Maryland is known to have a very diverse landscape throughout the state. One of these diverse geographical destinations is considered to be the “Mountain Side of Maryland,” in Allegany County.
Allegany County offers residents and visitors many experiences including their heritage train rides, centuries of history and culture through their Arts and Entertainment and Main Street districts and historic sites, and countless internationally recognized bike trails.
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad:
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has been operating heritage train ride experiences for over 30 years. Today, visitors can book a ride with the 1309 steam engine, the largest operating steam locomotive of its kind in the world.
Downtown Cumberland:
Cumberland has late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century architecture of the downtown buildings. The downtown area boasts both Main Street Maryland and Arts and Entertainment District designations and is home to a collection of the county’s art galleries and museums as well as a diverse selection of locally owned restaurants and shops. Cumberland’s juncture for the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage bike trails is the central location for riders traveling between Pittsburgh, PA, and Washington, DC. The Potomac River flows through downtown, separating the city from the neighboring state of West Virginia.
Downtown Frostburg:
In addition to the University, Frostburg offers a lot of the County’s history. Main Street, also known as the ‘National Road,’ is America’s first federally funded interstate highway. Visitors can explore the basement of the Hotel Gunter, which features a replica coal mine, old railcar tracks, a jail cell, and a Speakeasy that housed gatherings during the Prohibition.
Great Allegheny Passage (GAP Trail):
The Great Allegheny Passage is a spectacular 150-mile, non-motorized, scenic rail trail stretching from mile zero in Cumberland, MD, to Pittsburgh PA, and is touted as one of USA Today’s 10Best Trails in North America.
The C&O Canal National Park and Towpath:
The C&O Canal National Historical Park was the 10th most visited national park in the US in 2021 and preserves and interprets the 19th-century transportation canal from Washington, DC, to Cumberland, MD, and its associated scenic, natural, and cultural resources.
George Washington Trail:
Throughout Allegany County, going west from Oldtown, Maryland, to the crest of Savage Mountain, George Washington’s familiar profile is depicted on blue signs along our scenic byways and city streets. Serving as a marker for George Washington’s first diplomatic venture to what is now western Pennsylvania through Allegany County in 1753, the signs encourage visitors to travel along the route to discover George Washington’s first diplomatic mission to demand French troops leave land (now western Pennsylvania) claimed by England.
Rocky GAP State Park:
Rocky Gap State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres of rugged mountains surrounding the 243-acre Lake Habeeb. The park offers campsites and many more outdoor activites for people to enjoy.
These are only a few of the major highlights of Allegany County. Visit “Mountain Side of Maryland” for more information about the the different things Allegany County has to offer.
If you would like your county featured in Fun Facts, please get in touch with Amanda Grosskrueger at agrosskrueger@mdcounties.org.