See the Battlefields: 3 Days/2 Nights
Day 1 – South Mountain State Battlefield, Newcomer House, Antietam National Battlefield, & Pry House Field Hospital
6620 Zittlestown Rd, Middletown, MD 21769 – Start your adventure at the first major engagement of the 1862 Maryland Campaign of the Civil War, and the only battle fought along the Appalachian Trail. Fought on September 14, 1862, the South Mountain State Battlefield hosts interpretive events that discuss the battle, including Ranger-led hikes, tours and living history programs. For more information about annual programs call 301-791-4767. Begin with a visit to the office and museum at Washington Monument State Park just north of Alternate U. S. Route 40.
LUNCH – Stop in historic Boonsboro for lunch at one of the restaurants on Main Street.
18422 Shepherdstown Pike, Keedysville, MD 21756 – Built in the 1780s and located on the Antietam National Battlefield, the Newcomer House serves as the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area’s Visitor Center, which guides visitors to destinations in Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties. Additionally, the Newcomer House provides information about the battlefield and an interpretive room to provide insight into the Newcomer family in the 1860s.
5831 Dunker Church Rd, Sharpsburg, MD 21782 – The site of the single bloodiest day in American military history on September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam marked the end of the 1862 Maryland Campaign’s Confederate invasion of Maryland and led Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
18906 Shepherdstown Pike, Keedysville, MD 21756 – The Pry House Field Hospital Museum stood within view of the Battle of Antietam, and the Pry family’s house serves to memorialize the soldiers, surgeons, and civilians whose lives were changed forever through interpretative exhibits. Admission fees apply, see here for more details.
DINNER – You don’t have to travel far to find the local flavor of Washington County in Sharpsburg. Find local wine and beer and an extensive array of burgers, sandwiches, and more.
OVERNIGHT – Finish the day at one of Washington County’s Bed & Breakfasts, including the historic Antietam Guest House or Jacob Rohrback Inn, or one of the many hotels in the area.
Day 2 – Monocacy National Battlefield, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, & National Museum of Civil War Medicine
5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704 – Travel into Frederick County for another major battle site in western Maryland, Monocacy National Battlefield. Known colloquially as “The Battle that Saved Washington” on July 9, 1864, US soldiers were outnumbered three to one, fighting along the banks of the Monocacy River in an effort to buy time for Union reinforcements to arrive to defend Washington, DC from a Confederate attack. Take a self-guided walking or auto tour of the battlefield, or keep an eye on their calendar for any special events happening.
Note: As of 6/6/2025, the Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center at 5201 Urbana Pike is closed until further notice.
LUNCH – Downtown Frederick offers a wide variety of options for lunch catering to a variety of dietary preferences, including historic Brewer’s Alley, Frederick’s first Brewpub.
515 S Market St, Frederick, MD 21701 – Mt. Olivet Cemetery is home to nearly 270 years of Frederick history, including the resting place of Francis Scott Key, author of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and thousands of other men and women who, for better or for worse, impacted Frederick’s history. Mt. Olivet offers extensive interpretive exhibits, guided and self-guided walking tours, and events and lecture programs, so be sure to contact them ahead of time.
48 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701 – Finish your day in Frederick at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, where visitors follow in the footsteps of soldiers and surgeons to discover the harsh conditions, personal sacrifices, and brilliant innovations of Civil War medicine; innovations that continue to save lives today. Note: See here for admittance fees; military and student discounts are available.
DINNER – Spend the evening walking downtown Frederick. Check out local events around town, including live music, trivia, and more!
OVERNIGHT – Relax in one of Frederick’s historic Bed & Breakfasts, or any number of hotels throughout Frederick County.
Day 3 – Union Mills Homestead, Corbit’s Charge, & Ellsworth Cemetery
– Union Mills Homestead embodies the Civil War conflict, as brothers in the same household fought on separate sides of the war. Union Mills served as headquarters for both Union and Confederate troops prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, passing within hours of one another on their way to Westminster.
LUNCH – Westminster offers a variety of cafes, delis, breweries, and restaurants for lunch. See here for a list of recommended eateries.
210 East Main Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157 – Take a self-guided walking tour in Westminster, following in the footsteps of soldiers from Corbit’s Charge, otherwise known as the Battle of Westminster. On June 29, 1863, Captain Charles Corbit led 100 Union soldiers down the streets of Westminster to fend off nearly 6,000 Confederates, effectively delaying Confederate cavalry on their way to Gettysburg.
800 Leidy Rd, Westminster, MD 21157 – Your trip wouldn’t be complete without a trip to historic Ellsworth Cemetery in Carroll County. Established in 1876 by African American Veterans of the Civil War, the historic Ellsworth Cemetery is the final resting place for many prominent Black residents of Carroll County. Learn about the contributions, sacrifices, and struggles of Black soldiers and civilians during the Civil War as the cemetery daily uncovers new stories of those buried at Ellsworth.
End your tour of the Heritage Areas’ Civil War Battlefields with a taste of the Chesapeake at one of Carroll County’s many restaurants. Take advantage of local events, including live music, trivia nights, and more, or go for an afternoon/evening walk along Little Pipe Creek.