10 Most Welcoming Towns In Maryland's Countryside

Maryland might be famous for big cities like Baltimore, known for its vibrant culture and thriving culinary scene, but step outside the major urban hubs and you'll encounter a charming array of adorable towns and villages that don't get much fanfare. These countryside gems are custodians of Maryland's untamed natural beauty, shadowed by rolling mountains, dense forests, vast lakes, and secluded shorelines. Together, they provide an authentic experience that highlights the true heart and soul of the Old Line State. From watching live theater in Easton to sailing on the Chesapeake Bay in Crisfield, here are some of the most welcoming towns in Maryland's countryside.

Pocomoke City

Known as "the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore," Pocomoke City is an inviting community in Worcester County with a lovely mix of historical charm and creative heritage, just 40 miles from Ocean City. Its walkable downtown district is home to notable points of interest, including the Costen House Museum. Built in the 1870s, the stately dwelling depicts the lifestyle of the town's first mayor and his family. The Sturgis One Room School Museum preserves a piece of African American heritage, once the only school to serve the community in 19th-century Worcester County.

Art lovers, film buffs, and live theater enthusiasts are all avid supporters of the Mar-Va Theater, a performing arts center that presents stage productions and movies in a historic venue circa 1927. Meanwhile, casual shoppers can mingle with local vendors while combing through assorted goods at Flea Market 13 Antiques.

McHenry

McHenry is a beautiful waterfront community in northwestern Maryland, and a popular vacation destination. It lies on the shores of Deep Creek Lake, which inspires an array of water-based activities throughout the year. Deep Creek Marina offers boat rentals and a service department to get you on the water for a range of aquatic adventures.

Sang Run State Park also offers recreational opportunities on dry land across 264 acres. It has pleasant nature trails, designated public hunting zones, and access to the winding Youghiogheny River. McHenry is perhaps most famous for Wisp Resort. Besides skiing and snowboarding, the four-season fun zone offers a variety of summer activities, from hiking and mountain biking to water sports.

Hagerstown

Hagerstown is a vibrant community in the Maryland Panhandle with an artsy vibe and remarkable outdoor offerings. Its downtown district is always bustling with activity, welcoming guests for a fun-filled shopping experience at the Pennsylvania Dutch Market. Here, you can find home-baked goods, authentic Amish products, handmade crafts, and furniture. Historians will enjoy a tour of the Jonathan Hager House Museum, which showcases the life of the German immigrant who founded Hagerstown in the 1700s.

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. The permanent collection includes of over 6,000 items in addition to a number of special exhibits, and the museum also hosts art classes and community events. Meanwhile, Hagerstown City Park is an idyllic spot to relax, enjoy a picnic, and admire the ducks, geese, and swans.

Boonsboro

Boonsboro lies in the foothills of South Mountain and boasts beautiful outdoor scenery that welcomes tourists with recreational opportunities. The Crystal Grottoes Caverns are a geological treasure that call to intrepid tourists and budding archeologists for a unique underground experience with stunning crystalline formations. More adventure awaits in the sprawling wilderness of Greenbrier State Park, home to hiking trails, camp sites, picnic spaces, and a 42-acre reservoir with a sandy swimming beach.

Beyond the great outdoors, Boonsboro's adorable downtown welcomes historians to discover the community's colorful backstory at the Boonsborough Museum of History. This displays everything from early artifacts and archaic weapons to glassware and ceramics. Finally, shopping enthusiasts can hunt for treasures and unique gifts at Boonsboro Antiques.

Federalsburg

Federalsburg is a relaxed village in Caroline County with vast open spaces and a thriving craft brewery scene. It offers the perfect countryside setting for those escaping the city at Idylwild Wildlife Management Area. This 3,800-acre playground provides year-round opportunities for hunters, hikers, birders, and nature enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Seippes Field offers sports fields and pavilions, as well as a well-maintained 1/2 mile loop trail.

The Federalsburg Family Restaurant treats guests to class American comfort food in a casual diner, and Federal Brewing Company offers a fresh take on the name with a wide selection of kombucha and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Easton

Easton is an artsy enclave on Maryland's Eastern Shore that overlooks the beautiful waters of Chesapeake Bay. The Academy Art Museum is a remarkable facility that connects the community with the arts through classes, exhibitions, lectures, and performances, while theater enthusiasts head to the historic Avalon to watch plays, musicals, and concerts in a beautifully-restored Art Deco theater.

For outdoor fun, Idlewild Park offers a range of amenities, from sports fields and a playground, to a pavilion and picnic tables, perfect for a leisurely afternoon. Alternatively, you can head to Easton Point Park with its walking trails and boat launch for access to the Tred Avon River.

Crisfield

Locally known as the "Seafood Capital of the World," Crisfield is another attractive town in Maryland's countryside, set on the picturesque shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Tangier Island Cruises offers day trips and charters to the remarkable community still living in relative isolation off the coast of Maryland. The Crab Place also offers their signature Crab & Cruise, which starts with a seafood feast in their onshore dining room before setting sail for a sunset party on the bay.

Elsewhere, the Crisfield Heritage Foundation provides a unique perspective of the region's past, offering an interactive display of resourceful artifacts at the Tawes Museum. Lastly, the town's vibrant culture and sense of community shine brightly in Crisfield's Arts and Entertainment District, which hosts a wide range of workshops, creative exhibits, live performances, and community events throughout the year.

Thurmont

Situated a few miles from the Pennsylvania border, Thurmont is a secluded escape in western Maryland, shadowed by the imposing peaks of the Catoctin Mountains. The town draws an array of outdoor adventurers to its vast and varied wilderness. At Cunningham Falls State Park, visitors come to admire Maryland's largest waterfall as well as swim, fish, paddle, and hike in and around Hunting Creek Lake.

Furthermore, rugged trails lead hikers to superb overlooks across Catoctin Mountain Park. The area is also a popular spot for trout fishing, camping, and horseback riding. The Historic Roddy Road Covered Bridge is an iconic landmark constructed in the mid-19th century across Owen's Creek, and is a fine example of old-world engineering.

Berlin

Berlin's charm lies in its vibrant commercial district, which features a busy Main Street dotted with dozens of museums, restaurants, galleries, shops, and pubs. This is an excellent corridor for newcomers to explore, exposing them to quirky points of interest like the Mermaid Museum. This curious venue exhibits everything to do with the mythical creature, from dolls and scales to related artifacts and memorabilia. Meanwhile, the Federal-style Calvin B. Taylor House harkens back to the old days in Berlin using antiques and relics going back to the 1800s.

Those who crave a bit of sustenance can pass by the Berlin Farmers Market on Sunday mornings from May to October and enjoy freshly baked goods and local produce. Elsewhere, outdoorsy travelers can retreat to the sandy shores of Assateague State Park to admire its sweeping ocean views and gentle wild ponies.

North Beach

30 miles from the capital city of Annapolis, North Beach is often dubbed the "Jewel of the Chesapeake Bay." With access to sand-swept beaches and stunning bay views, tourists are encouraged to let their hair down as they stroll the North Beach Boardwalk. The Mark R. Frazer Sunrise Garden adds to the town's idyllic beauty with a nice neighborhood park in which to relax amidst a range of manicured water features and landscapes.

Those interested in local history can learn about North Beach's natural and cultural past at the Bayside History Museum, whose exhibits range from LEGO dioramas to shark teeth. And, if it gets too hot for comfort, try cooling off just around the corner with delicious frozen treats at Cold Penguin Ice Cream.

Final Thought

When you grow impatient with the bullish crowds and stifling traffic in the city, these welcoming towns in Maryland's countryside invite you to slow down and let loose. They provide a sweet spot for anyone looking to relax and unwind, featuring few crowds, wide open spaces, and serene natural surroundings. Whether relaxing on the sandy shores of North Beach or climbing the rugged trails of Thurmont, there is something for everyone in the great outdoors.