Cumberland is a friendly and cultural city with a long history and a thriving arts scene. Cumberland was known as the “Gateway to the West” by America’s early settlers. It was once a military outpost run by George Washington, and it now has a number of great museums that show the history of the city and the area. In this article, you can learn about the best things to do in Cumberland MD.
There are also a lot of things to do in Cumberland MD, like hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, having a picnic, or going to one of the nearby state parks. Before you go, make sure to call the attractions and restaurants to find out what time they open.
29 Best Things to Do in Cumberland, Maryland
1. Great Allegheny Passage, Cumberland, MD
The Great Allegheny Passage is a rail-trail system with a network of long-distance hiking and biking trails that go through the Allegheny area of the Appalachian Mountains, which has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world. The 335-mile trail goes from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It can be used by hikers and bikers for long-distance trips as well as shorter trips between towns. The multi-use trail used to be a freight train track between two cities. It now follows the Youghiogheny River through the Laurel Highlands and connects to the C&O Canal towpath.
2. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is also the best things to do in Cumberland MD. Enjoy the sights on a 3.5-hour trip in a vintage train car. The trip goes up and down beautiful mountains and gives you amazing views of the wilderness in the area. Look at the beautiful views of the Cumberland Narrows, the thick trees, the tall mountains, the beautiful place bridges, and the Brush Tunnel.
At Frostburg, the train stops, and people get 90 minutes to look around the town. Meals are served to people in the dining class on the train. All of the guests can also use the snack bar. Western Maryland Railroad also has trips with themes, like their Murder Mystery Dinner, Polar Express, Moonshine Dinner, and Easter Trains. Enjoy the thrill of riding a train and look around at the amazing beauty of nature.
3. Have a pleasant swim in the pool at Constitution Park
Constitution Park is a great place to have fun and make memories that will last. The park has a great pool that makes you want to jump in and swim around in its cool water. If you don’t know how to swim yet, you can take swimming lessons here. You can also rent a pool party area at the park and throw a fun pool party for your friends. The park also has a nice duck pond where you might see some cute ducks. It also has a few playgrounds where your kids can play games outside. If you like to play basketball, you can play a game on this court.
4. Rocky Gap State Park
Rocky Gap State Park is a public park seven miles east of Cumberland in Allegany County. It has a lot of things to see and do outside, as well as places to camp. The 3,000-acre park has many beautiful natural features, such as steep cliffs, deep gorges, scary lookouts, and dense, green hemlock forests. In the park, you can see the tall Evitts Mountain, the 243-acre Lake Habeeb, and the Rocky Gap Casino Resort, which is privately owned and run. There are 278 campsites in a large campground, and people can go hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, swimming in the lake, and climbing in the park.
5. George Washington’s Headquarters
This historic cabin was built in 1755 and was once a part of Fort Cumberland. During the French and Indian War and the Whiskey Rebellion in the 1800s, when George Washington was in the US Army, he lived here more than once.
6. Spend a day exploring Canal Place
Explore the beautiful 58-acre (23-hectare) Canal Place park at your own pace to make your trip more interesting. It teaches you about the history of transportation in the country by letting you explore the rails, the pretty rivers, and the tracks. The beautiful park has many tourist-friendly attractions that make it a great place for families and people who like to explore. When you visit The Shops at Canal Place, you can do a lot of different things. For example, you can buy accessories and outfits and have a great meal at one of the restaurants. At the Canal Place visitor center, you can see and best things to do in Cumberland MD that will blow your mind.
7. C&O Canal – Paw Paw Tunnel, Cumberland, MD
The Paw Paw Tunnel is a 3,118-foot-long canal tunnel that is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Allegany County. It was built to avoid a six-mile stretch of the Potomac River with five horseshoe-shaped bends called the Paw Paw Bends. The Paw Paw Tunnel was named after a local fruit.
8. The Emmanuel Episcopal Church
This church was built in the middle of the 19th century on the site of the old Fort Cumberland. It is built in the Gothic Revival style, and the inside has beautiful stained glass windows. You can also see what is left of the fort’s old earthwork tunnels. Visit the church, admire its beautiful architecture, and spend some quiet time praying there.
9. Admire beautiful art at Gilchrist Gallery
If you like art, you should go to the famous museum in this beautiful city in Maryland called the Gilchrist Gallery. The 19th-century Federal mansion has a library of art, six remodeled galleries, and beautiful gardens that are well taken care of. See art presentations and displays that are worth praising. If you want to learn about art, you can find art classes and lectures that will help you learn more and improve your skills. The museum also tells you about the history and culture of the area. Here, you can look at the permanent collections and see great cultural shows.
10. Allegany Museum
The Allegany Museum is a world-class museum on Pershing Street in Historic Downtown Cumberland. It shows the rich history of Allegany County and the cultural, commercial, and geographical history of Appalachian Maryland through the years. The building was built in 1932 as a US Court House and Post Office. It was designed by a local architect, R. Holt Hitchins, in the Art Deco and Neoclassical styles. It has beautiful marble and walnut finishes, intricate details, and a 3,4000 square foot Grand Courtroom.
11. The Gordon-Roberts House
This historic mansion was built in the 1800s. It was the home of Josiah Gordon, a well-known judge and president of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. He lived here for 20 years, and then W. Milnor Roberts moved in with his family. The house has been kept up so that it looks the same as when the families lived there.
It is now a museum where the original family furniture, china, paintings, home decorations, chandeliers, and photos are on display. A day nursery, drawing room, parlor, sitting room, kitchen, guest bedroom, and servant’s room are all on display at the museum. People also like to hold weddings, conferences, and other social events at the mansion.
12. Get an insight into the past at Folck’s Mill
Are you interested in history and going to Cumberland? If that’s the case, take some time out of your busy travel schedule to learn more about Folck’s Mill’s history. Find out about the stone base of the historic site and see what’s left of the mill. On the north and east ends, it sits on the half-dug-out bank. Find out what the old mill and the Battle of Folck’s Mill, also called the Battle of Cumberland, which happened in 1864, have in common. The historic site of the mill is right in the middle of where the battle was going on.
13. Cumberland Narrows
The Cumberland Narrows, also called “The Narrows,” is a 1,000-foot-deep scenic gorge cut by Wills Creek through the Allegheny Mountains. It makes a natural east-west gateway between the Wills and Haystack mountains. The gorge was first used by Indians as a footpath. In 1755, British troops tried to cross the mountains to attack the French in the Ohio River Valley. It was later turned into the National Pike, a major highway paid for by the federal government. However, Interstate 68 now goes around the gorge.
14. Sample Exquisite Wines at Charis Winery
The Charis Winery was the first one in the county, and its wines have won many awards. It makes many different kinds of red, white, and fruit wines, like pinot noir, Vidal blanc, and more. You can try their wines while sitting on their patio and enjoying the view.
They also make olive oil, soap, pomace brandy, and balsamic vinegar, in addition to wine. They also hold a number of events all year long. You can take a tour of the winery, try some great wines, and have a great evening here.
15. Tri-State Zoological Park
Plan a trip to Tri-State Zoological Park to make your kids happy. Since 2003, the famous, large zoo on 16 acres (6 hectares) has been a home for amazing animals. One interesting thing about the attraction is that there are no paid employees. Instead, the zoo is run by interested volunteers. Find tigers, reptiles, macaques, lemurs, lions, and many other wild animals. There are many different kinds of birds here that birders will love to see. As you walk through the zoo with your kids, teach them how to spot different animals and birds.
16. Cumberland Theater
The Cumberland Theatre is a professional theater in the area. It puts on plays, comedies, dramas, and musicals, among other best things to do in Cumberland MD. The theater was started in 1988 and moved to a former church on North Johnson Street in 1991. It has a 198-seat theater with state-of-the-art acoustics and sound, as well as shops for costumes and sets and storage areas. During each show, the lobby of the theater turns into the Bev Walker Gallery, which shows off art from the area.
17. LaVale Toll Gate House
This is the first and only remaining toll gatehouse on the National Road. It was built in the early 1800s. It is a historical site, and there is a plaque there with the toll prices from when it was in use. Check out this old house and enjoy a good meal on the nearby picnic grounds.
18. Downtown Cumberland Historic District
Spend a day walking around the busy Historic District in downtown Cumberland to get a feel for the city’s culture, art, and entertainment scene. Walk around the busy streets and check out the different places to shop. Take pictures of the amazing buildings in the Historic District. You can learn more about the city’s history by visiting places like the Allegany Museum and other historical sites. There are also a number of places to eat in the entertainment district. At one of these restaurants, you can rest your tired feet and enjoy tasty food.
19. C. William Gilchrist Museum
The C. William Gilchrist Museum of the Arts is a well-kept Federal mansion from the early 1800s that is devoted to the history and culture of Allegany County and the state of Maryland. On Washington Street, the museum is surrounded by well-kept gardens, and it has six large galleries with art exhibits and presentations with a common theme that changes every few months. The museum also has a large art library and offers art classes and lectures for both new and experienced artists.
20. Bring Down Al Capone
The newest trend in the area is the real-life escape rooms in downtown Cumberland. Exit Strategy is the one you should definitely check out. You can test yourself with “The Untouchables,” in which you help Eliot Ness bring down Al Capone, the biggest crime boss.
They also have “Through the Looking Glass,” where you have to follow a white rabbit and figure out the mystery in an hour. In each scenario, your group of friends will try to complete a mission and escape before time runs out by putting together clues.
21. Evitts Creek Aqueduct
The Evitts Creek Aqueduct is a beautiful place that nature lovers should stop by on their way to or from other places. It is the smallest and last of the 11 aqueducts that look out over the beautiful Canal. The structure of the interesting landmark is made of limestone and granite. Since 1840, the aqueduct has been a good place to fish. You can try to catch panfish and smallmouth fish there. Rent a bike and go on a bike trip so you can go at your own pace and see everything this amazing place has to offer.
22. Brooke Whiting House and Museum
The F. Brooke Whiting House & Museum is a historic bungalow from 1911 that has a collection of artworks and decorative arts from Asia, America, and Europe. Brooke Whiting, a well-known attorney and world traveler from Cumberland, used to live in the bungalow. It has a world-class art collection that Whiting put together during his many trips around the world. The museum has a variety of lectures, workshops, and conferences, as well as a series of events every fourth Friday that feature local artists, actors, writers, and art experts.
23. Hiking at Paw Paw Tunnel
This 3,000-foot-long tunnel was built in the 1800s. It is on the banks of the beautiful Potomac River. You can walk through the tunnel and look out at the beautiful river and mountains. Near the tunnel, there is a beautiful park where people can set up picnics and enjoy the beauty of nature. Many hikers and mountain bikers come to this place.
24. Allegany Arts Council
People who like art should stop by Allegany Arts Council, which is in the middle of Downtown Cumberland. It helps talented artists and art schools improve their skills and promotes economic growth through the arts. Since 1975, this group has been working to improve people’s health and happiness through the arts. It gets people interested in art and brings in a lot of art lovers and artists every year. At the same place, you can see professional art shows like the Schwab Mountain Gallery, which shows the work of local, national, and regional artists that are worth praising.
25. Casino Resort
Rocky Gap Casino Resort is near Cumberland, Maryland, in the middle of Allegany County. It is next to Rocky Gap State Park. This place has miles of hiking trails and great views of the mountains.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort has won the AAA Four-Diamond Award® and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. It has a casino, a hotel, events and conference center, the Bonkerz Comedy Club, three restaurants, a coffee shop, the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in Maryland, a spa, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a pro shop, free valet parking, parking for individuals, and many outdoor activities.
There are 665 slots, 17 table games, and two bars in the casino. With Evitts Mountain and the 243-acre Lake Habeeb in the background, the new Lakeside Terrace at Rocky Gap Casino Resort is a beautiful and relaxing place to be outside.
26. Ristorante Ottaviani
Ristorante Ottaviani is a family-run restaurant from the Old World that serves traditional Italian food, classic steaks, and fresh seafood in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant has wood floors, Tuscan colors, and two dining levels. It serves authentic Italian and Mediterranean food, such as fresh seafood, prime steaks, homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and rich desserts made from old family recipes. A full-service bar has a wide range of drinks, from casual Italian wines and craft beers to global wines, draft, and tap beers, and signature cocktails made with imported spirits. Ristorante Ottaviani is only open at night for dinner.
27. Allegany County Fairgrounds
At the Allegany County Fairgrounds, you can see a fun and lively music concert. Have a great day and enjoy the sound of live music. The landmark is known for holding musical events where talented artists give performances that are worth praising. It also has private events and fun car races for people who like racing.
28. Puccini Restaurant
The historic 1818 Hinkle House on Ali Ghan Road was used as a Civil War hospital during the Battle at Folck’s Mill. Puccini Restaurant is an elegant Italian restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that serves authentic Italian and Mediterranean food. The family-owned restaurant has exposed brick walls and cozy, candlelit dining nooks that are perfect for romantic dates.
Its specialty is hand-tossed, thin-crust, wood-fired pizza with a variety of tasty toppings and sauces made in-house. Along with the food, there is a carefully chosen wine list with wines from Italy and other wine-growing countries, craft beers on tap and in bottles, handcrafted cocktails, and high-end spirits. Every day, lunch and dinner are served at Puccini.
29. Fort Cumberland Emporium
If you like the old best things to do in Cumberland MD and want to buy some, you should go to the Fort Cumberland Emporium. There are many beautiful antiques and amazing collectibles for sale in the three-story store in the middle of downtown Cumberland. If you like jewelry, you shouldn’t pass up the chance to buy vintage costume jewelry. Some of the lovely things you can buy here are pottery, old clothes, glass pieces, fine furniture, kitchen collectibles, and candles. You can also go shopping for gifts to bring back to your friends and family.
Conclusion
People who like being in nature and learning about the history and culture of a place will definitely enjoy touring this city.
Visitors will find an endless number of beautiful views, interesting museums, and unique places to experience the culture of the area. Save this list of things to do in Cumberland so you can use it as a guide when you go there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Best Things to Do in Cumberland MD
Is Cumberland Md worth visiting?
Cumberland is a friendly and cultural city with a long history and a thriving arts scene. Cumberland was known as the “Gateway to the West” by America’s early settlers. It was once a military outpost run by George Washington, and it now has a number of great museums that show the history of the city and the area.
What is Cumberland Maryland known for?
During the 19th century, Cumberland became well-known as a place where people and goods went. The city was the start of the first National Road in the U.S., which is now called U.S. 40 or the National Highway. It was also the end of the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal from Washington, DC, and a railroad hub.
Is Cumberland Maryland a good place to live?
It’s not a bad place. There are good schools nearby, and the people are always nice. you can always find somewhere to eat. Hello, a great place to retire to. It is the poorest city in Maryland and the richest state in the United States.
Is Cumberland Maryland poor?
The Cumberland Times-News reported on June 16 that Cumberland is the poorest city in Maryland. With a population of 20,711, Cumberland has a poverty rate of 15.9%, which is higher than the state rate of 10.1% and the national rate of 14.5%.
What’s the poorest city in Maryland?
At 21.8%, Baltimore City has the most people living in poverty in Maryland, while Calvert County has the least, at 5.1%. Most people live in poverty in Baltimore City, Somerset County, and Allegany County.
Does Cumberland Maryland have mountains?
Haystack Mountain is a mountain ridge in the Ridge and Valley area of the Appalachians. It is in western Maryland, just west of the city of Cumberland. The mountain is the wall on the south side of the Cumberland Narrows.
Are smoke bombs legal in Maryland?
Firecrackers, Cherry Bombs, Black Cats, M-80s, Crackling Balls, and Smoke Bombs; Roman Candles and bottle rockets (whistling or with a report); Sky Rockets, rockets that look like helicopters, Spinning Wheels, Moving Tanks, and other vehicles; Any fireworks that are shot out of a mortar tube.
How old is Cumberland Maryland?
Cumberland, with a population of 23,901, was founded in 1787 at the mouth of Wills Creek on the Potomac River, near the Allegany Highlands in western Maryland. It is known as the “Gateway to the West.”
Is Cumberland Maryland a good place to live?
It’s not a bad place. There are good schools nearby, and the people are always nice. you can always find somewhere to eat. Hello, a great place to retire to. It is the poorest city in Maryland and the richest state in the United States.
Does anyone live on Cumberland Island?
Cumberland is the most inviting because it has 16 miles of empty beaches and an unbuilt interior, and only about 50 people live there. On the island, there are only four historic mansions, one of which is in dramatic ruins, and a few hidden homes.
When was the flood control built in Cumberland MD?
The Flood Control Act of June 22, 1936, and the Flood Control Act of July 24, 1946, gave the go-ahead for the project. The description of the Project is in House Document No. 101 from the first session of the 73rd Congress.
What is it like to live in Cumberland MD?
Most of the people who live in Cumberland own their own homes, giving the town a suburban feel. There are many parks in Cumberland. Many older people live in Cumberland, and most of the people who live there are conservative. Cumberland’s public schools are better than most.
Can you swim on Cumberland Island?
On Cumberland Island, you can swim in the ocean. Ocean swimmers should be aware of the dangers that could be in or near the water, such as rough waves, rip currents, and animals with sharp teeth and stingers. Since there are no lifeguards on the island, it’s up to you to keep yourself safe.
What is the westernmost city in Maryland?
4 Near Casselman River Bridge State Park, there is a small historic village called Grantsville. It has an inn that has been open for nearly 200 years. 5 Hagerstown is the largest city in western Maryland. 6 Oakland is the westernmost town in Maryland. It is a small village with about 2,000 people and a charming main street with a lot of history.
