Family resorts and vacation ideas in Maryland
Maryland is a popular destination for family vacations, offering plenty of natural beauty across the state along with kid-friendly attractions and entertainment. Family attractions can be found year-round in Maryland, with parks, beaches, and zoos to explore in warm weather, plus fun on the water in Chesapeake Bay. Days with cooler weather are a great time to visit the plethora of museums and cultural sites across Maryland, like the Children’s Museum in Baltimore and the Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis. Learn about some of the best places to visit on a Maryland family vacation, including fun things to do with kids and great Maryland family resorts.
Family vacation at National Harbor
National Harbor is a bustling center of activity close to Washington, D.C., that is also a surprisingly great location for Maryland family vacations. In the waterfront district, you’ll find tons of kid-friendly activities, from riding the Ferris wheel and taking a spin on the carousel to strolling the boardwalk and enjoying waterfront dining. You can also enjoy kid-friendly tours and sightseeing cruises on the water around the harbor.
Downtown Maryland family resort: Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor
Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor is a Maryland family resort in a convenient downtown location, with local attractions within walking distance. Located 10 minutes south of Washington, D.C., most of the resort’s accommodations include a full kitchen, which is convenient for families traveling to the area. Resort amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, and a children’s play pool, plus game rooms and a movie theater.
Ocean City, Maryland, family vacation
Ocean City, Maryland, offers tons of things to do with kids, from beautiful beaches and boardwalk attractions to rides and family amusements. You can stop for seafood on the boardwalk, ride the Ferris wheel and carousel, and then pop into a sweets shop for handcrafted saltwater taffy. Ocean City also has multiple museums, historic landmarks, and cultural destinations, including the Harriet Tubman Park and Visitor Center and the Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum.
Maryland family beach resort: Coconut Malorie Resort at Ocean City
If you’re looking for a beachside Maryland family resort, check out the Coconut Malorie Resort at Ocean City. Many accommodations at the resort offer kitchenettes and balconies with either bayside or sea views. Resort amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as game rooms, and the resort is within easy walking distance of the beach, as well as restaurants and shopping.
Explore museums in Baltimore
You would need to spend weeks in the city to experience all of Maryland’s kids’ activities in Baltimore, from the National Aquarium and Maryland Zoo to the Science Center, Children’s Museum, and B&O Railroad Museum. Nature lovers will find plenty of beautiful outdoor activities in Patterson Park, the Inner Harbor, and Patapsco Valley State Park.
Join a pirate crew for a tour of Chesapeake Bay and Annapolis
Maryland offers family attractions galore around Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay, with the historic Maryland State House building and the U.S. Naval Academy and Museum. Take a stroll down historic Main Street for ice cream and sightseeing, and explore charming 18th-century buildings and churches. Adventure seekers can join a pirate crew for a tour on Chesapeake Bay in a pirate ship.
See wild horses on Assateague Island
Assateague Island is an iconic family attraction in Maryland and one of the last remaining places to see wild horses in the U.S. You can visit this wild barrier island on a day trip or obtain a camping permit to explore sandy beaches and wooded nature trails through marshes where wild horses roam freely.
Visit historic battlefields in Frederick
Frederick holds centuries of history within the city, including Civil War battlefields, historic buildings, and museums. You can tour the National Museum of Civil War Medicine or check out model trains at the Roads and Rails Museum. Tour old-world 18th-century homes and gardens, and visit the Frederick Armory with its towering medieval fortifications.
Experience colonial life in historic St. Mary’s City
St. Mary’s City is a living museum and the site of Maryland’s first capital where you can glimpse what early Colonial life was like. Explore historic buildings with character reenactments and demonstrations, along with a visitors center and museum. You can also step aboard a tall ship, explore a Colonial plantation, and visit an Indian hamlet.