Jim Meyer 2016-12-08 03:23:23
Whether exploring by four wheels or two, get your motor running for one of these unforgettable Maryland road trips. HIT THE ROAD Roddy Road Covered Bridge, Thurmont Travel Maryland’s Scenic Byways Explore off-the-beaten path for the ultimate all-American road trip. Mountain Maryland Winter Sports | Mountain Hiking Stretching 193 miles from the Youghiogheny River and the heights of Keyser’s Ridge to historic Cumberland, the Mountain Maryland byway tours the glorious geography of Western Maryland. Skirting the raging Youghiogheny River and plunging into the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, traveling the byway becomes a transcendental experience when the fall colors turn. Hiking in the Allegheny Mountains Historic National Road Charming Towns | Historic America The country’s first federally funded highway once carried Conestoga wagons into the Western frontier. Today the 170 Maryland miles along the National Road are a destination all their own. Travel from Baltimore, pass through small towns, and meander along mountain passes and winding riverbanks along the National Road. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Outdoor Recreation | Scenic Waterfalls Following the canal from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, this byway is a wonderland for outdoors enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The scenery is stunning, and the canal provides great opportunities for hiking, scenic bicycling and paddling adventures. You can even catch a ride on a mule-drawn canal barge. The Washington Monument, Baltimore Antietam Campaign Small Towns | Civil War History The bloodiest single-day battle of the Civil War took place on Maryland soil, as Confederate soldiers crossed the Potomac River and clashed with Union forces in the sleepy town of Sharpsburg. The Antietam Civil War Trail takes travelers 126 miles from White’s Ferry to Sharpsburg. Maryland Hunt Cup, Hunt Valley Journey Through Hallowed Ground Civil War Sites | Natural Sanctuaries Highlighted by a rich collection of historic locations filled with modern-day amenities, the Hallowed Ground byway travels 57 miles from Emmitsburg to Point of Rocks. This journey is a wonderful pilgrimage to Civil War sites, pristine natural sanctuaries and stunning landscape. Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg Old Main Streets Small-town Charm | Bistro Dining Vibrant streets await visitors to explore history, heritage and architecture while savoring the flavor of local shops and eateries. The Old Main Streets trail is a 111-mile round trip through Emmitsburg, Mount Airy and Westminster. Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, Baltimore Mason & Dixon Family Fun | Nature Watching Travel the 143 miles of this easygoing drive from Emmitsburg to Appleton along country lanes providing sweeping vistas. Prepare yourself for historical encounters, recreational endeavors and life “down on the farm.” C&D Canal, Chesapeake City Falls Road Idyllic | Country & City Strolls Meandering 39 miles from Pretty Boy Reservoir to Baltimore surrounded by rolling green countryside, this byway provides easy access to historical, cultural and recreational attractions as rural landscapes give way to the glittering Baltimore cityscape. Horses & Hounds Equestrian Events Since Colonial times, fox hunters have swept across these rolling, grassy fields in a colorful pageant of horses, hounds, and “hill toppers,” who prefer to watch and ride at a slower pace. Horses and Hounds takes you 70 miles from Hunt Valley to Towson. Religious Freedom Tour Sacred Sites | Historic Churches America’s roots of religious toleration run deep in Southern Maryland, where some of the nation’s oldest churches are an indelible part of this peaceful, small-town landscape. The tour runs 189 miles through Southern Maryland, from Port Tobacco to Point Lookout. Booth’s Escape Civil War Lore | History Museums Follow the 66-mile escape route of John Wilkes Booth, one of history’s most notorious assassins, as he fled from Washington, D.C. and hid for several days in Southern Maryland before being cornered in Virginia. Star-Spangled Banner War of 1812 Sites | Historic Parks Follow the trail of British troops as they fought their way up the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. The route runs 106 miles from Solomons to Baltimore where British forces clashed with American defenders in a battle immortalized by “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Baltimore’s Historic Charles Street Art Museums | Dynamic Dining Though only 12 miles long, Charles Street is packed with world-renowned museums, captivating performing arts, stunning architecture, high-intensity professional sports and a variety of fine dining establishments. Blackwater National Wildllife Refuge, Cambridge Roots & Tides Tranquil Resorts | Quiet Beaches Explore the timeless traditions and deep maritime roots of Western Shore towns along the Chesapeake Bay. Go sailing, bird watching, museum hopping or just relax on a sandy beach along its 47 miles from Annapolis to Plum Point. Lower Susquehanna Coastal Towns | Serene Landscapes For anyone interested in maritime history, fishing, shopping or sweeping river views, this unhurried drive offers plenty of opportunities to stop and explore. Follow the byway 33 miles from historic waterfront Havre de Grace to Perryville, home of the Hollywood Casino. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Extraordinary History | Nature Trails Journey back in time and explore the secret network of trails, waterways and safe houses used by enslaved people fleeing north to escape bondage. Follow this route of an American hero 125 miles from Cambridge to Goldsboro. Chesapeake Country Waterfront Villages | Charter Fishing It is said that life in “Chesapeake Country” flows gently with the tide of North America’s largest estuary and its tributaries. Take your time experiencing the special beauty of this tidewater region with its pristine waterways and vibrant historic waterfront villages. This gorgeous route takes you 419 miles from Chesapeake City to Crisfield. Cape to Cape Beach Combing | Island Tours Trace the Atlantic coast 79 miles along the bays of Chincoteague, Sinepuxent and Assawoman. Set your sights on a seaside rendezvous amid some of Maryland’s most beautiful and historic beaches and islands. Order the official Scenic Byways Guide at VisitMaryland.org/brochure.
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