2020-12-15 22:30:54
America’s first “moonshot,” the Historic National Road was built to truly connect a young and growing nation, and it’s still carrying travelers on amazing adventures through unforgettable towns and remarkable landscapes more than a century after the first stretch was paved. One thing’s for sure, the “Road That Built the Nation” makes for a great vacation. HARBORSIDE ATTRACTIONS & HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS Explore Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor on foot or by bike along the seven-mile brick promenade that hugs the harbor from Canton Waterfront Park to historic Fort McHenry, home of the National Anthem. If you’re in a hurry, hop on the Water Taxi and explore Baltimore by boat. Along the way, indulge in fantastic restaurants with legendary Baltimore seafood and simply stunning harbor vistas. Stop off at world-renowned attractions including the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Maryland Science Center, the Baltimore Museum of Industry, and the American Visionary Arts Museum. Push out into Baltimore’s beloved neighborhoods like Fells Point, Little Italy, Mount Vernon, and Federal Hill, each with a character all its own. Or head farther afield to historic Ellicott City, an 18th-century oasis of a town settled into an undulating granite hillside. It’s full of specialty shops and lots of ethnic and local eats and brews. Ellicott City also offers musical performances, seasonal events, and festivals. DISCOVER THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL In Frederick, you’ll find charming Main Street communities and attractions. Beyond Braddock Heights and the farming town of Middletown, you can hike the Appalachian Trail in Washington Monument State Park. The park’s 40-foot-tall stone tower is a great photo spot to take in sweeping views of the valley. FINE ARTS & OUTDOORS In Williamsport, walk, run, or bike the C&O Canal towpath, and in Cumberland explore the history and culture of this American marvel at the C&O Canal Historical Park Visitor Center. Cumberland is also home to eclectic galleries, theaters, and museums, and makes a perfect launch point for an exhilarating bike ride to Frostburg along the Great Allegheny Passage. If you’re looking for more outdoor fun, travel along U.S. Route 40 toward Clear Spring and stop by Wilson Bridge Neighborhood Park, or sidetrack south along Maryland Route 56 to Fort Frederick State Park. Stop by Green Ridge State Forest for camping, fishing, and year-round outdoor recreation. Near Grantsville, visit Casselman River Bridge with its massive stone arch and the Spruce Forest Artisan Village to see artists at work. Find down-home dining and true adventure at the famous Penn Alps Restaurant & Craft Shop, and anglers, try your skill in one of the best trout streams on the continent. Find more things to do along the Historic National Road Byway at: visitmaryland.org/scenic-byways/historic-national-road
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