Day Trips and Weekend Excursions Families can Take Together

Explore some of these resources to plan a family getaway to Bay–related locations.

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

This useful site can help you choose your Bay-related destinations with ease. You can choose to search for locations by theme, geographic area, event, activity, or type. Several featured tours are already available, including a Bay-related journey exploring watermen and the Bay.

Maryland State Parks

From this map, you can find state-supported parks in all regions of the state—not only near the Bay, but also throughout the watershed.

As an example, take a look at Asssateague State Park in Berlin, Maryland’s only ocean park.

Maryland Wildlife Management Areas

From this map, you can link to any of Maryland’s 42 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), which are managed for the benefit of Maryland’s wildlife. They also provide great opportunities for outdoor recreation as well

You may want to start your exploration of Maryland’s WMAs with a look at Sidling Hill Wildlife Management Area in Big Pool, one of the best rock exposures in the northeastern United States.

National Parks in Maryland

The National Park Service maintains several sites throughout Maryland. Each offers a unique look at the history and environment of the state. Links here will take you to sites such as The Appalachian Trail and Catoctin Mountain Park.

National Wildlife Refuges in Maryland

Maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these areas are havens for wildlife and people who enjoy a whole host of outdoor activities, from birdwatching and environmental education to hunting and fishing.

The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge is one of these areas. It’s the home of one of the largest bald eagle populations on the east coast. You can always visit the refuge virtually, looking through its osprey and eagle cams.

Cities and towns on the Bay

The Maryland Office of Tourism website offers links to county and city web sites throughout the site, helping you find locations to explore throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.