Maryland has some well known cities such as Baltimore and Ocean City, but it’s also full of charming small towns, especially in the more rural areas. Here are a few sweet small towns we have visited, starting in the Western edge of Maryland and heading East, then south along the bay.
Oakland
The little town of Oakland has several interesting small museums – the B&O Museum, which has an old steam train outside; the Transportation Museum featuring all sorts of vehicles, and the Garrett County Historical Museum, which contains 9 rooms full of artifacts pertaining, of course, to Garrett County history. The favorites among our kids were the model train, the dolls and doll furniture, and the war memorabilia from local veterans. We also had some delightful barbecue at Schweitzer’s BBQ in Oakland – some of the best we’ve had, from friendly folks with big portions and lots of sides. And it’s only a 10 minute ride to beautiful Swallow Falls State Park, where a short hike gives you fabulous views of 7 waterfalls.
Grantsville
Here you will find Casselman River Bridge State Park, featuring one of the oldest bridges in the country, and the Spruce Forest Artisan Village. Here you can find a variety of artists making and selling their weres, including pottery, blacksmithing, and many other forms of art and unique boutiques located in historic buildings. The Cornucopia Cafe has a unique and cozy ambiance if you’re looking for a fine dining experience. The Yoder History House offers living history displays and activities. There is also a beautiful overlook nearby.
Cumberland
Historic Cumberland is part of a larger town, known for the Western Maryland Railway. You can take a three hour extursion and see the stunning scenery of Western Maryland’s mountains from the comfort of your train car, and stop for a picnic meal or use the dining car. Another place to get a delicious bite to eat is the Baltimore Street Grill, in the heart of the downtown historic district.
Sykesville
Sykesville in Carroll county is a small town where you can find a historic “colored” school house that you can visit, a historic train station, and a visitor’s center inside a train car along with the post office. It’s worth stopping by the French Twist Café, where I got the best crepe of my life (I got the Italian) and some good coffee. The town includes some beautiful homes, a gorgeous old church, and some unique boutiques.
Havre De Grace
Havre De Grace is a sweet little town along the Chesapeake Bay, and it’s fun to walk along the “Promenade,” which is a little winding boardwalk along the Bay that ends up in front of the lighthouse for which the town is known. On a hill above the parking lot for the Promenade and Marina, there is a playground which is well loved by local children and visitors alike for it’s array of playground equipment (including a miniature lighthouse) and by parents for it’s lovely hilltop view of the water. There are a number of charming little seafood restaurants nearby.
Easton
Easton is a cute little town not far from the Chesapeake Bay. It has a really fabulous series of playgrounds at Idlewild Park, and from there you can walk into the town and get some ice cream at Storm and Daughter’s or visit some of the other one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants located there. You might also head over to one of the local marinas or visit Easton Point Park to get some views of the water.
These are just a handful of the lovely small towns you can find in Maryland, and we look forward to sharing many more as we continue to explore the state.