11 Small Things About Maryland You Never Thought Would Make You Homesick

These Are the Things That’ll Make You Nostalgic for Maryland Life

Missing that strange Old Bay seasoning at midnight and smiling when you see the colorful Maryland flag? These 11 odd Maryland things will make you want to come back home in surprising ways.

The Glorious Chaos of Route 295

Ah, Tte Baltimore-Washington Parkway and the weird camaraderie that forms between drivers stuck in traffic.

Those random speed traps that everyone warns each other about through headlight flashes, and those moments when you catch a glimpse of NSA’s mysterious buildings.

Somehow, you’ll even miss cursing at the endless construction near BWI airport.

The Utz Girl

That sassy little girl in a polka-dot dress on the potato chip bags is practically family. The specific crunch of their salt & vinegar chips. Even the random Utz billboards along I-83 will make you homesick.

The Absurdity of Maryland Weather

Maryland’s weather is always trying to mess with you. You’ll miss those days when you need both sunscreen and an umbrella, when schools close for an inch of snow while your northern friends laugh at you.

Old Bay Everything

Your relationship with Old Bay seasoning verges on religious. You’ve sprinkled it on everything from corn to pizza to rim your Bloody Mary glass. No one understands why you carry a mini-shaker in your bag.

Crab Feasts

The strange pride in your crab-picking speed, the silent judgment of anyone using a fork, and the sacred tradition of saving the mustard for last. It’s a talent every Marylander has.

The Aggressive Pride in Your County

You know what it means to be a ‘Montgomery County type’ versus a ‘Harford County person. You’ve definitely used someone’s county as shorthand for their entire personality, admit it. It’s kinda unbelievable how homey that feels.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Anxiety

That stomach-dropping moment when the bridge rises and you can see nothing but water… that specific terror feels like home.

The Maryland Flag Cult

Maryland has the best state flag. Period.

Thrasher’s Fries

Those vinegar-soaked boardwalk fries served in buckets is your gold standard for tater dishes. You’ve made special trips to Ocean City just for these legendary fries. Ditto for the ritual of eating them while walking the boardwalk while dodging seagulls.

The Pronunciation Debates

You drop consonants the way only a true Marylander can. And you’ve probably gotten into heated arguments over whether it’s ‘Balmer’ or ‘Baldimore.’

Passionately corrected outsiders on ‘MAR-lind’ versus ‘MARY-land,’ and silently judged anyone who mispronounces local towns like Havre de Grace or Worcester County. There’s certainly no place like home.

The Berger Cookie

These fudge-topped cookies from Baltimore’s Berger Bakery become a comfort food you desperately seek when homesick. You’ve definitely hoarded packages for ’emergencies.’

In fact, it’s probably time to stock up.