Here are 11 things people often never expect to miss after leaving Maryland, capturing some of the unique local culture, food, and lifestyle that make it special:
- Crab-based foods with real jumbo meat: From crab cakes to crab soup and crab dip, Maryland’s crab dishes with big chunks of crab meat are hard to find anywhere else.
- Intense four-season weather: Maryland’s distinct seasons—snowy winters, hot and humid summers, colorful falls—create a varied climate experience.
- Old Bay seasoning on everything: The iconic seasoning is so ingrained locals put it on popcorn, ice cream, and almost anything savory.
- Ocean City summer trips: The lively beach town atmosphere, boardwalk, and summer weekend traditions are deeply missed by many who leave.
- Driving through affluent Potomac: Seeing grand houses and guessing which are owned by senators or ambassadors is a uniquely Maryland vibe.
- Natty Boh beer: The cheap, distinctive local beer, often enjoyed with a rim of Old Bay, is a nostalgic taste that leaves a mark.
- Janky Chesapeake Bay beaches and oyster concern: Yearly picnics and growing environmental worries about oysters shape local attachment to the bay.
- Close proximity to city, mountains, and beaches: Maryland’s geographic variety allows for quick escapes to different landscapes, something harder to find elsewhere.
- Beltway traffic at rush hour: Marylanders learn to endure the infamous rush-hour traffic on the Beltway, a bonding frustration that’s oddly missed.
- Quick day trips to Washington, DC: The ability to go into the nation’s capital for sightseeing or shopping and easily return home resonates with many.
- The unique shape of Maryland and local pride: Its distinctive “squiggly” shape on the map and the cultural identity tied to it make Maryland feel one-of-a-kind.
Many who leave Maryland realize these small but meaningful experiences and flavors are uniquely woven into the state’s fabric and missed more than expected.
SOURCES
(https://thoughtcatalog.com/chelsea-fagan/2013/10/23-things-you-miss-when-you-leave-maryland/)(https://lib.guides.umbc.edu/c.php?g=939866&p=6978157)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5llO2XS4KfM)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_culture_of_Maryland)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeF5vc0CqU0)
