MAIN Travel North America USA Maryland

Granted a royal charter by Charles I in 1632, Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore named the new colony in honor of King Charles' wife, Queen Henrietta Maria.

The first in America to separate church and state - Maryland granted religious freedom to both Catholics and Protestants with the passage of the Toleration Act of 1649 - which was eventually reversed some 10 years later by a Puritan revolt.

Following the Revolutionary War, Maryland ceded land to form the boundaries of the nation's new capital in Washington DC.

The new nation was barely in its infancy, however, when the War of 1812 brought its old nemesis, the British, back to American soil. In their attempt to capture Baltimore, the British heavily bombarded Fort McHenry throughout the day and night of September 13, 1814.

But as eyewitness Francis Scott Key reported, the fort withstood the attack and by dawn "our flag was still there" inspiring the lyrics to America's national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

Today, in addition to its proximity to the nation's capital, Maryland's many tourist attractions include the US Naval Academy Museum at Annapolis, the coastal shore of Chesapeake Bay - famous for its crabs, oysters and clams and scenic beaches - including stops at Ocean City, and Assateague Island National Seashore with its unspoiled sand dunes and bands of wild horses.

In Baltimore, top family-friendly attractions include the Maryland Science Center at Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium.

Kid-friendly Baltimore

Along with hands-on fun at Baltimore's science museum and aquarium (see above), Baltimore's Port Discovery also offers toddlers and younger children wonderful activities and a chance to become part of the action at unique exhibits, games, and activities covering history, science and pop culture.

More history is on display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, a mecca for baseball fans of all ages; or, if it's too nice to be indoors make your way to Baltimore's Cylburn Arboretum for walks around the nature preserve featuring family-friendly activities and demonstrations throughout the year.

More about Maryland travel around the Web:

Maryland - Welcome - The official site featuring info on hotels & accommodations, restaurants, major tourist attractions, pictures, video clips, guides to cities and towns, historical background, kids activities, FAQ's, weather info, event calendar.

Baltimore.org - Check out neighborhood guides, pictures, fun facts, plus useful info on hotels and restaurants, getting around, major attractions, seasonal events.

Welcome to Southern Maryland- Maryland in the wild with a guide to nature trails, cultural attractions, maps, driving tours, and suggested itineraries.

Ocean City Maryland Chamber of Commerce - Maryland by the sea - with beach guides, events and activities, hotels, restaurants, driving directions, pictures, Ocean City maps, calendar of events, FAQ.