Location: Brunswick
Top Things to do in Brunswick
- 1. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- 2. River & Trail Outfitters
- 3. Distillery Lane Ciderworks
- 4. Gathland State Park
- 5. Creek's Edge Winery
- 6. Smoketown Brewing Station
- 7. C&O Canal Hike at Point of Rocks Boat Ramp
- 8. Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters
- 9. Hiddencroft Vineyards
- 10. 868 Estate Vineyards
10 Things to Do in Brunswick That You Shouldn't Miss
Brunswick is a city in Frederick County, Maryland, United States at the Maryland/Virginia border. The population was 5,870 at the 2010 census. Brunswick is home to three schools, Brunswick Elementary School, Brunswick Middle School, And Brunswick High School.
Restaurants in Brunswick
1. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is indeed one of the crown jewels in the National Park Service. Covering over 4,000 acres in 3 states (WV, VA and MD) at the scenic confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers and the Potomac River water gap through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Park features an amazing diversity of American History all in one place: Great figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Robert E. Lee, U.S. Grant, "Stonewall" Jackson, JEB Stuart, Philip Sheridan, W.E.B. Du Bois, Kate Field and many others swirl around Harpers Ferry like a whirlwind! The C&O Canal National Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail all converge at Harpers Ferry NHP. Twenty miles of hiking trails in the Park offer more than a one weekend getaway. Local private businesses offer whitewater rafting, tubing, fishing and many outdoor activities, along with dining and overnight accommodations. Come visit beautiful Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and be swept away by the mountains, the rivers and the history for a visit you and your family will long remember!
Reviewed By AlisonsD4 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We stopped here on a rainy Wednesday afternoon during Spring Break. It probably would have been stroller friendly if it hadn't been raining and we could have left the stroller outside in smaller exhibits. The park itself is very interesting with plenty to keep my tweens interested. You walk around and different buildings have different displays.
Many of the shops in the area were closed that day and there aren't many food options either. That was the only drawback to the date/time (or perhaps weather?) for our visit.
2. River & Trail Outfitters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 411 reviews
River and Trail Outfitters of Knoxville, Maryland has been family owned and operated since 1972. River and Trail offers guided and unguided white water and mellow water rafting, tubing, kayaking, canoeing trips as well as biking hiking, climbing and cross-country skiing in the historic and scenic Harpers Ferry, WV area. We also sell new and used canoes, kayaks and paddling accessories located in our shop. Check out our website for details on our various trips, ranging from our Paddle N Wine Tour to our Team Building
Reviewed By vrobert132 - Madison, Wisconsin
Our experience with River & Trail Outfitters was great. The staff is so kind, welcoming, and accommodating; you could tell they truly wanted us to have the best experience as possible. We did the Shenandoah River Float, which was exactly what we were looking for. Very calm river, beautiful scenary, and just enough current to help you along the way.
The food was definitely better than we expected, and the starting point was easy to find and clearly marked. Shoutout to Wayne, Ryan, Will & Maury who helped make our experience unforgettable! Our large group of 70 people had a blast spending the day outdoors with the crew. Nothing but the most pleasurable experience!
3. Distillery Lane Ciderworks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Dawn S - Atlanta, Georgia
My husband and I arrived after a beautiful drive to Ciderworks. We found ample parking (with attendants) and friendly staff. It's a smallish place but the couple who owns it has maximized their available space.
I was a bit disappointed in the lack of instruction/help we received. Although the parking attendants helped us park, they did not point us in the right direction nor were there signs of where to go, where to start, or what to do. We happened to walk up to a small table where we found a cashier. Not being told that there were two available tasting options, we bought (what we now know) to be the more expensive one but also with the most tastings. The pours were generous and staff that manned the tasting booths were friendly but strayed easily. They weren't there to chit-chat, just poured ours and then moved on to the next customer. It was then difficult to get their attention to try another cider.
The tour offered was comprised mostly of apple variety information and not the fermenting process. There are, however, 18 info stations throughout the orchard for those who wished to know more about the apples. A few of the apple variety could be sampled but, again, little direction was given about how to pick your own apples-which were eating versus which were baking apples. The orchard (or at least the part we were directed to was over-picked and so far the apples we chose have not been very good).
The cider was also not what I expected. To me, apple cider is a warm, murky concoction with mulled spices that you drink in the fall to warm-up. A few of the ciders here reminded me of a white zin. Very light and clear, crisp. They weren't bad by any means, just not what I expected. They did have one cider available for tasting that attempted to satisfy the fall cider I was thinking of, but it still had a long way to go in the seasoning process and was not ready for purchase.
The food trucks present were good although the South American food truck's food had very little to do with South America. An ice cream truck was present as well that offered samples and full purchase bowls or cones. The ice cream flavors sounded great (and overall were tasty) but lacked the complimenting flavor. For instance the "chocolate peanut butter" was a lovely chocolate but with a very little peanut butter taste for accent.
There were a handful porta-pota available. They were clean and sufficient enough for the crowd that was there the day we visited.
4. Gathland State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By MarySL00 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
We hiked that section of the Appalachian trail: six miles from parking lot to the river, a 12-mile return trail. Mostly goes up and down along the ridge. Beautiful views of the valley and the river. Follow the white blazes.
The cliff area is impressive: be mindful if you are hiking with kids. Not recommended for children.
Beautiful Civil war village.
5. Creek's Edge Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Creek's Edge Winery is a beautiful Amish-built facility nestled between the Catoctin Creek and Furnace Mountain in Loudoun County, Virginia. This award-winning winery pairs a beautiful environment with some of Northern Virginia's best wines.
Reviewed By Kevin P - Vienna, Virginia
We came here by chance and enjoyed the wine selection. Many of the wines have been given awards that I would recommend trying. The spinach and artichoke dip was pretty yummy, but the ratio of chips to dip was lacking. The property itself is very scenic and but a difficult drive. They have lots of fun things to do for the kids and they allow pets last time I saw. I would recommend you get a spot on the second level deck as soon as you arrive.
6. Smoketown Brewing Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Brunswick's oldest brewery situated in the town's former volunteer fire station. Serving over 15 hand-crafted beers plus seasonal and special release beers. Enjoy our tasting room or patio.
Reviewed By SROVirginia - Virginia
Excellent beer in an old brick building surrounded by history (and near the river). Reasonable prices. Knowledgeable bar staff. Kid and dog friendly. Beers to suit all tastes. I liked the bitter Ashcat Pale Ale (bitter without tasting of grapefruit or other citrus; more like a British bitter). And they serve half-pint glasses, not just full pints. Tasting flights also available. Will return!
7. C&O Canal Hike at Point of Rocks Boat Ramp
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Checkmate75 - Spring Mills, Pennsylvania
I travel a lot and I'm always looking for good trails to run on and this one is a home run. There us easy access from Rt 15 and a huge parking area. I'm guessing from the looks of things that it is heavily used by kayaker's and canoe'ers. The trail goes North and South along the old C&O towpath and is bordered to the West by the Potomac River and just across the remnants of the old canal to the East is the heavily traveled CSX Railroad.
If you head south the trail will take you all the way to Washington,D.C and is used heavily by mountain bikers. There are mile markers posted along the trail as well to help keep you oriented. I decided to head North under 15 and passed right by the tunnel. There is lots of history here and the lock-keepers house is sill standing so I stopped to read the historic markers to learn about the area. You can easily see the train tunnel carved into the side of the mountain more than a century ago.
The trail is a soft trail primarily consisting of dirt and sand and for the most part it is in the shade as the forest has grown over much of the trail. That is a good thing because on this day it was 94 degrees and about 95% humidity with bright sunshine. At about 2 miles into the run a huge tree had fallen across the trail so I followed the temporary path around the tree and continued for another mile and half before turning around. At the turn I looked toward the railroad tracks and saw a second tunnel in the side of the mountain. The tracks are heavily traveled and four trains passed in both directions during my run.
There were many kayaker's in the river and I could hear their fun and frolic throughout the run although it's hard to see them in the summer with the forest between the trail and the river. I was passed by a number of mountain bikers and i passed a few walkers but on this day I was the only runner. The trail was not crowded at all and I enjoyed the quiet time surrounded by nature that was only interrupted by laughter from the water or lumbering locomotives from the train tracks. On my way back a wicked thunderstorm came out of no where and there is no place to hide so I picked up my pace and finished the run in a heavy downpour that washed the sweat away. I was worried about lightning as it crackled all around but I ended up safe in the parking lot.
I will definitely run here again and in fact, it is such a nice trail I would go out of my way to come back here and run.
8. Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
The main visitor center for the Appalachian Trail and one of the most famous landmarks on the entire 2,190-mile national scenic trail. It's considered the 'psychological half-way point' on the Appalachian Trail. All are welcome, from tourists to "thru-hikers" walking the entire trail. The center has exhibits, a gift shop where you can purchase maps, books, and souvenirs. A 10-foot 3D map shows the entire East Coast, with a miniature replica trail shelter built into the back side. A hiker lounge offers long-distance hikers a place to relax and recharge, with cold and hot drinks available. A collection of more than 25,000 photos of hikers taken since 1979 is one of the most unique features. Those intent on walking the entire A.T. will have their photo added to the collection, but anyone can take a photo of themselves out in front on the sign for a memorable snapshot. By visiting Harpers Ferry, you'll have already started the 14-state challenge, which encourages hikers to visit one location in each of the Trail's 14 states. If you visit lower town historic Harpers Ferry just a half mile away and walk across the footbridge over the Potomac River, you'll have already completed two states.
Reviewed By Kelli D - Winchester, Virginia
I love this place! It's small, but it's rich with stories from the past and provides visitors with a window into our fascination with the trail in the present. You may meet a few thru-hikers during your visit, since it is the midway point for the Appalachian Trail. You'll also be able to take a look at an enlarged map of the trail and a book of portraits of previous thru-hikers. Each of the portraits are dated. A friend and I once took turns looking for a thru-hiker who passed by on our birthdays. There's a lot of great items available there too. Look here before buying your Harpers Ferry souvenir!
9. Hiddencroft Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Just a short drive from the winery corridors along Rt. 15 and Rt. 9 in Loudoun County, VA and convenient to Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania wine lovers as well! Hiddencroft Vineyards is situated on a 26-acre former farmstead in Lovettsville, VA. Our tasting room is an 1830’s farmhouse. We hold special music events and tastings in our rustic 1930’s bank-barn or on our large barrel-shaped patio. Our barn is also available for private parties and corporate events. We periodically open our wine production facility for tours and barrel tastings. Our tasting house and winery are surrounded by butterfly gardens and our orchard. You can sample award winning wines, chat with the winemaker / owners, and learn about wine-making. After your tasting, relax on the tasting house deck or patio, snack on light fare available in our tasting house or bring your own picnic lunch. The atmosphere is friendly, casual and relaxing. Open year round for tastings and wine sales, Thursday - Monday, Noon - 6PM. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Reviewed By city2country - Spring Grove, Pa
We stopped there today at noon, our first stop of the day, after a two hour drive, and no one was there. No other cars, no people, no sign saying why they weren't open. Super disappointed.
10. 868 Estate Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
A welcoming vineyard with award-winning wine in the heart of DC's Wine Country. We have plenty of food options on site, including gourmet fare in our full service restaurant, Grandale Vintner's Table, sandwiches in our Tasting Room and casual food at our Grill. (The Grill is open weekends May - Oct.) 868 Is dog-friendly (outside) and child-friendly.
Reviewed By EarleneBrad
Greeted by Shirley who presided over our tasting. We had a lot of info about the wines. There were 6 to taste. Although they were good, we are not true French Oak fans and all but the Chardonnay were done in Oak. We opted not...MoreSo glad you had the chance to come see us! We look forward to seeing you again soon - Nancy
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