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A Star-Spangled State Maryland
by
Alice Gregory
The distance between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. is
less than 150 miles, and it is perhaps tempting to hop on I-95 and rush from
one to the other but that would mean passing up the numerous treasures that are
found in the state of Maryland.
Three centuries of history and
landmarks that represent the Revolution, Civil War, the War of 1812, and the
birthplace of our national anthem are all found in this compact state.
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Maryland incorporates an area of just 10,000 square miles
and extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains. With the
magnificent Chesapeake Bay at its heart and the Atlantic Ocean its eastern
boundary, Maryland is all about water. Baltimore is a major port, Annapolis is
home to the U.S. Naval Academy and the Chesapeake (which comes from a Native
American word meaning great shellfish bay) provides the ingredients for
Marylands world-famous crab cakes.
A stop in Baltimore is a must. The
area is filled with history and there are great sights throughout the city, but
its Inner Harbor is the best place to begin any visit to Maryland's largest
city. Once a collection of ramshackle warehouses and abandoned factories
symbolic of urban decay, Baltimore's Inner Harbor is now a showplace of urban
renewal.
The Inner Harbor hosts many great attractions, restaurants and
shops. A highlight for visitors is the Showcase of Nations, which offers
colorful ethnic festivals each weekend from June to October. A favorite stop is
the National Aquarium, a five-story structure which houses an Atlantic coral
reef in a 335,000-gallon tank, a South American rain forest in a glass pyramid,
the Open Ocean where visitors can get an up-close look at several species of
sharks, and a 1.2-million-gallon dolphin habit.
At Pier 1 is the USS
Constellation, the last Civil War vessel still afloat and the last all-sail
warship built by the Navy. Many artifacts are displayed and visitors can try
their hand at turning the capstan and setting the sails.
For a personal
look at the people who have made Baltimore their home, groups can take a
walking tour through the charming neighborhoods of Little Italy, Union Square,
or Federal Hill, where 4,000 residents gathered to celebrate the ratification
of the Constitution in 1788.
From the Inner Harbor you can reach Fort
McHenry, which guards the entry to Baltimore's harbor, by boat (or by
motorcoach). This is where Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner"
during the War of 1812.
A flag of a different color flies at Pimlico
Race Course on race days. Home of the Preakness, this is the second jewel in
horse racing's Triple Crown. Pimlico is the second oldest race course in the
United States.
Another 19th-century event has evolved into the Baltimore
& Ohio Railway Museum. Started as a tradeshow exhibit for a major Baltimore
railroad, the museum has evolved into the best collection in the world of
American railroad rolling stock and railway memorabilia. Now a National
Historic Landmark and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, visitors
gain a sense of both the importance of the railway in Americas expansion and
also the elegance of railway travel in its heyday.
In Columbia, groups
are in for a treat at Tobys Dinner Theatre. Now in its 27th season, this
award-winning regional theatre offers groups Broadway-style entertainment in an
intimate setting.
This article is sponsored by:
www.grouptravelblog.com
About the Author: We are in
travel business and wants to provide information about the diffrent travel
destinations of United States of America.
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Latest News from Maryland
MARYLAND BRIEFING (Washington Post)
09/05/2008
A legislative panel yesterday questioned whether Maryland taxpayers are getting their money's worth from the state's police helicopter fleet, which transports 4,500 patients a year to trauma centers that release half of them within 24 hours.
Steffy injured, Turner to start at QB for Maryland (CBS Sportsline)
09/05/2008
Maryland quarterback Jordan Steffy has ligament damage in his right thumb, an injury that will sideline him for at least three weeks and return Chris Turner to the starting role.
Hanna could bring heavy rain, strong winds to Maryland (Baltimore Sun)
09/05/2008
Storm may reach Southern Maryland by Saturday morning, bring 3 to 6 inches of rain As forecasters tracked a string of powerful storms sweeping toward the East Coast -- one of which is expected to bring rain and high winds to Maryland tomorrow -- Gov. Martin O'Malley convened top officials of his administration yesterday for a briefing from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.
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