USA TODAY 10Best
Best Maryland Attraction: Readers vote U.S. Naval Academy as #1
Best Maryland Attraction (2017)
Situated at the crossroads between the North and the South, it's easy to see why Maryland has the nickname 'America in Miniature.' This diverse state has a little bit of everything – the cultural appeal of Baltimore, Appalachian Mountains to the west, sandy beaches to the east and the scenic Chesapeake Bay (with its famous blue crabs).
We asked a panel of Maryland travel writers to nominate their favorite state attractions, and for the past four weeks, our readers have been voting for their favorites. The results are in!
The top 10 winners in the category Best Maryland Attraction are as follows:
- American Visionary Art Museum - Baltimore
- Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park - Church Creek
- AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center - Silver Spring
- Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum - Baltimore
- Deep Creek Lake - Swanton
- Historic St. Mary's City
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Baltimore
- Chestertown
- U.S. Naval Academy - Annapolis
Photo courtesy of Maryland Office of Tourism Development
No. 10:
Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum celebrates unbridled creativity in all its forms through a collection of colorful and innovative pieces of self-taught or "outsider" art. The museum comprises two buildings and a pair of sculpture gardens filled with whimsical works.
Photo courtesy of Ray Paterra/USFWS
No. 9:
With three major habitats – marsh, shallow water and forest – Maryland's Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge harbors an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. As a designated Internationally Important Birding Area and a Wetland of International Importance, Blackwater provides a crucial sanctuary for migratory waterfowl along the Atlantic Flyway. The refuge has earned the nickname "Everglades of the North," and visitors can experience it via a paved Wildlife Drive, hiking trails, paddling trails and a bike route.
Photo courtesy of NPS Photo/ Beth Parnicza
No. 8:
A new addition to the national park system, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park celebrates the life of the woman responsible for guiding nearly 70 enslaved people to safety – at great risk to herself – before the Civil War.
Photo courtesy of Ken Stanek Photography
No. 7:
The American Film Institute's Silver Theatre and Cultural Center was created by Montgomery County citizens as a place to celebrate both artists and audiences. Housed within a historic 1938 movie house, the space features two stadium theaters, as well as an exhibit area.
Photo courtesy of Maryland Office of Tourism Development
No. 6:
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum sits on the same site where the famous railroad was founded. The collection includes more than 120 full-sized locomotive engines, as well as a whole host of train memorabilia.
Photo courtesy of Maryland Office of Tourism Development
No. 5:
Deep Creek Lake, the largest lake in the state, features 69 miles of shoreline in the hills of Western Maryland. Most visitors access the lake through Deep Creek Lake State Park, where it's possible to go boating, swimming, hiking or, in the winter, cross country skiing.
Photo courtesy of Maryland Office of Tourism Development
No. 4:
This living history museum brings to life 17th century Maryland. Visitors can board a historic tall ship, tour a plantation household, play colonial games and interact with a host of costumed interpreters.
Photo courtesy of Keith Allison / Flickr
No. 3:
Home of the Baltimore Orioles, Oriole Park and Camden Yards sits on the bucket list of many a baseball fan. Whether or not it's a game day, visitors can look for brass baseballs in the sidewalks outside the stadium, marking where home runs have landed, or pay respect to the greats along the Orioles Hall of Fame.
Photo courtesy of Maryland Office of Tourism Development
No. 2:
A major port during America's colonial days, Chestertown today maintains a collection of 18th century houses and buildings second in the state only to Annapolis. These structures now house inns, restaurants, independent bookstores and boutiques, lined up along the cobbled streets.
Photo courtesy of Maryland Office of Tourism Development
No. 1:
Annapolis' United States Naval Academy is one of the most selective undergraduate universities in the nation. On formation weekdays, visitors can watch as 4,000 midshipmen and -women perform a military march. The onside Naval Academy Museum highlights America's naval history.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Judy Colbert, Rachel Cooper, Mary Ann Treger and Michael Ventura were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of travel in Maryland.
Congratulations to all these winning attractions.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Judy Colbert
Judy Colbert is an award-winning author and... Read More
Judy Colbert is an award-winning author and photographer who specializes in travel, particularly the mid-Atlantic area. Her most recent book is 100 Things to Do in Baltimore Before You Die. She’s also authored or co-authored Peaceful Places Washington, DC, Chesapeake Bay Crabs cookbook, It Happened in Maryland, It Happened in Delaware, Maryland and Delaware Off the Beaten Path, and Virginia Off the Beaten Path. Her current interest is the culinary options available on cruise ships, riverboats and around the planet. Follow her on Twitter.
Judy Colbert
Judy Colbert is an award-winning author and photographer who specializes in travel, particularly the mid-Atlantic area. Her most recent book is 100 Things to Do in Baltimore Before You Die. She’s also authored or co-authored Peaceful Places Washington, DC, Chesapeake Bay Crabs cookbook, It Happened in Maryland, It Happened in Delaware, Maryland and Delaware Off the Beaten Path, and Virginia Off the Beaten Path. Her current interest is the culinary options available on cruise ships, riverboats and around the planet. Follow her on Twitter.
Mary Ann Treger
Mary Ann Treger is a regular contributor to Style... Read More
Mary Ann Treger is a regular contributor to Style magazine. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Marie Claire, Women's Day, Washingtonian, The Washington Times, Gulfshore Life, The Georgetowner and The Daily Telegraph in the U.K. Mary Ann enjoys writing about travel experiences that linger long after the trip ends.
Mary Ann Treger
Mary Ann Treger is a regular contributor to Style magazine. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Marie Claire, Women's Day, Washingtonian, The Washington Times, Gulfshore Life, The Georgetowner and The Daily Telegraph in the U.K. Mary Ann enjoys writing about travel experiences that linger long after the trip ends.
Michael Ventura
Michael Ventura lives only five miles from his... Read More
Michael Ventura lives only five miles from his childhood home of Bethesda, Maryland, but that has not kept him from exploring the corners of the Earth. Since the early 1980’s he have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, the USA and many other parts of the world, photographing people, cultures and anything that makes a destination unique. His work has been published in numerous magazines and newspapers, including National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Caribbean Travel & Life and Washingtonian. Michael's home base is Silver Spring, Maryland and is an active member in the Society of American Travel Writers. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
Michael Ventura
Michael Ventura lives only five miles from his childhood home of Bethesda, Maryland, but that has not kept him from exploring the corners of the Earth. Since the early 1980’s he have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, the USA and many other parts of the world, photographing people, cultures and anything that makes a destination unique. His work has been published in numerous magazines and newspapers, including National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Caribbean Travel & Life and Washingtonian. Michael's home base is Silver Spring, Maryland and is an active member in the Society of American Travel Writers. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
Rachel Cooper
Rachel Cooper is a freelance writer and author... Read More
Rachel Cooper is a freelance writer and author with extensive knowledge of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She is the author of Images of Rail: Union Station in Washington, DC and the co-author of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Washington, D.C. Rachel has written thousands of travel related articles for local and regional publications including About.com (now TripSavvy.com), Washingtonian, Montgomery Parks, ApartmentGuide.com, Conde Nast Traveler, Grandparents.com and Washington Parent.
Rachel Cooper
Rachel Cooper is a freelance writer and author with extensive knowledge of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She is the author of Images of Rail: Union Station in Washington, DC and the co-author of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Washington, D.C. Rachel has written thousands of travel related articles for local and regional publications including About.com (now TripSavvy.com), Washingtonian, Montgomery Parks, ApartmentGuide.com, Conde Nast Traveler, Grandparents.com and Washington Parent.
