Carroll County’s well-preserved history takes the form of rural heritage museums and civil war sites. Carroll is rich in history and tradition. Civil War troops from both sides trekked and camped along scenic roads on their fateful march to Gettysburg.
The Carroll County Farm Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the workings of a 19th century farm and hosts the immensely popular Maryland Wine Festival held every September. You’ll also find antiquing, festivals, walking tours, driving tours, biking tours, and nature parks.
If biking is your passion, Carroll County has 10 loop tours consisting of over 150 miles of cycling offering varying degrees of difficulty, highlighting scenic stops and historic attractions. And when your day is done, kick back and relax at a historic bed and breakfast or hotel.
Patapsco Valley State Park, whose boundaries encompass both Howard County and Baltimore County maintains bike trails, hiking and horse paths and fishing and canoe access.
Carroll County boasts half a dozen golf courses from the convenient 9-hole course at McDaniel College to the expansive 27-hole course at Wakefield Valley.
Cities in Carroll County Maryland include: Westminster, Taneytown, Mt. Airy, Sykesville, Manchester, Hampstead
Top Ten Things to Do in Carroll County
1. Sip some wine from over 30 Maryland wineries at The Maryland Wine Festival® held the 3rd week of September at the Carroll County Farm Museum.
2. Peek into the lives of six generations of the Shriver family while touring Union Mills Homestead and Grist Mill. You can even purchase a pound of freshly-ground wheat, cornmeal, or buckwheat to take home.
3. Stroll down our quaint Main Streets, visiting unique shops and taste- tempting restaurants.
4. Paddle a canoe along the quiet shores of Piney Run Lake. Bring your fishing pole to tempt a fish.
5. Pick up a self-guided walking tour at our Visitor Center at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane in Westminster. View our well-preserved buildings, many on the National Historic Register.
6. Go antiquing at many unique shops with fair-priced items. Attend the Historical Society’s Antique Appraisal Day each September.
7. Visit one of our five wineries where owners are oh so happy to tell you the story of “grapes to wine.”
8. Rest your weary soul at one of our unique Bed & Breakfasts and fill your tummy the next morning with a comfort food-filled breakfast.
9. Learn about some of the 60,000 soldiers that marched through Carroll County on their way to Gettysburg during our self-guided driving tour. Stop and read one of the 19 Civil War Trail markers along the way.
10. Pedal your bike non-stop along the back roads of Carroll County with ten looped tours, beginning and ending in our quaint towns.
Top Ten Things to See in Carroll County
1. Stop by the Carroll County Visitor Center, located in the Historical Society’s Kimmey House. Check out Cockey’s Tavern next door for a unique shopping experience.
2. Visit the Carroll County Farm Museum to tour the 19th century farmhouse and witness the simplicity of rural life.
3. Stop by the Carroll County Arts Center housed in a beautifully restored art deco theatre in the heart of downtown Westminster.
4. Cool off at Cascade Lake, a 6-acre, spring-fed lake made for swimming, picnicking, fishing and with paddle boats to rent, too.
5. Bring your food list to one of our many Farmers’ Markets, our oldest, located at the Carroll County Ag Center is open each Saturday throughout the summer and holds special events throughout the year.
6. “Tea” time doesn’t always involve golf. Visit one of our tea rooms scattered throughout the County in our quaint rural towns.
7. And, sometimes Tee time does involve golf…visit one of our half dozen courses for some challenging fun with family and friends.
8. Visit the Bear Branch Nature Center’s planetarium to experience the stars in all their glory.
9. Not only are our cows picturesque, they produce great ice cream too. Pick your favorite flavor at one of our homemade ice cream stores.
10. Visit the Nature Center at Piney Run Park to see critters and insects up close. Park Naturalist are happy to entertain questions from young and old.