Hidden Gems Places To Visit in Maryland, United States

1. 5.0 Tracks and Yaks (97 reviews)
   - Fun on the rails in western MD!
   Bike Tours
   
   
   I went to college in Frostburg and it's a place near and dear to me. As soon as I found about the rail bike tours, I knew I needed to do it! A large group of us decided to go together (15 in total) ranging in age from 5 to 80+ and every single person loved it! The crew running it were super friendly and nice. Prior to the trip, they will email you the link to sign the online waiver...sign the waiver online!! It saves time on the day of your tour. The ride itself was fantastic - beautiful scenery, mostly downhill, and a brief history lesson about the area along the way. When you get to the end, you hop on a trolley or bus and they drive you back to the Depot where the ride started. If you have time to do this, I highly recommend it! See more..
   
2. 5.0 Precision Rafting Expeditions (96 reviews)
   - Upper Yough rafting
   Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Kayaking & Canoeing
   
   
   This trip is an adrenaline pumping experience. I've been on 10 rafting trips in various rivers in West Virginia and Colorado and this trip was the most thrilling by far. We rafted on 4-17-21 on a cold day and had a blast. Precision Rafting is a highly professional operation. The Upper Yough is a difficult, technical river, but we felt safe the entire trip due to the competence and care of the guides and the support kayak team. We fell out at the National class 5 rapid and were quickly rescued. I never felt in danger because as soon as I popped up, a kayak was there to support me. Also, our guide Scott was fantastic. I highly recommend Precision Rafting. See more..
   
3. 5.0 St. Mary's Church (92 reviews)
   - Beautiful church and Mass.
   Churches & Cathedrals
   
   
   We attended the 5pm Saturday Vigil Mass. It was all good, especially the gorgeous, traditional interior and choir. Father Dau said a reverent Mass; however, the alter servers needed a bit more instruction on the importance of their function :-) See more..
   
4. 5.0 Community Bridge Mural (88 reviews)
   - Nice stop on the way to....
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Absolutely beautiful in its depth as an experience. You dont need to be an art lover to enjoy and appreciate it See more..
   
5. 5.0 Art League of Ocean City (84 reviews)
   - If you like art - visit
   Saturday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Art Galleries
   
   
   Non-profit arts center featuring monthly exhibits, 5 working artist studios, classrooms, pottery studio, and gift shop with handmade items including jewelry, glass, fiber and more. Full schedule of classes for all ages and levels! Free and open daily. See more..
   
6. 5.0 Ocean City Branch Library (80 reviews)
   - Take Your Kiddies to Read
   Libraries
   
   
   There are plenty of books to take out! The librarians are sooo helpful. And, if you have little ones, take them to the weekly storytime. Fun! See more..
   
7. 5.0 McClintock Distilling (75 reviews)
   - What a find in Maryland! Incredible homegrown Distillery in our backyard.
   Saturday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Distilleries
   
   
   Incredible and organic only distillery supporting area farmers and area community. The staff is energetic, professional and unpretentious. The quality and breath of product is quite impressive for a distillery that started 3 years ago. The success of the business is bound to continue for years to come. See more..
   
8. 5.0 R.C.M. History Tours (71 reviews)
   - The only way to learn about South Mountain
   Historical & Heritage Tours
   
   
   This was our second time taking a tour with Bob. We did South Mountain this time and it was a revelation. Traveled to several different areas to get a sense of the battle, including some that would have been difficult to find and others, completely unmarked, that would have been impossible. The tour gave me a coherent sense of a battle I've always found difficult to understand. He also turned us on to sculptor Gary Casteel when he brought us to his North Carolina monument, tucked away in the woods near the Reno monument at Fox's Gap (we later went on to meet Gary at his studio and shop in Gettysburg, just one more thing we can thank Bob for). And, of course, the tour was full of the usual humor and artful storytelling. Just an amazing guy! See more..
   
9. 5.0 Chesapeake City Water Tours (69 reviews)
   - Passing through begged staying
   Saturday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Boat Tours
   
   
   Wow. We. Did we want to stay. Passing thru on the way home to Delaware from our usual trek to/from Lancaster, PA, we decided to take a peek at south Chesapeake City that views north Chesapeake City, Maryland across the C & D canal (Chesapeake Bay & Delaware Bay). Glad we peeked. Sorry we didn't stay...this time. We plan to be back...soon. What a neat place. The Canal, boats everywhere, people mingling about, sweet old period homes, restaurants to eat local fare, shops and boutiques to wander about, the 17 mile Mike Castle and Ben Cardin rail-trails pass through here situated along the canal. Vantage points here provide up close and personal experience with the cargo ships traversing to/from the two bays. Whew! Can't wait to explore and experience Chesapeake City north and south. See more..
   
10. 5.0 Assateague Island Tours (65 reviews)
    - Amazing Assateague Adventure!
    Saturday: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Beaches • Private Tours • Photography Tours
    
    
    My four year old son, two of my closest girlfriends, and I had an exceptional experience with Assateague Island Tours. Our guide, Andrew, provided an unforgettable and beautiful sunset adventure, where he regaled us with colorful pony gossip, island lore, and fascinating history. It is evident that he has a great passion and respect for the island, as well as receives great joy in sharing his knowledge with others. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, and we were able to delight in a private fire and picnic, as well as a photo shoot with a band of wild ponies. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour to families, friends, couples, and anyone wanting to relax and enjoy this gorgeous nature escape. We can’t wait to return! See more..
    
11. 5.0 Banneker-Douglass Museum (60 reviews)
    - Pieces of the African American Historical Puzzle
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums • History Museums
    
    
    My husband planned a wonderful and memorable birthday celebration for me which included tours of African American sites in Annapolis. One tour was this incredible museum. What made the experience memorable was the private tour led by Mr. LeRonn Herbert, a member of the administrative team at the museum. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and expertise were impeccable. We learned so much about the important historical figures who are among the heroes and heroines of African American history and how their courage and tenacity made our liberation possible. Depending on your current knowledge of African American history, you may or may not need a guide. If you need a private guide, please request Mr. Herbert. See more..
    
12. 5.0 Iron Will Woodworks (60 reviews)
    - Unique and intriguing
    Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Antique Shops
    
    
    We are a demo salvage furniture shop. We travel across the USA delivering our own pieces, taking down old buildings/barns, and finding fabulous treasures. We also fill our shop with collectibles, vintage & antiques, petroliana, as well as build custom pieces and create accent walls. We love restoring old gas pumps and saving historical finds. We are puppy friendly too! WE HAVE MOVED!!! 1007 S. TALBOT STREET ST. MICHAELS, MD 21663 MAILING ADDRESS: PO BOX 424, ST. MICHAELS, MD 21663 See more..
    
13. 5.0 Dodgebow Baltimore (56 reviews)
    - A must try!
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers
    
    
    I had an amazing time! If you need a review to convince you to check this place out, please let this be the one that does it! The facilitator was very friendly and got plenty of action shots from our group. They played music and there were different game play ideas. 10/10, highly recommend! See more..
    
14. 5.0 National Capital Radio and Television Museum (53 reviews)
    - Wonderful collection of early radios and televisions
    Saturday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
    
    
    The National Capital Radio & Television Museum is the only museum devoted to broadcasting in the National Capital Region. Open to the public Friday 9-4 and Saturday/Sunday 12-4. Closed major holidays. The historic (1906) Harmel house serves as the Museum building. The first floor is accessible and there is a video about the exhibits on the second floor that can be played for those who cannot access the stairs. See more..
    
15. 5.0 Shardana Sailing Charters (50 reviews)
    - Birthday celebration on the bay.
    Saturday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Multi-day Tours • Boat Tours • Boat Rentals • Private Tours • Day Trips
    
    
    This was the first time the family and I were on a private charter cruise. We weren’t exactly sure what to expect. My family and I chartered the trip to celebrate my husband’s 60th birthday and due to the pandemic was hesitant to be around a lot of people. We so much appreciated the fact that you allowed us to bring our 2-year-old Goldendoodle on the trip. She too had a great time. The trip from beginning to end (3.5 hours) exceeded our expectation. The private charter exceeded our expectation due to the fact of the captain and his first mate’s professionalism, experience, and knowledge about sailing. Captain Andrew’s sailboat is beautiful, and we hope to schedule another charter soon preferably an overnight adventure. Thanks Captain Andrew and Andre—we had a great time. See more..
    
16. 5.0 Monumental Boat Tours (49 reviews)
    - What a way to see D.C.!!
    Saturday: 12:30 PM - 7:30 PM Boat Tours
    
    
    Sure, you can walk around the National Mall and deal with hoards of people or take the water taxi and deal with hoards of people or take a bus and deal with....see where I’m going with this? This is a unique experience that allows you a fantastic view of D.C. Not only is the staff incredibly professional and polite, they are very knowledgeable about the surrounding area and provide you with facts via radio. You control the boat and they go at the pace in which you feel comfortable. I am a boat owner but these boats are way more fun! Ignore the price (which is reasonable given the time (2-2 1/2 hours) and experience) and go home with a fantastic story and pictures you can’t get simply walking around. I can’t recommend this enough and will be going back!!! See more..
    
17. 5.0 Maryland Heights Trail (47 reviews)
    - Awesome views of Harpers Ferry and Shenandoah Valley from the Overlook - especially during Autumn
    Spent More than 3 hours Hiking Trails
    
    
    A nice hike from Harpers Ferry Historical Park to the Maryland Heights Trailhead and then up to the Overlook which provides spectacular views of Harpers Ferry and surrounding Shenandoah Valley. The trail itself was nice especially at fall time with the different foliage colors on the trees. It is a 2 mile hike from Harpers Ferry to the Overlook, I would rate the difficulty as moderate up hill hike. Noticed others with their children, dogs and elderly, so would recommend the hike to the overlook if visiting Harpers Ferry. I visited the overlook about 5 years ago and was able to park near the trail head along Harpers Ferry Rd on the Maryland side. However, when I tried to park there this time around, the 2 parking locations are closed, so had to park at Harpers Ferry and then walk over the bridge to get to the trail head. All-in-all, it was a beautiful day for a hike in the fall. See more..
    
18. 5.0 Dragon Distillery, LLC (46 reviews)
    - Valentine's Day Adventure
    Saturday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Distilleries
    
    
    We are Frederick City's first distillery. We feature fine hand-crafted spirits in a fantasy/medieval-themed tasting room. We offer tours, which detail our process from grain to glass. Must be 21 for tasting and tour. See more..
    
19. 5.0 The Shrine of St. Anthony (44 reviews)
    - Peaceful & Lovely
    Religious Sites
    
    
    This is a beautiful site, which sits atop a hill with panoramic views. You don't have to be religious to enjoy the site. It is a retreat event center run by the friars. The chapel is tranquil and lovely, and the gardens are pretty. On the property there are a series of hiking trails through the woods. We walked almost all of the trails and it was a relaxing hike. It was fun to discover all of the little hidden treasures along the trail. See more..
    
20. 5.0 Wayne Gatling Guide Service (38 reviews)
    - Fishing In the Keys with a real pro
    Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sightseeing Tours
    
    
    I had the good fortune of hooking up with Captian Wayne Gatling 10 years ago at the 7 mile marina in Marathon and I have been fiishing with him every year since then when i vacation in the Keys.Wayne is a great captian I trust him and admire how hard he works and all the enthusiasm he bring to his fishing charters. Wayne knows where the fish are and he works hard to ensure that his customers hook up with a good catch.Wayne has taken me out fishing for mangrove snapper,grouper,sea trout,permit and the most exciting of all the fabulous Tarpon, the best fighting fish in the Keys.Wayne has a lot of patience,energy and makes each fishing trip a memorable one.Any fisherman regardless of experience that wants to spend a beautiful day on the water and catch dinner should defintely call Wayne Gatling the best charter captian in Marathon. See more..
    
21. 5.0 Bay Venture Outfitters (38 reviews)
    - Relaxing Family Outing surrounded by the beauty of nature
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Boat Rentals • Kayaking & Canoeing
    
    
    We booked this trip the night before Memorial Day and were so glad we did. This was a needed mini vacation for our family after COVID quarantine. They online booking and waiver submission was seem less. The operator is following all safety protocol with social distancing and cleaning. The staff was very helpful in explaining the basics in kayaking, where we could go and helped pull our kayaks in and out of the water. North East is also a cute little town to explore with many shops and carry out restaurant opportunities. We loved the serenity of our Kayak adventure. We spotted Osprey, an Eagle, Comorants, and turtles. There is a cute waterfront park nearby with pavilions. We had a picnic lunch there and then ventured on to Elk Neck State Park to see the beach area and lighthouse. See more..
    
22. 5.0 Garrett County Historical Museum (36 reviews)
    - Huge collection
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Speciality Museums
    
    
    This museum has a huge collection of artifacts to tell the story of this area. We enjoyed our visit. The museum talks about native Americans, early settlers, and industries (mining, lumbering, railroads, tourism, etc.) Good labels. See more..
    
23. 5.0 Washington D.C. Temple & Visitors' Center (34 reviews)
    - The DC Temple is gorgeous!
    Saturday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Visitor Centers • Churches & Cathedrals
    
    
    Visitors of all ages are invited to a free public open house held through June 11, 2022. Take a tour of the temple and enjoy the beautiful grounds. Learn more about the purposes and history of this remarkable house of the Lord. After the temple is formally dedicated, entrance is reserved for members of the Church. The adjacent Visitors Center will reopen to the public Friday, June 17 daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The center is open year-round with exhibits, activities, and events that are family friendly, free of charge, and open to the public. See more..
    
24. 5.0 Dragonfly Paddle and Fitness (34 reviews)
    - Great Time!
    Stand Up Paddleboarding
    
    
    Great time paddle boarding on Kent Island, Karla, the owner was super nice and got us up and going quickly, I would definitely do it again. See more..
    
25. 5.0 Pocomoke River Canoe Company (33 reviews)
    - Paddle Boards
    Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Kayaking & Canoeing
    
    
    We camped at Shad Landing in Pocomoke River State Forrest and drove here for our girls to paddle board. Nice guys running the place, calm river for the kids to paddle board and a $5 discount if you show proof of camping at Shad Landing. We inquired about canoe trips - sounded fun but we didn’t end up going. See more..
    
26. 5.0 Schoolhouse Earth (32 reviews)
    - Oh Hey Leroy!
    Speciality & Gift Shops
    
    
    This is a great place to visit when in Deep Creek Lake. Located just minutes from Wisp ski resort and the north end of the lake, Schoolhouse Earth is in Friendsville, MD. Schoolhouse Earth is a set of three small barns/buildings that offer different bits of shopping. Shop outdoor garden decor, jewelry, novelty gifts, a large array of Christmas decorations, gourmet foods, and a large home decor section. Say hello to Stephen the owner and his yellow lab, Sebastian. They are always so welcoming and it's a pleasure to take a break from the slopes and do a little shopping. Additionally, Schoolhouse Earth has a "petting zoo" in the back. I say that loosely because mainly it's a home for previously abused or handicapped animals. Leroy, a brown goat who was born with a broken neck, is always there to eat the feed out of your hand and say hello! Bring some quarters and you can buy some feed for the animals. This place is truly a treat for all! See more..
    
27. 5.0 Bruce Snake Gabrielson's Surf Art Gallery and Museum (32 reviews)
    - AMAZING Historical Surfing Museum and Art Gallery
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Museums
    
    
    Recognized as a top cultural site by the Maryland Department of Tourism, this free museum contains several rare historical artifacts from the surfing world collected by surfing legend Bruce Gabrielson over a 60 year period. Displays include Dale Velzey's original 1950's templates and planer, an original Makaha Skateboard, the first day edition of the Duke Stamp from both Huntington Beach and Waikiki, signed posters from numerous surfing legends, a signed poster from the Wooden Year's exhibit opening at the International Surfing Museum, a set of Rick Griffin drawings, plus paintings and photos from artists and surf photographers from the East and West Coast. Several antique boards are also on display. The museum requires reservations and is located in the offices of the National Surf Schools and Instructors Association. During the summer months the museum is closed when the surf is good. See more..
    
28. 5.0 All Earth Eco Tours (31 reviews)
    - A spectacular snowshoeing experience.
    Eco Tours
    
    
    We cannot have express how happy we were, not only with how cordial and nice Carol was answering our questions and working with us on arrangements, but also the fantastic time we had with Crede’s guidance, enthusiasm, and advice on our snowshoeing tour. It was a special day and we witnessed some spectacular sites while loving every step of our trek through the woods. It was an experience my wife and I will always remember. We highly recommend them for a great experience. See more..
    
29. 5.0 Lurman Woodland Theatre (31 reviews)
    - Lurman Woodland Theater
    Spent 2-3 hours Theaters
    
    
    This is a wonderful place for some great music.They have concerts on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. It's in a natural bowl with plenty of shade.Just bring a chair or blanket and maybe some refreshments and your all set.They also usually have a food truck serving everything from hot dogs to ice cream.The music is top notch, with everything from rock to country, blue grass and everything in between.I highly recommend Lurman as a place for families to spend a couple of hours on the weekend. See more..
    
30. 5.0 Ilovekickboxing (31 reviews)
    - I fell in love with ilovekickboxing
    Saturday: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM Health Clubs
    An amazing way to break up the Monotony of typical cardio. The teachers are very welcoming and only want to see you succeed. Highly recommend for anyone looking to try a martial arts type of workout @ilovekickboxing - Linthicum See more..
    
31. 5.0 Honeygo Wine and Spirits (30 reviews)
    - Clean, bright, well organized
    Saturday: 9:30 AM - 9:30 PM Speciality & Gift Shops
    
    
    Honeygo Wine and Spirits is clean, bright, and well organized. There is parking on two sides with three entrances. It's easy to move around inside. I was happy to see a wide selection of rosés. Although the selection was somewhat limited, I was able to find both Vinho Verde and Albariño in the Spanish/Portuguese section. My big treat was a single malt Ardbeg Scotch, so I can enjoy a little dram at home tonight. See more..
    
32. 5.0 The Bay Gift Vault (29 reviews)
    - Bangles and Bengal
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops
    
    
    We are a unique gift and gallery in Crisfield, MD, the crab capital of the world. We feature unique gifts, handmade jewelry, local art and much more. You will discover an ever-changing assortment of hand-picked treasures, from distinctive gifts to remind you of the Chesapeake Bay to handmade gemstone jewelry, The Bay Gift Vault offers the perfect choice for any occasion. We invite you to browse our extensive collection of artisan jewelry, accessories, home decor that will make The Bay Gift Vault the ideal place to shop for everyone on your list, including you! Note, our hours shown right now are seasonal winter hours. Open every day starting April 1st through December 31st. Call if you would like to visit any other day and we can arrange to be there for you! See more..
    
33. 5.0 A Little Bit Sheepish (29 reviews)
    - Terrific selection
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops
    
    
    I've always wanted to learn to knit and A Little Bit Sheepish offers a great learn to knit class that takes you way beyond the basics. Brenda is friendly and always willing to help if you get stuck. The yarns are absolutely gorgeous! See more..
    
34. 5.0 Thanksgiving Farm Winery (28 reviews)
    - Lovely, breathtaking, fantastic wines, perfectly wonderful owners!
    Saturday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Wineries & Vineyards
    
    
    We have been to Thanksgiving Farm Winery several times and we've brought family as well to visit the winery. Doug and Maureen are fantastic. Welcoming and accommodating for any needs. We have never tried a wine we didn't like. I suggest doing the wine tasting package first to select what you want to enjoy from the bottle. Take a picnic. Take a charcuterie. Their home is on the historic registry and their wines are the best anywhere in the area. A "must visit" over and and over again! See more..
    
35. 5.0 Autobahn Axe Throwing (28 reviews)
    - it was so fun
    Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers
    
    
    The time i experienced here was good and i liked how fast the carts were and how u can control the carts. See more..
    
36. 5.0 Slack Winery (28 reviews)
    - Not what you expect at the end of a dirt road!
    Wineries & Vineyards
    
    
    We were staying in Solomons and decided to take the trip down and try out Slack Winery. I'll tell you when we turned back the dirt road and kept going and going and going, I was a bit concerned over what we would find. All I can say is wow, a beautiful property and some really nice wines. They don't have a huge selection of wines, but every one that they had were really great. I would definitely recommend the trip. Give it a shot, well worth the trip! See more..
    
37. 5.0 Chester River Wine & Cheese Co. (27 reviews)
    - Sophisticated choices and the most helpful manager ever!
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wine Bars
    
    
    Located in historic Chestertown on the Maryland Eastern Shore, Chester River Wine & Cheese Co. is a specialty food market offering international and domestic wine, cut-to-order cheese, charcuterie and cured meats, as well as gourmet foods such as handmade jam, mustard, salts and sweets, pasta and specialty sauces, local beef, specialty sausage, olive oils and vinegars. Case discounts are available. See more..
    
38. 5.0 Atlantic Kayak Company (26 reviews)
    - Great Tour of Mallows Bay
    Kayaking & Canoeing
    
    
    Great tour of the wrecks (and nature) at Mallows Bay. Friendly, informative guides. Good for all skill levels. We went very close to low tide, so the wrecks were pretty close to maximum visibility. In addition to the ghost ships, we saw osprey, bald eagles and egrets. I highly recommend AKC and this tour. See more..
    
39. 5.0 Pocomoke River Cruises (26 reviews)
    - Make the time for this One...You won't regret it!
    Boat Tours
    
    
    This relaxing excursion on the Pocomoke River provided a wonderful time to explore an eastern shore treasure we had't seen before. Captain Jerry made it entertaining for all, as he had a wealth of knowledge about the river and its inhabitants. As a bald eagle led us on our way, it was exciting to see, of course the bald eagle itself, but also blue herons, the beaver lodges, the bald cypress trees, and turtles sunbathing. One of the many favorite memories we will have of our 34th anniversary weekend. See more..
    
40. 5.0 Antietam Creek Vineyards (26 reviews)
    - Nice way to end a day.
    Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards
    
    
    We visited at the end of our travel day. It was a cold day, but the views were still amazing. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We had glasses of wine and talked with staff. It had a local vibe that was relaxed and inviting. The wines we had were good and we ended up buying what we tried. See more..
    
41. 5.0 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (26 reviews)
    - Let your imagination loose.
    Theaters
    
    
    The performing arts center at University of Maryland, College Park. Performances, workshops & discussions by professionals & students. Most events are free. See more..
    
42. 5.0 Light Flight Hot Air Balloons, Inc. & Barnstormer Aero (26 reviews)
    - Beautiful and serene
    Saturday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Balloon Rides
    
    
    Whether you live in Maryland or are visiting you want to book a ride with Light Flight Hot Air Balloons and experience the joy of gliding over Maryland’s beautiful farm country. This was a wonderful experience! It was smooth sailing from beginning to end and our flight crew, Mike and Mark, couldn’t have been nicer or more competent. The unpacking and inflating of the balloon, the actual flight and the deflating and packing up of the balloon were all fascinating and made to look easy even though it was obviously a lot of work. Kudos to Light Flight Hot Air Balloons! See more..
    
43. 5.0 Great Falls (24 reviews)
    - Great hiking near DC!
    Spent 1-2 hours Waterfalls
    
    
    The walk along the C&O Canal is quite enjoyable. It is a nice wide path with lots of places to stop and check out the old lock system. The real show stopper is the Great Falls Overlook from Olmstead Island. Take your time enjoying the view and you just might get lucky and see some kayakers paddle the falls. The scenery from Olmstead Island is just awesome! Unfortunately, there are the usual visitors who do not think that rules apply to them: NO DOGS ON OLMSTEAD ISLAND!! We were fortunate to visit on a weekday afternoon/evening. This might be the best time to visit to avoid large crowds. See more..
    
44. 5.0 Ben's Red Swings Community Playground (24 reviews)
    - What a great place to visit!
    Spent 1-2 hours Parks • Playgrounds
    
    
    Lots for kids to do, and there's a separate tot lot as well as a sandbox. Easy to get to, plenty of parking. Bathrooms on site, although there are bathrooms at the adjacent zoo. Clean, too. Highly recommended. See more..
    
45. 5.0 Sultana Education Foundation (24 reviews)
    - Sultana Public Paddles: A "must-do" when visiting the upper Chesapeake Bay area!
    Nature & Wildlife Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing
    
    
    Yesterday was another great day of kayaking in the upper Chesapeake Bay area with our fearless leaders, John and Chris, who are a wealth of information about the bay, John Smith and the Indian tribes he encountered in this area, and the plants, animals, and birds that call the Chesapeake Bay their home. Sultana's Public Paddles are leisurely 2.5 hour trips in some of the most beautiful and best kept secret areas of the bay. We have done all of their paddles time and again and always enjoy kayaking with them. What a great way to get some exercise and enjoy nature while meeting some of the nicest people you will ever meet! Don't forget your camera and binoculars if you have them! See more..
    
46. 5.0 The Newtowne Players (24 reviews)
    - Great Playhouse - NEVER disappointed
    Saturday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Spent More than 3 hours Theaters
    
    
    The Newtowne Players is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community theatre group located in the heart of Southern Maryland. The group performs five mainstage (full length) productions each year including musicals and 2-3 second stage (short run) productions including one act festivals and benefits. NTPs mission is to promote all aspects of the performing arts in Southern Maryland. See more..
    
47. 5.0 Last Hurrah Fishing Charters (22 reviews)
    - Amazing tril
    Fishing Charters & Tours
    
    
    Capt Scott was well organized from the start. He sent a detailed email preparing for the trip to include Dramamine the the before and the day of! We started out fishing for our own bait which lead to fishing for 12 beautiful Rockfish! I think we caught our limit in 45 minutes! It was a fishing frenzie once we found the sweet spot in the bay. His first mate Mime was awesome! Filleted our catch prior to departure! A trip I will never forget. Celebrated my son’s birthday with catching the biggest fish ever-28 inch Rockfish. See more..
    
48. 5.0 C. Burr Artz Public Library (21 reviews)
    - Beautiful Library with an AMAZING Local History Archives
    Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Libraries
    
    
    I had the pleasure of giving a lecture recently at the C. Burr Artz Library. The building is quite beautiful on the inside. The meeting space was large and comfortable, but the best feature of the whole library is the amazing Maryland Room. This local history collection. The archives houses thousands of books, photos and ephemera representing the greater Frederick area. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and ready to work with researchers on a number of topics. Anyone doing research either on buildings or families in Frederick would be remiss to not make a visit to the Maryland Room. The Maryland Room manager is a superhero, you'll see! See more..
    
49. 5.0 Diehl's Produce Market (20 reviews)
    - Great Variety, Great Service
    Spent < 1 hour Farmers Markets
    We've enjoyed Diehl's for many years, and it is consistently a great experience. They offer a wide variety of produce & plants, good quality, and fair pricing. The folks working there are friendly, knowledgeable, and quick to lend a hand. It's so nice to have them in our community. See more..
    
50. 5.0 Autobahn Axe Throwing (20 reviews)
    - “G” was great and friendly, bathrooms were dirty.
    Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers
    
    
    Went with a friend and had a great time. G was excellent and made the track a great experience for us. However the bathrooms were horrid and is telling to me of the behind the scenes of this operation, as if the bathrooms are that dirty how can we believe that the shared helmets are properly wiped down? However thanks to G our visit was salvaged, thanks for that. See more..
    

What's a Hidden gem?

We call places hidden gems that are new, extremely good, but are not that popular yet - you should check them out. The criteria is to have a rating of 4.5 or more and more than 20 reviews and less than 100 reviews.