HISTORICAL EXPLORATION Frederick has been called the Crossroads of the Civil War and provides a backdrop to learn more about this tumultuous time in American history. Union and Confederate troops occupied and moved through here and neighboring towns. Frederick also served as a field hospital. Today, learn more about this and other medical firsts at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine then check out nearby Monocacy National Battlefield—where “The Battle that Saved Washington” was fought. Pedal through another piece of history along the C&O Canal towpath, which operated in the 19th century as a commercial waterway delivering coal, lumber, and agricultural products to markets along the Potomac. Today, it’s a great place to hike, bike, jog, or stroll. The C&O Canal towpath ranges 184.5 miles—from Georgetown in Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland—and offers options as far-reaching as the land itself, and worthy of return trips. Choose from among more than half a dozen trails and paths, including the 4.7-mile Billy Goat Trail (strenuous, moderate, and easy routes are available—the latter two are safe for your pups), spend the night at a drive-in campsite, or ride a canal boat at Great Falls Tavern in Potomac. Pro tip: Start at one of the well-equipped visitor centers, pack water and sunscreen, and wear tough, broken-in shoes. In the Capital Region’s town of Emmitsburg, you can also retrace the footsteps of the first American saint. In 1809, Elizabeth Ann Seton, a widow and mother of five, moved to Emmitsburg where she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s, the first community for religious women in the U.S. Many religious congregations meeting the needs of the poverty-stricken are today living out her legacy. Seton—who is often called Mother Seton—was canonized in 1975, becoming the first person born in America to become a Catholic saint. The National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg is a place to learn about and reflect on Seton’s life of service and for the devout to celebrate Mass at the Basilica, originally constructed as the chapel for the Daughters of Charity. The National Shrine Grotto on the campus of Mount St. Mary’s University—also in Emmitsburg—honors the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes. Mass is held each day. Visitors may experience the Corpus Christi Chapel at the site of the Grotto as well as the Grotto of Lourdes Cave, a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes in France. Monocacy National Battlefield Potomac River @in2theyonder 74 / VISITMARYLAND.ORG
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2022 Maryland Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 74
