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Carroll County is aptly described as a county with immense rural beauty and a rich history. Located within close proximity to Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Carroll County offers a peaceful trip away from the hustle and bustle of these metropolitan areas. Just around the corner, a variety of activities ranging from historic sightseeing and festivals to walking tours, bike tours and nature parks await visitors year-round in Carroll County.
The Carroll County Visitor Center at 210 E. Main Street in Westminster is a must-stop for visitors. Friendly and knowledgeable staff are available to assist in trip planning. The center offers a variety of tour maps, brochures and informational pieces depicting the many popular sites in Carroll County.
History buffs can choose from a menu of well-known tourist attractions, including the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, the Union Mills Homestead in Union Mills, the Western Maryland Railway Historical Museum in Union Bridge and historic Uniontown. The Carroll County Farm Museum features an 1800s farmhouse and a variety of trade shops, including broom making, tinsmithing, blacksmithing and quilting manned by skilled craftspeople who demonstrate their talents in an early 19th-century setting.
Complementing the vivid history of the historic museum are the many special events which are scheduled throughout the Farm Museum’s season. They include the North Bay Fiddler’s Convention, the Fourth of July Celebration, the Maryland Wine Festival and Fall Harvest Days. The restored Union Mills Homestead and Grist Mill (circa 1797), home of the Shriver family for six generations, provides visitors with an authentic view of rural living 200 years ago. Railroad enthusiasts will pay particular attention to the town of Union Bridge, home of the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society Museum. This museum, which was organized in 1965, reflects the history of the Western Maryland Railroad and its arrival to Union Bridge in 1862. Carroll County’s rolling hills and lush greenways provide the perfect backdrop for a diversity of walking, biking and driving tours.
Two walking tours highlight historic landmarks of downtown Westminster and its 19th-century architecture. A third tour focuses on 18 sites in Uniontown, Carroll’s only town on the National Historic Register. Approximately 10 loop bike tours cover more than 150 miles of outdoor splendor and meander through each of Carroll’s eight towns. Drive through some of Maryland’s most scenic backroads on the Civil War tour and trace the movement of some 60,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. In addition, Carroll County participates in the Maryland Civil War Trails program, "Gettysburg: Invasion and Retreat."
Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and other outdoor delights are enjoyed at all Carroll County lakes and parks. Piney Run Park features a 300-acre lake surrounded by 500 acres of beautiful woods and open space. Visitors to Piney Run can enjoy all the outdoor amenities. Cascade Lake, a privately owned six-acre, spring-fed lake, is a great place to fish and swim. Water slides, a high dive platform and floating rafts offer visitors a truly old-fashioned swimming experience.
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