Best Hike
More than 12 miles long, the Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls Trail is a sinuous out-and-back path that begins in Swallow Falls State Park before snaking into Garrett State Forest and ending at Herrington Manor State Park. Often following old logging roads and railroad grades with several hilly sections, the moderate trek takes most hikers a little more than four hours to complete. The walk is mostly shady since the pathway cuts through woodlands picturesquely punctuated with burbling creeks, though the best water feature is Swallow Falls, a majestic waterfall worth checking out before or after your walk. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, bobcats and black bears.
2470 Maple Glade Road, Oakland, dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/swallowfalls.aspx
Best Boat/SUP/Kayak Rental
Spread across 3,900 acres and plunging down as far as 72 feet, Deep Creek Lake is Maryland’s largest freshwater body, essentially a giant aquatic playground. To take full advantage, hit up Aquatic Center, a waterfront rental shop where you can gear up for the day or your entire vacation. Self-propelled options include single and double kayaks, as well as a rainbow of stand-up paddleboards. Those looking for a leisurely cruise can rent a pontoon boat. Speed demons can score a sport boat for zipping around.
634 Deep Creek Drive, McHenry, aquatic-center.com
Best Farmers Market
Rain or shine, the weekly Deep Creek Farmers Market showcases about two dozen of the region’s farms, crafters and food producers. Finds might include regeneratively farmed meats from Wildom Farm, fresh vegetables from Honey Moon Farm, coffees from The Travel Mug, scoops from Go Go Gelato, and just-baked loaves from Wild Ember Bread. The season is punctuated with concerts, artist demos and face painters, so check the events calendar. Open Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 11.
Garrett College, Parking Lot A, 687 Mosser Road, McHenry, deepcreekfarmersmarket.com
Best Edutainment for Kids
Kids will go wild for the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center, a 6,000-square-foot immersive educational facility on the shores of Deep Creek Lake. Learn about the migration of monarch butterflies, touch fossils and a black bear paw print, and find out about life underwater, along the shoreline and in the surrounding forests. As part of its Scales and Tales program, the center fosters injured birds of prey that aren’t able to survive in the wild—including an Eastern screech owl, a golden eagle and hawks, all on view. There are special programs on weekends, such as reptile encounters, crafting sessions and the chance to follow rangers as they feed animals at the center.
Free, but donation suggested. 898 State Park Road, Swanton, discoverycenterdcl.com
Best Restaurant for a Date Night
Savage River Lodge is a backwoods getaway with stylish yurts and luxury cabins in a 450-acre tract of the Savage River State Forest, roughly 30 miles from Deep Creek. You don’t have to be an overnight guest to treat yourself and your date to dinner at Catalpa, a 56-seat restaurant at the lodge that serves artful New American cuisine, such as creamy crab dip, pistachio-crusted halibut, and wild game Bolognese ladled over bucatini. The wine list emphasizes French and California varietals. After your meal, stretch out the romantic evening by sinking into one of the comfy chairs in the great room or heading out to the porch to stargaze. Reservations are required; call 301-689-3200.
1600 Mount Aetna Road, Frostburg, savageriverlodge.com
Best Souvenirs
Bear Creek Traders is more than a little bit extra. The sprawling gift shop is packed from floor to ceiling, and back to front, with every kind of tchotchke and tourist bait bric-a-brac imaginable. In the market for a souvenir magnet that doubles as a bottle opener, log cabin-shaped piggy bank, or Deep Creek Lake emblazoned pottery coffee mug? They’ve got you covered. Take your time to wander the whole store, which features sections devoted to kitchenware, gourmet goodies, clothing, toys, pet accessories, jewelry, candy and country kitsch Christmas collectibles. As you might guess from the name, there is a bounty of bear paraphernalia. Does that make it bearaphernalia?
24586 Garrett Highway, McHenry, bearcreektraders.com
Best Hostess Gifts
You’ll be the best guest ever if you show up with a grazing board from FireFly Farms Market, a charming boutique shop. Either buy a premade platter or custom build one yourself with cheeses made just down the road by FireFly—such as spruce bark-wrapped goat cheese, punchy blues, and the pyramid-shaped Mountain Top with a showstopping green-gray rind—as well as other cheeses sourced from around the globe, charcuterie, crackers and breads, sweet and savory spreadables, and other tasty snacks. Do not sleep on the cheese-centric sandwiches—perfect for a picnic or lunch on a hike—including a sweet-savory standout with goat cheese, prosciutto and fig jam, and an indulgent grilled cheese oozing smoked Gouda, bread-and-butter pickles and caramelized onions.
107 S. Main St., Accident, fireflyfarms.com
Best Play Space for Dogs
Find paradise for your pooch at Garrett County Dog Park, a 40,000-square-foot off-leash outdoor facility with a double-door entry system to prevent runaways. There are two sections: one for petite pups (30 pounds or lighter), the other for big dogs. Adults can bring up to three canines, which must have up-to-date vaccinations and licenses. Dogs can run free from dawn until dusk while owners lounge in the shade or sit at one of the picnic tables. Food and alcoholic beverages aren’t allowed, but there’s running water so your canine companion never goes thirsty while frolicking with new friends.
1249 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, deepcreeklions.org/park-projects/dog-park
Best Outdoor Dining
With a patio elevated above the shoreline, Ace’s Run offers guests a wide-screen view of the lake below, perfect for watching boaters, water sports enthusiasts and the action at the dock. As you’re taking in the scene, dine on a family-friendly
selection of well-crafted comfort food. Shareable starters include flash-fried local cheese curds with a spicy remoulade for dunking, and an oversize pretzel slathered with crab dip and melted cheese, while entrees span satiating salads, hefty burgers that require both hands, wild mushroom ravioli, and maple bourbon glazed scallops. Save room for dessert, including thick milkshakes, creamy New York cheesecake, and warm banana Nutella bread pudding doused in rum sauce.
20160 Garrett Highway, Oakland, acesrun.com
Best Ice Cream
For nearly three decades, beloved scoop shop Lakeside Creamery has served up housemade ice cream in just-griddled waffle cones that have rightfully earned a fervent following. There are always house favorite flavors on hand—such as mint chocolate chip, peanut butter fudge and maple walnut—as well as ever-rotating specials, such as dulce de leche, Butterfinger and tangy orange. Slurpable options include floats, shakes and smoothies. If you’re feeling ambitious, tackle a sundae, such as the intensely chocolatey Muddy Creek. Enjoy your treat at one of the sunny picnic tables overlooking the lake. If you want to extend the good times, grab pints of fave flavors to go.
20282 Garrett Highway, Oakland, lakesidecreamery.com
Best Coffee Shop
You don’t even need to get out of your car to get caffeinated at Espresso Alley, a charming drive-thru coffee shop housed in a converted shed. The espresso menu always features the classics, as well as sweet seasonal sips, such as blueberry cobbler macchiato, Oreo cold brew and iced lavender chai. For those eschewing java, there are boba teas, lemonades, smoothies, teas and Italian sodas. Don’t hit the accelerator before picking up some pastries, such as the gargantuan chocolate chip muffins, icing-slathered cinnamon rolls and fist-size apple fritters. For a savory nosh, opt for a pepperoni roll, avocado toast, or bacon, egg and cheese ciabatta sandwich.
25901 Garrett Highway, McHenry, espressoalleydeepcreeklake.com
Best Mini Golf
The 18-hole course at the jam-packed amusement center Funland is a rollicking good time for golfers of every age. (Bonus: Putters 3 years old and younger play for free.) With a massive waterfall at its center, the green challenges players to navigate slopes, twists, turns and rocky obstacles. Once the round is over, the fun continues with opportunities to drive bumper cars and go-karts, scale the climbing wall, take a spin on the carousel atop one of the pastel-hued ponies or play video games. If you’re feeling hungry, order a pizza, sub, salad or such kid-friendly apps as potato wedges, mozzarella sticks and nachos.
24450 Garrett Highway, McHenry, deepcreekfunland.com
Best Pizza
Enjoy a taste of the Bronx deep in northwestern Maryland at the always-bustling Brenda’s New York Style Pizzeria. Primo pies a New Yorker could love come topped as you like, though specialty rounds—including one inspired by Buffalo chicken wings and the spicy Firecracker with jalapeños—are worth exploring. Those dining in with a crowd should consider a 26-inch Abbondanza (serves six to eight), which starts with red sauce or a three-cheese white base, then gets customized with toppings—from classic pepperoni and sausage to creative options, such as sundried tomatoes, feta and green olives. For a sweet finale, there are Italian classics, such as tiramisu, cannoli and New York-style cheesecake.
21311 Garrett Highway, Oakland, brendaspizzeria.com
Best Photographer for Family Photos
Longtime portrait photographer Kirsten Getz has a knack for capturing the spark of joy in families, so her warmhearted pictures practically pop off the screen and out of frames. She advises holding photo shoots at one’s rental home, though Swallow Falls and Deep Creek Lake state parks are excellent alternatives. For the most candid results, she recommends against folks preparing much, though a couple of beloved activities should be lined up, whether that’s roasting marshmallows over the firepit or taking a boat out for a spin. After your 45- to 60-minute session, Getz will deliver 50 or more edited photos in an online gallery with free downloads and a discount on prints.
This story appears in the July/August edition of Bethesda Magazine.