drive type country mix of roads country connecting roads small and state towns highways old main streets 111 Vibrant streets invite visitors to explore history, heritage and architecture while savoring the fl avor of local shops, eateries and lodging. miles round trip through emmitsburg, mount airy and westminster Mount Airy to Taneytown MD 27, MD 31, MD 84 & MD 140 t he romantic image of Small Town USA is one of a quaint Main Street that draws together people seeking goods and gossip. Nowadays, the historic hardware store building might house a bistro while the feed store showcases garden sculptures, but they still work their charm on visitors. This byway serves up a heaping helping of small-town hospitality. On the nearby campus of Mount St. Mary’s University is the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes, a beautiful place for meditation within a mountain setting. Travel south to Thurmont along scenic US 15, which brings you to both Catoctin Mountain National Park and Cunningham Falls State Park. The area has plenty of hiking in addition to featuring three covered bridges built in the mid-1800s. Head east through Detour and turn south into Union Bridge, where you can see model trains at the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society Museum. Other opportunities to enjoy the look and feel of Main Street America are available in Johnsville and Libertytown while heading southeast toward Mount Airy. Nestled among several vineyards that o er tours and wine tastings, Mount Airy sets the table for a relaxing and romantic getaway. The town’s mantra is “stop, shop and stroll,” and visitors can soak in the small-town ambiance while doing just that. From there, head north to New Windsor where a walking tour, beginning at the New Windsor Heritage Museum, reveals Civil War heritage amid 19th-century homes, churches and commercial structures. Just north is Uniontown, where Victorian residences line the streets and antiquing is a popular pastime. The next stop is Westminster, where the charming Main Street has a variety of restaurants, shops and galleries, one of which is housed in a refurbished art-deco movie theater. The SERRV International Gift Shop Emmitsburg to Mount Airy INCLUDING US 15, MD 77, MD 75 & MD 26 The Catoctin Mountains make a beautiful backdrop for the town of Emmitsburg, where fi ne examples of 18th-and 19th-century architecture are plentiful. The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the fi rst American-born saint, welcomes visitors for a self-guided tour. 22 | maryland scenic byways
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