Maryland Tours

Top 10 Things to Do in Maryland

1. National Aquarium

   
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   To see the world from below the surface, you have to take a guided tour of the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. See such things as Blue Blupper jellyfish, the horseshoe crap, bottlenose dolphins and thousands of tropical fish. The National Aquarium is a non-profit organisation and endeavours to conserve the aquatic treasures of the world. It is not just aquatic animals to see while you are there either!

2. The Maryland State House

   
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   Take a guided tour of this State House which is the only one to have been used as the nation’s Capitol back in 1780’s. This house is the oldest State Capitol to be still in continuous legislative use. The Maryland General Assembly meet here for three months every year and the elected Governor, lieutenant governor, president of the state and speaker for the house of delegates all have their offices here. It still has memorabilia going back from when it first became a Capitol building.

3. Basilica of National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

   
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   This is the first Cathedral in America and also, in addition, to its status as a minor Basilica it is a National Shrine and a National Historic Landmark. Pope John Paul II said it was ‘the worldwide symbol of religious freedom’. On a guided tour of the Basilica, you get to see the stunning architecture and artwork.  Walking through this beautiful building, you are being told about its history. There is a very uplifting feel inside the Basilica.

    

    

4. Great Falls

   
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   Why not take a private tour to Great Falls where you will see a series of waterfalls and rapids on the Potomac River. Some people consider this to be the most spectacular natural landmark in the Washington D.C. area. The Falls are made up of the cascading rapids and a good few waterfalls of 20 feet or more. It is a fabulous place to spend some time with specialised areas where you can walk or trek around the waterfalls.

    

5. Fort Mc Henry

   
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   Fort Henry is situated in the south of Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay. It is because of what happened here in 1812 under the sight of the American Flag that gifted Francis Scott Key the inspiration to compose the now American anthem ‘The Star Spangled Banner’. A guided tour here will explain all the history and bring yo through the museum and amazing artefacts from the civil wars. The National Park is a fabulous place to picnic!

6. National Museum of Civil War Medicine

   
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   As usual museums go, this has to be up there, but it is probably one of the best museums you will ever take a private tour of. There is no other museum that follows the lives of soldiers, surgeons and nurses through the civil war times. See the hardship, terrible conditions and sacrifices they had to endure and the brilliant innovations they came up with to save soldiers lives, some of which are still saving lives today.

    

7. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts

   
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   This museum is one of the smallest in the United States and was set up by a lovely couple Anna and William Singer in 1931.

   Their aim was to collect and exhibit the great art to the people of Hagerstown and the surrounding area. By doing this, they were preserving great works and educating anyone who came to visit. They inspired many a young person to become artists. The museum became a member of the American Alliance of Museums in 1976.

    

    

    

8. Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo

   
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   A really great private tour to take is the one to Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo. The idea of this place is to broaden the understanding of people on Animals. On a trip around this park, you will see the likes of Bears, Llamas, monkeys, pythons among the 319 species of animals, amphibians and fish. It is brilliant for kids as there are times when they can feed the animals of pet some furry animals as well as snakes.

9. National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

   
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   This unique museum is one of the most dynamic culturally as it is only for the study and preservation of African American history. Baltimore was the first to open one in the U.S. in 1983. Originally it was a small building but had to move premises as interest in the museum grew faster than anyone expected. Their aim was to dispel myths of racial inferiority and superiority and to use role models and great leaders to inspire the young.

    

10. The John Hopkins University

    
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    It is always nice to take a guided tour of places that are historical but are still very much continuing being the same thing hundreds of years later. The John Hopkins University is just that. Still, a very popular university to be accepted into and it continues to follow the same strong ethics it was first set with. The main buildings are stunning in their Georgian style and house great pieces of art and sculptures.

     

Travel Tips for Maryland