Maryland Official Visitors Guide - 2020 Maryland Official Visitors Guide
Western Maryland
2020-01-07 14:55:05
Maryland’s Rolling Paradise to the West
Open for high peaks, dense forests, famous battlefields, calming waters and a vibrant arts scene.
About two hours from Baltimore, Washington, D.C. or Pittsburgh, trout streams and cool air beckon in the summer; a ski resort and cross-country paths attract visitors in the winter. At any time of year, this region is great for checking out folk and fine art, stocking up on timeless antiques or trying your luck at the casino.
Eat & Drink: Four Ways to Indulge
1 Rewind to an Earlier Time
Step back in time at Englander’s Antique Mall in Oakland in the heart of the Deep Creek Lake area. Past the antiques in the back is an old-fashioned soda fountain restaurant serving up home cooking, including biscuits, fried chicken, grilled cheese and savory vegetable soup.
2 Refresh with Fresh, Local Eats
Local eggs, hearty wraps and fresh baked goods—what more could you need for a day of wine tasting, hiking and biking? Check out the Water Street Café. This casual Friendsville spot will keep you going to the next attraction.
3 Relax with Warm Coffee in Hand
In Frostburg, order an oversized latte and a vegetarian sandwich, and pull up a chair next to a study group at the quaint Mountain City Coffee. If it’s warm, grab a table outside, back to the stone walls, and watch the scenes on Main Street.
4 Taste Maryland’s Most Award-Winning Cheese
Firefly Farms is a cheese lover’s paradise. Known for its award-winning goat’s milk cheeses, it also offers gourmet delights and an impressive wine selection. Book a wine and cheese tasting for a delicious experience that you won’t forget.
See & Do: Eleven Authentic Maryland Experiences
5 Coast Downhill for Mountain Scenes
The Wisp Ski Resort offers the downhill Mountain Coaster and skiing in winter. In the summer, golf is the name of the game. Take the kids on a chairlift ride to have a look at the mountain scenery. Try your hand at disc golf and soar high above it all on a zipline.
6 Explore New Paths and Streams
Want a boat? From kayaks to white-water rafts, Adventure Sports Center International has a rentable inventory and offers guided instruction at a man-made, mountaintop whitewater park. If you prefer a land-based adventure, activities include hiking, biking, geocaching and rock climbing.
7 Experience the Artistry of the Appalachians
The Spruce Forest Artisan Village is home to a community of artists and makers brought together in an idyllic collection of historic Appalachian buildings. Bring home a souvenir or join a workshop to make your own!
8 Train’s a Coming—So Hop On!
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is a delight for adults and children alike, as the old-fashioned locomotive winds its way through the mountains near Frostburg. And the sight of the locomotive against the backdrop of fall colors or a leafy mountainside is highly Instagramable.
9 Witness a Subterranean Wonder
Discovered more than a century ago, the shimmering stalactites and stalagmites at Grottoes Caverns are something to marvel at—while you also enjoy a year-round temperature of 54 degrees within the caverns.
10 Experience Antietam
Gazing out across this vast, green expanse, it’s hard to believe the quiet fields of Antietam National Battlefield are the site of the bloodiest day in American history. Called the Battle of Sharpsburg by the Confederacy, Antietam claimed nearly 23,000 casualties in a single day of fighting and put an end to the South’s first invasion of the North. Today, Antietam is a place of immense beauty, haunted by the ghosts of those tragic 12 hours.
11 Float the C&O Canal
Once considered the future of transportation, the C&O Canal is now the perfect getaway. The Williamsport Visitors Center offers boat rides from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Cumberland opens a view into the canal’s fascinating history.
12 Peddle the Great Allegheny Passage
Insiders call it the GAP Trail, whatever you call it, the Great Allegheny Passage is more than 150 miles of adventure. Stretching from Cumberland all the way to Pittsburgh and crossing the Eastern Continental Divide along the way, this reclaimed rail trail is a can’t-miss for cyclists and hikers.
13 See Brushstrokes Up Close
The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts frequently showcases a gallery of local artists. Spend the afternoon strolling among Old Masters and traveling exhibitions.
14 Take Yourself Out to the Ball Game
Don’t miss a chance to catch the Hagerstown Suns at historic Municipal Stadium. One of the oldest baseball parks in America, this legendary field has seen more baseball history than you can imagine.
15 It’s Your Lucky Day
Rocky Gap Casino Resort offers year-round hiking along its shady trails, great paddling and sailing on the lake, and of course, fantastic gaming. The spa is also top notch, making Rocky Gap a true do-it-all getaway.
Places to Stay: Four Ways to Unwind
16 Family Fun at Jellystone
Go rugged in a campsite or keep the comforts of home in a cabin. Either way, the family will love walking out and finding pools, playgrounds, water parks, miniature golf and laser tag just steps from your home away from home in Hagerstown.
17 Seclusion at Savage River
World-class fishing guide Mike Evans at Savage River Outfitters in Swanton will take you fishing. But he also will happily leave you to sweet solitude if you’re renting one of his three cottages, each with ample room for families. Sit by the forested banks and enjoy the cool breeze with a good book or rent some gear and give the old casting hand a try. Each place has a grill, too.
18 Find Fantastic Frostburg
The Allegheny Trail House is a great bed and breakfast for cyclists and adventurers of every sort. Large common rooms are perfect for sharing your trail stories, people watching on Main Street is top notch, and the Trail House’s legendary breakfasts are the perfect fuel for the road.
19 Treat Yourself at Wisp
The Lodge at Wisp offers not only great skiing, but four seasons of fun. Ski and snowboard? Sure. But also play golf, tackle the ropes course, swim and take a rafting trip or pontoon boat tour.
Shop: Three Places to Pick Up a Souvenir
20 Bring Home Some Bargains
Just off I-70, Hagerstown Premium Outlets offers great prices and a fun day of shopping name brands, like Banana Republic, Under Armour, Coach and Ann Taylor.
21 Craft Your Own Glassworks
A visit to the Simon Pearce Factory Store and Glassblowing Workshop in the Deep Creek Lake area lets you bring home a one-of-a-kind piece of art—something no one else will have. The workshop sometimes offers classes, so you can create your own masterpieces.
22 Peruse Unique Antiques
The Fort Cumberland Emporium has a little bit of everything, from furniture to collectibles. The shop owners offer “grab bags” of assorted treasures for just $1.
Events: Three Reasons to Mark Your Calendar
23 Del Yeah, it’s DelFest!
Now in its 13th year, DelFest has become the biggest and best bluegrass and string jam festival in the world. Founded by the legend Del McCourry of Cumberland, it’s three days of music and memories in the mountains.
24 View Autumn in All Its Glory
MSN rated Autumn Glory the “#1 Fall Festival in the World.” It’s easy to see why, with spectacular colors, a pumpkin festival and the state fiddlers competition.
25 Commemorate Bravery
A truly beautiful tradition, the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination in early December is something to behold. 23,000 candles, one for each solider killed, injured or missing shine light on these great heroes. You must experience this 5-mile driving tour.
Cities & Towns: Three Spots Ready to Be Explored
26 Plan Your Getaway in McHenry
McHenry is a great small town in itself. A couple of relaxing nights in McHenry will keep you ready for excursions in Maryland’s outdoor playground. From here, you can go to Wisp, Deep Creek Lake and Herrington Manor State Park.
27 Stay College Cool in Frostburg
Stroll the scenes of University of Maryland’s westernmost campus, and enjoy dining, arts walks, festivals and a farmers’ market along its wide main street.
28 Mountain Moods in Cumberland
It’s hard to find another city with a view quite like this one. Take in the scene of river valley views— Cumberland sits within a valley created by the junction of the Potomac River and Wills Creek. Don’t miss ice cream at the Queen City Creamery and Café as you stroll through town.
SPOTLIGHT
The Deep Creek Experience
Most Marylanders know the state’s largest freshwater lake as a great summer getaway. But Deep Creek Lake, built a century ago and now managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is a year-round destination. Gorgeous in the fall, the area hosts 65 miles of shoreline for viewing the ambers and yellows reflected in the waters. In winter, cozy up to a roaring fire at one of the charming vacation rentals. Summer is the season for free outdoor concerts, boat rentals, dockside dining and a sweet treat at Lakeside Creamery. And in spring, the golf courses beckon guests to tee off at Thousand Acres and Wisp Resort.
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TRIPADVISOR TOP DINING DESTINATIONS IN WESTERN MARYLAND
Dutches at Silver Tree in Oakland
Enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner with a side of beautiful views of Deep Creek Lake and the Allegany Mountains at this “Special Occasion” favorite. The crabcake is a consistent favorite and don’t forget to try their signature honey butter on freshly baked bread.
Baltimore Street Grill in Cumberland
A little taste of New Orleans lives in this cozy local favorite. Sip on a Hurricane while diving into spicy jambalaya or sit out on the patio eating one of the best burgers in town and wash it down with cold craft beer.
Hempen Hill BBQ in Hagerstown
BBQ experts rave about this fantastic food find. Pulled pork and smoky chicken wings, crabcakes and ribs fill the menu. Pair them with a sweet potato biscuit and homemade sides like mac and cheese, collard greens and baked beans.
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