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. Neither are establishments I would go to if I didn't have to (you can see my reviews and pictures).īTW - I'm originally from Arlington, VA and my husband lived in Fairfax before we got married and moved to NJ.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. We stayed in West Newton: Bright Morning Bed & Breakfast and Ohiopyle: Yough Plaza Motel.

that part of the trail: McKeesport to Meyersdale is not heavily populated and the number of people who do the GAP wouldn't sustain a Marriott or Hilton property. That trail also has clearly marked signs. They had done the GAP, but knew that was more scenic. Tip from couple who did the GAP with us, they crossed the Monongahela River via the highway - 376 (right at the park) and then rode that other trail the GAP. If you do this you are doing the actual GAP that takes you along a highway and other not so scenic things. One tip: ride the bike trail along the water to get to Point State Park, then follow the signs (we did take 1-2 wrong turns).

We stayed at the Courtyard Pittsburgh Downtown, which is literally blocks from the official start in Point State Park. It's not hard to navigate the incomplete section in Pittsburgh.

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