Chesapeake Beach

In its day, Chesapeake Beach was a popular vacation spot for visitors arriving by steamboat or train. However, this bayfront location is now better recognized as a sleepy seaside town perfect for getaways. Go swimming and fossil-hunting along the beach at cliff-filled Bayfront Park, or spend some time fishing or crabbing at one of the marinas in the community. The Chesapeake Beach Water Park, which has everything from waterslides to a lazy river to character meet-and-greets, is another option for those who are traveling with kids.

This and more are available at Maryland's Chesapeake Beach. The town, which was founded in the late 19th century, aspired to become an opulent resort on the Chesapeake Bay's coastlines. The municipality of Chesapeake Beach was incorporated in 1894 after the State of Maryland issued a charter to the Washington & Chesapeake Beach Railway Company.

Since 1900, visitors from Washington, DC, which is only 28 miles away, have made Chesapeake Beach a popular tourist attraction. Only the railroad and steamboats like "The Dixie" and "The Dreamland" were used by them. The government constructed a park, a picnic area, and a boardwalk over the river as a resort. In 1930, they also opened a theme park along the coast, which they later renamed Chesapeake Beach Amusement Park.

Rankings:

• #8 in Best Places to Visit in Maryland

Location: Maryland