Hotel Brexton is a gem of a boutique hotel. It’s in a 19th century red brick building, newly renovated with high-end style on the edge of an up-and-coming neighborhood of restaurants and antique stores. All the staff we met were friendly and happy to give recommendations. If you’re planning on going to the harbor, it’s not in walking distance, although we were told there is a free city shuttle. All in all, this hotel is a very pleasant, stylish surprise.

Once temperatures drop (usually in mid to late November), there’s ice fishing at the lake. That’s also when skiers and snowboarders arrive at the Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort. For something different, try snow tubing — Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park has seven 800-foot long tubing lanes. Want a more leisurely outing? Antique shops, a microbrewery and a winery are not far away.

Stroll along Cumberland’s brick-paved streets and take note of the town’s varied architecture, reflecting styles of the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. You’ll discover an abundance of antiques shops, boutiques, galleries and dining spots. The Cumberland Theatre, opened in 1987, presents live performances.

Canal Place Heritage Area, at the western end of the C&O Canal, showcases the heritage of this former railroad hub. It also features an enticing mix of retail, galleries and recreation. Boat rides on the canal and excursions aboard an old-time train powered by a steam locomotive are available from Canal Place.

The “Trestle Walk” at Canal Place connects the restored Western Maryland Railway Station – home of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the Allegany County Visitor Center – with the C&O Canal Tow Path, where you can begin an invigorating hike or bike ride.

By the way, George Washington really did sleep here.

Civil War Trails across Virginia and Maryland bring the stories of these battles and those who fought them to life on the very grounds were the action took place.

Walk in a soldier’s footsteps across the battlefields of Virginia and Maryland, attend Civil War related events, or don 1800s garb and take part in a battle reenactment. Visit the many historic churches, homes, museums and cemeteries while making your way along the trails.

In Maryland, the Civil War is best explored in the footsteps of generals, on the heels of an assassin and by understanding the stories of the citizens who survived the conflict. Four carefully mapped driving tours link together a collection of both well-known and less-known sites from Baltimore City, throughout the Chesapeake Region, Southern Maryland and into Western Maryland.

* Antietam Campaign

Follow the routes of Union and Confederate soldiers in September 1862 as they marched through Maryland toward what would be the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day of battle in American history. The route begins with Robert E. Lee crossing the Potomac River into Maryland at Whites Ford, then moving quickly toward Frederick, through Middletown to South Mountain and on to Antietam battlefield.

* Gettysburg Campaign

This trail encompasses both invasion and retreat: Cavalry Tour, Union Advance Tour, Confederate Advance Tour and Retreat Tour.

* Booth Escape Route

Follow an interpreted driving tour along John Wilkes Booth’s escape route from Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC (April 14, 1865) after shooting President Lincoln, to the location of his capture and death in Virginia 12 days later. The tour follows Route 5 out of Washington into Maryland then joins US 301 South into Virginia. Nine Civil War Trails signs mark significant stops on the route.

* Baltimore Region

This Civil War Trails tour covers the Baltimore city story as well as area themes involving African Americans, the all-important railroads and a variety of activity on the northern shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

Chesapeake City
Located along the historic Chesapeake and Delaware Canal connecting the Chesapeake Bay with the Delaware River. Visit the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal Museum which recounts the history of the building of the 14-mile canal, one of only two commercially vital sea-level canals in the US.

Betterton Beach
Betterton emerged in the 1700’s as a small fishing village. Today this five acre landscaped, family oriented waterfront park has an exceptional sandy beach with 300 feet of frontage for swimming and 700 feet of shoreline access.

Rock Hall
Rock Hall is known as the “Pearl of the Chesapeake”. Charter a boat, eat fresh seafood, sit on a Chesapeake Bay beach or visit the Watermen’s Museum at Haven Harbour Marina.

Chestertown
Located along the banks of the Chester River, Chestertown provides a link to the maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay. It home to the Schooner Sultana and a thriving colonial historic district. The historic buildings are the backdrop for visitors who enjoy ambling along red-brick sidewalks, peeking over garden walls and exploring antique shops, galleries, specialty stores and sidewalk cafes.

Chesapeake Exploration Center
“Our Chesapeake Legacy”, an interactive, hands-on exhibit provides an overview of the region’s heritage, resources, and culture while exploring the relationship of man and the bay.

Day 2

Easton
One of the best small towns in America. Visit the Academy Art Museum, historic Quaker meeting house and stroll the streets lined with elegant Victorian homes, boutiques and tempting restaurants.

St. Michaels
Explore the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, featuring a working boatyard, hands on activities for kids and a restored 1879 lighthouse. Dine on crab cakes overlooking the harbor and then relax at the Linden Spa at the Inn at Perry Cabin.

Cambridge
This historic waterfront community offers skipjack sailing cruises and boat tours and is a good home base to explore the nearby Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, home to the largest nesting population of bald eagles on the US East Coast.

It served as the gateway to the West for early settlers. Follow the path of history and enjoy the natural beauty of Maryland’s Historic National Road.
Day 1

Casselman River Bridge State Park
The Casselman Bridge was built is 1813 and at 80 feet was the longest single span stone arch bridge of its time. Located near the bridge are historic buildings circa 1800 moved to the site from other locations in Western Maryland. The buildings have been restored and house the “Spruce Forest Artisan Village”, the Penn Alps Restaurant and Stanton’s Mill, a working grist mill.

LaVale Toll House
The only remaining toll house in Maryland.

Rocky Gap State Park
Rocky Gap State Park beckons guests eager to enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, cycling, hunting, even golfing.

Cumberland
In 1806 Congress chose Cumberland as the starting point for the “Cumberland Road” which eventually became part of the National Road. Be certain to visit Canal Place which offers canal boat replica tours, scenic rail excursions from the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, shops, galleries, festivals, hiking/biking and the Cumberland Visitor Center.

City of Frederick
Settled in 1745, Frederick’s 50-block historic district and is home to more than 25 museums and historic sites.
Day 2

New Market
A colonial rest stop founded in 1793. During the heyday of the National Pike New Market was a popular stopover for travelers. Today it’s known as the antiques capital of Maryland.

Ellicott City
The three Ellicott brothers operated two flour mills on the Patapsco River. As a result of the network of roads the Ellicott brothers either built or financed, Ellicott City became the largest flour milling center in the colonies. Visitors to Ellicott City are intrigued by its pre-Revolutionary War history, narrow streets, brick and stone buildings and granite cliffs.

City of Baltimore
The National Road begins and ends at the Port of Baltimore located on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Leonardo was born on Galia under Emperor Anastasius, ie between 491 and 518. Like their parents, more noble, were friends of Clovis, the great chief of the Franks, he wanted to serve as godfather at the baptism of the child. When I was young, Leonardo did not want to follow the career of arms, preferring to get the service of San Remigio, who was bishop of Reims.

As San Remigio, using the friendships with the king, had obtained the privilege to grant freedom to all prisoners who find, Leonardo also requested and obtained such power, he held many times. The king wanted to give something more: the episcopal dignity. But Leonardo, who aspired to human glory, chose to retire first to St. Maximin in Micy, and then to a location near Limoges, in the middle of a forest called Pavum.

One day her solitude was interrupted by the arrival of Clovis was going to hunt his entire entourage. With the king was also the queen, who at that very moment he came the pain of childbirth. Prayers and San Leonardo care delivery made out very well, and then the king made a covenant with the holy very particular obsequiaría you to build a monastery, all the territory that could go on the back of a donkey. About oratory in honor of Mary would have emerged a new city.

At the conclusion of the event were distributed to the winning students a diploma for having excelled in the completion of the environmental panel and they pledged to disseminate within their schools what they had learned during this field trip.