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Introduction to Baltimore County
Climate   Cost of Living   Quality of Life   
Recreation & Culture   Local Media

Recreation and Culture
Parks    Golf Courses    Country Clubs    Marinas  
Tourist Attractions   Cruise Lines   Contacts

Baltimore County is located in the heart of Maryland, only minutes from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and M&T Bank Stadium (home of the Ravens).  With over 175 miles of waterfront and 60 marinas, Baltimore County is a gateway to the Chesapeake Bay.

Baltimore County boasts:

• Over 10,000 acres of parkland offer boating, hiking, nature trails, camping, fishing, and canoeing. Hike/bike trails are located along Northern Central Railway, and swimming is available at Gunpowder State Park, Miami Beach, Rocky Point and Oregon Ridge Park.
  
  
• Thoroughbred (and Preakness) champions are bred and trained in the rolling valleys of northern Baltimore County. Point-to-point and steeplechase races attract the international racing community.
  
   
• Wine tasting and special events are held seasonally at Baltimore County’s vineyards. Golf courses include renowned Caves Valley and Hayfields, and six public courses. 
  
  
• Families enjoy picnics and music by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Oregon Ridge. 
  
  
• Antique rows in Cockeysville and Reisterstown, the historic Milltown of Oella, Hampton Historic Mansion, and Fire Museum of Maryland add more to our colorful landscape.
  
  
• Other activities include the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, Towsontown Spring Festival and the Defenders Day Re-enactment along the Ft. McHenry Historic Trail.

Parks
Baltimore County Parks

The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks manages more than 6,600 acres of land within 190 parks and leased recreation sites throughout the county, and also conducts programs at 160 school-recreation centers.  These parks and recreation sites offer a diversity of recreation and leisure time amenities and activities for all ages and interests.  Whether you seek athletic fields and ball diamonds, fishing or boating facilities, swimming beaches, nature centers, farms, playgrounds or picnic areas, Baltimore County has a park for you, your friends and family.

Major County Parks
Click to see a full listing of County Parks

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State Parks

Gunpowder Falls State Park
Gunpowder Falls State Park was established to protect the stream valleys of the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls and the Gunpowder River. There are more than 100 miles of trails, including the 21 mile Northern Central Railroad (NCR) Trail. The park features excellent trout fishing opportunities, as well as other freshwater and tidal fishing areas. A variety of topography exists in this long, narrow park, from tidal marshes and wetlands to steep, rugged slopes.

Patapsco Valley State Park
Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 14,000 acres and five active recreational areas. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails, as well as picnicking for individuals or large groups in the park's many popular pavilions.

North Point State Park
North Point State Park, covering 1,310 acres, is located on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and is surrounded by beautiful and fascinating natural and historical resources.

Soldier’s Delight
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area is comprised of 1,900 acres of serpentine barren. The area has over 39 rare, threatened, or endangered plant species as well as rare insects, rocks and minerals. Currently, a five year effort of removing 1,000 acres of pines and prescribed burning are underway to return the area to natural serpentine habitat

Hart Miller Island
Hart-Miller Island is located in the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of Middle River and is accessible only by boat. The western shore of the island offers safe mooring, wading and access to a 3,000-foot sandy beach.

Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Golf

Whether it’s for business or just a day in the sun, Baltimore County offers many exceptional golf facilities where you can improve your game.

County Golf Courses

Private Golf Courses and Country Clubs

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Tourist Attractions

The Baltimore metro area has developed into a highly traveled tourist destination.  The following places are the most popular in the area ranked by attendance:

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Cruise Lines

Our advantage as the westernmost port for cargo on the East Coast is an advantage for cruising too! And as the cruise lines expand their appeal to all types of families, they have come to appreciate, as many Americans have, Baltimore’s strategic mid-Atlantic location for easy access.

Baltimore's new $13 million South Locust Point Marine Terminal is located just off I-95. The new easy access 60,000 square foot building is situated on 15 acres of land with on-site parking for 500 vehicles, passenger drop-off and pick-up areas. The cruise industry's annual economic impact to the Maryland economy is $63 million. In 2007 more than 130,000 passengers are expected to depart from Baltimore. During the 2007 season, 29 cruises are scheduled to depart.

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Crabs

Crabs and baseball are two of our favorite pastimes here in Baltimore County. If you don’t already know about Maryland blue crabs, you will find them to be one of the tastiest delicacies in the world.  So go find your local crab house, root for the Orioles and enjoy!

Contacts

Department of Recreation and Parks - Parks and marinas - 410-887-3871

Baltimore! - 1-877-BALTIMORE

Baltimore County Conference and Visitors Bureau - 410-296-4886

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Revised June 29, 2009