All maritime museums to visit in Maryland

Set sail on a journey through maritime history at 21 maritime museums in Maryland. These museums showcase the history of seafaring, shipbuilding, and naval exploration.

Are you fascinated by the sea and maritime history? These are the top maritime museums in Maryland

  1. USS Constellation1

    USS Constellation

     Baltimore, MD
    The USS Constellation, a corvette type ship, was constructed in 1854. It is the second ship of the United States Navy to bear this name, with the original frigate having been demolished in 1853. This historical ship offers a glimpse into the naval history of the United States, making it an interesting site for those interested in maritime history.
  2. Uscgc Taney2

    Uscgc Taney

     Baltimore, MD
    The Taney, a museum ship, is situated in the harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. This historic vessel was commissioned into the American Coast Guard on October 24, 1936, and is named after Roger B. Taney, an American politician and jurist who served as the Secretary of the Treasury from 1833 to 1834. The ship is a significant part of American history, having survived the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
  3. Cumberland Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park3

    Cumberland Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

     Cumberland, MD
    The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a significant historical site located in the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland. Established in 1961 as a National Monument by President Dwight D Eisenhower, the park serves to preserve the remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and many of its original structures. This park provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore a significant part of American history.
  4. USS Torsk4

    USS Torsk

     Baltimore, MD
    The USS Torsk (SS-423) is a significant piece of American naval history. This Tench class attack submarine was launched on September 6, 1944, and played a crucial role in the Pacific War. One of its notable achievements was the torpedoing of the Kaibokan 47 on August 14, 1945. This was the last ship of the Japanese Imperial Navy to be sunk before Japan's surrender. Visitors to the museum can learn about these historical events and the role the USS Torsk played in them.
  5. United States lightship Chesapeake5

    United States lightship Chesapeake

     Baltimore, MD
    The United States lightship Chesapeake, also known as LS-116/WAL-538/WLV-538, is a museum ship that is currently owned by the National Park Service. It is on a 25-year loan to Baltimore City and is operated by the Historic Ships in Baltimore Museum, located in Baltimore, Maryland. This historic ship is one of the few preserved lightships in the country, making it a unique attraction for those interested in maritime history.
  6. Point Lookout Lighthouse6

    Point Lookout Lighthouse

     Scotland, MD
    Point Lookout Light is a significant landmark located at the entrance to the Potomac River. It is situated at the southernmost tip of Maryland's western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, south of the town of Scotland in Saint Mary's County, Maryland, USA. This lighthouse serves as a marker for the entrance to the river, making it a notable point of interest for visitors.
  7. Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse7

    Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse

     Annapolis, MD
    The Thomas Point Shoal Light, also known as Thomas Point Shoal Light Station, is a historic lighthouse located in the Chesapeake Bay on the east coast of the United States. It is the most recognized lighthouse in Maryland and stands as a significant landmark in the region. This lighthouse is unique as it is the only screw-pile lighthouse in the bay that still stands at its original site.
  8. Turkey Point Light Station8

    Turkey Point Light Station

     North East, MD
    The Turkey Point Light is a historic lighthouse located at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. Despite its tower only being 35-foot (11 m) tall, it stands on 100-foot (30 m) high bluffs, making it the third highest light off the water in the bay. This unique positioning offers visitors a unique perspective and view of the surrounding area.
  9. Fenwick Island Lighthouse9

    Fenwick Island Lighthouse

     Ocean City, MD
    The Fenwick Island Lighthouse is a historic landmark located at Fenwick Island, on the border of Maryland, in Sussex County, Delaware. It is a significant part of the local history and has been a beacon for sailors since the 19th century. The lighthouse is surrounded by a neighborhood of houses and businesses, adding to its charm and appeal.
  10. Concord Point Lighthouse10

    Concord Point Lighthouse

     Havre de Grace, MD
    The Concord Point Lighthouse is a significant landmark situated in Havre de Grace, Maryland. It is strategically located at the point where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. This unique location offers visitors a chance to enjoy stunning views of the river and the bay, making it a popular spot for sightseeing and photography.
  11. Captain Avery Museum11

    Captain Avery Museum

     Shady Side, MD
    The Captain Avery Museum, located in Shady Side, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, is a historic home and museum. This two-story frame building is situated on a 0.75-acre rectangular lot, offering views of the West River and Chesapeake Bay. The museum was originally the residence of Capt. Salem Avery, a Chesapeake Bay waterman, and was constructed around 1860.
  12. Ss John W. Brown12

    Ss John W. Brown

     Baltimore, MD
    Today, the SS John W. Brown serves as a museum, located at Pier 1 on Clinton Street in the port of Baltimore, Maryland. Visitors can explore the ship and learn about its rich history, from its construction to its service during World War II and beyond.
  13. Historic Ships in Baltimore13

    Historic Ships in Baltimore

     Baltimore, MD
    The Historic Ships in Baltimore is a maritime museum situated in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. This museum is a result of the merger of the USS Constellation Museum and the Baltimore Maritime Museum, making it a significant location for maritime history enthusiasts.
  14. Choptank River Lighthouse14

    Choptank River Lighthouse

     Cambridge, MD
    The first lighthouse at the Choptank River location was constructed in 1871 by Francis A. Gibbons. This lighthouse was built to replace a lightship that was previously stationed at the same location. The transition from a lightship to a lighthouse marked a significant development in the maritime history of the region.
  15. Maryland Center for History and Culture15

    Maryland Center for History and Culture

     Baltimore, MD
    The Maryland Center for History and Culture is situated at 610 Park Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1919, the center has been housed in the Enoch Pratt House, a historic building with its own rich history.
  16. U.S. Naval Academy Museum16

    U.S. Naval Academy Museum

     Annapolis, MD
    The United States Naval Academy Museum is a public maritime museum situated in Annapolis, Maryland. It is housed within Preble Hall on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy. This location offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rich maritime history of the United States while being immersed in the environment of one of the country's most prestigious military academies.
  17. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum17

    Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

     St. Michaels, MD
    The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, located in St. Michaels, Maryland, is home to a vast collection of artifacts, exhibits, and ships from the Chesapeake Bay. This interactive museum, founded in 1965 at Navy Point, was once a site of seafood packing factories, docks, and working boats. Today, it houses the world's largest collection of Chesapeake Bay boats and offers interactive exhibits in and around the 35 buildings that dot the campus.
  18. Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum18

    Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum

     Ocean City, MD
    The Ocean City Life-Saving Station is situated on the Boardwalk at the Inlet in Ocean City, Maryland, United States. This location is easily accessible and offers a scenic view of the ocean, making it a convenient and enjoyable destination for tourists.
  19. Calvert Marine Museum19

    Calvert Marine Museum

     Solomons, MD
    In 1975, the Calvert Marine Museum moved to its current location, a nine-acre site that offers ample space for its extensive collections and exhibits. One of the highlights of the museum is the refurbished Drum Point Lighthouse, which was moved to the museum site at the same time. This historic lighthouse adds a unique touch to the museum and is a must-see for visitors.
  20. Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park20

    Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park

     Piney Point, MD
    The Piney Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1836, is situated on the Potomac River in Maryland. This historic structure is a significant part of the region's maritime history and offers a unique glimpse into the past. Visitors can appreciate the architectural design of the lighthouse and its strategic location on the river.
  21. Cove Point Lighthouse - Calvert Marine Museum21

    Cove Point Lighthouse - Calvert Marine Museum

     Lusby, MD
    The Cove Point Light, a lighthouse situated on the west side of Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, Maryland, is a significant historical site. It was constructed in 1828 by John Donahoo, a renowned lighthouse builder of his time. This lighthouse stands as a testament to the rich maritime history of the region and offers a unique insight into the past.