I've lived in Maryland for most of my life, and have seen many of the attractions that make Maryland a destination. It is a very diverse state and offers a variety of activities and sights to visit. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Western part of the state is home to Deep Creek Lake which is a regional vacation haven. Fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities abound there. Nearby Swallow Falls State Park is a great place to visit with its natural hemlock forest. While Cental Maryland is highly developed around Baltimore and Washington DC, there are great trails and parks for hiking and biking and other activities. The Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay are mostly rural and there is definitely a laid back atmosphere there. Blackwater Wildlife Refuge is a great place to get out and see the local wildlife.
Ocean City is a big resort city, which I personally don't care much for. However, some people truly do love it. Nearby though is Assateague Island, which is one of the nicest and definitely most unique beaches on the East Coast. It is worth the trip to see the wild horses of Assateague and the less crowded beach.
Baltimore is a great city for visitors. There is no need to be scared about its violent reputation. I've never heard of major problems with visitors and crime in the city. The Inner Harbor is a great place to walk around, and with the National Aquarium, Camden Yards, the Maryland Science Museum and more attractions, there is definitely enough things to keep a person busy for a few days. There is also a ton of nightlife in the Harbor, and Fells Point is a renowned neighborhood for its night life. In nice weather, the water taxi to Fort McHenry is a must for visitors. History fans will definitely enjoy the Fort and the story of Francis Scott Key's creation of The Star Spangled Banner.
Washington DC is not part of the state, but is located on land that Maryland gave to the Federal Government. It is centrally located and a very easy day trip from any point in Maryland. The Metro subway system reaches out into the DC suburbs and is clean and very easy to use, for those who don't want to deal with DC traffic.
