Best of the Guide
The top places in each category for August 2026, scored from visitor ratings, review volume, local interest and editor verification.
Best of After Dark
Top 5 places ranked this period.
Embassy Theatre
The Embassy Theatre is a historic performance theater in downtown Cumberland that stages classic and original live theatrical works, plus movies and musical concerts. It has operated in the downtown pedestrian mall since its restoration.
- 2
Gallery Stage
Gallery Stage is a premier live music and recording venue in Cumberland, tuned for acoustic perfection with full multitrack recording capability. It hosts touring and local musicians as part of the Ferleman Gallery arts complex.
- 3
Patrick's Pub & Eatery
Patrick's Pub & Eatery is a neighborhood bar in Cumberland offering a wide selection of beers and liquors alongside pub food. It features an outdoor deck popular for private events.
- 4
Cumberland Theatre & Creative Arts Center
The Cumberland Theatre is Western Maryland's only regional professional theatre, staging a wide variety of musicals, plays, and dramas as a nonprofit organization. It operates as a creative arts center for the region.
- 5
1812 Brewery
1812 Brewery is a family-run farm brewery housed in a repurposed 1812 barn near Cumberland, brewing craft beer since 2017. It hosts regular live music events and offers tastings on-site.
Best of Attractions
Top 10 places ranked this period.
Dan's Rock Overlook
At about 2,900 feet, Dan's Rock is one of the highest points in Allegany County, with a rock ledge and viewing platform looking out over the Potomac valley and three states.
- 2
Paw Paw Tunnel
A 3,118-foot brick canal tunnel driven through Sorrel Ridge in the 1830s, walked today by C&O Canal towpath hikers who bring a flashlight for the dark interior.
- 3
Frostburg Museum
A local history museum in a former school building, telling the story of Georges Creek coal mining, the National Road and mountain-town life through artifacts and archives.
- 4
Oldtown Low Water Toll Bridge
A one-lane private toll crossing of the Potomac at Oldtown, a curiosity for road-trippers and a handy shortcut to West Virginia's back roads.
- 5
Great Allegheny Passage - Frostburg Depot
The restored Frostburg depot sits at Mile 15 of the Great Allegheny Passage, where cyclists, the trail and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad all meet beside a working turntable.
- 6
Frostburg Main Street
Frostburg's brick Main Street climbs the mountain at 2,000 feet, lined with independent shops, coffee houses, student hangouts and the western terminus of the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail.
- 7
Michael Cresap House
A 1764 stone house in Oldtown built by frontiersman Michael Cresap, one of the oldest surviving buildings in western Maryland, on the old Indian trail beside the C&O Canal.
- 8
Cumberland Narrows and Lovers Leap
A dramatic 1,000-foot water gap where Wills Creek cuts through Wills Mountain, framed by the Lovers Leap cliff overlook above the old National Road corridor.
- 9
Allegany County Fairgrounds
Home of the Allegany County Fair and DelFest, this riverside fairground hosts livestock shows, grandstand events, festivals and camping through the warm months.
- 10
Mountain City Center for the Arts
A community arts center in downtown Frostburg with rotating gallery shows, classes and performances by Allegany County artists and musicians.
Best of Eat & Drink
Top 9 places ranked this period.
European Desserts and More
Restaurant in Cumberland.
4.9(62 reviews)- 2
Waterman Joe Coffee
Coffee Shop in Stevensville.
4.9(104 reviews) - 3
Locust Post Brewery
Brewery in Little Orleans.
4.9(275 reviews) - 4
Queen's Point Coffee
Coffee Shop in Keyser.
4.9(316 reviews) - 5
5 West Cafe
Cafe in New Market.
4.9(172 reviews) - 6
Basecamp Coffee Company
Coffee Shop in Cumberland.
4.9(305 reviews) - 7
Mad Hatter Bistro & Lounge
Restaurant in Cumberland.
4.9(71 reviews) - 8
G I Dayroom Coffee Shop
Coffee Shop in Meyersdale.
4.8(185 reviews) - 9
Unbottled
Bar in Cumberland.
4.8(60 reviews)
Best of Fishing
Top 9 places ranked this period.
Georges Creek Trout Water
The coal-valley creek running from Frostburg down through Lonaconing and Barton, stocked with trout each spring and fished hard on opening day.
- 2
Jennings Randolph Lake Fishing
A deep 952-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Potomac's North Branch, stocked with trout and holding smallmouth, walleye and yellow perch, with ramps on both the Maryland and West Virginia shores.
- 3
Battie Mixon Fishing Hole
A small stocked pond near Flintstone managed for family and youth fishing, with easy bank access and regular put-and-take trout stockings.
- 4
Evitts Creek Trout Water
A cool mountain creek east of Cumberland on Maryland's put-and-take trout stocking list, fished from spring through early summer.
- 5
North Branch Potomac at Cumberland
The North Branch through Cumberland holds smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie and channel catfish, with wade and float access near Canal Place and the city boat launch.
- 6
Lake Habeeb Fishing - Rocky Gap
A 243-acre mountain lake inside Rocky Gap State Park stocked for largemouth bass, trout, bluegill and channel catfish, with a public boat ramp and shoreline access.
- 7
Town Creek Access
A quiet warmwater creek in eastern Allegany County with smallmouth bass, rock bass and panfish, reached from bridge crossings and the Town Creek Aqueduct on the towpath.
- 8
Wills Creek Fishing
Wills Creek drops through the Narrows into downtown Cumberland, offering short-walk trout and smallmouth water right at the edge of town.
- 9
Maryland Fishing Licence and Regulations
Where to buy a Maryland non-tidal fishing licence and trout stamp, check daily creel limits, closures and the live trout stocking schedule before you head out.
Best of History & Museums
Top 7 places ranked this period.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church- Cumberland
Church in Cumberland.
4.8(52 reviews)- 4
Cumberland Theatre
Performing Arts Theater in Cumberland.
4.8(164 reviews) - 5
Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center
Museum in Cambridge.
4.7(664 reviews) - 6
Jerusalem Mill
Restored 18th-century Quaker village featuring a mill, a blacksmith shop, a stone house & more.
4.7(1036 reviews) - 7
Brunswick Heritage Museum
Local history & education center with cultural exhibits & a 1,700-square-foot model railroad.
4.7(128 reviews) - 9
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Exhibits explore local African-American heritage through themes of family, community, slavery & art.
4.7(1237 reviews) - 10
Frostburg Depot - Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Tourist Attraction in Frostburg.
4.6(656 reviews)
Best of Hunting
Top 6 places ranked this period.
Dan's Mountain Wildlife Management Area
A steep ridge-top WMA above the Georges Creek valley managed for deer, turkey, grouse and squirrel, with gated forest roads for walk-in hunting.
- 2
Billmeyer Wildlife Management Area
A quiet WMA of old quarry benches and hardwood along the Potomac near Little Orleans, hunted for deer and turkey and used as a training ground for hunting dogs.
- 3
Maryland Hunting Licence and Seasons
Buy a Maryland hunting licence and stamps, read the current Guide to Hunting and Trapping, and check Region B season dates, bag limits and Sunday hunting rules for Allegany County.
- 4
Belle Grove Wildlife Management Area
A small tract south of Cumberland open to public hunting for deer, turkey and small game, best reached on foot from the county road frontage.
- 5
Warrior Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Roughly 2,000 acres of oak ridge and hollow east of Cumberland managed for deer, bear, turkey and small game, popular with archery hunters.
- 6
Green Ridge State Forest Hunting
At 49,000 acres, Green Ridge is Maryland's second-largest state forest and its biggest block of public hunting land, with whitetail deer, black bear, turkey and small game plus primitive campsites for hunters.
Best of Outdoors
Top 8 places ranked this period.
- 2
Big Savage Tunnel
Tourist Attraction in Meyersdale.
4.9(96 reviews) - 3
Swallow Falls Trailhead
Hiking Area in Oakland.
4.9(424 reviews) - 5
Blackwater Adventures Chesapeake Bay
Services in Cambridge.
4.9(555 reviews) - 6
Swallow Falls Natural Area
Nature Preserve in MD 21550.
4.9(76 reviews) - 7
Rivers Edge Trails
Hiking Area in Brunswick.
4.9(88 reviews) - 8
Kendall Trail
Hiking Area in Friendsville.
4.8(50 reviews) - 9
Lakeside Loop Trailhead
Hiking Area in MD 21502.
4.8(68 reviews) - 10
Bay Venture Outfitters - North East, MD
Services in North East.
4.8(151 reviews)
Best of Services
Top 9 places ranked this period.
Sara Symons Photography
Services in Lonaconing.
5.0(56 reviews)- 3
Sweet Soul Creations The Photo Booth Experience
Services in Cumberland.
5.0(114 reviews) - 4
KV Photography MD
Services in Cumberland.
5.0(50 reviews) - 5
Jacqie Q Photography
Services in Cumberland.
5.0(84 reviews) - 6
Wolford Photography
Services in 120 Valley St.
5.0(79 reviews) - 7
Bernie's Photography
Services in Frostburg.
4.9(74 reviews) - 8
The StoneBridge Manor, LLC
Wedding Venue in Cumberland.
4.7(75 reviews) - 9
The Final Touch
Sporting Goods Store in Cumberland.
4.6(56 reviews) - 10
Allegany County Fairgrounds
Event Venue in Cumberland.
4.6(171 reviews)
Best of Shopping & Artisans
Top 9 places ranked this period.
The Fitted Joint
Clothing Store in La Vale.
5.0(66 reviews)- 2
Amelia's Closet
Clothing Store in 1313 National Hwy #16.
4.8(450 reviews) - 3
The Maryland Store
Store in Westminster.
4.7(150 reviews) - 5
Queen City Flea Market
Flea Market in Cumberland.
4.6(192 reviews) - 6
Arkham Games LLC.
Toy Store in Cumberland.
4.6(96 reviews) - 7
Cartridges Galore Video Games- LaVale MD
Store in La Vale.
4.5(230 reviews) - 8
Spencer's
Mall-based retail chain offering novelty goods & apparel, plus a selection of adult products.
4.5(68 reviews) - 9
Awesome Gifts & Collectibles
Store in Cumberland.
4.5(51 reviews) - 10
Cartridges Galore Video Games- Cumberland MD
Store in Cumberland.
4.5(161 reviews)
Best of Stays
Top 7 places ranked this period.
1878 Riverrun Bed and Breakfast
Bed & Breakfast in Hancock.
5.0(86 reviews)- 2
1828 Trail Inn Bed & Breakfast
Relaxed guesthouse featuring cozy rooms with old-world accents, plus a porch & river views.
5.0(64 reviews) - 4
The Inn on Main Bed & Breakfast
Bed & Breakfast in Meyersdale.
5.0(334 reviews) - 6
Allegheny Trail House
Warm B&B set in a genteel 19th-century building, offering cooked-to-order breakfast.
4.9(128 reviews) - 7
7 C's Lodging
Quaint knotty pine & stone cabins with basic amenities, plus a home-cooking restaurant.
4.8(140 reviews) - 8
Ole Mink Farm Recreation Resort
Log cabin property in the woods, with an outdoor pool, game room, barbecues & kitchenettes.
4.8(238 reviews) - 10
Town Hill Bed & Breakfast
Bed & Breakfast in Little Orleans.
4.7(96 reviews)