summer!

9. Cunningham Falls State Park — Thurmont

Location: Thurmont, MD

Popularity: This is a fairly popular state park between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

Need to know: Fees: $3 to $5 per resident; $5 to $7 per non-resident.

If you love waterfalls, then a visit to Cunningham Falls State Park is in order this summer. Cunningham Falls is the state's largest waterfall, and it's a sight to see! Aside from the picturesque cascade, the park has a 43-acre man-made lake and ruins of a historic furnace. Hiking is abundant here with the trail to the falls the most popular. Visitors can also go swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, and birdwatching here as well. What a way to spend a summer day!

Best Free Summer Activities In Maryland

Life can be expensive but having fun doesn't always have to be! There is some sort of activity for everyone around the state and, best of all, some cost nothing. Here are some of the best free things to do in Maryland in summer:

10. Baltimore Museum of Art — Baltimore

Location: Baltimore, MD

Popularity: This is a popular spot in the city of Baltimore.

Need to know: There's no admission fee.

If you're looking for something cheap to do in Maryland in summer on a rainy day, visit the Baltimore Museum of Art. This no-fee museum has over 1,000 pieces of art made by Henri Matisse so it's worth visiting just for that. This is a world-class museum and it is so wonderful that art lovers can enjoy it for free!

11. Brookside Gardens — Wheaton

Location: Wheaton, MD

Popularity: This is a very popular spot to visit, especially on weekends.

Need to know: This no-fee botanical garden is found within the greater Wheaton Regional Park.

Take a stroll through the 50-acre Brookside Gardens if you're looking for romantic things to do in Maryland in summer. There's so much beauty to be found here so why not spend time here with your special person? Children love this place as well, so you can make it a family outing if you'd like instead. Regardless, this botanical garden has several themed gardens including a Children's Garden, a Rose Garden, and a Japanese-style Garden. This is one place to take your time to stop and smell the flowers this summer.

12. Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary — Nanjemoy

Location: Nanjemoy, MD

Popularity: A hidden gem.

Need to know: Free to visit.

Located along the Potomac River, the 18-square-mile area that is the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary is one of a kind. Here you will find over 100 WWI-era wooden steam ships. This is the "Ghost Fleet," and you can see it via kayaking the waters that surround it. The area was also important during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars as well as for commercial fishing. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is absolutely worth a visit!

Best Summer Events And Festivals In Maryland

Who doesn't love a good festival? Mark your calendars for some of the best events and festivals in Maryland this summer!

13. Maryland SummerFest — Westminster

Location: Westminster, MD

Popularity: This is one of the most popular summer events in Maryland.

Need to know: The Maryland SummerFest is held on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum in lake August.

Maryland SummerFest is a fun family-friendly event featuring food, drinks, music, a children's area, and so much more! A great way to celebrate summer, this festival offers several ticket levels — there's general admission, a beer and wine sampling pass, a military pass, and a children's pass which is free for those 12 and under.

14. OC Air Show — Ocean City

Location: Ocean City, MD

Popularity: This is quite a popular event.

Need to know: This event is held in Ocean City which is quite crowded in the summer. Plan accordingly and book accommodations well in advance if you plan on attending the air show.

Held on a weekend in late August, the OC Air Show is another incredible family-friendly event in Maryland. Attending this event will allow you to see many incredible aircraft performances from the likes of the F22 Raptor Demo Team, the C-17 Globemaster III Demo, and the West Point Parachute Team.

15. ArtScape — Baltimore

Location: Baltimore, MD

Popularity: Very popular among residents and visitors alike.

Need to know: This event is free to attend.

ArtScape in Maryland happens to be the largest free art show in the world, and it's one you can't miss! Held in early August, festival attendees will be treated to live concerts, visual art experiences, comedy, literature readings, and so much more. This festival is bucket list-worthy and truly turns the city of Baltimore into quite a vibrant and colorful place.

What are some other favorite things to do in Maryland in summer? Do you enjoy camping, hiking, visiting a beach, spending time at a park, attending a festival, or all of the above? Let us know!

If you plan on taking a road trip in Maryland this summer, take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for everything you'll need. Have a great summer!