You still have plenty of time this summer to explore and enjoy Maryland. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are 50 things to do in Maryland for under $5.
- Visit the Baltimore Museum of Art – Free admission. https://artbma.org/
- Explore the historic town of Annapolis – Many attractions are free to visit. https://www.visitannapolis.org/
- Take a scenic walk along the Inner Harbor in Baltimore – Free. https://baltimore.org/what-to-do/museums-attractions/a-tour-of-baltimores-inner-harbor/
- Tour the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis – Free guided tours available. https://usna.edu/homepage.php
- Hike the trails at Patapsco Valley State Park – Entrance fee is typically $5 or less. https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/patapsco.aspx
- Visit the National Cryptologic Museum – Free admission. https://www.nsa.gov/museum/
- Enjoy the beautiful scenery at Great Falls Park – Entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. https://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm
- Tour the Maryland State House in Annapolis – Free. https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/visitor.html
- Explore the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum – Free on select days. https://cbmm.org/
- Visit the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum – Free on select days. https://www.borail.org/
- Attend a free concert or event at the University of Maryland, College Park. https://calendar.umd.edu/
- Discover the historic Antietam National Battlefield – Entrance fee is $5 per person. https://www.nps.gov/anti/index.htm
- Walk through the Brookside Gardens in Wheaton – Free admission. https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/
- Visit the American Visionary Art Museum – Admission is $5 or less on certain days. https://www.avam.org/
- Explore the Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore – Free. https://cylburn.org/
- Wander the ancient forest on Wye Island. Free. https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/WyeIsland/Trails.aspx
- Check out the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore – Free admission. https://thewalters.org/
- Visit the William Paca House and Garden in Annapolis – Garden Tour Admission is $5 or less. https://www.annapolis.org/other/visit-paca-house/
- Enjoy the sculptures at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center – Admission is $5 or less. https://www.annmariegarden.org/annmarie2/
- Visit the Patuxent Research Refuge – Free admission. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/patuxent-research
- Attend a free concert at Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis. https://www.aacounty.org/services-and-programs/concerts-in-the-parks-1
- Take a self-guided walking tour of Frederick’s historic district – Free. https://www.visitfrederick.org/
- Visit the Fire Museum of Maryland – Admission is $5 or less. https://www.firemuseummd.org/
- Explore Fort McHenry, Baltimore- Entrance fee is $15 per car. https://www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm
- Wander the gardens of the National Arboretum and see the old Capital columns. Free. https://www.usna.usda.gov
- Visit the National Electronics Museum – Admission is $5/student or less. https://www.nationalelectronicsmuseum.org/
- Explore the trails and wildlife at Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area – Free. https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/soldiersdelight.aspx
- Spend the day at a beach on the Chesapeake Bay. Mayo Beach Park. Free. https://yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/parks/aaco/park/mayo
- Take a self-guided art walk in Baltimore’s Station North Arts District – Free. https://www.stationnorth.org/
- Visit the animals and a farm-themed playground at Kinder Farm Park. $6/car entrance fee. https://www.aacounty.org/departments/recreation-parks/parks/kinder-farm/
- Attend a children’s theater production – Tickets can be $5 or less. https://www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org/shows-and-events/
- Explore the Wizard of Oz playground and Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Regional Park. Free. https://www.mncppc.org/3204/Watkins-Regional-Park
- Hunt for sharks’ teeth at Purse State Park. Free. https://stateparks.com/purse_state_park_in_maryland.html
- Attend a free or low-cost workshop at a local library or community center. https://www.AACPL.net
- See the latest exhibit, The Radical Voice of Blackness Speaks of Resistance and Joy presents multidisciplinary works of art by seventeen critically-acclaimed Black Maryland-based artists, including major works from the Banneker-Douglass Museum Fine Art Collection. Free. https://bdmuseum.maryland.gov/
- Take a self-guided walking tour of historic Ellicott City – Free. https://visitoldellicottcity.com/
- Spend some time bird watching at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. Free. https://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm
- Take a ride on a water taxi in Annapolis. Price varies. https://watermarkjourney.com/public-cruises-water-taxi/water-taxi/
- Explore the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center – Free admission. https://www.nps.gov/hatu/index.htm
- Visit the Carroll County Farm Museum – Admission is $5 or $10/family. https://carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org/
- Attend a local farmer’s market and sample fresh produce – Free admission. https://mda.maryland.gov/maryland_products/pages/farmers_market_dir.aspx
- Explore the play area at a mall. Free admission. https://wordpress-938214-4066445.cloudwaysapps.com/best-indoor-play-areas/
- Attend a community festival or fair with low-cost or free entry. https://wordpress-938214-4066445.cloudwaysapps.com/events-calendar/#!/
- Watch planes take off and land at the BWI Trail Playground. Free. https://wordpress-938214-4066445.cloudwaysapps.com/playgrounds-for-kids-of-all-ages/2/
- Take your family fishing. You can borrow fishing equipment from the library. https://wordpress-938214-4066445.cloudwaysapps.com/summer-fun-go-fishing-with-the-whole-family/
- Attend a low-cost art class or workshop at a local art center. https://www.marylandhall.org/ or https://www.chesapeakearts.org/
- Visit the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum – Admission is $5 or less. https://www.ocmuseum.org/
- Visit the Spark! where museum visitors become inventors at the National Museum of American History. Free. https://invention.si.edu/about-sparklab
- Attend a cheap dance class or social dance event with City Dock Tango. https://www.facebook.com/groups/citydockmilonga
- Enjoy a picnic in one of Maryland’s many beautiful parks – Park entrance fees are typically $5 or less. https://wordpress-938214-4066445.cloudwaysapps.com/best-places-for-a-picnic/
Use these suggestions to help with your budget-friendly adventures in Maryland!