Location: Cumberland
Top Things to do in Cumberland
- 1. C&O Canal - Paw Paw Tunnel
- 2. C&O Canal National Historical Park and Visitors Museum
- 3. Rocky Gap State Park
- 4. Sideling Hill Overlook & Rest Area
- 5. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
- 6. Cumberland Visitor Center
- 7. Allegany Museum
- 8. Charis Winery
- 9. Gordon-Roberts House
- 10. Emmanuel Episcopal Church
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10 Things to Do in Cumberland That You Shouldn't Miss
At the base of the Appalachian Mountains in Allegany County, Maryland, the city of Cumberland has been a military outpost manned by George Washington, a shipping hub, a manufacturing capital and "The Gateway to the West." Head to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and explore the same paths taken by early American pioneers. A ride on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad carries visitors back to the golden age of rail, chugging past stunning mountain scenery in vintage train cars.
Restaurants in Cumberland
1. C&O Canal - Paw Paw Tunnel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By Paolo M - Monroeville, Pennsylvania
The tunnel is officially closed because of consolidation works. However, they have compassion for the visitors. Therefore we could walk inside for some feet from the side of the Paw Paw camping ground (the entrance is at short walking distance from the car park). They don't work during Saturday and Sundays, so one could also penetrate more deeply. However the risk is to be hit by falling bricks due to the vibrations of the works. Visitors should wear an helmet. A torch is also required to prevent stumbling. There is no water in the canal because of the works in progress.
2. C&O Canal National Historical Park and Visitors Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By AdventuresomeCouple - Shillington, Pennsylvania
The museum has a lot of artifacts, photos and information on life on the canal. It was noted that some of the audio listening devices were not operational. You can physically see the canal and a canal boat that was built in 1976. The museum is located in the lower level of the Western Maryland Railroad building. This is definitely worth the visit.
3. Rocky Gap State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Park that offers swimming beaches, campsites and boat rentals.
Reviewed By hj99 - Cincinnati, Ohio
My mom and I visited with our dogs and enjoyed the park. The lake was beautiful and you could go on the beach and swim but are not able to take your dogs in the beach area. We walked around the park and did a few trails. We loved the nature trail and when you get to the end of it, the body of water at the end and surrounding scenery is breath taking! It was hard to figure out where to enter/exit the park and where some of the trails start, finish, and how long they were since we didn't see a lot of signage. It would be helpful if there was a greater amount of signage for people with regards to locating things in the park.
4. Sideling Hill Overlook & Rest Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By drinkmaster - maryland
Scenic views. Clean bathrooms. The best part was Donna in the Visitor Center! She was extremely friendly & knowledgeable. Tons of brochures & MAPS, yes good old paper Maps! Donna made our stop very pleasant and fun!!!
5. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Overall Ratings
4 based on 496 reviews
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers a variety of scenic, dining, and specialty excursions throughout the year. Individual and group rates are available for the Mountain Limited, our scenic excursion, as well as Evening Paradise Dinner Trains on Saturday evenings. Also available throughout the year are various specialty and holiday excursions.
Reviewed By Frostburger - Frostburg, Maryland
While this has been a boon to the area, it also costs the taxpayers a lot of money to maintain. Both the state and county have had to spend a lot to keep it going, and there still is no steam locomotive on the horizon.
6. Cumberland Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By sbstallard - Stafford, Virginia
Little place offers lots. Here's where my husband and I decided to ride the GAP with our friends. The information we received convinced us and proved to be the best bike vacation I've ever had with my friends. They also offer great souvenirs and pack able snacks.
7. Allegany Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By nriemen - Winchester, Virginia
Free but be kind a eave a donation! Lots of displays of local history and "goings on" in the area over the years. Well laid out with friendly and helpful staff. Nice for an hour or so.
8. Charis Winery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 23 reviews
Local winery in downtown Cumberland at the Canal Place Shops. Wine produced on premises. Dry premier whites and reds as well semi-sweet to sweet fruit blends. We try to have a wine for everyone's pilot! We also produce Pomace Brandy- currently two styles: Lock House 75, an oaked brandy and Rose, a brandy flavored and colored with red rose peddles! Charis also has Savage Soaps available for purchase. Coming soon will be the introduction of Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars!
Reviewed By S_Chen0720 - Wheaton, Illinois
We had some time before our dinner/train ride on the Western Maryland Scenic RR and stopped into this shop because it was one of the very few places open (Friday at 5 pm). We were pleasantly surprised. "Pop", who is the owner, sommelier, wine maker, and overall cheerleader, served us with a mini-tasting. The Pinot Grigio was a little weak but the following wines were more full-bodied. We ended up purchasing one of the nice whites. Not Napa or Sonoma, but hey, this is Maryland!
9. Gordon-Roberts House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By The_Concierge_8 - Trinidad
We arrived into Cumberland 9pm on Friday for the weekend and with the Gordon-Roberts house only open Wednesday through Saturday, we headed to the house mid-Saturday morning as this would have been the only day possible to visit.
Imagine our disappointment when we arrived to the front door to find a notice posted that the house would be closed for a private function!
Having gone back to check their website after our return home, it actually does mention the possibility of sometimes closing for special events. But when you have travelled 2,000 miles and the one attraction on your list, on the one day your trip coincides with the attraction being open to the public, and you are faced with a notice like this, well…I can’t begin to tell you the feelings!
Surely there should be some way to work out the balance of public opening and private events? Maybe changing the opening days & times or extending the weekend opening hours perhaps? What about providing the hotels and Visitor Center with a notice of closure every week so that visitors don’t waste their time walking to the house. What about having visitors sign up via your website for an email or text notification of closings during the time they are visiting Cumberland? I realise that many of these approaches may be time-consuming but there must be some way to appease both the visitor and the private patron.
10. Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Sandra C - Florida Keys, Florida
We had been wandering around town and happened across this lovely Church. They were plaques all over describing the property that this church sits on. We decided to get a closer look and happened upon someone painting the outside lanterns. He let us in the direction of the church office which in turn led us to a wonderful woman who would not give us the tour but gladly let us in the church. Once inside you are overtaken by the beauty and Majesty of everything around you. This stained glass is beyond imagination inspiring Christian Souls to Revel at the stories that they tell. The Woodworking and carving are breathtaking. As our non guide continued to show us around we saw works of art that can only be inspired by Divine hands. And just when we thought everything was done this wonderful amazing woman brought us through a small doorway down a very narrow set of stairs into a dark Cavern where she explained to us the importance of a room under a 200 year old church. She was the best not a tour guide ever and in looking for beauty we learned more than we could imagine.
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