Travel snapshots of nostalgic towns that dot our region from the Appalachian foothills to Shore beaches
Adventure. Romance. More than a family outing. If your heart is calling for a getaway this travel season, we offer several Mid-Atlantic options that are, somewhat, off the beaten path but within earshot of sites, attractions, action or relaxation, and, definitely, culture. Enjoy the following guide and, hopefully, have fun creating a new adventure this summer.
We start at…
Oakland, Maryland
Discover Deep Creek Lake: Deep Creek Lake is a reservoir with more than 69 miles of shoreline and excellent public access to the water. Rent a pontoon boat from Funtime Water Sports, Bill’s Marine Service or The Aquatic Center in McHenry, Maryland. The lake’s many quiet coves make tubing, waterskiing, kayaking, and paddle-boarding popular hot-weather activities.
Explore State Parks: With nine state parks and seven major rivers nearby, the Oakland area abounds in natural wonder and affordable access to recreation. Deep Creek Lake, Herrington Manor, and Swallow Falls State Parks all offer playgrounds, water access, and picnicking.
Meadow Mountain Trail, Lostland Run Trail and New Germany Trail Loop all offer easy to moderate hiking. A favorite short hike is to Swallow Falls State Park’s Muddy Falls. Beware! Although many folks like to play in the water here, it can be dangerously fast with hidden rocks! An idyllic and much safer option is Tolliver Falls, which offers a small waterfall and a swimming hole perfect for cooling off on a summer day.
Immerse Yourself in History: Enjoy the three major museums in downtown Oakland, including a working railroad, or visit nearby Grantsville to learn how and why American presidents retreated to Garrett County. Fort Necessity Battlefield is a fascinating site and worthwhile visit just over the state line in Pennsylvania. Interesting exhibits describe early battles of the French and Indian War, which resulted in the surrender of English forces under Colonel George Washington to the French. Don’t miss a brief stop off Route 40 at the roadside grave of British Major General Edward Braddock, including a short walk down to Braddock’s Road. As the original thoroughfare through the Highlands toward Western territories, this road was traveled by Daniel Boone, George Washington, and Meriweather Lewis, as well as by escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad.
Create an Adventure: Zipline, mountain bike down steep ski trails, or take a ride on the thrilling Mountain Coaster at Wisp Mountain Resort. Go whitewater rafting or kayaking at the Adventure Sports Center, located at the top of the mountain at Wisp.
The Upper Yough is one of the Top Ten rivers in North America for whitewater rafting. Ohio Pyle State Park also offers several great river experiences. Make a memory to last a lifetime through any of the expert guide companies in the area.
Funland in McHenry offers miniature golf, a rock-climbing wall, video games, bumper cars, go-carts, and hours of family fun. When you’ve finished your adventure, make sure to enjoy an ice cream at Lakeside Creamery.
Don’t Miss: A short drive to the Laurel Highlands of nearby Pennsylvania should include a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water or Kentuck Knob, both architectural treasures. While you’re in the area, spend a couple of hours at Laurel Caverns, Pennsylvania’s deepest cave, where the temperatures are 52 degrees year-round. Your tour into the deepest, darkest corners of the cave is one you’ll never forget. Visitors can go spelunking in the three miles of natural passageways through undeveloped portions of the cave, or take a shorter, one-hour tour through the upper cave.
Lodging: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is a beautiful home away from home, and also makes for a memorable day trip. Situated on 2,000 acres in the Laurel Highlands, Nemacolin is a recipient of Forbes’ “2018 World’s Most Luxurious Hotels” award. Activities on-site cater to everyone: The Field Club offers some of the nation’s top skeet shooting, archery, air rifle, and sporting clays ranges, as well as fly fishing. Wildlife habitats, accessible through the Wildlife Academy, feature red sheep, buffalo, tigers, lions, wolves, and many more animals. Don’t miss the Animal Ambassador Building, which is home to smaller exotic and domestic animals such as a kinkajou, fennec foxes, a striped skunk, rabbits, and reptiles, just to name a few! Families can walk, drive, bike, or take a train through the habitats. The Adventure Center offers a Jeep off-road experience, miniature golf, bowling, rock climbing, a ropes course, bike rentals, and tennis. Of course, after all this fun, you’ll need the resort’s famous pool and full-service spa.
Twin Beaches of Chesapeake Beach & North Beach, Maryland
Juxtaposed against the rolling farm fields and lush green pastures of Southern Maryland are beautiful waterfront communities that boast colonial history, rural roots, and contemporary resurgence. Chesapeake Beach and North Beach are two excellent examples of postcard-perfect destinations in Calvert County. Sandwiched between the Chesapeake Bay and agricultural corridors, these small towns are defined by their waterfront and by their history as resort destinations for Washingtonians. The Washington and Chesapeake Railway Co. brought hordes of day-trippers eager to swap the swampy heat of D.C. for bay breezes, boardwalk promenades, live entertainment, casual summer days, and family-friendly fun. Although the railroad is gone, none of the rest has changed.
Discover the Chesapeake Bay: Get wet at any of the long, shady, and shallow beaches that line the coastline at Bay Front Park, Breezy Point Beach, or the North Beach municipal waterfront park. Dig for fossils at Brownie Beach, where you can also explore the coastline, wade far out into the Bay, and dig your toes deep in the sand. Walk along the short, flat Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail to spot osprey, bald eagles, egrets, and all sorts of wild birds that reside in the marshland. Fishing and crabbing are long-established local pastimes. Source guided fishing and trips, crabbing gear, and crab houses easily at the marinas and boat slips in both towns. Herrington Harbor Marina North and South offer yachting, sailing and boating gear, supplies, amenities, and docking.
Immerse Yourself in History: Southern Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties offer countless opportunities to experience colonial history first hand. For a free step back in time, visit the small village located at Herrington Harbor North and maintained by the Deale Historical Society. Buildings from the mid-19th century include a one-room schoolhouse, a residence, smokehouse, dairy, and African-American meeting house. A historic graveyard is nearby.
A little further away, near Edgewater, colonial London Town on Anne Arundel County’s South River bustled with activity as ships carrying trade goods stopped at the site of an active ferry crossing. Economies changed and London Town all but disappeared. Discover the “lost town” at Historic London Town through a visit to the William Brown House (c.1760), a National Historic Landmark, and reconstructed colonial buildings. Bring your family (and dogs) to enjoy scenic river views, perfect picnicking, colonial reenactments, 10 acres of woodland and ornamental gardens, and a Sound and Sensory Garden.
Find Your Favorite Beach Town: Although these twin towns are close together, they maintain separate identities. North Beach has a boardwalk with a variety of shops, antique stores, and fun events, the most famous of which are their Friday night farmers market, car shows, seasonal carnival, and outdoor movie nights.
Chesapeake Beach is a tightknit community that embraces small vacation bungalows, waterfront condos, and the Chesapeake Beach Resort, the place to go for Bingo and Jackpots, live music, dining specials, and spa treatments. The preferred local swimming hole is Chesapeake Beach Water Park, with a lazy river, water slides, kiddie pools, and locker rooms with showers.
Don’t Miss: There are many farm experiences to be had in the surrounding area. Try Honey’s Harvest Farm for holistic health classes, fresh farm produce, and natural herbal or plant remedies. Montpelier Farm in Upper Marlboro has animals and farm rides for the kiddos. The Deale Farmers Market is one of the best in the area.
Lodging: The Inn at Herrington Harbor (North Beach) and Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort (Chesapeake Beach) are our favorite places to stay in the area. The resorts feature beachfronts for launching kayaks, paddleboards, and beach toys for guests. On site dining options at both resorts offer the full spectrum of Chesapeake cuisine and ambiance that ranges from romantic to casual, depending on your mood. Full-service marinas, spas, and other on-site recreation opportunities make either resort a great go-to for your stay. And nearby trails and boardwalks are perfect for when you’re in the mood to explore.
Williamsburg, Virginia
History abounds in Williamsburg, but there’s more than just museums and reenactments to make the area postcard perfect. Williamsburg is best known for being located inside the Historic Triangle adjacent to Jamestown and Yorktown. But it’s also within close driving distance to Richmond (about one hour) and Newport News/Virginia Beach (about a half-hour). The town is situated between the York and James Rivers near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, so water sports and boat experiences are aplenty.
Discover Blueways: To view history through the eyes of a colonial explorer or seventeenth-century native, you’ll need to paddle. Water trails around Williamsburg, called blueways, are ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and paddle-boarding. Rent rowboats, canoes, and pedal boats at Waller Mill Park, or kayaks and canoes from Chickahominy Riverfront Park’s facilities. For guided excursions, look to Bay Country Kayaking. The company offers eco-tours of tidal wetlands, launching just minutes from Colonial Williamsburg at New Quarter Park. You can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes from Patriot Tours & Provisions.
For a sightseeing cruise perfect for the entire family or even a romantic sunset cruise, try Yorktown Sailing Charters. Their Historic Yorktown route takes you past sites like the Yorktown Battlefield and Victory Monument; the company also offers a pirate adventure cruise. Other Williamsburg sailing excursions include the daily cruises of York River Charters, Jamestown Discovery Boat Tours, and Williamsburg Charter Sails.
Drop a Line: The fishing is grand where the river meets the sea. Try your luck at catching bass, perch, catfish, and other species in the waters around the Greater Williamsburg area—just be sure to get a permit first. York River Charters offers small boat experiences for fishing and sightseeing. Little Creek Reservoir Park is a scenic spot overlooking a 996-acre reservoir.
Toes in the Sand: If swimming is what you’re looking for, head to Yorktown Beach for an afternoon. This two-acre public beachfront is one of the only beaches in the area to feature a Mobi-Mat and Mobi Chair for visitors in wheelchairs. The beach is perfect for sunbathing, boating, swimming, and fishing. An ADA accessible fishing pier and grassy picnic area are also available to guests.
Public Pools: If rivers aren’t your gig, you can find outdoor pools at Upper County Park and Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Both have amenities like playgrounds and sports courts.
Ultimate Water Experience: Visit Great Wolf Lodge or Water Country USA for waterslides, water games, lazy rivers, and hours upon hours of summer fun.
Immerse Yourself in History: Dig for colonial-era artifacts in Jamestown, reenact scenes from the build-up to the Revolutionary War in Colonial Williamsburg, and visit the spot where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown. Experiencing a day in the life of indigenous peoples, sailors, pirates, colonial farmers, and our nation’s founders up-close and hands-on will be so fun that your family won’t notice they’re taking a course in United States history!
Get Outside: Williamsburg is close to many beautiful county, state, and federal parks. Historic Jamestown, Yorktown Battlefield, Colonial Parkway, and Fort Monroe National Monument are all administered by the National Park Service. Nearby State parks include York River State Park and Waller Mill Park. Fourth graders can get an Every Kid In A Park pass for free entry to some national and state parks. The College of William and Mary has several gorgeous gardens. The cool and serene Lettie Pate Evans Wildflower refuge is also a favorite.
Fun for the Big Kids: If your walk-through history has you needing a change of scenery, try a brewery tour, a tavern crawl, or a local wine tasting. Virginia is home to several world-class local ales and beers, as well as wines, and Williamsburg has many authentic taverns.
Don’t Miss: Williamsburg is also home to the massive entertainment park Busch Gardens.
Lodging: The iconic Williamsburg Inn represents the height of luxury in Colonial Williamsburg. Part of the much larger Colonial Williamsburg Resorts properties, the Williamsburg Inn offers fine dining, golf, and a spa, as well as customized area tours, lectures, and programs.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Known for bucolic rolling hills and Amish farm life, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is close to home, yet far removed from suburban city life.
Explore Amish Country: The Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County are America’s oldest Amish settlement, where thousands still live a centuries-old “Plain” lifestyle. Experience a buggy ride with AAA Buggy Rides in Intercourse or Ed’s Buggy Rides in Ronks. At the Plain and Fancy Farm, become immersed in the Amish culture and lifestyle. Watch “Jacob’s Choice” in the property’s theater. The film focuses on the Amish of today through the eyes of the Fisher family, with historical scenes re-created with multiple screens, special effects, and ghostly images of historical figures. Also on-site is the Amish Country Homestead & One-Room School, the only designated Lancaster County “Heritage Site” Amish house tour in Lancaster County. Strasbourg Railroad offers 45-minute steam locomotive train rides through the countryside and includes train robbery reenactments.
Bike Trails and Covered Bridges: Lancaster County’s back roads and established trails make the area perfect for any biking enthusiast. To buy or rent a bike, try Intercourse Bike Works. They can also offer advice on self-guided and guided bike tours. Lancaster County trails are well suited for both casual and experienced riders, and vary in distance. A popular option for road biking is a tour of covered bridges. There are 29 such bridges in the area. Popular county trails include:
Conestoga Greenway Trail (1.3 miles); Conewago Recreation Trail (5.1 miles); Enola Low Grade Trail (27.6 miles); Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail (2.33 miles); Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail (6–7 miles); Northwest Lancaster County River Trail (14 miles)
Get Outside: Columbia Crossing is the primary visitor information and education center for exploring the Susquehanna Riverlands and Lancaster County’s many outdoor resources. The facility offers exhibits, programs, a picnic pavilion, and public restrooms. Columbia Crossing is also the southern trailhead for the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail.
Get Wet: The Susquehanna River is an excellent spot for fishing and boating. Explore the river’s quiet beauty, and learn the history and culture of Lancaster County’s river towns through a series of riverside interpretive panels that scattered along a 53-mile span from the Mason-Dixon Line to Harrisburg along the Susquehanna Water Trail. There are multiple put-in spots along the Susquehanna River, including Chickie’s Rock County Park, the Conestoga River, Sickman’s Mill on Pequea Creek, and Speedwell Forge Lake near Lititz.
Rainy Day Fun: A rainy day is no reason to sit inside when you’re in Lancaster County. In the city of Lancaster alone, there is so much to do! Try the Lancaster Science Factory, National Toy Train Museum, a tour of QVC Studios, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, or the New Holland Haytools Factory Tour.
Farm Life: To experience Pennsylvania’s traditional farm life, visit Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum or the Hans Herr House and Museum.
Fun for the Big Kids: If you’ve experienced all the covered bridges, buggy rides, and pretzels you can handle, try any of the area’s excellent breweries, the ghost tour in Lancaster, or a custom foodie tour.
Don’t Miss: The kids will be thrilled with a day at Hershey Park or Dutch Wonderland, both outstanding theme parks. Sight and Sound is an epic show that brings the Bible to life on stage with professional actors, elaborate costumes, meticulously detailed sets, trained animals, unmatched special effects, and memorable music.
Lodging: Lodging in Lancaster County is diverse and inexpensive compared to metropolitan areas. There are many camping and RV options in the area, as well as cabin and vacation rentals. For an unusual experience, stay on a working farm at Olde Fogie Farm Bed and Breakfast, Meadow View K Farm Guest House, Verdant View Farm Bed and Breakfast, Amish Farm Stay, Eby Farm Homestead Bed and Breakfast, or Neffdale Farm of Paradise. These are just a few of the many farm-stay options in the area. The Fulton Steamboat Inn in Lancaster celebrates Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat, in both architectural detail and interior design. Bed and breakfasts abound across romantic Lancaster County. Try Lancaster Bed and Breakfast, Kings Cottage Bed and Breakfast, or the Inn at Pinetown for more luxurious amenities and beautiful settings.
Berlin, Maryland
Named Budget Travel’s “Coolest Town in America in 2014,” Berlin, Maryland has quickly become an Eastern Shore destination that’s a quiet alternative to nearby Ocean City.
Discover History and Architecture: Berlin boasts historical significance as the homeland of the Assateague and Pocomoke indigenous tribes and as a significant town on the Philadelphia Post Road, the main route that connected the Eastern Shore to Baltimore, Newark, and Philadelphia.
Berlin’s tree-lined streets, Victorian town center, museums, and historic homes are captivating, while the many restaurants and shops are delightful. In 1998, Berlin was the filming location for the movie Runaway Bride starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. In 2001, the town was the fictional setting for Tuck Everlasting starring Sissy Spacek, Ben Kingsley, and William Hurt. Forty-seven buildings in downtown Berlin are noted in the National Register of Historic Places and represent nearly two centuries of architectural heritage.
Get Outside: There are four parks in the city of Berlin, all offering multiple ways to relax, play, and enjoy the outdoors. The town is only fifteen minutes or so from Assateague State Park, Maryland’s only oceanfront park. Located on Assateague Island, the park boasts two miles of ocean beaches for swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing, and fishing. The bay side of the park offers visitors the chance to explore secluded coves by canoe or kayak. The marsh areas have a variety of wildlife, including deer, waterfowl, and the famous island ponies.
Pocomoke State Park is about 25 minutes from Berlin. Located within the 15,000 wooded acres of Pocomoke State Forest, this park is famous for its stand of loblolly pine and for its cypress swamps that border the wild and scenic Pocomoke River. The park’s combination of swamp and upland offers visitors the opportunity to view a variety of plant and animal life, including white dogwood and pink laurel in the spring, river otters, and bald eagles, and over 50 species of fish.
Get Wet: Most folks who visit Berlin in the summer head to Maryland or Delaware beaches for ocean swimming and deep-sea fishing. But if you’re looking for a pool, try Frontier Town. An water park resort fashioned in the style of the Old West, Frontier Town offers water slides, a lazy river, arcade, Miniature Golf, fishing from a 200-foot pier, High Ropes Adventure Park, as well as daily planned activities for campers, a restaurant and bar, camp store, deli, ice cream parlor, and gift shop.
Rainy Day Fun: Main Street Berlin boasts over 50 retail shops and is a major hub for antique stores. There are too many restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and sweets to list. The arts are alive in Berlin with galleries featuring fine art, as well as local and national handcrafts. Berlin has two museums: Rackliffe Plantation House and Calvin B. Taylor House Museum. The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame are about 25 minutes away in nearby Salisbury.
Adult Fun: A visit to the Burley Oak Brewing Company offers a great place to listen to live music and to sample any of their beers. Release days can be quite busy, so check their website in advance. The taproom doesn’t offer dining options—folks like the pizza across the street at Burn Wood Fired Pizza.
Don’t Miss: Assateague Light is the 142-foot-tall lighthouse located on the southern end of Assateague Island. The lighthouse is located in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The Ocean City Boardwalk is famous for a highly concentrated mix of beachfront fun for the entire family that no one will soon forget.
Lodging: The Atlantic Hotel was built in 1895 and is celebrating 125 years of service as a cornerstone business in Berlin. The hotel is famous as a primary location for the movie Runaway Bride. It is admired for gracious service, Victorian accommodations, and “an authentic Maryland experience deeply rooted in small-town charm.”
