WHAT ABOUT MARYLAND??
 

<BR>I"m going to Maryland next week. I wanted to know, what is a good tourist attraction there? where's the best seafood? <BR>Anyone have any good experiences??

Becky, welcome to my state. You don't say where you are going to be in Maryland, but if you are able to, you must visit Annapolis. In addition to being our capital, it is just a charming little city. You can't go wrong with the seafood there. I would recommend a restaurant, but I seem to have this inability to keep track of the restaurants I visit (very bad habit). Baltimore is always a fun visit as well. There really are so many possibilities. Can you be more specific on where you are going to be and for how long? <BR>

<BR>I am going to be in Montgomery County - about 30min from Baltimore. I don't mind traveling to Annapolis to see some sites. I'll be in MD for about 10 days.

Use the new search function of this forum and check for text of "seafood" and location of "Maryland". Should yield a few things of interest, particularly description of an interesting island in the Chesapeake Bay that may be reached by ferry from the VA side or by any number of day charters from the MD shore area. We just returned from a weekend in Oxford, near Easton and St. Michael's on the eastern shore. If you'd like to spend a few hours or a day in a quaint, non-touristy area that is truly laid back and unpretentious, I highly recommend Oxford. It was my first trip to the area and it abounds in rural charm, farm markets,friendly people and boats (there are 6 marinas in Oxford, which has a population of 700!), not to mention anything and everything made of crab!. It presents a marked contrast to the busy nature of Annapolis and Oldtown Alexandria (both of which I also highly recommend as fun places to visit). Check the web for info on Talbot County MD and you'll find lots of helpful info on the shore areas.

Becky, I also live in Montgomery County. Actually, it is more than 30 minutes from Baltimore - more like 45. However, you should definitely get there. As the previous message mentioned, the Eastern Shore area is worth a visit. St. Michael's is a cute town and a definite contrast to touristy Baltimore. Perhaps you can find the time to spend a night in that area. I still believe that no trip to MD is complete without a visit to Annapolis. Of course, having 10 days, you will want to get into DC at some point. Email me if you want more detailed info, particularly on Montgomery County and DC.

The National Aquarium and the Science Center are great places to see (you can do both in one day.) They are in our Inner Harbor. You'll get a loud debate about where to eat the best Seafood - we are known for our steamed crabs and the Inner Harbor has Phillip's in the Light St. pavillion, and O'Breckey's is not far away on Pratt street; they are both good. There are local bumper stickers that advise you to "Eat Bertha's Mussels "- in Fells Point very near the Inner Harbor. Bertha's used to have High Tea @ 4 p.m. weekdays, check if they still do, and wear your blue jeans, posh, it's not, good it is! You may need 24 hours reservations ahead of time... <BR>Feel free to e-mail me with more questions.

Becky: PS: check out Wes Fowlers answers posted in this column - an excellent set of suggestions. <BR>

assateague island national seashore is <BR>a real treat if you are into naturalist <BR>type situations. it is just outside of <BR>ocean city and very beautiful. just <BR>outside of maryland is the virginia side <BR>of assateague which has a nature walk <BR>from bay to beach, bicycle trails, <BR> <BR>

Another Montgomery County person here. We visit Baltimore and DC often, often we head to Fells Point...it is a lot of fun (the NBC just cancelled ;-( drama <BR>Homicide was filmed there for many years). There are fun shops and some good restaurants. You may want to take in Camdem Yards, home of the Orioles. It is a lot of fun. The Aquarium in the Inner Harbor is awesome. Try to go on a weekday. It costs about $12, but is really worth it. You can see where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. A charming little town to visit is Ellicott City. It has antique shops, and several terrific little restaurants. It is just East of Montgomery County. <BR> <BR>If you've never been to DC, take the Metro downtown and see the sights there.

I live in Fairfax County, Virginia, which is only about 15 minutes from Montgomery County. Baltimore is fun, and Annapolis makes for a nice day. But beware of Seafood. Maryland has had many problems in the last few years, and I question whether the seafood you eat is fresh or frozen, shipped in from somewhere else.

Seeing as Becky posted this question last August, maybe we should be asking her how it was and where she ate. <BR> <BR>

We used to live in Columbia, MD a few years ago and I wholeheartedly agree that a visit to Annapolis is a must. It is beautiful. There is a little spot called Chic-n-Ruth's (I might be mistaken on the spelling but the pronunciation is correct)located right in the heart of the city. It has been there forever and is famous for milkshakes and egg creams. The actual food you can skip but you have to try the ice cream. <BR> <BR>