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Things to Do in Hagerstown, MD - Hagerstown Attractions

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26 Best & Fun Things to Do in Hagerstown (MD)

In search of fun things to do in Hagerstown, MD?

Hagerstown is a lovely town located in Washington County. It possesses features of which are scarce in most modern cities nowadays. At Hagerstown, you could feel the vibrancy of nature all around you.

The feel of nature is just the tip of the iceberg of what Hagerstown has to offer. The history of this magnificent place has so many times to it sounds so terrifying and other times, very glorious.

One highlight that makes Hagerstown stand out is its topography, which adorns several parks in this modern city. The architecture of Hagerstown, from the residential buildings to monumental structures, are all beautiful to behold.

In addition, Hagerstown also offers a wealth of modern attractions and activities for the whole family. They can enjoy various shows and concerts at the Maryland Theatre and Performing Arts Complex.

Then move on to a great schedule of lectures, exhibitions, films, and concerts, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts .

Outdoor lovers are not left out as they can all enjoy thrilling outdoors hiking on Maryland’s Appalachian Trail, or exploring one of the five national and eight state parks in the region

To fully enjoy your time in Hagerstown, here is a list of the top fun things to do in Hagerstown, MD.

Things to Do in Hagerstown

1. visit hagerstown city park.

Hagerstown City Park is a public park relaxed and blissful environment to its visitors. It has a lot of vegetative covers which are well maintained and also historic cultural attractions.

This unique park is located at the junction of Virginia Avenue and Memorial Boulevard near the city’s central business district, and it is home to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the Jonathan Hager House and Museum, the Hagerstown Railroad Museum, and the Mansion House Art Center.

The park also features walking trails, playing fields, playgrounds, softball fields, tennis courts, renting pavilions, and band shells.

Address: 501 Virginia Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA.

2. Mansion House Art Gallery

The Mansion House Art Gallery is a beautiful Georgian-style mansion house made from bricks and native limestone that is regarded as the headquarters for the Valley Art Association.

John Heyser built the magnificent mansion in 1846. From the villa, visitors can easily spot a lovely lake inhabited by swans. The estate also houses a beautiful art gallery that exhibits works of over 20 local artists.

The Mansion House Art Gallery is also seen as ground zero for all issues relating to Valley Art Association and a location for workshops and art classes.

The Mansion House Art Center is always open throughout the year and is regarded as one of the best picnic spots in the county.

Address: 500 Highland Way, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA

3. Fairgrounds Park

Fairgrounds Park is a passive recreation park that offers a variety of sports-related activities.

The wonderful park features a wide array of facilities used in various kinds of field sport. Some of these facilities include an inline-skating hockey rink, soccer fields, volleyball courts, basketball courts, softball fields, a youth baseball field, and an extensive area used as a dog park.

There are multiple walking trails and playgrounds also available at visitor’s disposal.

Fairgrounds Park also hosts some community events throughout the year, and one of the most prominent is the annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, a beautiful sight to behold.

Address: 351 North Cleveland Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA.

4. Valley Mall

Shopping is usually a fun way to explore the beautiful spirit of valuables that Hagerstown has to offer. The Valley Mall is one place that makes this experience possible.

The Valley Mall is well situated at the busiest intersection in Washington County. It is well described as a super-regional shopping mall in the Hagerstown Metropolitan Area that offers retail and wholesale sale shopping, entertainment, and dining.

This impressive mall features premium brand stores and massive Regal Cinemas with stadium seating cinemas and a 40,000 square foot Tilt Studio arcade.

Visitors can also enjoy meals at eateries like Auntie Anne’s, Tacos Carlitos, Primanti Brothers, and Noodles & Company, among others within the mall.

In addition to these facilities, the Valley Mall also features an 80,000 square foot One Life Fitness premier sports club equipped with cardio equipment, swimming pools, a kid’s club, and personal training courses.

This makes what to do in Hagerstown for a fun time, consider an addition to your checklist of things to do in Hagerstown, MD.

Address: 17301 Valley Mall Road, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, USA.

5. Jonathan Hager House

One of the top fun things to do in Hagerstown is Visiting The Jonathan Hager House , this will take you on a trip back in history. It is a historic building best described as a two-story stone house built in 1740.

The founder of Hagerstown owns this building. He was a German immigrant named Jonathan Hager. The house is regarded as a historical exhibit of life in the 1700s with unique features such as two spring-fed pools of water in the basement that provided fresh water.

The house is built with sound German architecture and has a large central chimney, 22-inch thick walls, and a large cellar and is filled with many restored antiques

Guided tours are offered at the Jonathan Hager House to visitors who would love to explore this historical marvel.

Address: 110 Key Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA

6. Things to Do in Hagerstown for Theater Lovers: The Maryland Theatre

Located in the District of downtown Hagerstown, the magnificent theater was built in 1915 as a 1,400-seat vaudeville and silent film house.

However, in 2019 the center was renovated into a performing arts complex and now has up to1 279 seats and has a fully restored Wurlitzer theatre organ.

Maryland Theatre hosts many types of shows, including orchestra concerts, music shows, recitals, country artists, stage shows, comedy nights, children’s shows, and many others.

Address: 21 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA.

7. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts

The museum was initially owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Singer but was later donated to the community in 1929. The museum has always been situated at the center of the prestigious Hagerstown City Park.

The museum is located in Hagerstown City Park. It houses a permanent collection of over 6,500 items, including paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and decorative arts, focusing on American art, 19th century European, and world cultures.

The museum hosts some very fun events throughout the year. Some of these outstanding events include a scavenger hunt in the park and educational programs for all ages.

Address: 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA

8. Nick’s Airport Inn

Nick’s Airport Inn is located in the Hagerstown Regional Airport. It is a special kind of restaurant that serves as a welcoming present from Hagerstown to the world.

This restaurant features ten magnificent dining rooms that offer guests a variety of American cuisine and casual beverages.

The restaurant has a beautiful atrium-enclosed piano bar, which is great for pre-dinner cocktails

The Nick’s Airport Inn menu features dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients such as freshly baked bread, fresh seafood, savory desserts, prime meats, and farm-fresh vegetables.

The cuisine is accompanied by a bar list featuring local wines, craft, and draft beers, a delicious mix of cocktails, and dessert wines.

Nick’s Airport Inn also offers catering services and has an in-house capacity of 100 people, and is open for lunch and dinner, every weekday and dinner only on weekends.

Address: 14548 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21742, USA.

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9. Turner’s Skate Palace is one of the Fun things to Do in Hagerstown, MD

Skating is an entertaining activity to partake in, and it is even more thrilling if you do it with your family and friends as it creates a great bonding opportunity.

You could get a whole experience of skating at Turner’s Skate Palace . It is a roller-skating rink in Hagerstown that offers a wide array of fun activities for the entire family.

Turner’s Skate Palace is a family-owned business that offers a fun environment for children, teenagers, and adults to have good old-fashioned fun in a safe and secure environment.

Here, there is a wide array of dancing, skating, special events, and more.

Turner’s Skate Palace rink also hosts private events such as parties and celebrations. The establishment is also open all year round.

This makes what to do in Hagerstown for a fun time, a perfect addition to your bucket list of things to do in Hagerstown, MD.

Address: 17333 Virginia Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA.

10. Just Lookin’ Gallery

Just Lookin’ Gallery The Just Lookin’ Gallery is a multi-media art and framing gallery that will keep you looking that the beautiful exhibits of works by more than 50 black American, West Indian artists, and Africans.

The gallery has many original drawings, sculptures, hand-pulled prints, and paintings and exhibits a unique collection of these works from both well-known and unknown artists.

Just Lookin’ does not only ‘wow’ people who visit the gallery but also educates artists and public viewers on the diversity of great art and the rewards of fine art with an impressive collection for both new art lovers and experienced collectors.

This gallery specializes in keeping its visitors in a state of awe while viewing various distinct art styles from diverse cultures worldwide.

Address: 40 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA.

11. Pretzel and Pizza Creation.

One lovely way of settling into the peaceful scenery at Hagerstown is by savoring some of the beautiful cuisines served at top-rated restaurants.

Pretzel and Pizza Creations is one of the top-rated restaurants in Hagerstown. The experience in this restaurant is just simply extraordinary and cannot be complete without being there with family or friends. This family-friendly restaurant combines the best pretzels and pizzas in a very fantastic way.

The eatery offers classic, contemporary Italian cuisine and various pastries in a welcoming and calm environment.

Some of these beautiful cuisines include pretzel sandwiches, hand-tossed, wood-fired pizzas made with pretzel dough, fresh salads, pretzel calzones, pretzel hotdogs, and their very own signature stuffed pretzels.

Pretzel and pizza creation does not only fill the stomach but will also quench your thirst with their variety of beautifully brewed beers, casual wines from around the world, and unique blends of non-alcoholic drinks.

Although breakfast is not served at the restaurant, it is always open for lunch and dinner every day. Do add to your list of unique things to do in Hagerstown.

Address: 20 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740.

12. Rose Hill Cemetery

The Rose Hill Cemetery is located on the Ocmulgee River banks in Macon. It is regarded as the oldest public cemetery in Washington County, established over 150 years ago.

The cemetery was designed by Simri Rose, a horticulturist who planned the graveyard for his burial. The cemetery covers over 102 acres and has over 10,000 burial plots in different sections of the park.

Although it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, you might believe it is a strange place to visit concerning having fun.

However, the Rose Hill Cemetery has a phenomenal environment with numerous scenic views and a blissful and calm atmosphere.

The cemetery also features tall, blooming dogwood trees, and is the final resting place of over 43,000 individuals whose existing family and friends come to visit from time to time.

Address: 600 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA

13. Miller House Museum

This historic home and museum is also the headquarters of the Washington County Historical Society.

This monumental structure was built in 1824. It is also regarded as a historic house and local history museum since the 1960s. It is also home to all documents that contain historical facts about the growth and development of Hagerstown. These documents also describe the way of life in the mid-1800s.

This authentic Neoclassical-style townhouse is an original of the late Federal period with a hanging stairway spiral to the third floor.

It was only converted to a local museum in 1966 but had various artifacts and exhibits. This museum possesses a great collection of artifacts and exhibits. One exhibit section regarded as the museum’s most valuable collection is the many local clocks collected over the years.

The theme reciprocates through the entire townhouse with its gas-powered chandeliers, hanging stairway, Victorian-style decorations, large bedrooms, and a fascinating collection of clocks from ancient local clockmakers.

This is one of Hagerstown MD attractions to consider a visit, makes what to do in Hagerstown for some museum time.

Address: 135 W Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA

14. Schmankerl Bavarian Restaurant

The Schmankerl Bavarian Restaurant, popularly called the Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant, illuminates Hagerstown with the dreamy flavors of German cuisine.

The Bavarian German restaurant has a blissful yet cozy interior decor, consisting of Bavarian memorabilia and beer steins.

Some of the dishes served at this restraint include sauerkraut, bread dumpling, apple-flavored red cabbage, pork shank with Rahm sauce, Bavarian bratwurst with spätzle and many more with variety of desserts

German wines, beers, and patrons are served with dishes by waitrons wearing traditional dirndls to create the perfect German feel. However, the restaurant is open from Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner only.

Address: 58 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA

15. Hagerstown Suns Municipal Stadium

This massive stadium was built in 1930 and is a baseball stadium that has a seating capacity of 4,600 and a Hall of Fame showcasing the best league players

This multipurpose stadium also hosts various other sporting events like professional boxing, wrestling, and football.

Other Intriguing events held at the stadium include carnivals, festivals, model aircraft competitions, music concerts, and dog shows.

Visitors who are not sports fans can still visit the stadium to attend other events if they are being held at that time.

This is one of the fun things to do in Hagerstown, MD, for sports lovers, visit this stadium if you are in the area to watch some live sport.

Address: 274 East Memorial Boulevard Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA.

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16. Premium Outlets

Hagerstown Premium Outlets is a style open-air shopping outlet mall that features name-brand outlet stores selling apparel and merchandise at well-discounted prices

Premium Outlets is located along Interstate 70, three miles east of Hagerstown. The outlet is lovely and airy is home to some of the best brand stores such as Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Kate Spade New York, Banana Republic, Under Armour, and more.

The shopping outlets are also close to several other communities like Chambersburg, Frederick, and Martinsburg.

People can also visit it just for some relaxing window shopping, but you might not be able to resist the attractive discounts and sales offered at these Outlets.

Premium Outlets also has a food court that serves several dining options and offers an array of guest services, including modern restrooms, cash machines, 24-hour security, and other shopping facilities.

Address: 495 Premium Outlet Boulevard Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA.

17. Bulls and Bears

Bulls and Bears is another fantastic restaurant that interprets the cultural atmosphere at Hagerstown.

This restaurant was established in 2008 by Jane and Don Bowman, and it has successfully grown to become one of the best in the region.

Bulls and Bears are well designed with a unique décor and are furnished with elegantly d ressed tables, and lovely lighting.

They offer some of the best, mouth savoring cuts of aged steak, free-range chicken, prime ribs, beef, and pork,

Vegetarians and seafood lovers are not also left out as the restaurant’s menu is filled with a variety seafood and vegetarian options.

Bulls and Bears is a classy restaurant that depicts the American pub-style fare and libations in a warm and welcoming environment.

The full-service bar has a long list of exceptional wines on its menu, with brews of various drinks from all over the world. Visitors can enjoy these drinks at the bar.

Address: 38 South Potomac Street #1, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740.

18. Things to Do near Hagerstown: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park was built to preserve the neglected remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which was regarded as a source of lively hood for the communities which were settled along with the Potomac Rivera for more than100 years.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the park in 1961. The park covers over 185 miles of the landmass that offer endless adventure as it follows the canal, which is now a route for discovering natural, historical, and recreational treasures.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park has a profound and exciting history. In the mid-1800s, the channel’s banks operated as a transportation route for hauling coal with the help of various historic structures, including aqueducts, lock houses, locks, and residences.

Visitors can enjoy tours at the canal and learn more about the significance of the canal’s role as a transportation system during the Canal Era.

Address: 205 W Potomac Street, Williamsport, Maryland, 21795, USA .

19. The Discovery Station is one of the Top Things to Do in Hagerstown

Suitable for all ages, various exhibits can interest people across all age groups. Complicated scientific concepts are explained through real-life experiments that you and your kids can actually work on to understand these concepts for your entire life.

Discovery Station charges a very nominal fee and is worth every penny. It remains closed on Mondays, though. Tuesday to Saturday is 10 AM-4 PM, while on Sundays, it is open only from 2 PM- 5 PM.

20. Fort Frederick State Park

This historic State Park houses one of the two colonial forts of Hagerstown and is a great place to visit.

It is located near the downtown part of the city and was built in the colonial period. It has stood testimony to many wars and battles waged on and across it.

Some of them were the very famous French and Indian war. Established in 1756, it has well stood the weather and other calamities. Recently, two of its barracks have even been re embellished back to their 1758 appearance.

It is the most fun to visit on Labor Day and Memorial Day when volunteers adorned in colonial clothing spend a day at the fort doing the daily chores from back then, giving it a great and lively feel.

The park itself is lovely too. It has many things in stores like fishing, hiking, camping, and boating as well. The fort is open to the public all days of the week.

Address: 11100 Fort Frederick Rd, Big Pool, MD 21711

21. Rik’s Cafe

Rik’s Café is a lovely restaurant that serves ecstatic and tasty American cuisines casually.

Rik’s Café is administered by Chef Arik, who has led his team of chefs in the art of using locally sourced ingredients to make creative dishes. Some of these dishes include spinach and goat cheese on ciabatta, puttanesca meatballs pasta, ground lamb burgers with roasted red peppers, blackened unicorn tacos, and honey-smoked salmon cakes with cusabi sauce.

Rik’s Cafe also features a bar where its visitors can enjoy the craft and draft beers, dessert wines, and local wines worldwide.

Address: 1065 Maryland Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740, USA.

22. Good -Hartle Farm

The Good–Hartle Farm is a historic farm complex near Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, and United States.

The house has a unique architecture, with a log section built in the latter part of the 1700s, with limestone addition in 1833.

Suitable -Hartle Farm offers all its visitors the experience of blissful countryside scenery.

23. Hagerstown Aviation Museum

Aircraft lovers can have a fun-filled day at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum, where aircraft of various shapes and sizes

Although, great plans had been hatched since 1995 by a group of individuals including owners, Richard Henson and John Seburn.

However, after a few years, the museum was finally opened to the public in downtown Hagerstown, Maryland, on 14 July 2005.

Some of the aircraft which can be seen at this museum include Bellanca CE, Fairchild 22 C7D 922, Fairchild 24R-9 R9-405, Fairchild 24R-46 R46-129, Fairchild C-82A Packet 45-57814, Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar 22111, Fairchild C-123K.

This is one of the top things to do in Hagerstown, MD, consider an addition to your bucket list of Hagerstown attractions to visit.

Address: 18450 Showalter Rd., Dome Hangar, Hagerstown Maryland, 21742, USA.

24. National Road Park

The National Road Park is an interesting place to check out when you visit Hagerstown. It offers many interesting activities that will pique any traveler’s interest.

The park was designed by people living in this neighborhood. It commemorates the history of the National Road.

There is a modern children’s play space coupled with a play rope-based system known as the Berliner Spaceball. Every feature of this equipment provides fun activities, including swinging and climbing. It inspires a sense of swiftness, strength, and success in a fun and playful setting.

The park also has a modern play mound area and a kiddies slide. There is also a Plaza that provides visitors with a place to unwind and has shades and benches.

Address: 806 W Washington St, Hagerstown, MD 21740,

25. Hagerstown Cultural Trail

Explore the art scene in Hagerstown by visiting the Hagerstown Cultural Trail . It promises to be a fun activity for everyone.

The Hagerstown Cultural Trail links two of the most famed destinations in the city: the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and the downtown Arts & Entertainment District with City Park.

While you tour this trail, you will find gathering areas, public art displays, and other interesting stuff. Hagerstown Cultural Trail showcases the artwork of internationally known and emerging artists.

Some artists include Mark Schwenk, Adam Curtis, Eric B. Ricks, Ryan Mckibbin, Alison Sigethy, Vicki Scuri, and others.

Address: 160 Hood St, Hagerstown, MD 21740,

26. Memory Lane Antiques -Collectibles

If you are a fan of antiques, one of the best things to do in Hagerstown is to check out the Memory Lanes Antiques.

Memory Lane Antiques is 10,000 square feet top-notch antique store with a wide selection of unique items for all and sundry. 

Some of the items to see in the antique store includes Country Decor & Gifts, Jewelry Coins, Crocks, Gifts, Cards, Crafts, Pottery, Lamps, Knives, Glassware, Books & Records, Vintage Items, Nascar Memorabilia, Hardware, Kitchen Items, Toys, Pictures, Dishes, Prints, Candles, Swords, and Furniture (New & Antique)

They have a super amazing staff that is always available to assist you in searching for that special piece you have in mind, and all of their items are stacked properly.

Address: 1350 Dual Hwy, Hagerstown, MD 21740,

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Plan to Visit Hagerstown

Hagerstown is a destination to visit and should top your bucket list of places to visit.

Here you will experience the abundant natural beauty of its numerous parks and its vibrant metropolitan atmosphere.

Hagerstown was literally in the middle of many civil wars. Home to many significant battlefields, including the July 1863 Battle of Hagerstown, the South Mountain State Battlefield, and the Antietam National Battlefield.

However, Hagerstown has grown to become a bustling metropolis in recent times, although it still maintains its vibrant cultural and historical scene.

So why miss out on an excellent opportunity to dive into a fun-filled holiday in Maryland. There will be great stories to tell and memories made.

Home » Travel Guides » United States » Maryland (MD) » 15 Best Things to Do in Hagerstown (MD)

15 Best Things to Do in Hagerstown (MD)

In the Great Appalachian Valley, with mountains on the horizon, Hagerstown is a city that has long been affected by its geography.

The nickname Hub City, goes back to the 19th century when no fewer than five railroads converged in Hagerstown.

Earlier, the city was in the crosshairs of the Civil War, at the boundary between North and South, and witnessed numerous engagements. None was bloodier than the infamous Battle of Antietam in 1862, fought just ten miles to the south.

Modern Hagerstown is blessed with an effervescent cultural scene, underpinned by the Maryland Theatre downtown, and the exceptional Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in picture-perfect City Park.

1. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts (WCMFA)

Fronting City Park’s Lower Lake is a national standard art museum, with a tremendous collection of 18th, 19th and early 20th-century American painting.

The bulk of this inventory was donated to the city by William Henry Singer, Jr. (1868-1943) and his wife Anna Brugh Singer (1873-1962).

A few of the many celebrated artists represented in the collection are Thomas Sully, Benjamin West, Rembrandt Peale, Childe Hassam and several noted landscape painters from the Hudson River School, like George Inness.

Exhibits drawn from that catalog are also enriched with Old Masters, 19th-century European art (Courbet, Rodin and more), oriental art and a wealth of American decorative and folk art.

The WCMFA stages world-class traveling exhibitions, and has a percolating schedule of classes, lectures, music recitals, film screenings and events for children.

2. Hagerstown City Park

The park surrounding Washington County Museum of Fine Arts is on the National Register of Historic Places and touted as one of the country’s most beautiful urban parks.

One key feature is Lower Lake, framed by the museum, and created by draining a swamp in the park in the early 1920s.

The lake is flocked by ducks, geese and swans, and sets the scene for Hagerstown’s spellbinding Christmas light show.

There are several smaller visitor attractions to check out, like the Hager House (more later), and the City Park Train Hub, paying tribute to the city’s important railroad history.

Many of the exhibits at this museum, such as the 1875 Velocipede and 1885 pump car, are sourced from the Western Maryland Railroad Company.

A headline is the marvelous, 77-foot Steam Engine 202, built in 1912 and in service until 1953. Also noteworthy is Mansion House, a Georgian-style residence from 1846, now home to the Valley Art Association (VAA), with members’ work on show at the gallery here.

3. Maryland Theatre

One of the state’s top performing arts venues is the pillar of Hagerstown’s Arts and Entertainment District.

The Maryland Theatre was built in 1915, and one of the architects was Thomas W. Lamb (1871-1942), who worked on the third Madison Square Garden.

The building was badly damaged by fire in 1974, but the historic 1,293-seat auditorium, complete with its Wurlitzer organ, survived intact and the theatre reopened after thorough reconstruction in 1978.

There are some 250 performances each year at this venue, with musicals, plays, dance, live music, comedy and concerts by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, which is headquartered at the theatre.

4. Antietam National Battlefield

The bloodiest day in American history took place about ten miles south of Hagerstown at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862.

The battle resulted in 22,717 dead, wounded or missing. Despite the extraordinary toll (12,410 Union casualties), this hard-fought victory helped turn the war in the Union Army’s favor, and gave Abraham Lincoln the basis to announce his Emancipation Proclamation.

The Antietam National Battlefield is on more than 3,200 acres, and you can visit the key sites where these 12 hours of brutal combat played out.

The 800-yard sunken road, Bloody Lane witnessed unimaginable carnage in the morning, with some 5,600 casualties, and you can walk along this route, between the two positions.

Later there was a grim tug-of-war for Burnside’s Bridge (1836) on Antietam Creek, taken by Ambrose Burnside after several hours, under fire from Confederate sharpshooters who held the high ground on the opposite bank.

5. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Regional Park

Downtown Hagerstown is little more than ten minutes from the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, which hugged the bank of the Potomac River for more than 180 miles.

Replacing the earlier Potomac Canal, this waterway was built between 1828 and 1850 and was a mammoth project, involving no fewer than 74 locks, 11 aqueducts, 240 culverts and the Paw Paw Tunnel, more than 3,000 feet long.

The waterway and towpath have been preserved as a national regional park, showcasing those 74 locks, the broad waters of the Potomac and riveting history on this once crucial artery for coal, lumber, grains and livestock.

Some interesting sights close to Hagerstown are Williamsport’s Conococheague Aqueduct (1835) and the Cushwa Basin, where there’s a visitor center in a restored 19th-century warehouse.

6. Discovery Station at Hagerstown

An historic bank building downtown has been transformed into a hands-on museum with exhibits founded in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) principles.

Across two floors, the Discovery Station is always adding new experiences, all designed to foster curiosity for exploration, discovery and ongoing investigation.

A few of the exhibits when we made this list were Little Sprouts Grocery, Exploration Rainforest, Dinosaurs, Space and Beyond, Discovery Town, Robotics & Coding, Sustainability and the Imagination Station, a cozy reading area.

Discovery Station has a schedule of programs, with hands-on animal encounters, science experiments and story times.

7. Jonathan Hager House Museum

At the north end of City Park you can step back to Hagerstown’s mid-18th century origins at the preserved house built by the city’s founder.

The German immigrant, Jonathan Hager (1714-1775), constructed this Colonial-style house around 1740 on the site of two springs.

The two-story building, composed of flagstone, is open to the public, April through December and is an anchor for a series of events throughout the year, including City Park Fall Fest.

On a visit you’ll pick up lots of interesting titbits, such as how the two springs helped cool this dwelling in summer, while the unusual central chimney provided extra insulation in winter.

The house also had a key defensive purpose, testified by the basement walls, which are 17 inches thick and feature an embrasure similar to a Medieval arrow loop.

8. Pennsylvania Dutch Market of Hagerstown

Western Maryland is one of three areas in the state with significant Amish and Mennonite populations.

These communities are renowned for their prowess in furniture making, baking, home cooking, handicrafts and more.

To save you the trouble of tracking down Amish and Mennonite businesses, you can simply head for the homey Pennsylvania Dutch Market, which opened in 2007 and has a wealth of mainly Amish-owned merchant shops.

You can come for high-quality handmade products, an in-house bakery, a full-service restaurant, enticing deli food and a huge range of produce, meats and poultry.

9. Price-Miller House

Just along from the Discovery Station on Washington St is a preserved Federal-style townhouse, built in the mid-1820s.

The first owner was William Price, a renowned attorney, who used the building for his law practice and family home, and later became the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.

The Price-Miller House is maintained as a museum by the Washington County Historical Society, and there’s much to see inside.

You can tour several elegant rooms with authentic mid-19th century furnishings, while there are documents and artifacts to peruse relating to the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Civil War and the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in the 1820s.

Also noteworthy is the house’s splendid collection of historic clocks made in the Hagerstown area.

10. Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum

For more insight into Hagerstown’s Hub City heyday, you can visit the site of an immense roundhouse built in 1939. This had 25 stalls, and was part of a larger complex serving as the largest railroad maintenance facility in Western Maryland.

The roundhouse was pulled down in 1999, but there’s a museum in one of the preserved buildings by the CSX Railroad.

An aladdin’s cave for railroad enthusiasts, this has historic rolling stock, tons of artifacts and massive, ever-growing model train displays, including an accurate representation of the roundhouse.

The museum is run by volunteers with in-depth knowledge of Hagerstown’s railroad history, and you can also step outside to view the working CSX facility.

11. Fairgrounds Park

The largest space in Hagerstown if you want to be active is the site of the old Great Hagerstown Fair.

This event ran from 1856 to 1980, moving to Fairgrounds Park in 1880. The old grandstand is still intact, and there’s a marker and interpretive board recalling the event’s golden days.

Fairgrounds Park remains full of life, as the setting for many community events including the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, the Harvest Hoedown in October and regular yard sales in the stables by the grandstand.

For recreation you’ll find amenities for soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball/inline hockey, BMX and ice skating, along with a dog park, walking trails and outdoor exercise equipment.

12. Hagerstown Premium Outlets

Something that brings a lot of visitors to Hagerstown is this outlet mall just off I-70 in the south of the city.

Owned by Simon Property Group, the mall opened in 1998 and caters to a large region, comprising portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland and even Washington, D.C..

For a small cross section of the many brands found here, you’ve got Adidas, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Gap, Guess, Levi’s, LOFT, Nautica, Polo Ralph Lauren, The North Face and Under Armour.

Unusual for an outlet mall, this spot also has a food court, with a Hibachi Xpress, Dairy Queen and China Max, in addition to a branch of LongHorn Steakhouse by the parking lot.

13. Hagerstown Cultural Trail

Two of Hagerstown’s prime destinations, the downtown Arts & Entertainment District and Hagerstown City Park, are linked by a specially planned trail, intended as a destination in its own right.

Recently expanded, this half-mile walkway combines small visitor attractions, engaging sculpture, murals, landscaped public spaces, a whimsical children’s play area and interesting historical snippets, all encouraging you to make your way through the city on foot.

Families will love The Fantastical Garden play area, designed by artist Alsion Sigethy. You can download a map for the trail, giving you background on each stop.

14. Pangborn Park

The Hamilton Run trail connects Fairgrounds Park with another public green space, a few hundred feet to the northeast.

A worthwhile detour, Pangborn Park stands out for its pond, fed by Hamilton Run, and attracting plentiful geese and ducks.

There’s also a collection of recreation amenities at the park, including tennis courts, a baseball/softball field, a sand volleyball court, a playground by the pond and a lawn bowling facility.

Rows of mature trees offer shade along the trails, and while there’s a charming formal garden area centered on an ornate fountain in the northeast corner.

15. Black Rock Golf Course

On the city’s southeastern outskirts, Black Rock Golf Course has earned plenty of acclaim since it opened in 1989, and was named as the best municipal course in Maryland by Golf Digest in 2010.

Even experienced golfers will need to bring their A game to these 18 holes, which play long and are bordered by mature woods and difficult rough.

Black Rock has consistent, bent grass greens, and the back nine is unforgettable for its magnificent views of the Appalachian Mountains.

Complementary facilities include a pro shop, oversized putting green and a driving range complete with sand trap and chipping green.

15 Best Things to Do in Hagerstown (MD):

• Washington County Museum of Fine Arts (WCMFA)
• Hagerstown City Park
• Maryland Theatre
• Antietam National Battlefield
• Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Regional Park
• Discovery Station at Hagerstown
• Jonathan Hager House Museum
• Pennsylvania Dutch Market of Hagerstown
• Price-Miller House
• Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum
• Fairgrounds Park
• Hagerstown Premium Outlets
• Hagerstown Cultural Trail
• Pangborn Park
• Black Rock Golf Course