ROAD TRIPS & DRIVING TOURS Travel Maryland’s Scenic Byways Explore off-the-beaten path for the ultimate all-American road trip. M BY JIM MEYER 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Mason & Dixon Family Fun | Nature Watching Travel the 143 miles of this easy-going drive from Emmitsburg to Appleton along country lanes providing sweeping vistas. Prepare yourself for historical encounters, recreational endeavors and life “down on the farm.” landscapes give way to the glittering Baltimore cityscape. Horses & Hounds 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 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. Journey Through Hallowed Ground Civil War Sites | Natural Sanctuaries Highlighted by a rich collection of historic locations filled with modern-day amenities, 40 ✥ VISITMARYLAND.ORG | 1-877-333-4455
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2017: Page 40
