In December 1649, the first European settlers supplanted the Susquehannocks and formed a new settlement north of the Severn River. They named it Providence. Now almost 375 years later, Anne Arundel County encompasses 376,000 acres and sits at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, enticing visitors from around the world to explore its diverse history and heritage. 

 

Discover

As a companion to our Annapolis list of 33 Sights to See in our Visitor Guide, which takes you on a very walkable journey through historic downtown, we have curated a list to include Anne Arundel County sites that take you on an epic county 'Road Trip.' The aptly named 23 Sights to See takes you from northern Anne Arundel County just outside of Baltimore and winds you south toward rolling hills and farmland as you meander through charming Chesapeake towns, wineries, and horse country. Along the way, you will encounter historic homes, parks, trails, and more as you explore and enjoy all our scenic bayside county has to offer. 

  1. The Kuethe Library - 5 Crain Hwy., SE Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061 The Kuethe Library includes the holdings of the Ann Arrundell County Historical Society and the Anne Arundel Genealogical Society. In addition to published material, the collection consists of manuscripts, maps, photographs, genealogical, biographical, and subject files. Winter Hours (Labor Day-Memorial Day): Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. Summer Hours (Memorial Day-Labor Day): Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 am - 2 pm. 

  2. Hancock's Resolution - 2795 Bayside Beach Road Pasadena, MD 21122 Once a 410-acre tobacco farm owned by Stephen Hancock Jr., Hancock's Resolution is one of the few remaining eighteenth-century stone dwellings in Anne Arundel County still in use to this day. The historic farm and park are open on Sundays, 1—4 pm, April – October. 

  3. Benson-Hammond House - 7101 Aviation Blvd. Linthicum, MD 21090 Built circa 1820, the Benson Hammond House is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the last standing farmhouse on the large tract of land that became the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) airport. The house is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 11 am to 3 pm.  

  4. BWI Trail - Thomas A. Dixon Observation Area, 1911 Dorsey Rd Glen Burnie, MD 21240 At Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie, the B&A Trail ends, and the BWI Trail begins. The BWI Trail circles BWI Airport for an additional 12.5 miles of paved trail. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. A parking lot and a children's playground are located at the Thomas A. Dixon Observation Area on Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie. 

  5. National Cryptologic Museum - 8290 Colony Seven Rd Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 The National Cryptologic Museum is the NSA's gateway to the public and educates visitors about the role of cryptology in shaping history. The NCM collects, preserves, and showcases unique cryptologic artifacts and shares the stories of the people, technology, and methods that have defined cryptologic history. Open Monday - Friday:  9 am to 4 pm. Saturdays (1st and 3rd of the month): 10 am to 2 pm. Closed Sundays and Federal Holidays. 

  6. William Brown House - 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD Between 1758 and 1764, William Brown, carpenter, ferry master, tavern keeper, and enslaver, built this sizeable Georgian house to be a tavern. Today, you can tour the home as part of the lost colonial port town of London Town at Historic London Town & Gardens on the South River. Open April through early December, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. 

  7. Woodlawn House at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)- E 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037 Woodlawn House is the oldest building in the Smithsonian's collection still standing in its original location. The house was built in 1735 by William Sellman, one of Maryland's earliest founding families. Woodlawn House is open on Saturdays, 10 am-12:30 pm. 

  8. Beverly Triton Nature Park - 202 Triton Beach Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037 Situated on the Chesapeake Bay, Beverly-Triton-Nature-Park offers passive recreation, such as walking trails, cartop boat launch, and fishing, as well as a large stretch of sandy beach with views of the Chesapeake Bay. Open daily, from dawn to dusk. Free admission.  

  9. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary - 1361 Wrighton Rd, Lothian, MD 20711 Nestled along the Patuxent River on the border of Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is a fascinating preserve and historical archive of Anne Arundel County. Early colonial artifacts, as well as indigenous artifacts, have been discovered at this 1,700-acre animal sanctuary and nature preserve. Perfect for hiking, birding, and exploring the great outdoors. Open Wednesday, 9 am – 5 pm, Friday – Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm. (Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays to minimize environmental impact). 

  10. Captain Avery Museum - 1418 E. West Shady Side Rd. Shady Side, MD 20764 Sitting on the banks of the West River and overlooking the Chesapeake Bay is the 19th-century home and land of Captain Salem Avery. Purchased by a group of Jewish Masons from Washington D.C. in the 1920s, the property became a respite where the families could enjoy the Chesapeake without discrimination. The property & museum provides a variety of educational programming, community and private events, exhibits, and resources to preserve and improve life on the Chesapeake Bay. Open Sundays, 1 – 4 pm, and select weekends throughout the year. 

  11. Galesville Heritage Society – 988 Main St. Galesville, MD 20765 The Galesville Heritage Society & Museum seeks to preserve the rich and diverse maritime history of Galesville and its residents. The museum is open by appointment and on Sundays, April through November, 1 – 4 pm. The town is also a part of Anne Arundel County's African American Heritage Trail. 

  12. Deale Museum & Herrington Harbour North Historic Village - 389 Deale Rd., Herrington Harbor N. Marina Tracys Landing, MD 20779 The Deale Museum is in the old Nutwell School House circa 1885. The schoolhouse and remaining outbuildings are part of a historic village that has been saved from development and aims to provide a glimpse into Maryland life from the 1700s and through the 1900s. Open daily for self-guided tours. Interactive tours and demonstrations by the Deale Area Historical Society are available 1 – 4 pm on Sundays from May to October and at other times by appointment. 

 

  1. Franklin Point State Park - Dent Rd Churchton, MD 20733 Franklin Point State Park is a beautiful 477-acre peninsula nestled among the Chesapeake Bay, Deep Creek, and Flag Pond in scenic southern Anne Arundel County. Passive enjoyment, including wildlife viewing and hiking, is available at Anne Arundel County’s newest state park. Before venturing to this park, you must submit a request for the access code on their webpage. At this time, parking is limited and restricted to the lot off Dent Road. 

 

  1. Linthicum Walks - 2295 Davidsonville Rd, Gambrills, MD 21054 Linthicum Walks is a 200-year-old house in western Anne Arundel County built by Thomas Linthicum. The home is owned by Anne Arundel County and operated by the Department of Recreation & Parks. The property is open from 10 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday, and closed from Saturday to Sunday. 

 

  1. Annearrundell County Free School Museum - 1298 Lavall Dr, Davidsonville, MD 21035 The Annearrundell County Free School is a historic one-room schoolhouse built in 1723. The school is owned by Anne Arundel County Public Schools and is open by appointment for school field trips and group tours. Open 1-4 pm the second Saturday and Sunday, April – August. 

 

  1. Odenton Heritage Society - 1367 Odenton Rd, Odenton, MD 21113 Once a sparsely settled farming community, Odenton blossomed with the construction of railroads through the area due to its proximity to Annapolis, Washington D. C., and Baltimore 170 years ago. The Society also protects the historic architecture of the site, which has been named an official landmark district by Anne Arundel County. Download a walking map of the historic district on their website at www.odentonheritage.org. The Odenton Heritage Society is open Sundays 1 – 4 pm and by appointment. 

 

  1. Bacon Ridge Trail - 1801 Hawkins Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401 Bacon Ridge is a 5.5-mile figure-eight loop that consists of moderate hills yet is suitable for all skill levels. Although foot and bike traffic can be heavy, the trail is well-groomed and provides a sturdy path for walking, jogging, and dirt biking. Connect with the Annapolis Water Works Trail for an additional 11 miles of trails. Open daily, 6:30 am – 9 pm. 

 

  1. B&A Trail - 51 W Earleigh Heights Rd. Severna Park, MD 21146 The B&A Trail stretches from Boulters Way in Annapolis to Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The trail is open from dawn to dusk. The Earleigh Heights Ranger Station (ca. 1889) is in Severna Park, with parking available on the premises. A gazebo, horticultural gardens, and park benches are found at the Hatton-Regester Green property in Severna Park. 

 

  1. Kinder Farm Park - 1001 Kinder Farm Park Rd, Millersville, MD 21108 Kinder Farm Park in Millersville is a 288-acre park that offers a variety of natural and recreational activities, including walking, biking, bird watching, fishing, and picnicking. Picnic tables and grills for picnicking are located throughout the park. Kinder Farm Park has a large playground and tot-lot ideal for children of all ages. Grounds are open seven days a week, from 7 am to dusk. There is a daily fee of $6/vehicle; annual and senior citizen lifetime passes are available from the County Recreation & Parks Department. Park fees must be paid in cash or check. 

 

  1. Historic Goshen Farm & Educational Center - 1420 Cape St Claire Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409 Historic Goshen Farm, built in the late 1780s, is under the ownership of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education and consists of open space, open meadows, walking trails in the woods, and educational and community uses. It was originally a 290-acre farm that relied on enslaved labor; the living quarters of servants and the enslaved can be explored on the property. The farm is open to members, their guests, and the public for certain special events. Visit their website at www.goshenfarm.org for hours of operation. 

 

  1. Frederick Douglass Museum & Cultural Center - 3200 Wayman Avenue Highland Beach, MD 21403 The Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center is housed in Twin Oaks, the summer cottage built in 1895 by Major Charles Douglass, the youngest son of Frederick Douglass. Highland Beach was incorporated in 1922 and became Maryland's first African American municipality. The Bay Side town became a haven for black families who were turned away from Chesapeake Bay beaches and amusement parks of their race. The Museum and Cultural Center is open by appointment. Email FDMCCHB@gmail.com for reservations. 

 

  1. The Johns Hopkins House -  2173 Johns Hopkins Rd, Gambrills, MD 21054 Whites Hall is the birthplace of the philanthropist and founder of Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins. This interpretive home is undergoing renovations, but the grounds are open for a seasonal biergarten with live music and food trucks. Learn more on their website, www.johnshopkinshouse.org.

 

  1. Sandy Point State Park - 1100 East College Parkway Annapolis, MD 21409 This scenic 786-acre Maryland State Park is located along the northwestern shore of the majestic Chesapeake Bay. The park’s one-mile sandy beach provides plenty of room for enjoying various beach activities. A portion of South Beach is protected by lifeguards from 10 am - 6 pm on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Day-use Admission Fee, May 1- September 30 - Weekends and holidays: $5/person, Weekdays: $4/person. October 1 - April 30 - $3 per vehicle.