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Ramblin' Pines Family Campground & RV Park Woodbine, Maryland |
Maryland: Take a trip from the doorstep of the nation’s capital to a legendary Atlantic hotspot
From some of the East Coast’s most diverse cities to one of its most iconic boardwalks, this trip combines the best the Mid-Atlantic has to offer. Explore the Washington Mall, Baltimore’s charming harbor and Ocean City’s bustling boardwalk, all while staying out of the fray in bayside communities. The Chesapeake never felt so welcoming.
Drive 304.2 miles, 5 hours, 35 minutes
1. College Park
Starting Point
This Beltway city is the perfect launch pad for exploring Washington D.C. Getting to D.C. is a breeze—a 30-minute drive or metro ride will get you to the Mall, so day trips and quick visits are easy to plan. Try the monuments and museums during the day and one of the city’s innovative new seasonal restaurants for dinner.
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2. Abingdon
55.8 miles, 49 minutes
Nestled on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, this town gives you the opportunity you divide your time between rural life, seaside adventures and day trips to Baltimore. Step back in time on a visit to nearby Jerusalem Mill Village or the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center at Otter Point Creek. For dinner, head to the Inner Harbor neighborhood in nearby Baltimore to dine on the famous steamed blue crabs while taking in a sunset over the Bay.
3. Rock Hall
87.6 miles, 1 hour, 28 minutes
Staying true to its small harbor town roots, Rock Hall is the perfect place to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of Bayside life. Known as the “Pearl of the Chesapeake,” the area features delicious casual dining and relaxing forays into the outdoors. For birdwatchers, the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to spot migratory water birds, from herons to tundra swans. After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the outdoors, retire to one of dockside restaurants for fresh off-the-boat seafood. Better yet, book a reservation for one of the many charter boats that leave from the marina for a chance to catch your own seafood.
4. Nanticoke
110.8 miles, 2 hours, 13 minutes
With a secluded beach and small-town vibe, Nanticoke is a great place to disappear from it all for a while. Bordered by the Chesapeake Forest Lands, the area is also primed for hiking, biking and bird watching. Known for its hunting and fishing opportunities as well, the rich, old-wood forest draws outdoors people from across the region. Photographers can check off a bucket-list opportunity by making the 90-minute drive to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, a tidal marsh world-renowned for its flora and fauna. It’s a top destination for nature photographers.
RECOMMENDED STOPOVERS
Fort Whaley RV Resort & Campground
Whaleyville, MD
(888) 322-7717
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5. Ocean City
50 miles, 1 hour, 5 minutes
No Maryland trip would be complete without a stop in Ocean City. One of the country’s most quintessential summer destinations, it’s also home to one of its most famous boardwalks. Packing delicious food, shops and amusement rides into the most exciting 3 miles you’ll find on the east coast, the OC boardwalk is one of a kind. Fun late nights are easy to come by, but try waking early to enjoy the spectacular sunrises on the Atlantic horizon.