Thanks to Margot Amelia and Liz Fitzsimmons, formerly associated with ChooseMaryland.org, for providing the following information about Autumn in Maryland. Now, Maryland’s official State tourism website is located at Visit Maryland
Foliage.org: What are the projected dates for Marylands peak foliage season?
As Maryland is 250 miles from East to West and the fall foliage starts at different times throughout the state. Western Maryland’s foliage starts changing around September 20 and continues through October. The rest of the state starts after that with the Eastern Shore (whose climate is tempered by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean) retaining colurful leaves until mid-November. (Editor’s tip: Get an extra dose of ocean air and the autumn foliage experience.)
Foliage.org: Are there towns within Maryland that are known for their autumn foliage displays?
Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. Northern Baltimore County in Horse Country.
Foliage.org: What roads and highways in Maryland are popular scenic routes for fall tourists?
Many use our network of 19 byways to travel to see the leaves. One popular route is the “Journey Through Hallowed Ground”, which takes you on a scenic trail through the mountains and showcases Maryland’s place in American history and its significance in the Civil War.
Foliage.org: Please describe any fall festivals or other public events that place in Maryland during foliage season.
Autumn Glory is the granddaddy of Fall Foliage Festivals in the State with a parade, beauty contest and the state’s banjo and fiddle championships. It’s a five-day festival. (Editor’s tip: So there’s plenty of opportunity for families with children and those who may wish to visit at a “quieter time” to attend. Hint Hint “retirees”.) As stated earlier, the fall foliage lasts through November on the Eastern Shore and an annual festival is the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland. This lovely Eastern Shore community becomes a walkable gallery of art dedicated to the Chesapeake Bay – plus there are activities for the kids and the dogs.
Foliage.org: Are there historic sites in Maryland that are also known for their fall foliage displays?
My favorite is Gathland State Park and the view from War Correspondents Arch in Washington County. The view atop the hill looking back east is always beautiful but when the valley is filled with a palette of red, orange and yellow – it is breathtaking.
Foliage.org: What are favorite tourist attractions of autumn travelers? What are some of the less well known but much loved attractions?
I’ve mentioned a few of them, but another favorite is the wildlife refuges: Eastern Neck is truly spectacular and a place for the migratory birds to stop on their way south.
Foliage.org: Are there towns that are favorite destinations for history, literature, or architecture buffs, or antique collectors?
In Maryland, you can’t miss our history: Annapolis – where the Treaty of Paris was signed that ended the Revolutionary War; Baltimore – where the Star-Spangled Banner was written and railroading history began; Cambridge – where Underground Railroad conductor Harriet
Tubman was born; Sharpsburg – where the Battle of Antietam was forever marked in history as the bloodiest one-day battle; Cumberland – the beginning of the first federally funded highway in the United States bringing crops and raw materials from the Western Frontier.
Architecture: Buildings by Frank Gehry in Columbia; the many spired churches of Frederick. Antiques – Kenningston in Montgomery County; Antique Row in Baltimore City and New Market in Frederick.
Foliage.org: What are favorite fall destinations or activities of families traveling with children in the Maryland?
All of the above are great family activities plus add in that many people love to head to the ocean and visit with the ponies of Assateague Island, or ride the coasters at Six Flags American in Prince
Georges County.
Foliage.org: Please name a few helpful resources for discovering Maryland inns, B&B?s, and boutique hotels?
Our web site Visit Maryland
Foliage.org: Anything else you would like to add to help visitors thinking about traveling Maryland for the fall foliage season?
Maryland is a Pretty. Smart. Travel Destination. One of the reasons I always give that Maryland is small because we took the boring stuff out long ago, which makes it an easy drivable destination. I always say that by the time the passengers are getting antsy and say are we there yet? They usually are.
Our fall foliage line 1-800-Leaves1 will be up in mid-September to give callers the low down on where the leaves are the most vibrant and what events are happening around spectacular fall colours.