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This region of Maryland contains both its capital, Annapolis, and its most populous city, Baltimore.

Cities

Map
Map of Central Maryland

Other destinations

Understand

Get in

By plane

Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI IATA) is a major point of entry to the region, with the Southwest Airlines hub providing a lot of cheap flights from all over the country.

By car

The big highway running north-south is I-95, which runs up from D.C., past BWI, through Baltimore, and then up the coast through all the major East Coast cities.

Other important routes include I-70, which goes into Baltimore from Western Maryland; I-83, which runs north from Baltimore to York, Pennsylvania; I-97 between Baltimore and Annapolis; and US-50, connecting Annapolis to D.C.

By train

Amtrak is the major operator on the East Coast, and the Northeast Corridor, which runs between D.C. and New York, crosses the region, with notable stops (from south to north) at New Carrollton, BWI Airport, Baltimore, and Aberdeen.

By light rail

The MARC trains provide a light rail service between D.C. and the Delaware border, passing through the same stations as Amtrak, but with a few more stops, and lower passenger fares.

Get around

See

Sights in Central Maryland are concentrated in Baltimore and Annapolis. The biggest attractions are likely the Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium, the Annapolis State Capitol building, the Naval Academy (also in Annapolis), and more generally the Chesapeake Bay. There are plenty of other interesting attractions off the beaten path, though, like the National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade.

Do

  • Medieval Times — located in the Arundel Mills Mall complex
  • Merriweather Post Pavilion — large outdoor concert venue located in Columbia
  • Historic Ellicott City — shopping, antiques and restaurants in downtown Ellicot City

Community Events and Festivals

  • Maryland Renaissance Festival
  • Wine in the Woods — Located in Columbia at Symphony Woods, this annual event features wineries from across the state, live entertainment, food vendors, arts & crafts and live demonstrations on wines and food.

State Parks

Buy

  • Arundel Mills Mall — outlet mall
  • Historic Savage Mill — antique shopping

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

The most problematic city in this area is definitely Baltimore, but there are small steps one can take to reduce the chance of trouble.

Go next

This region travel guide to Central Maryland is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!