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Ghosts, foliage, and autumnal festivals can all be found in Maryland during the fall. The Old Line State’s history includes the Revolutionary War, ideal for those interested in this aspect of North American culture. The state also loves all seafood-related dishes, so plan to arrive hungry!
Read next: The best US places to visit in October.
Thanks to our guest writers: US Ghost Adventures
Haunted Ghost Tours
No trip anywhere in the spooky season would be complete without a haunted ghost tour.
Maryland’s major cities, specifically Baltimore and Annapolis, are chock full of scary stories and haunted places.
Here are a few of our favorites.
In Baltimore, you’ll be able to follow in the footsteps of famed Gothic author Edgar Allen Poe.
Stop at the Horse You Rode In On Saloon, where he was last spotted alive.
We suggest exploring Fell’s Point with Baltimore Ghosts!
You’ll learn about Baltimore’s darker history, and you may even get to see Edgar Allen Poe’s spirit!
Annapolis’s haunted history is full of maritime tales revolving around the Revolutionary War.
The home of the US Naval Academy is the perfect place to seek spirits.
It is also home to the oldest continuously operated hotel in the United States, The Maryland Inn.
It is one of the most haunted places in Maryland and holds the story of a phantom bride, eternally waiting for her husband to come home from sea.
Ghost tours with Baltimore Ghosts and Annapolis Ghosts start at $25.
They also offer haunted pub crawls for those looking for a more adult-only experience.
Pumpkin Patches
If spooky spirits aren’t your thing, or perhaps you are traveling with young children, why not check out one of the state’s many pumpkin patches?
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch in Middleton, MD, is a statewide favorite that offers tractor rides, story readings, a corn maze, games, and much more!
Another great choice is Larriland Farm in Woodbine, MD. You can pick your own fruits and vegetables, go on a hayride, and enjoy fresh Apple Fritters!
The hayride stops at a pumpkin patch where you can pick up a pumpkin to carve up later at home.
Oyster Festival
The U.S. National Oyster Festival takes place in Leonardtown, MD, every year and is perfect for anyone who can’t get enough of these bivalve delicacies.
Oyster shucking contests, cooking contests, live music, and all the oysters you can eat await you at the St. Mary’s County Fairground.
Rock Hall Fall Fest
The Rockhall Fall Fest in Rockhall, MD, is another Oyster festival for those who can’t get enough booger-like plant/animal hybrid delights.
This festival is packed with live music all day, stilt walkers, balloon art for the kids, magic shows, and much more.
It is more akin to a carnival with oyster-themed food than anything else!
The best part of it all: admission is free! We recommend bringing plenty of cash for all the fried and raw oysters you can eat.
International Poe Festival
If literature is more your thing than seafood, head to the International Poe Festival in Baltimore, MD, for three days of fun centered on the Victorian author.
Costume contests, mystery murder rooms, and various exhibits about Poe and other famous Baltimoreans are just part of the fun.
Admission to the festival is free, but special ticketed events come at a price.
Maryland Reinassance Festival
Take a step back in time at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
This festival takes place every Autumn in Annapolis, MD, and showcases the fun you can have in medieval times.
Grab your best knight, peasant, or joker costume, and get ready for magic and mayhem at the Renaissance Festival.
Maryland Irish Festival
The Maryland Irish Festival takes place at the beginning of November in Timonium, MD.
This three-day festival offers live music from traditional Irish groups, airbrush tattoos, art and food vendors, and cultural exhibits.
There is even a red hair and freckle contest!
Best Places To Hike In Maryland During The Fall
The beautiful foliage is one of the best parts of visiting Maryland in the fall.
The leaves have flourished into an autumnal hue that is hard to beat, and many native plants are in gorgeous bloom.
Here are some of the best hikes in Maryland to take it all in.
Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge
This expansive 2,300-acre island’s nature trails wind through breathtaking landscapes, inviting picnic areas beckon, and a diverse array of wildlife.
You may see majestic bald eagles and fascinating amphibians on your journey here.
Appalachian Trail
This 41-mile trail runs through Washington and Frederick Counties, with views of fall foliage from Weverton Cliffs and stunning views.
Step foot on this legendary trail and experience the best Appalachia has to offer.
Rock Creek Park
754-acre park near Dearwood, MD, has over 32 miles of trails, including the Western Ridge Trail and the Valley Trail, both of which offer a stunning experience in nature.
Brookside Gardens– A beautiful 50-acre public garden with paved trails for a less strenuous hike.
Best Places to Eat in Maryland During the Fall
Maryland’s culinary scene is as enticing as its natural beauty.
Here are some great places to eat in Maryland that focus on local, in-season, and fresh ingredients in their dishes.
The White Oak Tavern
At this Ellicott City, MD, favorite, enjoy local delicacies like pumpkin bisque, apple burgers with gruyere, grilled apples, cranberry chutney, and thinly fried chicken schnitzel.
Southern Maryland Crabshack
This crab shack in Waldorf, MD, has been serving crustaceans since 1963. Fall is in the thick of Crab season, so it’s the best time to get them at a reasonable price!
Boatyard Bar and Grill
Autumn also happens to be Oyster season.
Head over to the Boatyard Bar and Grill in Annapolis for oysters in any way you like.
This dockside bar and grill is known for Antoine’s Stuffed Oyster Rock, their take on the classic Oysters Rockafeller from New Orleans.
Final Words
Maryland is one of the smallest and most underrated US states, and fall is one of the best times to visit!
Follow this itinerary, easily driveable over a few days, and you’ll be itching to return to the Old Line State.
Our US Fall Guides
- Things to Do in the USA this October
- Best Places to Visit in the US in September
- Best Places to Visit in the US in October
- Best Places to Visit in the US in November
- National Parks to Visit this Fall
- New England Road Trip Itinerary
- Arkansas in the Fall
- California in the Fall
- Maryland in the Fall
- Montana in the Fall
- Wisconsin in the Fall
Note: This guide was written in partnership with the spooky experts at US Ghost Adventures.