How safe is Maryland for travel – Maryland Travel Safety Guide

In this Maryland safety guide, we have covered all of the questions that you may have regarding safety, such as how safe is Maryland, the safest places, places to avoid, and more.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started –

How safe is Maryland for travel – Maryland Travel Safety Guide

If you are looking for a Postcard worth scenic beauty, what can be the best than Maryland? The old line state, Maryland, shares the border with Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Columbia. This state is located in the southeast of America, and the Atlantic sea surrounds the eastern region. 

Maryland can be a great tourist attraction, but this state is one of the best places to live.

Also, Maryland has various tourist spots like McHenry National Monument and Baltimore Art Museum. There are so many reasons to visit Maryland. Though the state is counted as one of the best states in America, there are a few things that you should know as a tourist.

Warnings & Dangers in Maryland

Maryland is one of the most beautiful states in America, and if you want to travel to this place, you must know about the warnings and dangers –

Overall Risk – Medium

As a whole state, Maryland is not too dangerous for tourists, but the state is also not free from crimes, so it can be said that the risk of traveling is medium.

As per the records, Maryland ranks eleventh in violent crime, but the state has the lower property crimes. However, Elkton, Ocean Land, Baltimore, and Cumberland are the most dangerous places.

Transport and Taxi – Medium

Transportation is not easily accessible here, and you might face difficulty getting the proper taxi at night. Solo travelers can meet many problems here, which is why it can be said that the risk from transportation is medium.

Pickpocket Risk – Medium

The state has a threat of pickpocketing, and the rate is medium. The pickpocketers take advantage of the passengers, especially during a busy day on public transport. So if you are using public transportation, you have to be careful.

Natural Disaster Risk – Low

Maryland is safe from natural disasters as the state does not see severe natural calamities often. Hurricanes and floods sometimes occur but are not that dangerous. Apart from this, strong wind and tropical storms can sometimes appear, but according to the statistics, Maryland hasn’t seen any such storms in the last 15 years.

Scams Risk – Medium

There are scammers in Maryland, but tourists can meet them very often. Several reports show that scammers target tourists, so it is highly suggested that you should think twice before spending money on something.

Women Traveler Risk – Medium

Maryland isn’t entirely safe for women travelers nor extremely risky. There are some places in Maryland that are quite unsafe and should be avoided, but besides that, Maryland doesn’t have much of dangers. 

Tap Water Risk – High

According to National Resources Defence Council, tap water quality is inferior in Maryland. It contains several chemicals like Arsenic, Nitrates, and many more. Therefore, you should carry bottled water with you.

Also Read – How safe is Missouri for travel

Safest tourist places to visit in Maryland

When planning a trip to Maryland, you must have already made a list of places you want to visit. However, if you are open to suggestions, you can consider adding the below-mentioned places to have a safe yet enjoyable trip to Maryland –

Swallow Falls State Park

As one of the safest places, Swallow Falls State Park has popularity among tourists. The park is located on the outskirt of Oakland, and the Youghiogheny River is just beside the Park border. The river creates some canyons and rapids around the park, making the location beautiful.

The best part of visiting Swallow Falls State Park is the Muddy Creek Falls, a 50-foot waterfall, and the splashing sound of these falls with the atmosphere.

The falls and the parks make an excellent combination for tourists, and people can come here for an easy hike through the Hemlock trees.

Antietam National Battlefield

Maryland was an essential part of the civil war, and the state has many historical places to explore – the Anthem National battlefield is one of them. The Battle of Antietam is considered the bloodiest day in America’s military history.

Apart from this place is the Pry House Field Hospital Museum, where you can see the struggle of doctors and nurses during the civil war. In addition to that, the place also has hiking trails.

Frederick

The city was founded in the 18th century. This small town has many places to visit, which can be the best place for antique lovers. This town has different antique malls, local artists, and deals.

The place is dedicated to tourists and is considered one of the safest places in Maryland.

Chesapeake Bay

The next place on our recommendation list is the Chesapeake Bay. The place was known as the Great Shellfish Bay, and there are many things to explore.

There is Sandy Point, where you can take the driving experience across the Chesapeake bay bridge. You can also visit the Methodist community founded on Smith Island. It is known for its traditional cuisine.

Deep Creek Lake 

After the bay, our following recommendation for the safest place is Deep Creek Lake, an artificial lake. This place is a beautiful combination of green lands and mountains, and what attracts people is its snowy mountains in winter. People come here for skiing in winter, whereas the summer is best for golf.

The location around the lake is the best for water-based activities, which is enough to pass the day with your family and friends. The Amish Miller farm is near the lake, and you can feel the old life here with the horse-drawn carriage ride.

Assateague Island

If beaches attract you more, Assateague Island is your place. This island is located at the barrier of Maryland, and half of the island belongs to the United States National Seashore, while the other is filled with state parks. The view got its beauty with the sandy dunes across the islands, and the running wild ponies enhance the place’s beauty.

You can take a walk around the Dune Trails and experience the landscape. The sounds of weaving and birds chirping can make you connect with nature. You can also take a deep dive into the island to feel nature.

Also Read – How safe is Mississippi for travel

Places to avoid in Maryland

Knowing the safe places is good but knowing the unsafe places that should be avoided is more important. Check our list of places to avoid to keep yourself safe in Maryland –

Ocean City

As per the reports, Ocean city comes in 6 percentile for safety, meaning that 94% of other American cities are safer than Ocean land. This dangerous place has 81.6 crime cases per 1000 people, making it a very dangerous place.

Baltimore 

Maryland takes pride in the cities like Baltimore, which is the most populous city in this state. With so many availabilities, this place is excellent for living and tourism, but the city can be counted as the most dangerous place in Maryland.

In 2020, the city witnessed more than 100 homicides, which proves how risky the city is. The city records 18.76 crimes per 1000 people, creating the most significant concern.

Elkton

Elkton is amongst the most dangerous city. This town is located in Cecil, and according to the Neighbourhood scout, the violent crime rate is higher than the average in the USA. The crime rate of the city is 28.83 per 1000 people.

Safety tips for traveling in Maryland

Maryland is one of the most beautiful places in America, but it is not free from dangers. Therefore, it is important to follow standard safety measures to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of crimes –

• Do the homework – Before packing your bags for Maryland, you must do the homework that includes researching the place you are visiting, making an itinerary, and more.
• Keep people updated – If you are a solo traveler, you should inform your close people where you are going and staying.
• Keep the documents safe – If you are bringing any documents, you need to keep them safe, and it will be great if you make copies of the documents like passports, driving licenses, etc.
• Act like you know the place – Generally, travelers face more problems from scammers because they show them that they are tourists. So it is highly recommended that you act like the locals so you won’t get highlighted.

Also, Read – How safe is Minnesota for travel

How safe is Maryland to travel alone?

You can travel to Maryland alone as the state has several safe places, but you must ensure that you carry all the safety measures. Also, follow the safety tips we have shared and avoid visiting dangerous places alone.

Is Maryland safe for solo female travelers?

Maryland can be a good place for solo female travelers, but again, female travelers should avoid visiting dangerous places. In addition to that, we recommend following all security measures and carrying pepper spray for self-protection.

How safe is Maryland for Travel?

Overall, I would say Maryland is quite a safe place for travel, but you should avoid dangerous places. The crime reports and all the surveys reveal that the state is safe for travelers.

Though the state recorded more crime in the previous year, with the active involvement of the Police department, the crime rate becomes 4.0 cases per 1000 people. This seems to be an improvement in crime management.  With that said, here I am wrapping up this article. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot them in the comment section below. Our team will try to respond ASAP.