8 Lovely Small Towns To Visit In Maryland This Summer
Make merriment in the lovely state of Maryland, the land where The Star-Spangled Banner was first written and sung to trumpet American troops toward freedom. This summer, entreat yourself to a much-desired vacation in the lovely small towns to visit in Maryland. Charter a trip outside the big cities like Baltimore and seek relaxation and comfort in the Chesapeake Bay or the Allegheny Mountains. In towns like Saint Michael and Cumberland, you will be given greater respect for the revolutionary soldiers who laid down their lives for American liberty. In places like Hancock and Thurmont, you will never forget your experiences in Maryland’s most pastoral and appealing landmarks and landscapes. Listen to the tune of the United States’ national anthem, and come visit the eight lovely small towns in Maryland this summer.
Saint Michael
The lovely small town of Saint Michael embodies the archangel Michael’s credo for righteousness and goodness by being “the town that fooled the British” in the War of 1812. It was from Saint Michael that agile ships called the Baltimore Clippers were manufactured to bamboozle the slower British ships in the Chesapeake Bay. Even when British cannons bombarded Saint Michael, the townsfolk fooled the British into thinking they perished by dimming their hanging lanterns. In honor of this subterfuge, the Cannonball House stands as the only surviving structure against cannon fire. Visitors can learn more about the Battle of Saint Michael at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and Store and St. Michaels Museum.
Aside from martial history, Saint Michael has been a vital fishing and trading port since the 1630s. One can head over to the Miles River and the Chesapeake Bay to catch some exquisite fish, or you can always pluck a few grapes from the vineyards of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail. The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is home to many marvelous birds and other wildlife in the marshy meadows. If you are looking for a place to stay, then look no further than the Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels Harbour Inn Marina & Spa, or St. Michaels Inn.
Hancock
The town of Hancock earned its name not from John Hancock but rather from Edward Joseph Hancock Junior, a soldier from Maryland who fought beside George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. Located along the Potomac River and situated between West Virginia in the south and Pennsylvania in the north, Hancock has been an invaluable crossroads between three central American states. Indeed, visitors can travel down the C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Canal Towpath and the Western Maryland Rail Trail to explore the many attractions and routes in Hancock. Venture into the colonial-era Fort Fredrick State Park, a formidable fortress that repelled many a Native American war party and foreign French armies in old wars. If you prefer the splendors of nature, then go trekking through the Green Ridge State Forest for breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains. And if you ever get weary from all the walking, then book a room at the Hancock Motel.
Thurmont
Thurmont is the kind of place where you can revitalize and renew yourself after all the busy hassles and bustles of a city lifestyle. Among the idyllic delights you can find in and around town is the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo, where all manner of animals and beasts can be appreciated and learned about. You can embrace the watery sprays from the Cunningham Falls State Park or go hiking and trekking through the vast Catoctin Mountain Park. The more adventurous of you can brave the Cat Rock & Bobs Hill Natural Area, which leads to a rewarding view of Thurmont and its expansive environments. You might come across the historic Catoctin Furnace, built in 1774 as a workstation to produce more ammunition during the American Revolution. Or you might stumble upon the infamous Blue Blazes Still, a moonshine distillery from 1929 that has inspired many a spooky story. Only around 55 miles from Hancock, let your curiosity guide you through the many thrilling marvels and surprises awaiting in Thurmont.
Leonardtown
Leonardtown is a 60-mile getaway from Washington, D.C., and a perfect place for you to enjoy the splendors of the Potomac River. The town encapsulates the artistry and culture of Maryland with St. Mary’s Art Council and the many exhibits along the Arts & Entertainment district. The Leonard Wharf Park is a vibrant destination for you to relax, while the Amish and Mennonite communities are sure to welcome you to the Amish Quilt Auction in November. Watch butterflies flutter about in Leonardtown’s Butterfly Trail or sample delicious wine in the Wine Trail. However, take care when passing by the Molly Dyer Rock, which memorializes the fading handprint of a local healer named Molly Dyer. Remember not to touch the rock in case Molly Dyer’s ghost haunts you—rather, you should leave little gifts to show your respects.
Berlin
Most might presume the town of Berlin was named after the city of Berlin in Germany. However, Maryland’s “Coolest Town in America” bears no cultural connection to Deutschland, and rather, the town’s name likely originated from “Burleigh Inn”—a tavern at the crossroads of the Philadelphia Post and Sinepuxent Roads. Even though the town of Berlin is not as culturally attuned or renowned compared to Germany’s capital city, there are over 47 buildings have all been marked in the National Register of Historic Places for you to tour. Consider the Calvin B. Taylor Museum, the most prominent edifice in Berlin that houses historic artifacts and articles preserving the town’s riveting past. Likewise, the Mermaid Museum gives newcomers intriguing tales of mermaid sightings around Berlin. You can attend Berlin’s annual Bathrub Races every July 7, a wild and wacky pastime in the town’s wide streets. Only eight miles away from Ocean City and Assateague Island, you can cherish your trip to Berlin while staying in fine lodgings like the historic Atlantic Hotel.
Crisfield
Seafood lovers rejoice because the town of Crisfield is home to Maryland’s delicious blue crabs, Chesapeake bivalves, and the town’s signature oysters. Due to its location in Tangier Sound and Smith Island, Crisfield has been hailed the “Crab Capital of the World.” Visitors can take scenic boat rides through the southernmost edge of Chesapeake Bay. You can even partake in several fishing and crab-gathering expeditions or simply watch the experts do their daily labors. The J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum gives travelers a better appreciation of Crisfield’s contributions to fishing. Elsewhere, the Ward Brothers Workshop contains many decoy carvings for the most aesthetic of you to admire. And in opulent lodgings like the Captain Tyler Motel and Rodeway Inn at Somers Cove Marina, you will certainly sleep safe and sound in the lovely town of Crisfield.
Havre de Grace
On the Susquehanna River lies the pristine town of Havre de Grace (French for “Harbor of Grace”). Named after the port city of Le Havre de Grâce in France, the town has been an essential trading hub in the Chesapeake Bay. As the “Decoy Capital of the World,” one can peruse waterfowl decoys and carvings at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum or find actual ducks and other avian species at the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge. Climb to the top of the Concord Point Lighthouse to observe the harbor in its totality, or you can learn more about the oldest publicly accessible lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay at Keeper’s House Museum. Admire the local arts and crafts from 1880 to 1920 at the Steppingstone Farm Museum, or grasp Havre de Grace’s significance in transportation at the Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House or via the interactive tours at the Lafayette Trail. Lest you forget, you should first purchase a room in the Vandiver Inn, the Spencer-Silver Mansion, or the White House.
Cumberland
You will not feel so cumbersome when you are luxuriating in the lively town of Cumberland. Located 30 miles from Hancock, Cumberland is adjacent to the Cumberland Narrows, a natural gateway connecting the town to the bowl-shaped valley beside the Potomac River and to the magnificent Allegheny Mountains. During the Revolutionary War, Cumberland served as a headquarters for George Washington, specifically at a one-room cabin in Riverside Park. He was also stationed at Fort Cumberland in 1786 during the French and Indian War.
A handful of learning centers and museums dot Cumberland, like the Canal Place Heritage Area, the Allegheny Museum, and the National Civil War Museum—all of which will nourish you with more knowledge and insight into Cumberland’s pivotal past. The Great Allegheny Passage and Western Maryland’s Scenic Railroad (part of the C&O Canal Towpath) are some of the many excellent routes you can take to explore the Allegheny Mountains. And exquisite accommodations like the Cumberland Inn & Spa are certainly going to entertain and provide you with all the amenities you need.
Maryland has been referred to by many names. First, “America in Miniature” because every natural and geographic feature that defines America can be found in Maryland—except the desert. Second, the “Old Line State” because George Washington and his soldiers held the line at the Battle of Bunker Hill and gained victory in Yorktown. And finally, the “Free State” because its people fought and earned their independence against the British Empire, the Spanish Empire, and other colonial powers. But for you, you can call Maryland the perfect destination area to visit the state’s lovely small towns this summer.
