The seemingly never-ending miles of coastline in Maryland serves as a vessel to a sea of nautical experiences and culinary delights. Breathtaking waterfronts along the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean offer historic destinations and resorts, while the nation’s capital is just around the corner. On the west side of the state, highlands feature small colonial towns, farmland, and the possibility of catching a glimpse of a wild horse.
Allegany County
Website – Mdmountainside.com; Facebook – @Mountain_maryland; Twitter – @Mountain_md
Called the “Mountain Side of Maryland,” Allegany County is in the northwest corner of the state.
“We have 1,253 guest rooms and two Main Street and Arts and Entertainment districts,” says Jessica Sainz, marketing and sales manager for Allegany County Tourism.
Top accommodations and event venues include the 198-room Rocky Gap Casino Resort. The resort’s Allegheny Event Center includes a 5,000-square-foot meeting room that accommodates up to 400 guests and four 600-square-foot meeting rooms for gatherings of up to 30. The resort recently revamped its upscale steakhouse, Lakeside Grille.
For group wellness, planners can connect with Wheelzup Wednesdays, a local recreation group, or Tracks and Yaks rail-biking excursions. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is a favorite attraction, as is Rocky Gap State Park with more than 3,000 acres of public land and the 243-acre Lake Habeeb.
Visitors can enjoy trail systems, scenic views, and more. When it’s time to refuel, sample wood-fired pizzas, charcuterie, and a full bar at Ottaviani’s Tasting Room and Lounge in Cumberland. Those with diet restrictions should check out Centre Street Collective’s Fox and Madam, where the menu features gluten-free, grain-free, vegan items and hand-crafted cocktails.
Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
Website – visitannapolis.org ; Facebook – @VisitAnnapolis
Maryland’s capital city, Annapolis, in Anne Arundel County, boasts 11,386 guest rooms; numerous amenity-filled event venues; and culture, history, and outdoor fun.
The 310-room Live! Casino & Hotel features more than 40,000 square feet of customizable event space, including a large ballroom, 10 breakout rooms, and ample pre-function space. The 15,680-square-foot main floor of the venue’s Event Center accommodates more than 3,800 guests seated theater style and 3,000-plus for receptions. The Hall at Live!—a three-story, 4,000-seat concert venue—is a top choice for corporate retreats, meetings, and other gatherings. Components include a 16,304-square-foot main level with a built-in performance stage and hi-tech audiovisual systems. In 2021, the venue opened Sports & Social Maryland, a 212-seat venue equipped with two main bars, VIP lounges, and an assortment of interactive social games, including mini-bowling and oversized foosball.
Other hotels and meeting venues include the 215-room Graduate Annapolis, which boasts 20,000 square feet of meeting space and 12 event rooms. The Graduate’s 3,000-square-foot ballroom offers flexible event space and a private pre-function atrium for up to 500 people. The 225-room Westin Annapolis includes more than 15,418 square feet of meeting space and 14 event rooms. The largest event area, the 6,320-square-foot Capitol Ballroom, fits a capacity of 760 guests.
The 232-room Maritime Conference Center near Linthicum Heights has 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Components include 55 function rooms and a tiered auditorium with a built-in stage to hold up to 500 guests. The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport area offers several top-brand hotels, including Westin, Marriott, and Hilton, accounting for 1,200 guest rooms and more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
With more than 500 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline, Annapolis and Anne Arundel County offer groups endless opportunities for conference attendees to dive deeply into their surroundings. Planners might consider including a 40-minute cruise of Annapolis Harbor or Spa Creek aboard Watermark’s Harbor Queen or Miss Anne; for longer excursions, the twin 74’ wooden schooners, Woodwind and Woodwind II, offer two-hour cruises. Several charter boat companies also offer rentals with or without a captain. For teambuilding and wellness, the area provides a range of lessons for such activities as stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, or kayaking.
On dry land, there is even more to experience and explore: Visit the United States Naval Academy, where U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officers have been learning their skills since 1845; watch midshipmen in noon formation; visit the Naval Academy Museum’s world-class exhibits; or dine with midshipmen at the Drydock Restaurant. Annapolis also has an outstanding collection of 18th-century grand mansions. Color-coded historical markers tell fascinating stories and can turn a casual stroll into an architectural field day.
Several new eateries opened their doors in 2022, including The Choptank at City Dock and Acqua al 2. The Parley Room on Main Street, offers an array of libations and eats. For locally brewed beers and European-inspired dishes, Garten in Severna Park offers indoor and outdoor beer and wine gardens.
Art lovers will want to explore Gallery 57 on Annapolis’s West Street. Music lovers can take in classical to contemporary performances, as the city is home to the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Opera, Live Arts Maryland, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, and Classic Theatre of Maryland.
“Ours is a very events-driven destination, rather than a seasonally-driven one,” explains Susan Seifried, media and community relations director for Visit Annapolis. “From late spring into early fall, groups can enjoy boat cruises, walking tours, and Wednesday night sailboat races.” Later in the fall, however, planners should note that the U.S. sailboat and powerboat shows, as well as Navy Football games, draw big crowds to the area.
Baltimore
Website – baltimore.org; Instagram – @visitbmore
“If you want a one-of-a-kind event that leaves your attendees delighted, then look no further than Baltimore,” says Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore.” Besides our excellent location, vibrant neighborhoods, and scenic waterfront, we also provide unforgettable cultural experiences and delicious dining for a fraction of the price; Baltimore is an attractive locale for groups looking to expand their reach.”
Adjacent to Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor, the 1.2 million-square-foot Baltimore Convention Center boasts 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space, 85,000 square feet of meeting space, and 50 meeting rooms. The venue’s 36,672-square-foot ballroom can be divided into four separate event rooms, accommodating up to approximately 1,000 seated theater-style and about 600 for banquets. Of the city’s 8,000 guest rooms, about 2,300 are located on or near the convention campus.
Adjoining the convention center, the 20-story, 757-room Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor boasts 62,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 26,712-square-foot ballroom that holds more than 3,000 guests theater-style and 2,500-plus for receptions.
The 754-room Baltimore Marriott Waterfront has 50,527 square feet of event space and can accommodate up to 2,800 guests in its 19,140-square-foot ballroom. A short walk from the convention center, National Aquarium, and Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the 524-room Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards offers 18,472 square feet of event space and includes 25 event rooms.
Adding to Baltimore’s hotel collection is the new 116-room Hotel Ulysses, housed in the historic Latrobe Building.
Baltimore’s Peale Museum re-opened in late 2022 after a $5.5 million renovation. Built in 1814, the Peale showcases the work of Baltimore’s artists and storytellers. Besides tours, the museum features 13,000 square feet of event space, four galleries accommodating up to 100 seated guests, and the 1,800-square-foot Pollinator Garden.
Other cultural destinations include the Baltimore Museum of Art—boasting the world’s most extensive collection of works by Henri Matisse—and the Walters Art Museum. The historic city also has excellent niche museums that showcase local favorites, including the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum and the B&O Railroad Museum.
A new 65,000-square-foot Topgolf sports venue opened last fall, featuring 90 outdoor hitting bays on three levels and other amenities for group outings and teambuilding. Re-opening this month after undergoing a $200 million renovation is downtown Baltimore’s 14,000-capacity CFG Bank Arena (formerly the Royal Farms Arena and 1st Mariner Arena). The 14,000-person venue has hosted some of the biggest stars in sports, music, comedy, and entertainment.
A new master plan for Baltimore’s Warner Street—a five-minute drive from the convention center—is on track to transform a previous industrial zone into an energetic and walkable corridor bridging MGM’s Horseshoe Casino and M&T Bank Stadium. The 250,000-square-foot district includes a new Paramount music venue, Yards Social Bar, Topgolf facility, and more than 34,000 square feet of retail space.
Frederick County
Website – visitfrederick.org; Facebook – @visitfrederickmd
Frederick County is about 45 minutes from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and conveniently located near three major airports.
The 155-acre ThorpeWood mountain retreat has 4,577 square feet of event space, including an arboretum, lodge, pavilion, and restored barn.
In the county seat of Frederick, the 155-guest room Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center boasts 13,000 square feet of event space, four meeting rooms, and a 7,744-square-foot ballroom that converts into six rooms. The venue also has a 3,100-square-foot indoor garden courtyard.
Hampton Inn Frederick, near the historic downtown, has 167 guest rooms and 7,000 square feet of flexible event space, including five meeting rooms. Its largest space is 4,500 square feet and holds up to 250 guests for receptions.
Downtown Frederick’s Arts & Entertainment District has three theaters, including the 1,143-seat Weinberg Center for the Arts. Occupying a renovated 100-year-old mill, the Delaplaine Arts Center offers additional indoor and outdoor event options.
Frederick County’s convention and visitors bureau offers planners excellent ideas and options for group excursions and teambuilding activities. “The Fort, the Flag and the Poet” tour lets visitors see where “Star-Spangled Banner” writer Francis Scott Key once lived, practiced law, and is buried. Another outing, “Farm Fresh Frederick,” visits local farms, wineries, breweries, creameries, and orchards; The “Historic Spaces and Garden Oasis” meanwhile explores the county’s many historical residences and gardens.
Garrett County
Website – visitdeepcreek.com; Instagram – @deepcreekgroups Facebook – @deepcreekgroups
Garrett County in western Maryland offers more than 4,000 guest accommodations and a great selection of event and meeting venues. The 169-room Wisp Resort in McHenry has conference and meeting capabilities and four-season outdoor recreation options. The Wisp has 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including five meeting rooms and a lodge. The resort’s largest event area, at 10,260 square feet, can hold 1,050 people.
Other local amenities include the recently expanded and renovated Performing Arts Center at Garrett College, featuring a main theater that seats 485 and a 2,000-square-foot multipurpose room. The Ag Heritage Hall at the fairgrounds at Deep Creek Lake has 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space and accommodates up to 500 people.
Deep Creek Lake State Park encompasses more than 1,800 acres and features two swimming beaches, 20 miles of hiking/biking trails, a campground, and a 6,000-square-foot Discovery Center. The Ag Heritage Hall at the fairgrounds at Deep Creek Lake has 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space and accommodates up to 500 people.
Howard County
Website – Visithowardcounty.com; Facebook – @VisitHoCoMD
Howard County offers more than 3,000 guest rooms and suites. In Ellicott City, the 172-room Turf Valley Resort features 25 flexible meeting spaces, including a 9,472-square-foot grand ballroom that holds 800.
In Columbia, the newly renovated Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel offers 212 guest rooms and features 12,492 square feet of meeting space.
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia has 152 sleeping rooms and 14,000 square feet of flexible event space, onsite catering, and a 3,150-square-foot ballroom that holds up to 300 guests. The hotel’s 4,896-square-foot atrium is available for a capacity of 200 guests seated theater-style. The 171-room Holiday Inn Columbia East-Jessup contains 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Its largest room, the 3,500-square-foot International Ballroom, can hold up to 300 people seated theater-style.
Other hotels with space for gatherings of 100 or more attendees include Homewood Suites, Best Western Plus, and Hilton Garden Inn. Savage Mill, housed in a historic cotton mill, has an event venue that holds 300.
Montgomery County
Website – Visitmontgomery.Com; Facebook – @VisitMoCo
Bordering Washington, D.C., Montgomery County includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring. “We offer more than 9,000 guest rooms across 54 hotels,” says Kelly Groff, president and CEO of Visit Montgomery.
The 455-room Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, boasts 61,419 square feet of event space. In 2019, the property completed a $25 million renovation of all guest rooms and added new event space. The hotel’s 23,408-square-foot Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 2,500 guests, while a 4,000-square-foot flexible Junior Ballroom can fit a capacity of 400 for receptions. The renovations also brought a new M Club Lounge and the Corby Kitchen, which collaborates with local artisans, organic farms, and sustainable fisheries. The hotel features a Topgolf Swing Suite, a simulator bay, lounge seating, and various virtual games.
The new 245-room Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ contains 8,000 square feet of event space. Downtown Bethesda’s new 220-room AC Hotel by Marriott contains 3,506 square feet of meeting and event space, including six meeting rooms.
