Maryland Commemorates Harriet Tubman and the Heroes of the Underground Railroad

Marking the 170th anniversary of Harriet Tubman’s self-liberation from enslavement, and the 181st of Frederick Douglass’s self-liberation, Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed September as International Underground Railroad Month. With it, Maryland commemorates the history and the heroism of these and other brave Marylanders who risked all in the name of freedom along the Underground Railroad. Travel the Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway, visit important sites from the fight for freedom and equality across the state, and find events and commemorations on our website, and discover why Maryland is the most powerful Underground Railroad storytelling destination in the world.

Don’t Miss the National Folk Festival This Weekend in Salisbury

An American tradition since 1934, the National Folk Festival is in its second year of its three-year run in downtown Salisbury, September 6-8. Take in seven stages with continuous music and activities. Experience the best of Maryland folkways at the Maryland Traditions Folklife Area & Stage along with musicians, artists and foods from around the nation and the globe. Find out more at our National Folk Festival page.

Maryland’s Summer of Music Soars To Its Crescendo

The epic sounds of summer continue with just four festivals left as summer surges towards the big finale. Don’t miss the National Folk Festival in Salisbury September 6-8; the Chestertown Jazz Festival September 12-14; the Berlin Fiddlers Convention September 20-22; and the 45th annual Sunfest in Ocean City September 19-22 featuring Granger Smith, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and more finish out the Summer of Music. Get the lowdown on all the great tunes at Visit Maryland’s official Summer of Music page.

Make Your Plans Now for Autumn Glory and More Fall Fun

Hard to believe, but fall is almost here. Make your plans now for the 52nd Autumn Glory Festival, October 9-13 in Deep Creek. Meet Maryland’s fine feathered travelers with a birding excursion along the Great Atlantic Flyway. Get the jump on Halloween with a ghost tour for some super-spooky fall fun. Scream your head off at Six Flags America Fright Fest. Or see the state looking its best in an array of reds and golds along one of our unforgettable Scenic Byways.

Set Sail for These Iconic Chesapeake Traditions

Explore the length and breadth of the Chesapeake, America’s mid-Atlantic jewel, on the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop. Thrill to the site of elegant, white-hulled skipjacks racing for the title of “fastest in the fleet” at the Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race. And fill your belly with the Bay’s best at the Maryland Seafood Festival this weekend at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. These Chesapeake traditions are simply not to be missed.

Explore Maryland’s Civil War History with a New Interactive Map

On September 17, 1862, the bloodiest day in American history, Maryland was at the front lines of the Civil War as the United States of America fought the invading Confederacy for the soul of the nation in the battle of Antietam. Pitting brother against brother in a titanic struggle with nothing less than freedom at stake, the history of this great and terrible clash still reverberates through the hills and on the battlefields of Maryland, crossroads of the Civil War. Go to Visitmaryland.org to plan your Civil War excursion, and try this new interactive, GPS-based map produced by our partners at Civil War Trails to guide you on your way.

Get Out and Discover Maryland’s Trail System Second-to-None

Maryland maintains more than 485,000 acres of public land, not to mention National and State parks throughout the state. With great destinations like the GAP Trail, the C&O Canal, and the new Western Maryland Rail Trail extension, it’s no wonder we’ve earned the reputation as a hiking and biking paradise. Whether you’re looking for flat, manicured rail trails, or gnarly single-track mountain biking badlands, it’s always right around the corner here in Maryland. Let us know of your favorite trail @TravelMD on social media, or check out these great hiking and biking spots to get you started.

Celebrate Defenders’ Day on Maryland’s Star-Spangled Banner Byway

Celebrate America’s victory in the Battle of Baltimore with Defenders Day. Man the ramparts at Fort McHenry and experience the history of one of America’s greatest stories all through Maryland’s Chesapeake Country. Retrace the moments that nearly lead to the fall of a nation, and birthed our National Anthem along the beautiful Star-Spangled Banner Scenic Byway.

Don’t Miss Your Last Chance to Hit the Midway at These Awesome County Fairs

The prized pigs are at their prettiest. The fried Oreos are at their peak. That can only mean Maryland’s county fair season is reaching its climax with fairs in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, Frederick, and Worcester counties all ready to go. Go to Visitmaryland.org for more info on these great fairs.

Photo courtesy of @colinsaba-instagram

Enter to Win on Maryland Mondays!

Don’t miss your chance at free tickets for amazing events across the state. Every Monday on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, the Maryland Office of Tourism is joining with our sponsors to give away great Maryland travel experiences. We call them Maryland Mondays, but you can enter all week. This week's contest is for a pair of tickets to B'MORE TGIF Cruise, September 13, 20, or 27, or a pair of tickets to the Chesapeake Music Festival, September 14 at the Smithsonian Enviromental Research Center. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to enter.

Photo courtesy of Watermark Cruises