Moon Handbooks Maryland and Delaware: Including Washington, D.C.

This book is the best for the money--I compared it to the Frommer's guide in the bookstore, and this one has twice as much information, and covers both states from top to bottom, including some pretty unusual attractions. Great for day trips from Baltimore, too.

I also own the Pennsylvania Handbook by the same author, and I'm continually amazed by her ability to search out the odd little museums and restaurants that really make a destination unique. In Maryland, you can polka the night away after visiting an out-of-the-way military code museum. And, I enjoy the sly humor that kind of sneaks up on you: "In the film Star Wars, Luke was misdirected when he was told to beware The Dockside. This friendly, casual restaurant...is a good place for inexpensive meals from breakfast ($5) through dinner ($6-9). Lots of Crisfield watermen eat here." (from the Eastern Shore section). Like all Moon Handbooks, this one makes the ordinary come alive, covers the whole area extremely well, and is fun to read.