Location: Boonsboro
Top Things to do in Boonsboro
- 1. Antietam Battlefield Guides
- 2. Washington Monument State Park
- 3. Crystal Grottoes Caverns
- 4. South Mountain East Welcome Center
- 5. Pry House Field Hospital Museum
- 6. Big Cork Vineyards
- 7. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
- 8. Antietam National Battlefield
- 9. Greenbrier State Park
- 10. South Mountain Creamery
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Top 10 Things to do in Boonsboro, United States
Boonsboro is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States, located at the foot of South Mountain. It nearly borders Frederick County and is proximate to the Antietam National Battlefield. The population was 3,336 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Boonsboro
1. Antietam Battlefield Guides
Overall Ratings
5 based on 97 reviews
Antietam Battlefield Guides have been thoroughly tested, mentored, and certified by the National Park Service to lead tours at Antietam National Battlefield, 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry, and South Mountain Battlefield. ABG offers a variety of tours including the 2-hr highlight tour, 3-hr standard tour, 4-hr extended tour, 6-hr Antietam Plus tour, and the 8-hr Campaign tour.
Reviewed By John M
I arranged for a 3 hour standard tour of Antietam Battlefield with Antietam Battlefield Guides. Our guide was Gary Rohrer. Gary provided a link to a video describing the battle so that the group (including Americans, South Americans and Canadians) could be prepared to get the most out of the experience. He also advised us to dress warmly for the weather, which in early February was brisk (in the 30s F) and pretty breezy.
Gary was there to meet us when we arrived and proceeded to give us a fantastic tour of the key elements of the battle. Gary knows his stuff and kept up an interesting and punctuated narrative through 5 or 6 tour stops. Even though our group of about 18 people was distributed between 3 vehicles, we managed to hear Gary while driving between sites by using GoToMeeting and calling in with our cellphones on speaker in each vehicle.
Gary provided the group with the context of the battle in addition to providing a dramatic and detail-filed picture of the battle itself. Highly recommended!
2. Washington Monument State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By jehenson81
This is the first Washington Monument and it sits on this hill that gives amazing views of the valleys on either side. The structure is thimble shaped and houses a small spiral staircase that takes you to the ripe for the views. In the fall it is a great place to view falcons, hawks and eagles as they head from Canada to Central American. The tower was used as a signal post by Union troops during the civil war and was on the northern edge of the South Mountain Battlefield.
3. Crystal Grottoes Caverns
Overall Ratings
4 based on 116 reviews
A forty-minute guided tour through brilliantly lighted chambers features the history, formations and geological aspects of the caverns.
Reviewed By SarahB0Barah - Stevenson, Maryland
This is by no means what you would expect from any of the larger, commercialized caverns that can be found across the country (Lurary Caverns, etc). These caverns are privately owned and operated and are found in the middle of nowhere. Make sure to bring cash to pay, be ready for an owner with a lot of character, and enjoy the short 20-30 minute tour of the cavern.
4. South Mountain East Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Open Thursday through Monday Serves traffic heading toward Baltimore and Eastern Shore as well as Washington and Points South. Rest Area open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week year round. Amenities include family restrooms, playground, bus, RV and car parking. Picnic tables, walking path and pet friendly! Vending available. Let us plan your next Maryland Visit!
Reviewed By GV27OCMD - Ocean City, Maryland
The only thing you really need to know about a rest stop is should I stop or keep going. This one you're ok to stop at. Everything you need assuming you need to go. But nothing worth stoping for otherwise. There is a welcome center but it's not open all the time. Bath rooms were acceptable. I've seen better and unfortunately we've probably all had to,endure worse
Nothing scenic...no overlook...but it's new and the only state rest area you will pass going east.
5. Pry House Field Hospital Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By Douglas F - MaysLanding,NJ
Do not leave the battlefield without going to this living history of the epic challenges the medical soldiers and doctors coped with.spend the time ,read the many interesting items,marvel at the primitive,operating tools and the viles of medicine of that time, a must see if...MoreThank you so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your visit.
6. Big Cork Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
We're an award-winning winery located in Washington County Maryland. Our 100 acre property has 35 acres under vine and we are open Thursday - Monday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm and Fridays until 9:00 pm.
Reviewed By Martin S - High Wycombe, United Kingdom
This was an unexpectedly lovely place to visit. Modern tasting area. Lovely staff. It was sunny so we say outside - beautiful. Wines were interesting but not spectacular and seemed a little expensive. It was worth the trip for sure!
7. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
The WCMFA is a strong community anchor enhancing cultural opportunities, destination tourism, civic engagement, and economic vitality. Established in 1931 and dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting works of art for citizens from the four-state region, and national and international visitors, the WCMFA is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is open six days a week, 52 weeks per year, offering free admission to a nationally recognized art collection, changing notable exhibitions, and numerous lively programs, educational offerings, and concerts. The Museum’s art collection includes over 6,500 works of art in the fields of American Art, world cultures, and art of the region. Changing exhibitions bring works of art from national and international sources to the region along with exhibitions recognizing regional artists.
Reviewed By poprox21 - Martinsburg, West Virginia
Great place for a class field trip!
Kids-only section, lots of hands-on crafts on display in an exclusive area. Classroom environment is a semi-private section just for kids where they can create and display their art.
Adults can browse hundreds of unique historical displays and local arts.
Located on the grounds of Hagerstown City Park, you can browse the displays and hen take a fresh air walk around the ponds and let the kids burn off steam on multiple playground sets.
Bring some cracked corn so the little ones can feed the ducks and swans.
8. Antietam National Battlefield
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
The Bloodiest One Day Battle in American History: 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Antietam National Battlefield is located in western Maryland, 10 miles south of Hagerstown in Washington County. The best place to start your visit is at the park visitor center. The GPS address for the visitor center is 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, Maryland, 21782. We have brochures, museum exhibits, a film, a museum store, and park rangers and volunteers on duty to help you get oriented. The battlefield is approximately 3,000 acres that you can explore in your car or by walking. Operating Hours & Seasons: Open All Year, The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park Grounds are open daylight hours. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day The park has an entrance fee of $5.00 Per Person (age 16 or older; 15 and under FREE) or $10.00 Per Vehicle.
Reviewed By actranslation - Redmond, Washington
The Battle at Antietam was significant for many reasons, and the excellent experience at this National Park helped us understand them at a deep level. The fact that the entire battlefield is preserved much as it was at the time (and they are working to expand it) goes a long way to grasping why so many young men lost their lives that day. I cannot recommend this park enough.
The driving tour is well-curated, and going in the off-season meant it was not crowded and we could spend time with the well-informed rangers. The desk volunteer was terrific, and even offered us a DVD full of educational matierals!
9. Greenbrier State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By EWood_Ohio - Akron, Ohio
The park rangers and security were very aggressive. A young couple near us were visited by SIX ranger, during the afternoon, who proceeded to inspect every inch of their campsite, going through their coolers, looking through their vehicles. And for what? My friend went and talked to the fellow campers afterwards and there was nothing found and no issues? Then why did it take 6 rangers aggressively going through their site to determine this? The next night we noticed a ranger watching us from the other side of our vehicle as we sat by our fire. The ranger watching us as we were watching him. This went on for several minutes. When he finally emerged from behind my truck he reminded us to put our fire out before we went to bed. Again, unnecessary aggressive behavior from an otherwise beautiful park.
10. South Mountain Creamery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Dean_Amy-2004 - New Oxford, Pennsylvania
Stopped for ice cream after visiting the Green Meadows farm. The creamery offers more than just ice cream. You can get fresh milk, butter, and more. Ice cream is available to go or for eating there. The freshness and variety of options is sure to please.
For those unfamiliar with a working farm, they offer opportunities to tour the farm, see cows being milked, and feed calves.
Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area or even a little out of your way.
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