AGP Executive Report

Travel Outlook: Maryland faces a wet, windy Sunday as Isaias’s remnants bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and a small tornado risk; BWI had reported a handful of delays and cancellations. Destination Spotlight: Maryland made Lonely Planet’s list of 50 places to visit in 2027, putting the state among the guide’s recommended destinations. Annapolis & Baltimore: Navy’s October home games offer a reason to visit Annapolis, while Staind’s 25th-anniversary tour is set to stop at Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena on March 6, 2027. Coastal Tourism: Ocean City is weighing whether to bring back its Boardwalk tram, while a separate look at Baltimore and Ocean City explores how the destinations measure the impact of major events.

Storm Travel Watch: Isaias’s remnants are forecast to bring heavy rain, gusty winds and a small tornado risk to Maryland on Sunday. BWI had reported 12 delayed flights and seven cancellations, so travelers should check flight status and road conditions. Baltimore Culture: The Baltimore Museum of Art’s “Flashback: Two Centuries of Baltimore Photography,” featuring more than 200 images, is on view through Feb. 21. Equestrian Tourism: Maryland’s new plan for its $2.9 billion horse industry includes promoting equestrian tourism, alongside workforce training and racehorse welfare. Fall Outings: The state’s Oct. 8 foliage report offers an update for travelers planning autumn trips.

Fall Getaways: Maryland’s fall foliage report was updated Oct. 8, as Garrett County welcomed visitors for Autumn Glory weekend. Baltimore Arts: The American Visionary Art Museum opens “Flaunt: When Appearance Speaks,” a year-long exhibition featuring 101 works on style, identity and adornment. Annapolis Events: The Budweiser Clydesdales are returning to lead the 2026 Military Bowl Parade. Tourism Watch: Baltimore’s Guinness brewery is reportedly preparing to serve its final pint, a potential change for a popular local attraction.

Southern Maryland Weekender: Oct. 10–15 brings a Ward Farm history hike, Solomons’ oyster trail, waterfront activities at the Calvert Marine Museum and a fall festival in North Beach. Fall and Halloween Plans: Charles County’s seasonal calendar includes pumpkin patches, haunted trails and trunk-or-treats; Melwood’s family festival in Nanjemoy is set for Oct. 24, with advance registration and shuttle parking required. St. Mary’s Improvements: A mile-long FDR Boulevard extension with bike lanes and pedestrian paths is nearing completion, with a November ribbon-cutting planned; work continues on St. Clement’s Island Museum ahead of Maryland Day 2027. Annapolis Draw: The Budweiser Clydesdales return to lead the free Military Bowl Parade on Dec. 28, following a downtown route to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Air Travel Alert: Southwest’s vendor system outage briefly disrupted check-in and departures nationwide, with reports of service problems in Maryland; the airline said staff handled boarding and baggage manually while systems were restored.

Air Links: Breeze Airways has added nonstop service between Vero Beach and Baltimore, expanding options for Maryland-bound travelers. Tourism Strategy: Maryland’s first statewide horse industry plan aims to grow tourism, preserve land and support jobs across a sector valued at $2.9 billion. Events: Baltimore and Ocean City are looking beyond attendance and revenue to measure events’ broader community and economic impact; Baltimore’s BTS fan welcome at BWI is one example. Fall Outings: Maryland’s Oct. 8 foliage report offers a timely guide for leaf-peeping, while Solomons’ Oyster Trail returns Oct. 10.

Air Access: Breeze is adding nonstop Burlington–Baltimore flights, while BermudAir plans new BWI service to Turks and Caicos, expanding options for Maryland travelers. Fall Getaways: St. Michaels is drawing visitors with its waterfront views, history, dining and shops; the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers another regional outing. Frederick Roads: State transportation officials will host an Oct. 15 open house on planned US 15/US 40 safety and congestion improvements. Construction is expected to begin in late 2027. Local Arts: Dundalk Community Theatre stages Escape to Margaritaville Oct. 30–Nov. 8, bringing a Jimmy Buffett musical to the Baltimore County calendar.

BWI Travel: Silver Diner says its airport landlord is threatening to replace the Maryland-based chain, and the restaurant is urging travelers to support its campaign to stay. Coastal Tourism: Ocean City is considering whether to revive its Boardwalk tram, though a new report questions the idea’s feasibility. Guinness’s Baltimore County brewery is also set to serve its final pint, closing a notable local attraction. Fall Outings: Annapolis has boat shows, festivals and Halloween events on the calendar, while Worcester County’s Just Walk Worcester program points visitors to local walking and hiking trails. A Columbia event on Oct. 11 will celebrate African American and Native American contributions at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center. Eastern Shore: St. Michaels is drawing visitors with its historic sites, waterfront views, dining and shops.

Fall Outings: Delmarva’s seasonal calendar is filling up with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, festivals and Halloween events, while St. Michaels is drawing visitors with its waterfront views, historic charm, dining and shops. New Air Link: Breeze Airways is beginning nonstop service between Burlington, Vermont, and Baltimore, adding a convenient route for travelers heading to Maryland. Local Events: Annapolis has a packed fall lineup of boat shows, festivals and Halloween activities, and Solomons’ Shuck It! Oyster Trail returns Oct. 10. Visitor Attraction: Guinness Brewery in Baltimore is set to serve its final pint, marking the end of a prominent stop for beer fans and visitors to the area.

Defense & Jobs: President Trump visited Sparrows Point to tout Anduril’s $3.7B Arsenal-2 shipyard plus a $2.9B Navy contract—up to $6.6B total—to build Virginia-class submarine components, with about 3,100 jobs expected. Local Travel Tech: Maryland Broadband presented the Transatlantic Fastnet plan that could bring a transatlantic cable landing to the Ocean City Municipal Airport, aiming to boost Eastern Shore fiber capacity. Food & Community: Bubbakoo’s Burritos opened in Olney (16822 Georgia Ave.), with opening-day perks and October menu promos. Sports Tourism Spotlight: A Maryland dad, 24-year-old Phoenix Phillips, vanished after traveling to Cleveland for Steelers-Browns; a body was pulled from the Cuyahoga River, with officials not confirming a link. Road Safety: A fatal Severna Park hit-and-run at Ritchie Highway and Magothy Bridge Road led to an arrest. Weekend Plans: Ocean City swim advisory and rescues were reported as fall events gear up.

Eastern Shore Travel & Infrastructure: A new poll commissioned by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy finds 63% of likely voters support building a new Chesapeake Bay Bridge, with 72% pointing to better traffic flow and fewer delays—and 95% saying farmland and open-space protection should be part of planning. Local Road Trip Planning: MDOT SHA will resurface MD 225 (Hawthorne Road) in Charles County from Oct. 8 to mid-November, with nighttime single-lane closures (8 p.m.–5 a.m.) Sunday through Thursday. Family Travel Timing: Southern Maryland school schedules vary for Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 12—Calvert County students attend but get a two-hour early dismissal. Baltimore Food Stop: Qaffee House opens its first brick-and-mortar in Highlandtown, expanding beyond its Columbia coffee trailer with Middle Eastern-inspired drinks and pastries. Weekend & Fall Fun in Annapolis: Visit Annapolis highlights October events like the Annapolis Powerboat Show (Oct. 8–11) and Great Annapolis Pumpkins (starting Oct. 10). Arts & Culture: BmoreArt’s Picks lists major Baltimore-area openings and events for Oct. 6–12.

Maryland Travel & Tourism: Solomons Oyster Trail: The second annual “Shuck It! Solomons Oyster Trail” returns Oct. 10 (11 a.m.–4 p.m.) with oyster tastings, local shops, and a passport-stamp prize drawing at 5 p.m., plus Calvert Marine Museum’s free Patuxent River Appreciation Day. New Dining Stop: Bubbakoo’s Burritos opens its newest Maryland location in Olney on Oct. 2 (16822 Georgia Ave.), with opening-day perks for early guests and a new Southwest Chicken Shredder. Local Safety/Travel Planning: Anne Arundel hit-and-run: Police are investigating a fatal Ritchie Highway crosswalk crash involving a black Land Rover. Broader Travel Context: CDC travel alert: Dengue fever cases are rising in multiple states, and the CDC issued a travel alert for additional countries. In-state outdoors: River otter research: WVU-backed tracking work is shaping river otter management rules that bring West Virginia closer to Maryland and Virginia.

Breeze Airways expands Maryland-area flying: The airline is adding nonstop service from Burlington to Baltimore, with flights Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays starting now; tickets begin around $54 one way. Breeze grows Florida routes too: Breeze also announced five new Vero Beach routes, including service to Baltimore and Atlantic City, plus Burlington and Provo (some nonstop, some BreezeThru). Rail day trip idea: The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is running, giving travelers another reason to plan a fall outing in the region. Road-trip safety in Maryland: Maryland reported 39 September crash deaths (including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists) and urged safer driving as deer season ramps up. Local travel logistics: WMATA is adding new bus shelters and benches across the region to improve stops for riders. Weekend planning note: Maryland’s fall calendar continues to fill up, with events and seasonal activities highlighted across the state.

New Air Service at BWI: Breeze Airways is launching nonstop flights from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) to Burlington, Vermont, and Vero Beach, Florida, with introductory fares reported as low as $54—more options for Maryland travelers and a boost for airport traffic. Baltimore Travel Boost: The first nonstop Baltimore-to-Burlington flight in 16 years has landed, highlighting how the new route can cut travel time for visitors heading north or to New England. Local Safety & Community Impact: A parking-spot dispute at a youth football game in southwest Baltimore ended in gunfire, killing a 12-year-old girl and injuring four adults—another reminder to share tips with police. Travel Tech at the Border: U.S. Customs and Border Protection tested facial recognition for pedestrian exits at the Progreso International Bridge, a step toward completing the biometric entry-exit system. Fall Getaway Ideas: A roundup of small-town November trips spotlights St. Michaels, Maryland, as crab-season travel heats up with quieter streets and lower rates.

New Air Service at BWI: Breeze Airways is adding nonstop flights from Baltimore/Washington International to Burlington, Vermont (from $54 one-way) and Vero Beach, Florida (from $89), marking the airline’s arrival at BWI. Fall Travel Ideas: A new guide highlights 10 hiking trails near Baltimore for crisp-weather walks, plus tips for making the most of a fall hike. Local Fun for Visitors & Residents: Baltimore-area pickleball is booming, and a Maryland roundup points players to courts and beginner-friendly options. Safety After Dark: A travel-focused look at U.S. cities where tourists often feel unsafe at night includes Baltimore on the list, with context on how crime data works. Weather Check: Baltimore starts Sunday damp and gray with light rain through midday, then turns sunnier and breezier later in the week. Culture & Community: “Future Resonance — ShanghaiEye Night” brought a Shanghai-themed cultural exchange to the National Mall, with Maryland’s Secretary of State Susan Lee attending. Rail Travel Push: Brand USA is promoting American rail travel for the 2027 200-year railroad bicentennial.

Ocean City Beach Safety: Ocean City issued a swimming advisory after rough surf and rip currents led to three swimmers being rescued, with two declining treatment and one taken to a hospital. BWI Dining Fight: A legal battle over Silver Diner’s prime spot at BWI could reshape airport dining, as Fraport seeks a costly demolition/replacement while Silver Diner argues for an agreed renovation. Maryland Tourism & Events: Country Calling returns to Ocean City’s Inlet with a big country lineup after last month’s Oceans Calling disruption, and Baltimore Recreation & Parks earned a national Gold Medal for parks and recreation excellence. Travel Costs Watch: The national gas average fell nearly 7 cents to $4.41 after a record September, easing pump pressure for road trips. Local Nature & Coastal Work: Maryland’s Swan Island restoration used dredged sediment to rebuild eroding shoreline habitat in Tangier Sound. Sports Travel Angle: Nebraska swept Maryland in volleyball, a reminder of how college matchups pull fans across state lines.

Road Safety: A 22-year-old man died after a two-car crash in Owings Mills Friday night; the Honda driver was pronounced dead, while the Yukon driver and a passenger were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Ocean City Travel Advisory: Ocean City issued a swimming advisory after rescuers pulled three swimmers from rough surf near 19th Street; officials warned of dangerous rip currents and noted beach patrol is off duty for the season. Local Hospitality & Airports: Silver Diner at BWI is fighting a legal battle with concession manager Fraport over plans to demolish and replace the restaurant, a dispute that could affect travelers’ go-to preflight stop. Arts & Events (Maryland): Country Calling returns to Ocean City’s inlet Friday and Saturday with major headliners and a beach-and-boardwalk setup, following last week’s nor’easter disruption. Parks & Recreation: Baltimore City Recreation & Parks won a national Gold Medal Award for parks management excellence. Film (Baltimore): Henry Jaglom’s “Sitting Ducks” gets a 4K restoration run starting with a Baltimore screening at Charles Theatre on Oct. 4. Public Safety (UMD): A man was arrested after allegedly driving onto the University of Maryland campus while waving a gaming rifle and wearing a face mask.