(This article by Louisiana-based writer Kathie Rowell originally appeared in the June 2022 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)

With the Chesapeake Bay practically bisecting the state, it’s no wonder much of Maryland’s tourism centers around the water.

The largest estuary in the U.S., Chesapeake Bay is known for fishing, crabbing, swimming, boating, and sailing. Get a wind-in-your-face experience of the bay with Schooner Woodwind Sailing Cruises, which set off from Annapolis four times daily from April through October. Every trip passes by the U.S. Naval Academy.

“We let people raise the sails and steer the boat, as long as conditions allow it, or sit back and relax with a cold beverage,” said Jennifer Kaye, an owner/captain.

Kaye said Schooner Woodwind staff members also welcome questions about sailing. “We love inquisitive people, but if people just want to get their Instagram photo behind the wheel, that’s fine, too,” she said.

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For a kitschy good time, head to Ocean City and stroll its classic wooden boardwalk. You’ll find three miles of food, amusements, arcades, and shopping. In summer, there are often free family activities on the beach alongside the boardwalk. Don’t forget the saltwater taffy!

Love to ride the rails? Try a different kind of journey by “railbiking” with Tracks and Yaks  in Frostburg. Available as twoor four-seaters, the railbikes roll on steel railroad tracks that are not being used for trains. Because there’s no need to steer, you can take in the scenery. And don’t worry about the uphill sections — there’s a pedal assist to help out if necessary. Rest your legs with a trolley ride back to the start.

Civil War historians will appreciate a visit to Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg. On Sept. 17, 1862 — called “The Bloodiest Day in American History” — this pastoral setting was the site of a battle that left 23,000 soldiers dead, wounded, or missing. Rent an audio driving tour to better understand the battle and the markers, monuments, and cannons that dot the landscape. 

MARYLAND FOODIE FACT: If you’ve had your fill of seafood, try another Maryland favorite: pit beef. Cooking beef low and slow may be the standard for barbecue in most of the country, but here it’s fast and hot, resulting in meat charred on the outside and almost rare inside. Sliced thin, it’s often served with a creamy mayo-horseradish sauce. Try the Famous Pit Beef Sandwich at Chaps Pit Beef.