Maryland travelers choose from 20 Best Western hotels.

The Inner Harbor
Baltimore, MD

Maryland surrounds the Chesapeake Bay, with Baltimore at its core. With spring and summer, the waterways come alive and the events liven up the calendar. Baltimore hosts the 137th running of the Preakness, a springtime tradition for the city and horse racing fans. 2012 marks the bicentennial of the war of 1812 and Baltimore celebrates with Tall Ships and festivities on the Baltimore Inner Harbor. With the sunny weather of spring and summer, the beaches of Ocean City are primed for traditional family summer vacations. Boats of shapes and sizes fill Chesapeake Bay, enjoying Maryland’s sites and the bounty of the season.

With its history, heritage and culture, Baltimore has a lot to celebrate. The site of the American Revolutionary army barracks in Baltimore begins celebrating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, on April 1st as the starting point of a walk through history. The walk concludes at a reception outside the Old Waverly Town Hall downtown at 31st and Greenmount.

The 2012 spring activities continue with Historic Farm Day at The Johns Hopkins University Homewood Museum on April 1st, and on the 21st, Annual Privateer Day at Fell’s Point. May events include the 2012 Maryland Film Festival held at The Charles Theater at Maryland Institute College of Art. Film buffs enjoy MFF screenings and programs May 3rd through the 6th. Don’t miss Baltimore’s right of passage into spring at Flowermart 2012. This city tradition features two days of fun and activities at the Mount Washington Monument in Mt Vernon Square.

Thoroughbred racing fans, Baltimore is the second stop on the quest for the Triple Crown. May 19th is the date for the 2012 race, the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes. Hosted at Pimilco racecourse in Baltimore, festivities include events the entire week leading up to the running. Get up early to Pimilco for “Take in Sunrise at Old Hilltop”. Morning tours of the Preakness Stakes Barn are led after watching the sunrise in the Grandstand Apron. Events on race day get exciting with InfieldFest at Pimilco, featuring two stages of live entertainment, including 2012 headliners Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa.

Springfest 2012 hits Ocean City May 3rd through the 6th. A celebration of spring and summer, Springfest features four days of entertainment, arts and crafts, and local food and drink. Held at the south end of Ocean City’s boardwalk in the Inlet Lot, there will be two stages of continuous entertainment. Headliner concerts for the week include Loretta Lynn, The Fabulous Hubcaps and Eddie Money and Survivor. Ocean City’s Roland E Powell Convention Center is the venue for the headliner performances.

July and August visitors to Ocean City, be sure to take in a 2012 Concert on the Beach. Join beachgoers at North Division Street and the Beach for Wednesday evening concerts during July and August. Check the Ocean City calendar for your favorite entertainers and enjoy an evening on the beach.