9 Maryland Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life
Maryland was founded in 1634 and some of these towns aren’t far behind. Chesapeake City has a Victorian downtown on the National Register of Historic Places. Thurmont is a small Maryland town next to Camp David. Cumberland was a major rail hub in the 19th century. These are nine Maryland towns with a slower pace of life.
Chesapeake City
One of Maryland’s few towns built around a working canal, Cecil County’s Chesapeake City sits on the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. You can sit in any of the town’s eateries, such as Schaefer’s Canal House, and gaze upon ships of all sizes passing through the canal while you enjoy local seafood. Perhaps you prefer strolling around Pell Gardens Park, another spot from which the canal is visible, and one that hosts free concerts in the summertime.
Chesapeake City’s origins trace back to the canal construction era in 1829, and its historic area is on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking through the historic downtown area, you’ll see beautiful Victorian homes that have been featured in national magazines such as Southern Living. Visit the C&D Canal Museum for more information on the town and the canal’s rich history. Chesapeake City is a small, tightly-knit community of under 1,000 residents that makes visitors feel as if they are in another world during their stay.
Berlin
If you want to visit Maryland’s beaches but don’t want to stay in the crowded resort town of Ocean City, check out the small town of Berlin in Worcester County. Berlin is so special that it has received national recognition, including in 2014, when Budget Travel Magazine named Berlin "America’s Coolest Small Town." It is also one of Maryland’s oldest towns, founded in 1677 as Burley Plantation. Just over 5,300 people live in this small town.
Berlin is so cool that its downtown area has been used as a backdrop in two feature films. The Atlantic Hotel, circa 1895, was featured in the 1999 film, "Runaway Bride." The 2002's "Tuck Everlasting" turned Berlin into the town of "Treegap." The Berlin Main Street & Maryland Welcome Center offers brochures for a self-guided tour of these famous places. After your tour of Berlin, grab a bite to eat or a brew at Sterling Tavern on Main Street. You will savor the contrast of this laid-back town to the busier and more crowded beach town of Ocean City, which is about seven miles away if you do decide to visit.
Cumberland
As you drive west on the National Freeway (Interstate 68) in Allegany County, you will come upon the city of Cumberland, set alongside the Allegheny Mountains of the Appalachian range. While the city was once the second-largest in Maryland (hence its nickname, "Queen City,") today, Cumberland is home to about 18,600 residents. It has the look of a historic mountain city, with 19th-century brick architecture against a backdrop of the mountains and the Potomac River.
Cumberland is anything but old, however. Its downtown area has been revitalized and turned into a thriving arts and cultural area. The Ferleman Gallery is just one of many visual arts galleries in town. If music is more to your liking, the Gallery Stage hosts intimate folk and acoustic musicians year-round. Outdoor enthusiasts can fish or boat on the Potomac River or stroll along its banks. Visitors and residents can sate their hunger and quench their thirst at City Lights American Grill, which offers outdoor seating and American fare. Cumberland provides an ideal mixture of history and modern for those seeking a slower pace of life.
Easton
At the headwaters of the Tred Avon River in Talbot County, you’ll find the small town of Easton, a historic Eastern Shore town sometimes known as Maryland’s "East Capital." The town was established in 1710 and retains its historic feel, with a statue of Frederick Douglass, who was born enslaved in Talbot County and later escaped from Baltimore in 1838, standing in front of the Talbot County Courthouse today. About 17,000 currently call Easton home.
Easton plays host to the annual Waterfowl Festival each November, an event which draws thousands from all over the world to view waterfowl art, witness retriever dog demonstrations, and celebrate the conservation of wildlife. A short walk from the Avalon Theatre, the Easton Farmers Market brings local vendors downtown on Saturdays throughout the year. Indoors, the Avalon holds a changing calendar of performances, including concerts, films, and live theater. There is much more than history to be found in the quiet town of Easton.
Hancock
Another older Maryland town, Washington County’s Hancock on the Potomac River traces its roots to the 18th century and was laid out in 1749. It is called "Maryland’s Trail Town," with the Western Maryland Rail Trail one of its most popular trails. This paved trail runs for 28 miles through Hancock. In addition to the mighty Potomac, Hancock is surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, and, notably, the large Sideling Hill Mountain ridge. Stop at the Sideling Hill Welcome Center off Interstate 68 at Mile Marker 74 on your way to Hancock for spectacular panoramic views of the area. It is a unique engineering feat, as the road was cut through the hill formation, with old rock layers still exposed today.
Blue Goose Fruit Market & Bakery on Main Street in Hancock is a popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Fresh produce, flowers, candies, gourmet foods, bakery items, and more are sold here year-round. For a one-of-a-kind dining experience, check out Buddylou’s Eats, Drinks, & Antiques. You (and your dog) can dine here and browse through a wide selection of antiques and collectibles. Hancock is a singular small Maryland town of just over 1,600 residents that furnishes solitude as well as plenty to keep visitors busy.
Havre de Grace
Situated where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay in Harford County, Havre de Grace (meaning "Harbor of Grace" in French) was laid out in 1781, incorporated in 1785, and recognized by Smithsonian Magazine in 2014 as one of the best 20 small towns to visit in the United States. With about 15,000 residents, Havre de Grace is another great example of a community that effectively mixes the historic and the modern.
The Concord Point Lighthouse and Keeper’s House Museum, dating to 1827, is one of the oldest publicly accessible lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay. It has become an iconic symbol of the community and should not be missed. The Havre de Grace Arts & Entertainment District hosts hundreds of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Annual Decoy & Wildlife Arts Festival each May. The STAR Centre in Havre de Grace adds even more to the calendar, with concerts, comedy shows, and stage productions throughout the year. This small waterfront community provides so much to do for all ages.
Oakland
Travel west in Maryland and, just before you hit the border of West Virginia, you will come to the mountain town of Oakland, Garrett County’s county seat. Oakland sits at just over 2,400 feet high in the Appalachian Mountains and is the quintessential small town, where fewer than 2,000 residents live. It has a pedestrian-friendly downtown area featuring gems such as Englander’s Antiques Grill and Soda Fountain, where you can browse through antiques and collectibles while waiting for your breakfast or lunch to be cooked.
Oakland is also the site of the Garrett County Historical Society Museum, a treasure trove of artifacts from the town and the county, where you can learn more about the history of the town. Included in the town’s history is the railroad, and the Oakland B&O Railroad Museum occupies a restored train station with exhibits, artifacts, tours, a gift shop, and educational railroad-themed programs. Next time you plan a trip to Deep Creek Lake, one of Maryland’s most famous tourist spots, drive about 15 minutes southwest to the small town of Oakland.
Sykesville
Sykesville is an incorporated Carroll County town on the Patapsco River near the Howard County line, about 25 miles west of Baltimore. This cute town is much smaller than the big city, however, with a little over 4,300 residents. Sykesville offers a refreshing change from the crowded and often noisy urban area less than an hour away.
Many who visit Sykesville walk its Linear Trail, which runs for 1.5 miles from Obrecht Road to the Patapsco River. If you are interested in the history of the town, you should visit the Historic Colored Schoolhouse, which opened in January 1904 and held classes until May 1938. The Gate House Museum is another repository of the town’s history, filled with artifacts and educational information about Sykesville. After a day in Sykesville, grab some food and drink at E.W. Beck’s on Main Street. Sykesville is an interesting, quiet suburb of Baltimore of which many people are not aware, and one that deserves to be explored.
Thurmont
The small Frederick County town of Thurmont is around 10 miles from the Pennsylvania border and 15 miles from the city of Frederick. Called the "Gateway to the Mountains," Thurmont sits at the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains. It is famous for housing the Presidential retreat, Camp David, within Catoctin Mountain Park. Thurmont is a nature lover’s paradise and a peaceful small Maryland town that should not be overlooked.
Nature is also abundant in Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont, where swimming, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and camping are just a few of the activities available. If you time your visit to Thurmont just right, you can witness the Catoctin Colorfest in October. One of the East Coast’s largest outdoor craft shows, the free event features food, art, crafts, and jewelry, amid awesome, color-changing autumn leaves. Or if you are a foodie, visit Thurmont in late April or early May to take advantage of Restaurant Week. This annual festival showcases the menus of locally-owned downtown eateries. Thurmont is a small, quiet town that presents visitors with ample opportunities for things to do year-round.
Slowing Down And Savoring Maryland’s Small Towns
If you are seeking a quiet, serene getaway in Maryland, consider visiting any of these nine smaller, more peaceful communities. Whether you want a quieter base near the beaches in Berlin, want to view majestic mountains in Hancock, or are interested in learning more about history in towns like Sykesville or Easton, these places provide the perfect opportunity to slow down, savor a new environment, and chill out for a while.
