Calvert Cliffs State Park: Dig fossils? This Maryland park is known for its abundant fossils as much as its spectacular cliffs. If paleontology isn’t your thing, try the hiking trails, go fishing or just chill on the beach.

Chesapeake Beach: A teeming resort in the 1900s, this town’s dreams of the big time went bust with the demise of the Chesapeake Beach Railway during the Depression. Now Chesapeake Beach is ideal for day trippers seeking small-town charm and uncrowded beaches.

C&O Canal: Make a day of hiking or biking part of this historic and scenic canal along the Potomac. Hardier souls could do the whole C&O, but with the canal running 184.5 miles, better plan on making a weekend of it.

Gunpowder Falls State Park: There’s a lot to do at this Maryland park and a lot of room to do it. Covering nearly 18,000 acres—including more than 100 miles of trails—the park offers hiking, biking, horse trails, cross-country skiing, flatwater and whitewater canoeing, swimming, boardsailing, fishing and more.

Historic London Town and Gardens: Take in a little archaeology and a little greenery at this 23-acre park on Maryland’s South River. The park includes part of the late 17th/early 18th century town of London, which is being excavated by archaeologists. London Town features an eight-acre woodland garden, the Richard Hill Garden of native and imported medicinal plants and the William Brown House, a National Historic Landmark house museum.