Maryland is one of the world’s top must-see travel destinations, according to the guidebook publisher Lonely Planet.
Lonely Planet named the state among the 50 destinations on its Best in Travel 2027 list.
“Maryland is a place where history, culture, nature and innovation come together, and this recognition from Lonely Planet gives travelers around the world another reason to experience it for themselves,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.
The travel list noted Maryland is “Best for Underground Railroad history and Chesapeake flavors.”
The entry included a comment from pediatrician, travel enthusiast, and writer Julie F. King, who has claimed Baltimore as her hometown.
“Maryland is my adopted home, a place I love beyond measure,” King said. “I am so proud of our heritage as a home to Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad, Frederick Douglass, Tupac Shakur and Oprah Winfrey. It’s a cultural powerhouse, a culinary destination and an outdoor paradise. Maryland will draw you in and keep you coming back for more.”
Among the “14 Best Things to Do in Maryland,” Lonely Planet called exploring Baltimore’s iconic Inner Harbor a “non-negotiable.”
The site also recommended activities like visiting Baltimore’s art, culture and history museums; strolling along the Ocean City boardwalk; touring Annapolis, “one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most charming capitals”; viewing the wild horses on Assateague Island (at a safe distance); learning about Harriet Tubman’s birthplace; getting in tune with nature at Deep Creek Lake; tasting the iconic multilayered Smith Island cake; enjoying the Maryland Renaissance Festival and other events; cracking into a Maryland blue crab or feasting on crab cakes; and plenty more.
Maryland was one of seven United States destinations that made the list – and one of only three U.S. places that were noted for their entire state.
The other U.S. listings were New Mexico; Miami, Florida; Alaska; Rose Island, Rhode Island; Redwood Parks, California; and northeastern Minnesota.
International listings included places like the two-island African nation São Tomé and Príncipe; Killary Fjord in Ireland; Danang, Vietnam; Buenos Aires, Argentina; the Red Centre of Australia; and many more.
The tourism industry here is strong, with state officials noting that 47.4 million people visited Maryland in 2025.
“Tourism is an important part of our state’s economy, supporting businesses, workers and communities across Maryland,” Moore said. “As we look ahead to 2027, we have an opportunity to welcome even more visitors and share the stories that make Maryland such a special place to live, work and visit.”
Maryland is also preparing to commemorate the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027, as the state is the birthplace for the industry. The nation’s first passenger railroad service embarked from Mount Clare to Ellicott Mills, now Ellicott City, in 1830.
In 1953, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad company first opened the B&O Railroad Museum, then known as the Baltimore & Ohio Transportation Museum. This summer, the museum unveiled its new name and brand identity as the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation.
The museum seeks to highlight the past, present, and future of railroading – from its roots in Maryland to its impact across the country and world. Its new Innovation Hall is set to open in January 2027.
“Travelers today are looking for experiences that connect them to the places they visit, and Maryland offers that in abundance,” said Cassandra Vanhooser, managing director of the Maryland Office of Tourism. “Whether exploring our history, getting out on the water, enjoying our food and culture or discovering a new community, visitors can create a Maryland experience that is uniquely their own. We look forward to welcoming travelers in 2027 and beyond.”
