Whether you are looking for a strenuous climb with breathtaking views of the Allegheny Mountains, an easy out-and-back stroll, or even a place to try out primitive camping, western Maryland has you covered. Rocky Gap State Park and Green Ridge State Forest offer miles of hiking trails. Lining the main streets of both towns are galleries showcasing the handcrafts of the region’s artisans.

The Cumberland and Embassy theatres in Cumberland offer a variety of shows year-round, as do Frostburg’s Palace Theatre and the University’s Cultural Events Series. Soak in Art and Cultureīoth Cumberland and Frostburg boast Arts and Entertainment Districts, making Mountain Maryland a regional arts destination.

Aboard vintage railroad cars, you will ride the rails through the lush hills and scenic valleys, powered by the historic 1309 steam engine, the largest operating steam engine of its kind in the world. Photo Credit: Allegany County TourismĪ ride on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is one of the best ways to experience transportation history in person. Other exhibits include fossils, the Whiskey Rebellion, and a rare collection of horse-drawn vehicles from their sister museum, the Thrasher Carriage Museum. The comprehensive exhibit “ Crossroads of America ” at the Allegany Museum in Cumberland traces the evolution of east-to-west travel during the early years of the republic. The movement of both goods and people was made easier with the arrival of the National Road, C&O Canal, and railroads throughout the nineteenth century. The western portion of Maryland played a crucial role in the settling of America, becoming a vital hub for western migration and the transportation of supplies from the west to eastern markets. But there are a lot of other reasons to visit the beautiful mountains of Maryland.

You may head to western Maryland for outdoor recreation at Rocky Gap State Park in the summer and the popular Polar Express train ride in the winter.

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