Find Hotels in Anne Arundel for Nature and History

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Anne Arundel County has 533 miles of shoreline, offering natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Public water access in the county includes places to launch canoes and kayaks from car rooftops, campgrounds with water access, fishing opportunities, a boat ramp, boat rentals, dog beaches and swimming areas. Shores, trails and history offer different ways to discover the area.

Trails with Different Routes and Points of Interest

The Anne Arundel County trail system includes the B&A Trail, the BWI Trail, the Broadneck Peninsula Trail and the WB&A Trail. The B&A Trail is 13.3 miles long, paved, and follows the former route of the Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad from Glen Burnie to Annapolis. It is suitable for walking, running and cycling for visitors of all ages and abilities. By contrast, the BWI Trail is a 12-mile paved loop around BWI Airport. At Andover Road, a spur of the BWI Trail leads to the Linthicum light rail station. The two trails described in greater detail can therefore be distinguished by their routes: the B&A Trail follows a former railroad line between two cities, while the BWI Trail loops around the airport.

Shoreline, Parkland and Water Access

Beverly Triton Nature Park has one mile of natural shoreline between the South River and the Rhode River. Its five miles of natural trails run along the shoreline, through the woods and around brackish ponds. Downs Park covers 236 acres along the Chesapeake Bay and has more than five miles of paved and natural trails. The landscapes and trail types differ accordingly: at Beverly Triton, nature trails pass the shoreline, woods and brackish ponds, while Downs Park combines paved and natural routes.

Mayo Beach Park, near the mouth of the South River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay, has a sandy beach, playground and picnic areas. A launch site is provided for non-motorized watercraft that can be launched from a car rooftop. The park is open to the public. A reservation pass is required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; check this seasonal requirement before your visit.

Discover History and Nature

Fort Smallwood Park includes a historic gun battery and barracks. Fort Smallwood was a coastal defense installation built from the late 19th century into the early 1900s; it was in use from 1890 to 1927. The same park is home to the 380-foot Bill Burton Fishing Pier, which is used for fishing, birdwatching and taking in the local scenery. Here, traces of coastal defense history meet different ways to experience the surroundings from the pier.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary protects more than 1,700 acres of land in the tidal areas of the Patuxent River. Jug Bay is designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon Maryland-DC and is one of three components of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Natural trails and boardwalks through marshes in the sanctuary support hiking, birdwatching, camping, educational programs, research and volunteer activities. Here, nature experiences and conservation go hand in hand with educational and research activities.

At Kinder Farm Park, an agricultural history program and working farm demonstrate past and present farming practices in Anne Arundel County. The visitor center displays agricultural artifacts from the 1930s, including a tobacco press and tobacco harvesting tools. For a choice of trail types, the park offers a 2.4-mile paved loop and several miles of natural trails.

Quiet Waters Park lies between the South River and Harness Creek and encompasses 340 acres of parkland. Its visitor center houses two art galleries featuring works by local and regional artists. The park also has an off-leash dog beach and a dog park with separate runs for small and large dogs. Farmers’ markets in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are another part of the region’s offerings, with freshly harvested produce, fresh seafood, local honey and handmade goods. Market dates may change; check them before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Linthicum, Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Annapolis Junction, Arnold, Millersville, Odenton, Deale

For the broader travel overview: Maryland.

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