Maryland in May: A Vibrant Celebration of Spring

As the mid-Atlantic region shakes off the last vestiges of winter, Maryland bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors and activities in May. With pleasant temperatures, blossoming gardens, and a slew of outdoor festivals and events, this is an ideal time to explore the Free State. From the beaches of the Eastern Shore to the urban excitement of Baltimore, here’s what makes May an enchanting month to visit Maryland.

A Garden Delight

Spring’s arrival means a profusion of floral displays across the state’s famous gardens and arboretums. The iconic Sherwood Gardens in Baltimore’s Guilford neighborhood puts on an breathtaking show with over 80,000 tulips blooming amidst elegant trees and landscaping. Not to be outdone, Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton features over 100 sculptured gardens plants shaped into whimsical animal and geometric forms.

The two-acre pleasure gardens at the William Paca House and Garden in Annapolis are a bucolic delight, with fragrant flowers, serene water features, and shaded walkways. In Wheaton, the wings of Brookside Gardens’ seasonal butterfly exhibit take flight, while the McCrillis Gardens in Bethesda beckon for peaceful strolls along the Heart Smart Trails.

For a comprehensive garden tour, the Maryland Office of Tourism maintains a handy list of the state’s public gardens that flower throughout spring and summer.

Berry Picking Bliss

One of the joys of May in Maryland is the start of berry picking season. By mid-month, local farms like Catoctin Mountain Orchard near Frederick, Swann Farms in Owings, and Shaw Orchards in White Hall are opening their fields for visitors to pick plump, ripe strawberries. As the month progresses, cherries, blackberries and blueberries join the harvest festivities.

Many of these farms also offer homemade jams, pies, and other fresh produce from their orchards. Can’t make it out to a pick-your-own farm? The state’s numerous farmers markets are an excellent option to stock up on just-picked local berries and other seasonal produce.

Tee Time

With lush greenery and temperate weather, May’s an ideal month for hitting the links at one of Maryland’s top golf courses. One exceptional option is Glenriddle Golf Club’s two championship courses in Worcester County. The rugged Man O’War Course provides a taste of Scottish links-style golf as it sweeps across sandy dunes. The state’s tourism website details other acclaimed public courses to work on your stroke.

Play Ball!

For baseball fans, May signals the return of summer’s grand old game. Catch the reigning AL East champion Baltimore Orioles in action at their picturesque Camden Yards stadium. Or take in a minor league game – the Fredrick Keys, Bowie Baysox, Aberdeen IronBirds, Delmarva Shorebirds and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs all offer affordable family fun.

Urban Explorations

While Maryland’s rural charms are plentiful in May, its cities also beckon with warm-weather activities and events. In Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, a new Harborview Landing enhances the experience of sightseeing via water taxi. Disembark to explore historic neighborhoods like Federal Hill and Fells Point, visit top attractions like Fort McHenry and the National Aquarium, or tour the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Wrap up the day with authentic Cuban cuisine and mojitos at Little Havana.

On the capital city front, May’s ideal weather lends itself to extensive touring of Washington D.C.’s iconic outdoor monuments, memorials, and museums. With lower crowd levels than summer’s peak season, it’s an opportune time to explore the National Mall at a more relaxed pace.

Seafood Feasts

No visit to Maryland in May is complete without sampling the region’s most prized delicacy – the Chesapeake Bay blue crab. With a sweet, succulent meat and firm texture, these crustaceans are the undisputed kings of Mid-Atlantic cuisine. While crab season extends into the fall, May marks its peak, with plentiful opportunities for crab feasts and seasonal festivals like June’s St. Mary’s County Crab Festival in Leonardtown.

The Maryland Office of Tourism’s Crab & Oyster Trail highlights some of the state’s most renowned crab shacks, waterfront seafood joints, and you-catch-’em fishing experiences. From spicy crab dips to classic crab cakes, soft-shell crab sandwiches to piles of steamed hardshells, May is the month to indulge.

Spring Getaways

With its mild weather and blossoming natural scenery, May offers the perfect backdrop for a rejuvenating rural escape in Maryland. Get away from it all at the Savage River Lodge in Frostburg, where secluded yurts provide rustic yet comfortable accommodations surrounded by mountains and forests.

For more pampering, look no further than the Black Walnut Point Inn on picturesque Tilghman Island, which offers in-room spa services amidst the estate’s lush English gardens. You can literally raise a glass to history and imbibe at Springfield Manor Winery and Distillery in Thurmont, lodging in an 18th-century manor house enveloped by a working winery.

On the more upscale resort front, the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay boasts a stellar golf course, full-service spa, marina, and multiple pools along the tranquil Eastern Shore. No matter your pace, Maryland has a spring-perfect getaway.

Seasonal Celebrations

In addition to its great outdoors and culinary attractions, May in Maryland means a packed slate of festivals and special events. Art lovers can experience the Annapolis Arts, Crafts, and Wine Festival, while movie buffs can catch independent and avant-garde films at the Maryland Film Festival in Baltimore.

Gardening aficionados flock to events like the Cylburn Arboretum Garden Tour in Baltimore and Brookside Gardens’ annual Garden Fair. History buffs seize the chance to witness live reenactments of key Civil War battles at sites across the state.

For a scenic urban adventure, the YMCA Greenway Marathon & Rave Run winds along Baltimore’s rejuvenated wetlands, while small towns across Maryland’s Eastern Shore host community celebrations like Chestertown’s Tea Party Festival.

With average daytime highs in the 70s, plenty of sunshine, and lower humidity levels than summer, the weather in Maryland throughout May is pretty close to perfect for enjoying all the Old Line State has to offer. So pack your sunglasses, outdoors attire, and appetite for fun – May’s prime time has arrived.