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Wow! I have no idea how we’re already in August! I had so many hopes and dreams for this summer, but here we are- thinking about back to school. Traveling during the summer is difficult for us because my husband works at a boating store, so that’s pretty much where he spends his summer.

At the beginning of summer, I went to an event for Maryland bloggers called Maryland Blogger Bash. I had a great time hanging out with my blogging friends and checking out all of the awesome things you can do around my home state. In my head, I made a wishlist of things I wanted to visit, but just haven’t gotten around to yet.

Did you know Maryland is often called “America in Miniature”? You can find just about everything in our awesome little state, except for a dessert- we have water pretty much everywhere! If you’re from Maryland, a nearby state, or just coming to visit, you’ll want to read on to find out some fun things for your family to do throughout Maryland!

Before hitting the road for any road trip, we get our oil changed. That’s something my grandfather taught me a long time ago and while I do not take care of my car anywhere near as good as he did, I DO make sure I get my oil changed on time, and certainly before a long road trip.

Honestly, I opt for Walmart’s Automotive Care Center (find yours here) for our oil changes. It means I can drop the car off, head inside and shop around Walmart while I’m waiting. Sitting inside a car place for an hour or so is not ideal with little ones, but we all know I need a few things from the store at all times.

I don’t put too many miles on the car on a daily basis, but each road trip to Kentucky (to visit my sister and grandparents) puts close to 2,000 miles on it and any smaller trips we take add up quickly. For cars with over 75,000 miles, you’re going to want to use Pennzoil’s High Mileage® motor oil. It helps clean out the sludge lesser oils leave behind, while helping to reduce leaks and oil consumption in worn or higher mileage engines. The goal is to keep those road trips on schedule and make them successful for your family! Right now, High Mileage is on Rollback to $35.88 (normally $39.88) until September 28.

Maryland Road Trip

Eastern Shore

I’ll start out with my own county first! In Cecil County, you can visit Plumpton Park Zoo for a couple hours of family fun. I like it because it’s small enough for the little ones to enjoy without taking up the whole day. You can take a walk through Main Street in North East, MD to visit the small shops, eat lunch at Woody’s, and be sure to grab some chocolates from North East Chocolates.

Farther down the Eastern Shore, you’ll find Assateague Island. It has been several years since we’ve been, but it’s definitely something I want to do with the boys now. You can camp, hang out with the ponies, and enjoy the beach!

Of course, there is plenty of beach on the Eastern Shore in Ocean City, MD, but there is so much more than that! Head to Crisfield, MD for the National Hard Crab Derby & Fair in September, experience the Old West in Frontiertown, or charter a boat for some of the best fishing in the world on the Chesapeake Bay.

In Queen Anne’s County, you’ll find the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, a 510 acre wildlife preserve with habitats ranging from freshwater ponds and wetlands to forests and meadows.

And something I always enjoyed with my grandfather, Crumpton Auction. It’s been in business since 1961 and is one of the largest discovery auctions with acres and acres of antiques and unique items.

Capital Region

Just outside of Washington D.C., Central Maryland has a lot to offer. I know the boys would absolutely love to visit the Goddard Space Flight Center in Prince George’s County. I mean, how cool is that?

In Montgomery County, we have the National Capital Trolley Museum on our list! I know the kids would love exploring antique trolley cars and going on a trolley ride.

If your family is into history like ours, you’ll want to add Frederick County to your road trip! Just outside of Frederick, Monocacy National Battlefield was the site of a battle which played a pivotal role in defending our nation’s capital in 1864. And what history buff doesn’t love a good battlefield?

Western Maryland

Whenever we travel in Western Maryland, I love stopping at Sideling Hill. As a family, we have stopped here for a break to stretch legs, use the bathroom, and to nurse the little one. We always stop here to walk up the path for a closer look at the amazing layers of rock! The welcome center reopened in 2015, so it’s now an even better one-stop shop along your road trip through Maryland.

If you have kids that love history, you’ll find lots of it in Western Maryland! Your family may enjoy the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, Antietam National Battlefield, and Hagerstown Aviation Museum.

For a little more adventure: visit Whitetail Resort for skiing/snowboarding and fly fishing, enjoy the beach at Greenbrier State Park, or go horseback riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Southern Maryland

Of course if you visit during the summer, you have to visit the Chesapeake Beach Water Park!

While in Calvert County, the kids may enjoy The Spaceflight America Museum and Science Center at the Arthur Storer Planetarium in Prince Frederick. They can check out flight suits, medals, and tools from various NASA missions!

You can also take a watermen’s tour to visit four Chesapeake Bay lighthouses! Or maybe you’d rater a historical War of 1812 cruise on the Patuxent River.

St. Mary’s County has the youngest population in the state (median age 35), so you can always find something going on here. There are lighthouses to tour, boats to charter, and five gorgeous water-based state parks to relax at. If you’re able to, make it to St. Mary’s County for the Annual U.S. Oyster Festival to view shucking competitions, try tasty oyster recipes, and celebrate the county’s Chesapeake Bay heritage with family activities and music.

Central Maryland

With Baltimore and Annapolis both in Central Maryland, you’re sure to find something here! Baltimore is full of fun attractions for families including the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland Zoo, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, and Maryland Science Center. I have also added Geppi’s Entertainment Museum to our list. It’s a pop culture museum full of our favorite icons and heroes! The B&O Railroad Museum is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages because it’s full of fun history, plus there is an area just for kids!

You can visit Medieval Times in Arundel Mills for some action with dinner. Tom and I have been, but we have not taken the boys yet. Again, it’s on my list!

When the boys get a bit older, I know we’ll be heading to the Autobahn Indoor Speedway in Jessup, MD. While you’re in Howard County, check out the Robinson Nature Center and Terrapin Adventures.

Annapolis, the state capital, is a great place to check out the sailboats and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Have you been to Maryland or are you from Maryland? What are some of your favorite places to visit with the family?