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Weird Travel Guides
Weird Maryland: Your Travel Guide to Maryland's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets
GET WEIRD! Best Travel Series of The Year 2006--Booklist
What's weird around here? Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman asked themselves this question for years. And it's precisely this offbeat sense of curiosity that led the duo to create Weird N.J. and the successful series that followed. The NOT shocking result? Every Weird book has become a best seller in its region! This best-selling series has sold more than one million copies...and counting! Thirty volumes of the Weird series have been published to great success since Weird New Jersey's 2003 debut.
What's weird around here? Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman asked themselves this question for years. And it's precisely this offbeat sense of curiosity that led the duo to create Weird N.J. and the successful series that followed. The NOT shocking result? Every Weird book has become a best seller in its region! This best-selling series has sold more than one million copies...and counting! Thirty volumes of the Weird series have been published to great success since Weird New Jersey's 2003 debut.
251 pages, Hardcover
First published July 25, 2006
3 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 28, 2021
Okay, I've lived in Maryland most of my life so I was familiar with some (but not all) of the things and legends in this book. I grew up in Montgomery County and lived in suburbs of Baltimore for four years during my college years.
What I didn't know and learned about were just bizarre.
While many people love this book for the creepy and unexplained things, I find myself much more fascinated by the stuff in there that is strange but in fact very, very, real.
That being said, I feel the northern parts of Montgomery County, (Gaithersburg, Damascus, Germantown) which are full of bizarre things are under represented. And they got some major facts wrong when they were. Take the Cider Barrel. It's not the people who run the apartment building wanted integrate it into their complex. The Montgomery County Council declared the building a historic landmark. They can't tear it down. If it collapses or burns down on its own that's one thing but otherwise it can't be touched.
It even leaves off the weird thing in Rockville when it talks about polyethylene sculptures... Porky the Liter Eater at Cabin John Park. Really, the book needs a new edition without a Northern Maryland or Eastern Shore bias. But it loses only one star for that.
What I didn't know and learned about were just bizarre.
While many people love this book for the creepy and unexplained things, I find myself much more fascinated by the stuff in there that is strange but in fact very, very, real.
That being said, I feel the northern parts of Montgomery County, (Gaithersburg, Damascus, Germantown) which are full of bizarre things are under represented. And they got some major facts wrong when they were. Take the Cider Barrel. It's not the people who run the apartment building wanted integrate it into their complex. The Montgomery County Council declared the building a historic landmark. They can't tear it down. If it collapses or burns down on its own that's one thing but otherwise it can't be touched.
It even leaves off the weird thing in Rockville when it talks about polyethylene sculptures... Porky the Liter Eater at Cabin John Park. Really, the book needs a new edition without a Northern Maryland or Eastern Shore bias. But it loses only one star for that.
March 20, 2008
Please OH PLEASE will somebody come looking for Zoobieville with me???? Pretty please with 10,000 cherries on top!
Plus, I haven't been to Spook Hill since I was a little boy. Oh and I absolutely am dying to find Pig Woman & Goat Boy! They live so close by it'd be rude not to.
There is a lovely bit about the Snallygaster too, but I already knew he ate small children from Middletown. Poor, poor Mary MacDonald--MGRHS.
Plus, I haven't been to Spook Hill since I was a little boy. Oh and I absolutely am dying to find Pig Woman & Goat Boy! They live so close by it'd be rude not to.
There is a lovely bit about the Snallygaster too, but I already knew he ate small children from Middletown. Poor, poor Mary MacDonald--MGRHS.
April 24, 2021
Interesting book overall, but what's really "weird" is that there's almost nothing regarding Western Maryland.
October 12, 2022
Weird Maryland and Weird Virginia are both researched and written by Matt Lake, Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman. A series of these books were published in the early 2000's. If you like local legends, folklore, tales of eerie places, unsolved mysteries, and eccentric people, this book makes for a great read! The collection of curiosities are divided by category, such as "Bizarre Beasts" and "Roadside Oddities". Much of the content relates to regional urban legends, and it is very challenging and fun to try to locate and look into the legend if you happen to be in the area where it is featured. It is for this reason that a marked map with an index would be very helpful.
I appreciated some of the spooky ghost stories. I also liked stories related to local color, such as "A Tale o' the Hon," "Backward Talkers of Smith Island," and "Tales of Zoobieville and Midgetville." The visionary art features of "Raters of the Last Ark" and "Throne of the Third Heaven" The American Visionary Art Museum and some unusual places highlighted that there are still strange people and places in Maryland.
Whatever became of the larger figures that comprised the Enchanted Forest in Howard County? Who was the mysterious figure who visited Edgar Allan Poe's grave each year on his birthday, leaving behind a half bottle of cognac and a red rose?
The great aspect of a nonfiction book like this is that the subject appeals to all ages, and it can be fun to read a Weird book before traveling to other states and checking out some of the interesting stories and places for yourself!
I appreciated some of the spooky ghost stories. I also liked stories related to local color, such as "A Tale o' the Hon," "Backward Talkers of Smith Island," and "Tales of Zoobieville and Midgetville." The visionary art features of "Raters of the Last Ark" and "Throne of the Third Heaven" The American Visionary Art Museum and some unusual places highlighted that there are still strange people and places in Maryland.
Whatever became of the larger figures that comprised the Enchanted Forest in Howard County? Who was the mysterious figure who visited Edgar Allan Poe's grave each year on his birthday, leaving behind a half bottle of cognac and a red rose?
The great aspect of a nonfiction book like this is that the subject appeals to all ages, and it can be fun to read a Weird book before traveling to other states and checking out some of the interesting stories and places for yourself!
March 26, 2021
Firstly, I am a huge fan of the Weird U.S. series. I own several volumes and check the rest out of the library frequently. They are lots of fun to read and beautifully illustrated with photos that make you feel as if you are at the places described.
This one does fall a bit flat however, and it's especially disappointing for me because Maryland is my home state. There is unfortunately little content relating to Western Maryland, and I know that's not for a lack of weirdness. For example, South Mountain is notorious for its legends and odd characters, but none are mentioned here at all. There are also such missed stories (that are well-known locally) as the Veiled Lady of Williamsport, the Snarly Yow of Boonsboro, and the Indian Maiden of Funkstown.
I am aware that sometimes there isn't enough room to include certain things, but the bias towards Eastern Maryland is so obvious it's as if the author didn't even bother to come through this part of the state. Weird Pennsylvania has this same problem (being more about Philadelphia and its environs than anything else), and is interestingly enough also by Matt Lake.
Overall the book is enjoyable and I'd still recommend it, but be aware that this is not a fair portrayal of Maryland's weirdness as a whole.
This one does fall a bit flat however, and it's especially disappointing for me because Maryland is my home state. There is unfortunately little content relating to Western Maryland, and I know that's not for a lack of weirdness. For example, South Mountain is notorious for its legends and odd characters, but none are mentioned here at all. There are also such missed stories (that are well-known locally) as the Veiled Lady of Williamsport, the Snarly Yow of Boonsboro, and the Indian Maiden of Funkstown.
I am aware that sometimes there isn't enough room to include certain things, but the bias towards Eastern Maryland is so obvious it's as if the author didn't even bother to come through this part of the state. Weird Pennsylvania has this same problem (being more about Philadelphia and its environs than anything else), and is interestingly enough also by Matt Lake.
Overall the book is enjoyable and I'd still recommend it, but be aware that this is not a fair portrayal of Maryland's weirdness as a whole.
August 16, 2025
These Weird Travel Guides always creeped me out as a kid, so when I came upon this Maryland edition at a local used book store, I knew I had to own a copy.
I can now say that I'm thoroughly educated on Maryland folklore, cryptids, hauntings, and other oddities that can be found across the state. While before this book I had been living in ignorant bliss, I am now very much aware that within a 20-minute radius of my comfortable home there are abandoned hospitals possibly teeming with vindictive spirits, a being known as the Goatman that may or may not exist and view humans as prey, alleged supernatural phenomena near Edgar Allan Poe's grave, and a theorized sea monster that prowls the depths of the Chesapeake Bay (affectionately known as Chessy). A fun read with a healthy dose of spookiness.
I can now say that I'm thoroughly educated on Maryland folklore, cryptids, hauntings, and other oddities that can be found across the state. While before this book I had been living in ignorant bliss, I am now very much aware that within a 20-minute radius of my comfortable home there are abandoned hospitals possibly teeming with vindictive spirits, a being known as the Goatman that may or may not exist and view humans as prey, alleged supernatural phenomena near Edgar Allan Poe's grave, and a theorized sea monster that prowls the depths of the Chesapeake Bay (affectionately known as Chessy). A fun read with a healthy dose of spookiness.
September 2, 2017
I prefer the website Atlas Obscura. This had too much about ghost stories and local monsters, and not enough about cool places to visit that are not known by tourists.
It made me wonder if my old house was in Weird NJ. It had a reputation as being part of a midget colony. It was actually where the actors and crew lived, when Hollywood was in New Jersey during the Edison era.
It made me wonder if my old house was in Weird NJ. It had a reputation as being part of a midget colony. It was actually where the actors and crew lived, when Hollywood was in New Jersey during the Edison era.
October 17, 2019
Very interesting.
May 25, 2009
this edition to the weird series gives you essentially a lot of the same thrills and chills as the others, with a couple of things that make it different, whether for good or for bad.
on the good side, there's a whole section dedicated to museums, not something to be found in every edition, and a welcome weird aside from the typical tales of gravity hills, crybaby bridges, and midgetvilles. not really in the book's favor are a couple of the supplemental reporters, who tend towards the horribly cheesey and new age.
this isn't really one for people outside of completionists or those who live in maryland, but an entertaining diversion if you belong to one of those groups.
on the good side, there's a whole section dedicated to museums, not something to be found in every edition, and a welcome weird aside from the typical tales of gravity hills, crybaby bridges, and midgetvilles. not really in the book's favor are a couple of the supplemental reporters, who tend towards the horribly cheesey and new age.
this isn't really one for people outside of completionists or those who live in maryland, but an entertaining diversion if you belong to one of those groups.
December 31, 2009
I knew I moved here for a reason all of those years ago! Just laugh!
This book is GREAT! It even highlights one of my MOST FAVORITE Museums on the planet- The American Visionary Arts Museum and the Kinetic race they hold each year. If you don't know about it you really ought to visit the website. The woman who runs it is fabulously interesting and over the years we have talked about me coming to work there but alas.... my world is wee ones! ;)
Anyhow- Weird Mayland is a GREAT way to find fun and unusual things to do!!!! Check out the volume for your state. You won't be sorry.
This book is GREAT! It even highlights one of my MOST FAVORITE Museums on the planet- The American Visionary Arts Museum and the Kinetic race they hold each year. If you don't know about it you really ought to visit the website. The woman who runs it is fabulously interesting and over the years we have talked about me coming to work there but alas.... my world is wee ones! ;)
Anyhow- Weird Mayland is a GREAT way to find fun and unusual things to do!!!! Check out the volume for your state. You won't be sorry.
March 7, 2013
Spent this past week-end reading this book with my nine year old granddaughter. What a hoot! I picked it up because it had the legend of Black Aggie in it. MY Mother shared her experience with Black Aggie with the kids before she passed away and they have always been curious. So not only did we get to read about the legend, but we now know where she is and can actuall go see her.
The other tales in the book are also very good. And Maryland has some really odd things presently and in the past. Good information about our state from the weird point of view. I think Marylanders would find the book enlightening and funny!
The other tales in the book are also very good. And Maryland has some really odd things presently and in the past. Good information about our state from the weird point of view. I think Marylanders would find the book enlightening and funny!
August 27, 2015
While this book subtitles itself as a travel guide, it really isn't - many of its subjects are inaccessible, long gone, or always unreal. It's mostly just a motley collection of weird things and local legends, occasionally providing a location (usually with a warning, of a variable sincerity, not to go there.) That said as a collection of weird things and local legends it does a good job and if you're interested in that sort of thing at all, and you're local, I recommend it.
September 27, 2007
VERY cool book. And fun to keep around, dog ear and plan trips around. I find the town of "Boring, Maryland" to be particularly funny. My son and I have planned to go to many of the places in the book, and I plan to go everywhere in it before I die. We've also started a photo album of pictures from the places we've been in the book.
February 16, 2008
If Maryland is your state and you are interested in the off-beat then this book belongs in your library. Odd, weird, worrying and fun things are described by both the author and "the man on the street." This is not a book to be read in one sitting but to be dipped into on occasion - like a bowl of candy.
November 27, 2013
I'm a fan of the Weird series but am the first to admit they are wildly variable. Weird Maryland seems to me one of the weaker series entries mostly due to a number of very long articles that didn't engage me (my preference is the brief and more lively contributed entries). Still though, my favorite Weird series chapters - cemeteries and abandoned buildings - here too deliver the goods.
October 16, 2007
fantastic book that, i believe, led to the demolition of one of it's star attractions, old St. Mary's College in Ellicot City. But that comes with the territory of such books! They boost public awareness of noteworthy places that aren't public and it's a risk they took.
November 5, 2007
It's not really the kind of book you read cover to cover, but it is great for conversation starters and moments to kill. I like finding out gory and gruesome details about places I have been. I also have the Weird USA book.
November 4, 2013
This was a pretty neat book about some oddities in Maryland..,but also covers some historical points too. My only complaint is that the authors didn't cover Suicide Bridge...it certainly qualifies for the topic.
October 21, 2016
There's a few sections that provide information that's actually locally interesting/unique, such as Perry Hall and Smith Island. But overall the commentary is generic and sounds like it was sourced from reddit.
September 28, 2008
Adapted from a newsletter, so that might give you an idea as to the quality of the writing. Still cool to know about this stuff.
July 13, 2008
I love this book.
August 18, 2009
This one is mildly interesting but really contains a lot of things that are useless knowledge. Perhaps a good 'bathroom' reader.
August 15, 2011
These are great books to skim through.The painting of the Maryland Goatman made me afraid to fall asleep.Everytime I closed my eyes I would see it.I felt like a little kid!Hahaha.
January 4, 2013
Interesting read
January 19, 2014
A messy book that repeats some stories in different sections (e.g., the Goatman). Still entertaining, however.
February 22, 2015
Looking for some different places to see in Maryland. We especially like old cemeteries and there is a great section in this book to explore.
February 11, 2016
Good fun, I recognized some of the stories in here so they're not just making it up. Not captivating, not gripping and not a story but just fun whenever you feel like it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews