Looking for a Maryland road trip packed with scenic river views, charming small towns, fascinating history, and some seriously fun stops along the way?
The Potomac River winds past historic battlefields, old railroad towns, beautiful mountain scenery, and waterfront attractions that make this part of Maryland worth exploring.
Along the way, you can ride a historic train through the mountains, explore Civil War landmarks, and discover towns with stories dating back hundreds of years.
Every stop offers something completely different, from exciting outdoor adventures and peaceful riverside trails to fascinating museums and historic streets filled with local shops.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, this Potomac River towns road trip is packed with unforgettable places you won’t want to miss!
1. National Harbor
Located along the Potomac River in Prince George’s County, National Harbor is a 350-acre waterfront destination just 20 minutes from Washington, D.C.
Its biggest attraction is the Capital Wheel, a 180-foot-tall Ferris wheel with 42 climate-controlled gondolas offering amazing views of the Potomac River, Washington Monument, and surrounding landmarks.
You can stroll along the waterfront promenade, snap photos with the 70-foot-long Awakening sculpture, browse more than 85 designer outlet stores at Tanger Outlets, or grab a bite at one of the many waterfront restaurants.
For extra fun, take a Potomac water-taxi ride from National Harbor toward Alexandria or Washington, D.C., ride the colorful carousel, or explore the nearby massive MGM National Harbor resort.
2. Poolesville
Next, head about one hour to Poolesville, a small town in Montgomery County, known for its peaceful farmland, historic landmarks, and outdoor adventures along the Potomac River.
One of the most interesting spots near Poolesville is Riley’s Lock and the historic Seneca Aqueduct, built in 1832 along the C&O Canal, where you can admire the old red sandstone structures, enjoy peaceful views of the Potomac River, or take a scenic walk along the canal’s historic towpath.
If you love hiking, head to the nearby McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, where you can explore nearly 2,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and fields, including massive sunflower fields that usually bloom in mid- July.
You can also visit Rocklands Farm Winery for locally made wines, explore the historic John Poole House built in 1793, or stop by the 1860s-era Seneca Schoolhouse to learn about rural life in Maryland.
3. Brunswick
From Poolesville, continue for about 35 minutes to Brunswick, a historic railroad town in Frederick County, located along the Potomac River and famous for its role as a major rail hub for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Start at the Brunswick Heritage Museum, where you can explore railroad exhibits, old photographs, and a massive 1,700-square-foot model train layout showing the town’s railroad history.
For some outdoor fun, hop onto the 184.5-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, which runs right through Brunswick and offers fantastic opportunities for walking, biking, and spotting wildlife along the river.
Before leaving, wander down West Potomac Street to check out the colorful storefronts, grab a coffee at Beans in the Belfry, a café inside a former church, or visit during October for the town’s famous Railroad Days festival.
4. Sharpsburg
About 25 minutes from Brunswick, Sharpsburg is a small Maryland town best known for the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, which took place on September 17, 1862.
Your first stop should be Antietam National Battlefield, where roughly 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or reported missing during the Civil War battle, and you can explore famous sites like Bloody Lane, Dunker Church, and Burnside Bridge.
For incredible views, climb the 60-foot-tall War Correspondents Memorial Arch at nearby Gathland State Park, which honors journalists who covered the Civil War.
You can also wander through Sharpsburg’s historic downtown, visit the Antietam National Cemetery, or hike a section of the Appalachian Trail near the South Mountain ridge.
5. Williamsport
From Sharpsburg, drive for about 20 minutes to Williamsport, a small town in Washington County, where the Potomac River meets Conococheague Creek and the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal takes center stage.
Start at the Cushwa Basin, a restored canal area where you can explore the 19th-century Cushwa Warehouse, watch canal boats pass through Lock 44, and learn how goods traveled along the 184.5-mile waterway.
Just a short walk away, the Conococheague Aqueduct is a must-see engineering landmark, featuring a restored stone structure that once carried canal boats over Conococheague Creek.
Before hitting the road again, stroll along the C&O Canal Towpath, check out the historic Springfield Farm property, or stop at Riverbottom Park for a picnic, riverside views, and a chance to stretch your legs before continuing your adventure.
6. Hancock
Leaving Williamsport behind, follow Interstate 70 for about 25 minutes to Hancock, a small Maryland town squeezed between Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where the state narrows to about 2 miles wide.
This quirky town is famous for the Western Maryland Rail Trail, a 28-mile paved path that follows an old railroad route through wooded hills, farmland, and scenic stretches near the Potomac River.
For a fun outdoor adventure, rent a bike and explore the trail, or visit nearby Fort Frederick State Park, home to a restored stone fort built in 1756 during the French and Indian War.
Before continuing your road trip, stop at the Bowles House Visitor Center along the C&O Canal, grab a bite at Buddylou’s Eats Drinks & Antiques, or explore the historic downtown shops along Main Street.
7. Cumberland
From Hancock, continue about 40 minutes along Interstate 68 to Cumberland, a historic mountain town in western Maryland known for its railroad adventures, impressive architecture, and location where Wills Creek meets the Potomac River.
One of the biggest attractions is the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, where you can ride a vintage train through the Allegheny Mountains to Frostburg, passing wooded hills, historic bridges, and the famous Helmstetter’s Curve along the way.
You can also visit the C&O Canal National Historical Park’s Cumberland Visitor Center, where the 184.5-mile canal ends and the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage biking trail begins.
Before continuing your road trip, explore the pedestrian-friendly Baltimore Street district, admire the 1851 Emmanuel Episcopal Church, or drive to nearby Rocky Gap State Park, home to the 243-acre Lake Habeeb and scenic hiking trails.
8. Westernport
For the final stretch of your road trip, drive about 35 minutes from Cumberland to Westernport, a small town in Allegany County, Maryland.
It sits where Georges Creek meets the North Branch of the Potomac River, directly across from Piedmont, West Virginia.
This former coal-mining and railroad town was once a busy industrial center, with the nearby Luke paper mill operating for more than 130 years before closing in 2019.
For a fun outdoor adventure, head to nearby Dan’s Mountain State Park, where you can enjoy wooded hiking trails, mountain views, and a seasonal swimming pool at one of Maryland’s highest-elevation state parks.
Before wrapping up your road trip, explore Westernport’s historic streets, admire the old railroad buildings, or take a 40-minute drive to the Potomac-Garrett State Forest, which covers around 19,000 acres of western Maryland wilderness.
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