Maryland

8 Most Eccentric Towns in Maryland

Published

1 year ago

December 7, 2024

Although Maryland is the ninth smallest state by size, it is surprisingly diverse in festivals, history, and natural landmarks, particularly in its small towns. Antique auctions, bathtub races, banjo competitions, waterfall hikes, and alpaca farms are just a few of the exciting experiences that await. If you want to mix up your routine and visit a town with one-of-a-kind attractions, keep reading to discover your next adventure.

Berlin

Historic buildings in the town of Berlin, Maryland. Editorial credit: Kosoff / Shutterstock.com

Named by the Smithsonian as one of the “20 Best Small Towns to Visit”, bathtub races, honkey tonks, and colonial mansions are just a few of the attractions that set Berlin apart. One of the town’s strangest traditions takes part on July 7th, a bathtub race where competitors dash through the streets in tubs and barrels, vying for the title of fastest tub racer. The Globe is another unbeatable attraction, serving as a restaurant and bar while doubling as a live music venue, comedy club, or movie theater, depending on the night.

The Rackliffe House is a fascinating historic landmark, a brick mansion over 300 years old that has witnessed the passing of Barbary Pirate Ships, Spanish Galleons, and the Revolutionary War, serving as a museum today. Keep your eye out for funky shops and restaurants downtown, including Fins Ale House and Raw Bar, Blacksmith Restaurant, and Jeffery Auxer Designs Glass Studio.

Oakland

There is always something going on in Oakland, with the town hosting countless annual events throughout the year. The Maryland State Banjo, Mandolin & Fiddle Championships, Oakland Winter Fest, Little Yough Summer Music Festival, and Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade are just a few to check out.

Ever dreamed of meeting an alpaca? You can do so at Alpaca Acres Farm and Fun by scheduling a meet and greet, as well as enjoy the farm’s family-friendly activities and gift store. To see the tallest free-falling waterfall in the state, spend a day hiking at Swallow Falls State Park, home to 53-foot tall Muddy Creek Falls.

Chestertown

Those who love eclectic finds and antiques must spend a few days at Chestertown, home to the renowned Dixon’s Crumpton Auction. Crumpton’s, a third-generation auction company, hosts fast-paced antique auctions. It is not uncommon to sell 200 antique items per hour, allowing visitors to nab a vintage treasure.

Chestertown’s arts & entertainment district is another great place to walk away with a one-of-a-kind souvenir, full of art studios, galleries, and art centers. Barn Artist Studio, Hegland Glass Gallery, and Garfield Center for the Arts are just a few artsy spots worth checking out. Those wanting to get some exercise can start their morning off running, walking, or biking on the 2-mile Wayne Gilchrest Rail Trail.

Leonardtown

Leonardtown can be divided into several diverse districts, the Leonardtown Wharf, Fenwick Street, Leonardtown Square, and the Arts & Entertainment District, being just a few. At the Wharf, visitors can admire waterfront views and rent a kayak or canoe to explore the waters.

Fenwick Street is home to eclectic shops and boutiques, Board & Brush, North End Gallery, and David’s Flowers being just a few to check out. Check out the War Memorials Garden in Leonardtown Square, one of the few provincial town squares remaining, while the Arts & Entertainment District is perfect for attending a class, workshop, or occasional town market.

St. Michaels

Located on a narrow strip of land along the Miles River, near the Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels is a lively coastal town. Visitors can explore the harbor by renting a paddleboard or kayak, going on a sailing charter, or enjoying an afternoon cruise. To learn more about the Chesapeake Bay, travelers can spend a morning at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, situated on an 18-acre waterfront campus.

For a meal with a view, there are several waterfront restaurants to choose from, including Stars and Blu Miles. All December long, visitors can enjoy St. Michael’s holiday events, including a Christmas and Lighted Boat Parade, Breakfast with Santa, and New Years Eve celebrations, so keep your eye on their calendar!

Sykesville

Sykesville boasts one of the state’s most fascinating downtown districts, recognized as both a National Trust for Historic Preservation District and a National Main Street District. A few of the historic landmarks to check out include the Old Main Line Visitors Center and Post Office, the Sykesville Town House, and the Sykesville Gate House Museum.

The Little Sykes Railway Park is another fun attraction, a miniature train from 1949 that runs through Sykesville’s 2-acre park. Those wanting to head outdoors can make their way to the Patapsco River, popular for both tubing and fishing.

Thurmont

Locals in Thurmont often refer to it as being Maryland’s “Gateway to the Mountains”, conveniently situated near the Catoctin Mountains. Those wanting to explore these nearby mountains must visit Catoctin Mountain Park, home to 25 miles of hiking trails, historic exhibits such as the Sawmill and Blue Blazes Whiskey Still, and places to camp, picnic, rock climb, and fish.

The historic village of Catoctin Furnace is another one of Thurmont’s attractions, featuring 65 houses, a church, a school, and a store to explore. To see a 78-foot cascading waterfall, Cunningham Falls State Park is another outdoor recreational option, also home to a 43-acre man-made lake.

Chesapeake City

Located along one of the world’s busiest canals, Chesapeake City is a lively waterfront town with many bars, 19th-century historic buildings, and a brewery to discover. Explore the canal up close along the Ben Cardin C&D Canal Trail, a 17-mile trail that winds along the entirety of the canal.

Bayheads Brewing Company, founded in 2016, is a local brewery with a rustic-style taproom where visitors can enjoy craft beer, cider, whiskey, or wine. For luxury chocolates and candies, check out Chesapeake Candy Works. Want to get on the water? Consider a tour with Chesapeake Water Tours, who will take you on an exciting cruise through the bay.

Final Thoughts

Concluding our tour of these eight eccentric towns, it is clear that Maryland has a unique side that sets it apart. No matter where your interest lies, whether it be in hiking, maritime history, or souvenir shopping, each of these towns will give you an unforgettable vacation or weekend away. So, dust off your suitcase and prepare to explore the quirky, unforgettable side of Maryland!

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Maryland

Maryland’s four-year graduation rate slightly declines, the Department of Education reports

Published

28 minutes ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Maryland’s four-year graduation rate slightly declines, the Department of Education reports

Maryland’s high school four-year graduation rate slightly declined in 2025, compared to the previous school year, according to a report by the state’s Department of Education.

However, the four-year graduation rates improved for African American students, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and students with disabilities.

The state said the largest drop was among multilingual students.

“For all of us who work in education, the ultimate mark of student success is when they walk across the stage on graduation day. We are encouraged by the progress we see among African American students, students with disabilities, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Dr. Carey Wright, the State Superintendent of Schools. “These gains reflect the hard work of educators, families, and communities across Maryland to give every student the support they need to succeed.”

The state’s five-year graduation rate increased to 89.2% in 2025, from 87.4% in 2024.

You can check out how your school district fares here.

Breakdown of the state’s graduation rate

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) said that 62,842 out of 72,702 high school students across the state graduated in the 2024-25 school year. That’s a graduation rate of 86.4%, which is slightly lower than the 87.6% of graduating students in the 2023-24 school year.

The MDE said the graduation rate for African American students increased to 85.8% in 2025. The graduation rate for students with disadvantaged backgrounds improved to 83%.

While Maryland’s graduation outcomes remain strong overall, the State Board is deeply concerned about declines among multilingual learners and Hispanic students,” said Dr. Joshua Michael, the State Board of Education President. “Heightened political tensions and fear around immigration enforcement erode students’ sense of safety and belonging, disrupting learning and pathways to graduation.”

Baltimore City sees graduation rates increase

Baltimore City’s four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2025 increased to 71.8%, its highest since 2018, the school district said. The city’s five-year graduation rate improved to 74.6%, which is its most since 2019.

The city school’s graduation rate for students with disabilities increased 5.3 points from 2024 to 2025, and 3.2 points for African American students. According to the district, the graduation rate for Hispanic/Latino students and Multilingual Learners both posted decreases in 2025.

“This growth is a powerful testament to the shared commitment reflected in our Portrait of a Graduate work,” said Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises. “While we still have much more work to do, this continued progress reflects the dedication of our students, families, school leaders, and educators across every grade level. By focusing on 9th-grade support, expanding credit recovery, strengthening post-secondary planning, and prioritizing daily attendance, we are driving student achievement and opening doors to higher education, family-sustaining careers, and brighter futures.”

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Maryland

Maryland State Police investigating fatal shooting in Princess Anne – 47abc

Published

13 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Maryland State Police investigating fatal shooting in Princess Anne – 47abc

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Maryland State Police (MSP) are investigating a fatal shooting in Princess Anne.

It happened around 2 p.m. Monday on Bratten Avenue.

According to Maryland State Police, one person was pronounced dead on scene by emergency medical personnel.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office requested help from the MSP Homicide Unit and is assisting with the investigation, along with the Office of the State’s Attorney in Somerset County.

Investigators believe there is no threat to public safety.

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Maryland

Maryland residents get ready for frigid temperatures following winter storm

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Maryland residents get ready for frigid temperatures following winter storm

Residents across the Baltimore region are grappling with freezing temperatures after Sunday’s winter storm, which dumped inches of snow and sleet.

Experts are reminding people to make sure their homes and cars are cold-weather ready.

Protecting your home

Experts said you should monitor your pipes at home to prevent them from freezing. Keep your water faucets dripping, wrap your pipes in minimally heated areas with piping insulation, and leave doors open to allow heat to flow through your home.

“Go and caulk some of those gaps and cracks around your windows and doors to help limit the amount of heat release,” said Sarah Dillingham, the senior meteorologist with Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

Dillingham said to have your HVAC checked ahead of the winter and summer seasons.

In the event of a power outage, she said, consider installing a home generator.

Make your car winter weather-ready

When it comes to your car, make sure your tires are in good shape, check your car’s battery, and windshield wiper fluid.

“When you’re parking your car, when you turn it off, you’ve turned off your seat heaters, your defoggers, and all that sort of thing because you don’t want anything drawing extra power when you start the car up in the morning,” said Ben Perrinone, the AAA Approved Auto Repair Territory Manager. “That takes away from the amount of power going to your starter motor. So, turn off all your accessories as you leave the car.”

Perricone said AAA has recently received lots of calls for flat tires.

During Sunday’s winter storm, he said AAA responded to more than 500 calls for service in Maryland alone. Perricone said more than 36% were for members stuck in the snow.

Water main break in Baltimore County

Some neighbors in Baltimore County were without water Monday morning after a water main break on Smith Avenue.

“It’s like you can’t do anything at all,” said Marilyn Clawson. “It’s so crazy.”

Right down the street from the Greenspring Shopping Center on Smith Avenue lies a couple of cones surrounding a water main break Monday.

“We just found out this morning that we don’t have water,” Clawson said.

Clawson’s husband said he was going to use the bathroom when he learned the Department of Public Works turned off water in the area to fix the broken water main.

Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director Matthew Garbark said there are some challenges to fixing these bursting pipes during weather like this.

“Everything is covered in snow,” Garbark said. “So, we have to make sure we can even get to the water main first. And because of the temperatures, it’s a lot harder to start excavating into the ground.”