When to Go

The resort towns on the Atlantic, especially Fourth of July through Labor Day, are most popular in summer and usually quite crowded. The fringe season, May and especially September, is a great time to find cheaper rates, comfortable temperatures, and quieter beaches. Peak season for the Eastern Shore, Annapolis, and Southern Maryland is April through October, when the weather is clear for boating and the fish are biting. Most everything is open in Baltimore year-round, though because of its boating culture and baseball season, summer is the most popular and crowded time to visit. May and fall bring the convention crowds to Baltimore, but the sunny, less humid weather makes a visit more comfortable. Western Maryland attracts visitors year-round, though spring can be too cool and soggy. Fall is magnificent, especially around mid-October; when it snows, winter is beautiful; summers are cooler here than in the rest of the state. Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley are year-round destinations.

Most attractions offer festivals and events year-round. Expect summer temperatures to be slightly higher on the southern Eastern Shore and on the coast. Remember that monthly averages can be deceiving: Even though the average temperature in Baltimore during July is 77°F (25°C), days in the 90s (32°C and up) are common.