12 Things You Miss When You Leave Maryland

For many who enjoy travel, there are often small comforts of home that they miss when they leave. For people from Maryland, or even those who visited for a brief time, here are some of the things you’re sure to miss.

Crab Cakes

Everyone who visits Baltimore should try an authentic Maryland crab cake. Baltimore, in particular, is known for its fresh and tasty crab cakes made without fillers and often seasoned with original Old Bay and other spices that bring out the flavor of the crab meat. Natives of Maryland know better than to order a crab cake when they’re traveling. If you’re not from Maryland, and you’ve never had a crab cake here, it’s time to plan your trip.

Old Bay Seasoning

Chicken Box

Who doesn’t appreciate a chicken box every now and then? The Baltimore tradition consists of a Styrofoam container filled with fried chicken that is often sprinkled with salt and pepper and slathered in ketchup. You can purchase them at any America’s Best Wings or Chick ‘N Trout. Don’t forget your half-and-half (sweet tea and lemonade) and French fries, too.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are Baltimore’s official NFL team. Whenever the Ravens play a home game at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimoreans swarm downtown. For away games, fans watch the game unfold from the comfort of their homes. Usually, true football fans and lovers of the sport are glued to a TV in some form or fashion, even when they’re traveling.

1. Fresh Bakery Cupcakes

Bakery, Pastry Shop, Pastelaria, Dessert, Pastries, American, Vegetarian

Fresh Bakery cupcakes are absolutely delicious and are made fresh daily with only the freshest ingredients. These square cupcakes always stand out and smell delightful. When you leave Maryland, it’s hard to find cupcakes that taste as sweet, fresh, and moist. Other cupcakes will pale in comparison.

2. Captain Crunch French Toast

Cafe

Avid Sunday brunchers who move from Maryland always miss Blue Moon Cafe and their specialty Captain Crunch French Toast. People travel from all over to give this fantastic dish a try. It’s not only sweet, but it’s also freshly made and topped with fruit and whipped cream.

Blue Moon Café, 1621 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD, USA, +1 410 522 3940

Bergers Cookies

Bergers Cookies are a Baltimore tradition with a German background. These shortbread cookies are full of fudgy-goodness and then topped with chocolate fudge. The small, hand-dipped cookies are a delightful snack that everyone enjoys.

3. Hubcap Margaritas

Restaurant

Baltimore is home to Nacho Mama’s, where you’ll find the hubcap margarita, which is exactly as it sounds—a margarita served in a hubcap. This restaurant also has some of the best quesadillas in town and will have you wanting more, perhaps with another hubcap margarita.

Nacho Mama’s, 2907 O’Donnell St, Baltimore, MD, USA, +1 410 675 0898

4. Ocean City, Maryland

Natural Feature

With a wonderful boardwalk that has so many delicious treats, you’re sure to miss Ocean City, Maryland. The boardwalk is home to the famous Thrasher’s French Fries, which always has a long line with hot fries awaiting you at the end. Many people top off their fries with salt and vinegar, which only add to the savory and salty taste. The boardwalk also has a fudge shop and another small storefront with hot and fresh funnel cakes.

5. The Baltimore Inner Harbor

Natural Feature

Baltimore Inner Harbor | © Nickel Lietzau/Flickr

The Baltimore Inner Harbor is a great place that brings commerce, industry, and tourists to the city. At the Inner Harbor, there are many restaurants right on the water, along with The Gallery, which has plenty of shopping and things to see. It’s also the perfect place to just walk around and enjoy the fresh and cool downtown air.

6. Power Plant Live!

Music Venue

Power Plant Live! is the perfect place to go to when you want to spend a night out on the town. With multiple bars and permission to venture outside with a drink in your hand, it’s easy to bar hop. They also hold many events, such as taco festivals, happy hour specials, and more. Power Plant Live! is definitely missed when you leave the state.

7. Wine Bars

Bar, Restaurant, Wine Bar

Maryland has many wine bars that provide an elegant and sultry adult vibe. One such bar, 13.5% Wine Bar, is in downtown Hampden in Baltimore City and offers an amazing array of wines that are perfectly paired with a seasonal menu. 13.5% has marvelous food with an even better wine selection that is on display in the restaurant and covers an entire wall.

13.5% Wine Bar, 1117 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD, USA, +1 410 889 1064

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

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