7 Idyllic Small Towns In Maryland To Visit In 2025

To many people who have had the privilege of visiting or living in the idyllic eastern US state of Maryland, it is known as "America in Miniature." This is because like wider country it rests in, Maryland has incredibly diversity in its landscapes, from the wild coastal areas to the rural Appalachian Mountains and cast, scenic state parks. It is an old state, and has a ton of colonial and pre-revolutionary history, with many of its established towns dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800s, creating opportunities for all types of recreational interests for travelers. Let's explore seven idyllic small towns in Maryland to visit in 2025.

Havre de Grace

The city of Havre de Grace is in a prime waterfront location, at the mouth of both the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River. It is a historic place, an important port town with a unique and decorated history in decoy waterfowl carving, even called the "Decoy Capital of the World." The downtown area is beloved for its beautiful promenade, sometimes called the boardwalk, which follow the river and provide lovely bay views.

The aforementioned Havre de Grace Promenade, which is a well-maintained, picturesque path that follows the water, leads into the Millard Tydings Memorial Park. These are both truly idyllic places for walking on the trails, letting your kids play on the playground, and taking in the river scenery. Also off the promenade is the Concord Point Lighthouse, an iconic attraction in Havre de Grace dating back to 1827. It is the second oldest lighthouse with public access in the state of Maryland, and from its tower you can have unfiltered views of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.

Only fifteen minutes from town is another relaxing and scenic place called Susquehanna State Park. The park is renowned for its bike paths, which are well suited also to hiking and horseback riding, and its location along the river makes it a great place for fishing and boating as well. On site also is an old gristmill, a historic site which has been restored to be safely accessed and explored by visitors.

Berlin

The small, old town of Berlin is located near the coast, specifically the popular resort town of Ocean City, but it has its own claims to fame. Many buildings in the well-preserved Victorian-era town are listed on the National Historic Register, with some dating back to the early 1800s. These include the Rackliffe House, a restored bayside plantation house which was originally constructed in the 1740s. Today, it is used as a sort of living museum, accessible to the public and offering educational tours. Another old home which has been converted into a museum is the Calvin B. Taylor House, focusing on local memorabilia and regional antiques.

Another unique attraction downtown is the Mermaid Museum, with exhibits on the mythology around the famed sea hybrids, as well as related artifacts and creative displays. If you prefer to spend your time outside, a wonderland only fifteen minutes' drive from Berlin, Assateague State Park, is a particularly idyllic place. It includes the Assateague Island National Seashore, which is a perfect area for swimming off the sandy beaches, kayaking on the bay side's calmer waters, and hiking through the dunes and marshes, often spotting the region's most famed residents, the wild horses.

Chestertown

In eastern Maryland, near the coast, the small town of Chestertown, with only five thousand residents, is packed with waterfront views. These water scenes are not generally of the sea, but its namesake Chester River. The town is known for its original brick streets, lined with cute little restaurants and shops, many of which are in exceptionally maintained colonial buildings. Like any charming east coast city, Chestertown's historic main drag is packed with things to do, including supporting local business owners at the unique independent bookstore The Bookplate, or hit up one of the many antique stores, including the popular option Bee Crafty Collectibles.

Chestertown has a lovely outdoor attraction as well in its waterfront Wilmer Park. This park is home to a playground, beautiful stretches of green space, mature trees and walking paths, plus a pavilion for events. In fact, many of the town's annual events are hosted at the park with scenic river sights and rushing water background noise. These events include a jazz festival, a beer festival, outdoor concerts and other gatherings.

Boonsboro

At the base of Maryland's infamous South Mountain, known for its importance in several Civil War battles, is the town of Boonsboro. It is a quiet town with a charming downtown area but mainly known for its proximity to multiple outdoor recreational sites, some noteworthy in history. The first one that comes to mind is Antietam National Battlefield, one of the previously mentioned Civil War sites, and the location of one of the crucial turning points in the war. The area is preserved and today, visitors can tour it with a historical guide who explains the battle in-depth.

Another relevant historical area near Boonsboro is Washington Monument State Park, a preservation area formed around the namesake Washington Monument, which is a stone tower, forty feet tall, constructed to honor the first US president George Washington in 1827. Nearby Greenbrier State Park does not contain any monuments or battlefields, but it is a fantastic place for swimming in and boating on the man-made lake, hiking any of the eleven miles of multi-use trails, or camping with your family.

Bel Air

Around 20 miles north of the large city of Baltimore, the town of Bel Air, one of the biggest on the list with around ten thousand residents, makes its mark as a desirable suburb. The creative and colorful downtown area is recognized as an official Arts and Entertainment District, and the town is rich in history and east coast culture.

Bel Air has tons of gorgeous Georgian Revival architecture, including the notable Liriodendron Mansion, constructed in 1898 and located right downtown. The mansion and its grounds serve today as an event venue and house several living museum exhibits on local history. The whole city is beautiful though; once a bustling railroad town, it is surrounded by old rail lines, two of which are the once-essential Maryland and Pennsylvania corridors. Today, you can hike portions of these railways on the Ma and Pa Heritage Trail, a scenic path which follows the old tracks and leads right back into downtown Bel Air.

Also downtown is another peaceful place to chill and enjoy nature: Rockfield Park. This park has it all, from a sprawling playground to walking paths, and even creative zones for kids like places for them to dig and play instruments. It is great for the whole family, especially when community events are hosted there, like the Kite Day Festival.

Oakland

A tiny town of only about 1,000 residents, Oakland, in the Allegheny Mountains, is absolutely immersed in idyllic nature. There are so many things to do outside around this town that it is difficult to pick four, but a crowd favorite tourist attraction only ten minutes' drive from downtown Oakland is Deep Creek Lake, an enormous freshwater reservoir, Maryland's largest in fact. Deep Creek Lake is well-known for its boating, water-skiing, and swimming in the summer.

Nearby Swallow Falls State Park is a popular winter destination, an ideal place for winter sports like cross-country skiing. The park's namesake, Swallow Falls, tend to be slow-moving enough that it often freezes during colder months, which is a wild sight to see.

Oakland is a great place for lake lovers truly, with two more parks, Herrington Manor State Park and Broadford Lake Park, both having lakes on site which are suitable for swimming, boating and fishing. The former also has public tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, as well as a ton of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing in the winter. The latter park, which is not a state park but a well-maintained city park, is more suitable for non-motorized boats.

Cambridge

A port city located on the Choptank River, Cambridge is one of the oldest colonial cities in the US. Its historic main street has been recently revitalized and is full of boutiques, diverse food options, and art galleries. One of the town's city parks, Long Wharf Park, has a path which follows the river all the way to the marina, and rewards visitors at the end with the iconic Choptank River Lighthouse. This lighthouse is a replica of the original, but the views out over the river from its deck are stunning, nonetheless.

Cambridge is also home to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park's Maryland location. Cambridge, and other parts of Dorchester County, were Tubman's home base for significant parts of her life, and the park commemorates the legacy of her incredibly important work as a conductor for the Underground Railroad. Within the park, you can see educational exhibits at the visitor center and drive the byway which chronicles her path from slavery to freedom. It is an impactful stop on your trip through Maryland which should not be missed.

The definition of "idyllic" is extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque. Maryland has no shortage of places which exemplify this word, including Havre de Grace with its waterfront views and Cambridge with its lovely historic main street, Oakland with its amazing lakes, and Berlin with its unique museums. No matter what feeling brings you happiness and peace, such as gazing out over a bay, taking a scenic walk, or simply enjoying time with your family, you can certainly find it here.