Destination attractions things to do in maryland

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

If vacation planning time looms on the horizon, or youre just in need of a get-away, treat yourself to the wonders of Maryland. With its numerous attractions and activities, this is one state that youve got to see. For those who may be unfamiliar with the territory, here are a few suggestions that will add some excitement to your journey.

Youre never too old to enjoy a great amusement park, and Six Flags America C located in Annapolis, Maryland C is packed with thrilling rides that will satisfy even the most daring of folks. For those who are interested in the more frenetic amusements, the park offers Two-Face: The Flip Side, Krypton Comet, The Wild One, Typhoon Sea Coaster, Renegade Rapids, Roar and a variety of others. If you need something a bit tamer, theres The Octopus, Alpine Bobs, the Carousel, Shipwreck Falls and Teacups. The waterpark provides a full day of fun when the temperature rises, sporting The Deer Park Plunge, Tahiti Twister, Black Hole, Caribbean Cannonball Flume and Monsoon Lagoon, just for starters. A number of shows and special events are offered on a regular basis, and there are numerous game windows and food vendors on the premises.

Ocean City is home to Ripleys Believe it or Not C den of the truly bizarre. Youll have no trouble finding this attraction; one corner of the building is skewered by a huge shark, complete with moving head and tail. Five hundred exhibits are contained within this mammoth 10,000 square foot structure, including oddities such as torture chamber devices, a shrunken head, Dexter the Robot and a rollercoaster constructed with toothpicks. Since Ripleys is known for incorporating curiosities into the structure of its buildings, dont be surprised by anything you see as you tour through this surreal environment. Due to the size of the museum, prepare for a great deal of walking by wearing comfortable shoes.

Civil War enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Antietam National Cemetery in Sharpsburg, Maryland. This massive site, measuring over 3,200 acres, is the final resting place of 4,776 Union soldiers. In addition to the more conventional stone etchings, youll see a number of graves that are the final resting places of unknown soldiers. According to the inscribed number on some of these small stones, various graves contain more than one unknown occupant. Graves of those who fell during the Spanish-American War, World War I, Word War II and Korea are also present in the cemetery. The graves of African American World War I soldiers are located in a remote corner on the path that led to Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation. In the center of the cemetery, youll see a 250-ton statue of a Union Infantryman C known to locals as Old Simon C standing 44 feet, 7 inches tall as a memorial to the fallen soldiers. The inscription reads, Not for themselves, but for their country.

Another Civil War Era site of interest is The National Museum of Civil War Medicine, located in Frederick, Maryland. Aside from a number of displays, which include Camp Life, Evacuation of the Wounded, Field Dressing Station, Field Hospital and Embalming Exhibit, the museum is also host to a number of special collections, such as a Surgeons Letter (written to the newly widowed wife of a soldier killed in combat), The Squibb Pannier and a Wooden Stretcher Bed. Special events are also offered on a regular basis and may include presentations such as Mary Todd Lincoln: Victim of History; The Battlefield Embalmer; Camp Life and Confederate Soldiers; and Museums by Candlelight. New exhibits are occasionally added, which makes this a worthwhile trip, even if youve toured the museum in the past.

Baltimore is the place to be, if youre interested in the unusual and dont want to pay much to see it. The American Dime Museum is a collection of bizarre C and sometimes disturbing C oddities and side-show relics. Youll definitely be intrigued by the variety of items in this facility, and are encouraged by the proprietor to take pictures of them. Among the sites that you can expect to see are a collection of mummified people and creatures, conjoined twin baby dolls, an alligator-riding squirrel, a snake-entwined mongoose and a great deal more. Special events are also held at the museum, some of which have included an art exhibition by Betsy the Finger-Painting Chimp; Profiles in Peculiar; and Fantasmagora. While the American Dime Museum was so named because of its original 10 cent admission, inflation has elevated the cost to $5.00 per adult, as of September, 2004.

Baltimore is also home to The Great Blacks in Wax Museum C dedicated to highlighting significant African Americans throughout history and the achievements that made them notable. Included among the exhibits are wax representations of Cowboy Bill Picket, Civil War soldiers, The Underground Railroad, Men of the Civil Rights Era, Into the Hold C The Slaveship Experience and Educators, to name a few. Perhaps one of the most interesting exhibits depicts a slave thats nailed himself into a crate and sent himself through the mail in order to gain his freedom. In addition, the museum offers special events, youth initiatives and volunteer experiences. This is a very unique attraction and deserves the attention of anyone whos planning to visit Maryland. You might be surprised at how little you know about the actual history of African Americans.

Accident, Maryland is the site of the Cove Run Farms Corn Maze C a ten acre wonder thats an absolute delight to navigate through. Intricate mazes are cut into the cornfields each year, allowing those who are brave of heart to walk the maze and successfully reach their destination. The theme of the maze changes each year, so if youve visited the maze in past years, youll have a brand new challenge awaiting you. For those who are braver still, bring a flashlight and try the maze at night. Since the maze covers ten acres of land, theres extensive walking, so be prepared to spend quite a bit of time. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for this attraction. Since Cove Run Farms is a working dairy farm, you might also get a peek at a Holstein or two. Also on the premises, youll find picnic areas, toileting facilities, a concession stand and some souvenirs for the folks back home.

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad C located in Cumberland C offers expeditions in your choice of a steam or diesel locomotive to see the sights of Maryland. In addition to these daytime jaunts, special evening events are held on a regular basis throughout the year. Whether youre interested in a Dinner Train, Train Robbery or Murder Mystery, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad will provide a great evening of entertainment. Among the many events are Ghost of the Queen City; Death by Chocolate; and Fat Free and Fatal. The Christmas season also offers special events, such as Ho Ho Homicide and Scrooge C A Killer Christmas Carol, for those of who you may be planning a winter vacation. This is a tourist attraction that has something for everyone and is highly recommended.

There are many more attractions in Maryland, offering a great deal in the way of diversified entertainment. For further information on these or other tourist spots, contact the Department of Tourism or your local travel agent.