Recreation & Entertainment

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Maryland provides many opportunities for recreation and entertainment, despite its small size. With the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean so prevalent along its shores, the Old Line State offers many maritime endeavors. Assateague Island is a barrier island famed for its wild ponies; camping, fishing, and kayaking opportunities abound here as well. Nearby, Ocean City, with its top-ranked boardwalk and ten miles (16.1 kilometers) of beach, provides the quintessential beach town experience for people of all ages. Other coastal adventures include fishing for Maryland Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) either on the Bay or the Potomac River, whale and dolphin watching on the Atlantic, and boating along any of the waterways. One must-see event for boaters is the Annapolis Sailboat Show, in the state capital of Annapolis, which is held every October and displays a broad range of sailboats and other watercraft.

Outdoor enthusiasts benefit from the natural wealth of Maryland, including hiking the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which wends its way through the Old Line State. Other outdoor splendors include Cunningham Falls State Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, and Deep Creek Lake State Park.

More urban pursuits can be had in Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland. Many museums abound, including the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, established in 1916, continues its legacy of international acclaim. Baltimore’s CENTERSTAGE theater is the city’s premier theater, attracting over 100,000 people per season to its shows. Outside of Baltimore, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra performs in Hagerstown. The capital city, Annapolis, offers the Annapolis Maritime Museum among many other cultural attractions in this sailing capital.

Nature lovers can indulge in the world-renowned Baltimore Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center.

History buffs will gain much from visiting the many historical locales of Maryland, including Antietam National Battlefield and Antietam National Cemetery. Other famous sites include the Fort McHenry National Monument, birthplace of "The Star-Spangled Banner", and a tour of the USS Constellation.

Sports fans can appreciate Maryland’s professional teams, such as the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball and the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.

With such plentiful recreation and entertainment available, Maryland offers much to enjoy within its borders.

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