Mountains of Western Maryland

Things to Do in Western Maryland

• Deep Creek Lake –
  With 65 miles of shoreline, Deep Creek Lake State Park in Garrett County is Maryland’s largest freshwater lake. During the warmer months of the year, visitors enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and golf. Wisp Ski Resort offers a wide range of winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and sleigh rides.
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park –
  The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal national historic park runs 184.5 miles from Cumberland, Md. to Georgetown in Washington DC. The towpath along the C&O Canal is a popular bike trail with gorgeous scenery. The western terminus of the canal offers canal boat tours, scenic railroad excursions, dining, shopping and outdoor recreation. The Cumberland C&O Canal National Historical Park Visitor Center offers interpretive exhibits on the transportation history of the region.
• Western Maryland Railroad – 
  The historic railway station in Cumberland, Md. offers a 32-mile ride through the scenic mountains of Western Maryland aboard a 1916 restored Baldwin Steam Locomotive and vintage diesels. The round trip excursion across the Western Maryland Railroad is both entertaining and educational, including interpretive history about rail transportation. Special rides include the Murder Mystery Train, Engineer for a Day and Santa Express.
• Hagerstown Premium Outlets –
  The outlet shopping mall is one of the closest to the Washington DC area, attracting shoppers to its brand-named stores including Adidas, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Outlet, Guess, J. Crew, Kate Spade, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour and many more. Visit the Hagerstown Premium Outlets website for a complete list.
• Western Maryland Rail Trail –
  The 21-mile asphalt paved trail is perfect for hiking, biking and rollerblading. From Hancock, Md., the trail travels 10 miles to the east to about 1/2 mile from Fort Frederick State Park, and another ten miles to the west to Polly’s Pond. The center of the Western Maryland Rail Trail is accessible from the Hancock Station Parking Area just off Main Street in Hancock.
• Rocky Gap Casino Resort – 
  The Rocky Gap Casino Resort offers luxury, gambling facilities and a conference center.  Travelers can try their luck on the slots and table games or spend the day on the resorts golf course.  With a number of dining options and on-site spa, travelers can make a day out of a visit to this facility.
• Crystal Grottoes Caverns – 
  Maryland’s only commercial underground caverns are a popular attraction that date back to 1920. Located between Frederick and Hagerstown, Crystal Grottoes Caverns is close to our destination. Visitors take a 40-minute tour and learn the history of the formations and geological aspects of the caverns.
• Greenbrier State Park – 
  This state park has a 42-acre man-made lake that offers swimming, sunbathing, boating and fishing opportunities. Located in the Appalachian Mountains, it is one of the closest lakes to the Washington DC area that allows swimming. There are also hiking trails, picnic tables, grills and playgrounds available for day use. Fun fact: there are 165 campsites at Greenbrier State Park!
• Discovery Station at Hagerstown – 
  The science, technology and history museum in Hagerstown, Md. offers hands-on experiences for all ages, stimulating a curiosity for discovery and learning. Exhibits include a full-scale Triceratops skull, a Cessna 150, a model of a NASA spacecraft, 15′ model of the Titanic, Moller historic organ and much more at the Discovery Station.

Restaurants

1. Ali Ghan Shrine Club
2. Baltimore Street Grill
3. Dutch’s at Silver Tree
4. Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant
5. Cafe Mark & Jennifer’s Desserts
6. Trader’s Coffee House
7. Lakeside Creamery
8. Brenda’s Pizzeria
9. Ace’s Run Restaurant & Pub @ Will O’ The Wisp
10. Honi-Honi Bar

What To Pack

The Maryland Western Mountains feature all four beautiful seasons. Depending on when you visit, check the temperatures above for an idea of highs and lows, will decide what set of clothes that you should bring along.  Even in the middle of the summer, temperatures can dip down at nights, so bring a sweater or two! If you’re hitting the beach, don’t forget your essentials like sunscreen and floaties for the kids. If you plan on adventuring, bring sweat-wringing clothing and some good hiking shoes or boots. Just remember, the most important item that you should bring is yourself (and your loved ones!). For more packing ideas, watch our Sundance Vacations Packing Tips video.

Transport

For transit options while visiting the area, be sure to look at the Maryland Transit Administration website. Travelers use local buses, the metro subway, the Marc train, light rail and more to get around.  This is another destination that is quite rural.  This means that travelers will need some way of getting around and a car is probably the best way to accomplish that.  If you’re considering a rental, be sure to read this story on saving money on your rental on Sundance Vacations Blog!

Special Events

• August – Farmers Market in Downtown Cumberland, Yoga in Nature
• September – Penny Knobel-Besa and Hilmar Gottesthal Exhibition, Allegheny County Train Pull for Charities
• October – Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India in “Spirit of India,” 9th Annual Independent Literature Festival
• November – “Art for Giving” Exhibition, Frostburg Tree Lighting Celebration
• December – Frostburg Candlelight Tour, Allegheny County Fairgrounds Flea Market & Auction

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Fun Facts!

1. Located along the western boundaries of the early colonies, many of the state’s mountains and hills are named after explorers, settlers or surveyors. As people moved west, the geography frequently was named after the first to arrive there or the one who left the biggest mark. Dans Mountain in Allegheny County was named after Daniel Cresap, one of the early settlers in the area, while Savage Mountain honors John Savage, an eighteenth-century surveyor.
2. Annapolis is known as the sailing capital because it’s where the US Naval Academy was founded in 1845.
3. Maryland was the home of the first railroad station.
4. The state has a large number of state parks, forty-seven to be exact. That’s over ninety thousand acres of land!
5. Baltimore, Maryland was the birth place of Babe Ruth!