A Maryland tourism tagline, “So Many Things to Do, So Close Together,” wonderfully describes the geographically small yet diverse and attraction-packed destination. With its scenic beauty, rich history and deep maritime heritage, the Old Line State brims with unique and quintessential off-site venue experiences.
Baltimore
With $11 billion in developments, Baltimore has never looked better for groups, according to Tom Noonan, president and CEO of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.
“Baltimore is a walkable city with new and expanding attractions, museums, restaurants and art venues,” Noonan says, adding that the city has a host of memorable off-site venues.
For starters, since Baltimore is the birthplace of the American Railroad, many groups find the Roundhouse at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum the perfect historical setting for off-site gatherings, according to Noonan.
“To mingle and dine among [one of] the most comprehensive railroad collections in the world is truly unique,” he says.
The American Visionary Art Museum, which houses a collection of artwork by self-taught artists, accommodates events ranging from small intimate dinner parties to large-scale receptions.
“For a creative and inspiring location, planners need to look no further than the American Visionary Art Museum,” Noonan says, pointing to the museum’s interesting offerings, including a wooden tree house and kinetic sculptures.
At the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, planners can arrange banquets for up to 500 people on the stage of the fully restored, 19th century Hippodrome Theatre.
Annapolis
Waterfront and waterborne activities are popular in the capital city of Annapolis, situated at the mouth of the Severn River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
Located at the eco-lifestyle resort, Herrington Harbour in nearby Rose Haven, is Herrington on the Bay Catering, where the chefs specialize in sustainable Chesapeake cuisine and customize menus for groups. Among its group-friendly venues to enjoy banquets or receptions are the Historic Yacht Club and waterfront lawns.
The 74-foot, 49-passenger Liberte Schooner is considered a unique Annapolis off-site venue, according to spokesperson Jane Tietje, who says many groups use it for meetings and team-building events on Chesapeake Bay.
“The Target stores security group, for example, has been out for several sails as an alternative to meeting in a conference room,” Tietje says.
Watermark Tours, Charters and Cruises is another jumping-off point for Chesapeake Bay excursions. According to President Debbie Gosselin, Watermark makes planning easy and offers a fleet of meticulously maintained yachts for groups of up to 250 people.
“We have a yacht for every affair,” Gosselin says, citing the successful execution of awards cruises, team-building events, dinner cruises and seminars.
The most popular corporate outing via Pintail Yachts, according to Krystal Kiff, the company’s director of sales, is a meeting on the water that cruises from Annapolis to the town of St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore, where everyone enjoys a lunch at one of the popular crab houses before cruising back to Annapolis.
The sister division of Pintail Yachts is Nautical Destinations, which customizes corporate team-building events on the water, including schooner races and scavenger hunts followed by a champagne celebration.
Back on land in Annapolis, William Paca House and Garden is one of the destination’s most unique and historic backdrops for events.
Suburban Maryland
Situated near Washington, D.C., are Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties, featuring hamlets that welcome groups such as Bethesda and Potomac. Plus, the area isn’t short on off-site venues that add a special something to group agendas.
According to Rachelina Bonacci, executive director of Howard County Tourism, those who meet in the area “feel like they get away from it all yet have upscale, state-of-the-art amenities, all right around the corner from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.”
Among Howard County’s standout off-site venues is the Historic Savage Mill. The 19th century textile mill, where canvas was once made, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The mill is now a home design and arts and crafts retail center featuring artist studios, specialty shops, restaurants and the circa-1820 Great Room, a banquet facility that has an expansive deck overlooking the scenic Little Patuxent River.
According to Kelly Groff, director of the Conference and Visitors Bureau of Montgomery County, the area “offers a unique blend of urban sophistication and country charm.”
Potomac, Silver Spring and Bethesda are among the county’s most popular group locales.
Potomac is home to Rockwood Manor Park, built in the 1920s and set over 30 acres, with event space for 125 people inside and 200 people outside.
In Silver Spring, the American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center showcases world cinema and is anchored by the restoration of noted architect John Eberson’s circa-1938 Silver Theatre. It also features 32,000 square feet of new construction housing two stadium theaters, meeting space and reception and exhibit areas.
In Bethesda, the historic Art Deco Bethesda Theatre, newly restored to its original grandeur, is available for events.
Atlantic and Eastern Shores
The options for off-site gatherings in Ocean City, a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Assawoman and Sinepuxent bays on the west, seem endless.
“Ocean City has been entertaining vacationers for over 130 years,” says Fred Wise, sales and marketing director for the Ocean City CVB. “The same attractions enjoyed by our visitors are available to our groups, offering meeting planners a wide range of possibilities.”
Planners are encouraged by the Ocean City CVB to arrange a pirate-themed icebreaker or reception onboard one of the city’s party boats or a crab feast on the docks behind the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, where the bay waters serve as a backdrop.
According to Wise, Ocean City’s world-famous Boardwalk is one of Maryland’s most unique off-site venues. Trimper’s Amusement Park on the Boardwalk, an Ocean City landmark, features an antique carousel, vintage bumper cars and other rides. At the southern end of the boardwalk is the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, a storied architectural gem. Some groups use the museum for receptions before moving to a nearby restaurant overlooking the Ocean City Inlet and the famed Assateague Island for dinner.
In the Wicomico County town of Whitehaven on the lower eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay is the Red Roost restaurant, an Eastern Shore institution for almost 35 years, according to Sandy Fulton, tourism manager for the Wicomico County CVB. Built in an old chicken house and able to accommodate up to 350 people, “The Roost” is famous for its selection of fresh local seafood and its casual atmosphere.
“It is a place like no other, where you immediately get that feeling of Eastern Shore hospitality,” says Fulton of The Roost. “Wednesday is Backfin Banjo Band night; everyone receives song sheets and you sing and eat all you can.”
Another off-site venue in Wicomico County is Bordeleau Vineyards & Winery, which hosts everything from banquets and meetings to murder mystery events.
“The wines at this beautiful winery are absolutely fabulous and Tom [Shelton, owner] loves showing guests how the wine is made,” Fulton says. “And unlike most wineries, this one is reachable by land and boat.”
Western Maryland
Washington, Garrett, Frederick, and Allegany counties come complete with more small-town Maryland group locales, including Cumberland and Flintstone.
In Washington County, which also boasts five national parks and more than 35 museums, the Civil War sites are the major draw.
One special meeting place for gatherings is the Mumma Barn at the Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg.
“Situated in the heart of the most well-preserved Civil War battlefield, this rustic barn overlooks fields that witnessed the bloodiest day in American history,” says Charissa Stanton, spokesperson for the Hagerstown-Washington County CVB. “The Civil War Preservation Trust has held lunches at the barn for groups and just recently the barn served as the venue for the local United Way’s murder mystery dinner fund-raiser. This atypical location is a perfect tie-in to Washington County’s vast Civil War history.”
Located in Hagerstown are two more off-site opportunities for group events, according to Stanton.
The newly renovated Academy Theater, which is the new home of the Potomac Playmakers, a community theater group, has a 208-seat theater on the first floor and a banquet room of equal size upstairs.
“And the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts provides an elegant venue for off-site gatherings and celebrations,” Stanton says.
Award-winning wineries, rolling countryside, golf courses and eclectic shopping and dining options all contribute to successful meetings in Frederick County, according to Tiffany Wilms, tour and marketing coordinator for the Tourism Council of Frederick County.
“Frederick County has quickly become the ‘best-kept secret’ of small to midsize meeting destinations,” Wilms says, adding that there is no shortage of off-site venues in the county, including the circa-1888 Ceresville Mansion, situated on 25 riverside acres with a grand ballroom for up to 200 people. For a more casual event on its grounds, the Ceresville Meadow is perfect for picnics and corporate retreats.
For More Info
Allegany County Tourism 301.777.5132 www.mdmountainside.com
Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau 410.280.0445 www.visitannapolis.org
Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association 410.659.7300 www.baltimore.org
Conference and Visitors Bureau of Montgomery County 240.777.2060 www.visitmontgomery.com
Hagerstown-Washington County CVB 301.791.3246 www.marylandmemories.org
Howard County Tourism 410.313.1900 www.visithowardcounty.com
Ocean City CVB 410.289.8181 www.ococean.com
Prince George’s County Conference and Visitors Bureau 301.925.8300 www.goprincegeorgescounty.com
Talbot County Office of Tourism 410.770.8000 www.tourtalbot.org
Tourism Council of Frederick County 301.600.2888 www.fredericktourism.org
Wicomico County CVB 410.548.4914 www.wicomicotourism.org
