Road Trip to Maryland for History, Art, and Antiques
When we at My Girlfriendships® saw that Maryland’s moniker is “America in Miniature” we knew we had to find out why.
Is it because it’s filled with rich American history (and if you’ve been with us for very long, you know how much we love history)?
Perhaps it’s because 16 of Maryland's 23 counties, as well as Baltimore, border the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay estuary and its many tributaries?
Wait. Is it because even though it’s one of the smallest states, it has more than 4,000 miles of shoreline?
Oh. It’s probably because there’s the variety of climates and topographical features. (Great skiing and beach resorts? Fantastic!)
We just say yes! For those reasons and so many more, Maryland is “America in Miniature”, which is why we’re exploring it...Baltimore and Salisbury to be exact. Let's go!
Baltimore
The area constituting today's Baltimore and its metropolitan area was settled in 1661 by David Jones (no, not that Davy Jones and not that Davy Jones either, though one of us did have a crush on him back in the day).
When looking for things to do in Baltimore, here are a couple of our suggestions:
What to Do
- Historic Ship Tour | Experience 19th century life at sea with one of the most impressive collections of military vessels in the world. Inner Harbor is an historic seaport, tourist attraction, and landmark of Baltimore. It’s located at the mouth of the Patapsco River on Thames Street. Make sure you venture across the river to Fort McHenry where our National Anthem was written.
- The National Aquarium | Weren’t able to go scuba diving while in St. Martin? Why not explore aquatic treasures from dry land at the National Aquarium? Their mission is to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures which begins within the walls of their buildings. But it doesn’t end there! They protect, enhance, and restore natural resources through education, habitat restoration, animal rescue, and sustainable business practices. The National Aquarium is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures.
Where to Stay
When visiting a harbor like you find in Baltimore, you can’t go wrong with a place near the water.
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The Hyatt Regency/Inner Harbor | Overlooking Inner Harbor, the convenience of this hotel cannot be overstated. The location is an easy walk to area museums, historic landmarks, and attractions like the National Aquarium and Camden Yards (for all our girlfriend baseball lovers).
- Waterfront Gem | Does your tribe like the Airbnb vibe? Then this is the spot for you and 9 of your besties! Check out this GORGEOUS townhome in a bustling neighborhood. There are 25 restaurants within one block, and you're just an easy walk or short drive to all the places that make Baltimore perfect for fun with your girls.
117 miles from Baltimore (including a 25 minute drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge), is the diverse city of Salisbury. Many historians believe its name was inspired by the City of Salisbury, England due to the similar physical attributes as well as the nationality of its founders. The city is host to a wide variety of events including the 3rd Friday, an event held in downtown Salisbury on, well, the third Friday of each month, celebrating local music, artists, and nonprofit organizations. So many options for a My Girlfriendships visit.
A couple of suggestions we like are:
What to Do
- Seasons Best Antiques | Imagine browsing this 50 dealer, 10,000 square foot antique mall with your girlfriends. A monthly highlight at Season’s Best is the Third Friday open house (in conjunction with downtown Salisbury’s Third Friday celebration). From 5 – 8 p.m. on the third Friday of each month, the store serves free wine and food with a seasonal theme, and the dealers have special sales of 10 to 30% off. Perfect since we at My Girlfriendships are always looking for deals. Free wine and food are an added incentive!
- Salisbury Escape Room | We LOVE escape rooms. This is the first and only escape room in Salisbury. You and your crew will find clues, solve puzzles, and unlock the mysteries of the room before time runs out. Teamwork is what we are all about, so this fits right into our plans. Are we right, girlfriends?
Where to Stay
- Gillis Grier Bed and Breakfast | What more appropriate place to stay while antiquing in Salisbury than the Gillis Grier Bed and Breakfast! This Victorian home is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and invites everyone to “Step back in time and stay at their historical Victorian Inn.” An additional treat is that every third Sunday of the month, they serve a variety of teas, pastry, and food options. All are fresh, low-sugar foods made from locally grown ingredients. Private bookings and parties are available which is what our girlfriendships® crew will be doing.
- Modern Riverfront Loft | Ready for more historic locations? This apartment is in an historic arts building. This magnificent space is a wide open vista of comfort and zen elegance. High ceilings, nine windows looking to the river, and a grand kitchen and dining area flowing into the welcoming living room. Original artwork compliments the 90° view of the river where tugboats dock out front. Walkable to the marina, restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Visit an intriguing gallery, shop, yummy cafe, or the pottery studio just downstairs.
Grab your group and Let’s Go!
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