Cumberland
Around Cumberland
Photo: RandyMower · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Maryland · 93k people
Cumberland
“Queen City”, “Gateway to the West”
Where the mountains meet the river
Cardinal RedForest GreenRiver Blue
Welcome to Cumberland, where the mountains meet the Potomac. Whether you're here for the trails, the trains, or the pepperoni rolls, you'll find a friendly community that loves its history and outdoors. Come say hi and share what brings you to our corner of Mountain Maryland.
Clubs for Cumberland
No clubs for Cumberland yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cumberland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cumberland. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- C&O Canal National Historical Park Historic towpath for biking and hiking along the Potomac.
- Appalachian Trail Long-distance hiking trail passes through the region.
- Rocky Gap State Park Lake and mountain park with beaches, camping, and trails.
- Cumberland Narrows Scenic water gap through Wills Mountain.
- Great Allegheny Passage Rail-trail connecting Cumberland to Pittsburgh via the C&O Canal.
- Frostburg State University Public university with cultural and sporting events.
- Outdoors Hike the Appalachian Trail
- Outdoors Bike the C&O Canal towpath
- With kids Ride the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
- With kids Explore the C&O Canal National Historical Park
- Evenings Live music at local bars
- Evenings Concerts at Frostburg State
- Locals love State parks and lakes
- Locals love Rail-trails
Through the year
- Western Maryland Blues Fest June Annual blues music festival in downtown Cumberland.
- Allegany County Fair August Traditional county fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- First Friday Art Walk First Friday of each month Monthly gallery openings and street events in Cumberland's arts district.
- Mountain Maryland Arts & Crafts Festival October Juried crafts and art show held at Frostburg State.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers warm and humid. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Narrows”
- The scenic gap through Wills Mountain
- “Mountain Maryland”
- Nickname for the region
Getaways
- Somerset, PA Historic town and gateway to Laurel Highlands.
- Winchester, VA Old Town walking mall and Civil War history.
- Johnstown, PA Inclined Plane and flood museum.
- Hagerstown, MD Antique shops and the Hagerstown Suns ballpark.
Local flavour
Rooting for Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), West Virginia Mountaineers (NCAA Division I), Maryland Terrapins (NCAA Division I)
Eat and drink
- Pepperoni rolls West Virginia staple, popular in the area
- Ramps (wild leeks) Seasonal Appalachian delicacy
Where people go
- Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Historic train rides through the mountains
- C&O Canal National Historical Park Towpath trails and canal history
- Appalachian Trail Hiking and backpacking
Heritage and traditions
Cumberland is proud of its role as the gateway to the West, with a rich railroad and canal heritage, and its Appalachian mountain culture.
This time of year in Cumberland
- Fall foliage Fall Colorful leaves draw visitors to the mountains.
Say it like a local: “crick” — a creek
Landmarks with a story
- Emmanuel Episcopal Church Historic 1850s church in downtown Cumberland.
- Fort Cumberland Site of the 1754 fort where George Washington served.
- The National Road First federal highway, starting in Cumberland.
- Allegany County Courthouse Ornate 1890s building in Cumberland.
- Cumberland Historic District Victorian architecture along Baltimore Street.
- Western Maryland Railway Station 1913 station now a museum.
Food traditions
- Church suppers Community dinners with ham, green beans, and scalloped potatoes, often at local churches.
- Apple butter making Fall tradition of simmering apples and spices in copper kettles.
- Morel mushroom hunting Spring foraging in the woods, then frying them up.
- Trout fry Cooking freshly caught trout from mountain streams.
- Biscuits and sausage gravy Hearty breakfast staple at local diners.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and old-time music Strong Appalachian tradition with local jam sessions.
- Appalachian dulcimer Traditional instrument crafted and played locally.
- Cumberland Theatre Professional theatre company in downtown Cumberland.
- Frostburg State arts scene University brings music, theatre, and visual arts.
A little history
- 1754 Fort Cumberland built
- 1811 National Road construction begins
- 1842 B&O Railroad reaches Cumberland
- 1850 C&O Canal reaches Cumberland
- 1800s Coal mining boom in Georges Creek Valley
Rivalries
- Allegany vs. Fort Hill Cumberland high school football rivalry.
- West Virginia vs. Maryland College sports rivalry among fans in the region.
- Game day High school football
- Game day Frostburg State athletics
- Outdoors Walk the Cumberland Narrows
- Outdoors Ride the Great Allegheny Passage
- With kids Thrasher Carousel
- With kids Cumberland Narrows
Locals speak with an Appalachian accent, using terms like 'holler' for a valley and 'crick' for a creek. They often say 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'.
Only here
- The Cumberland Narrows, a dramatic water gap through the mountains.
- The western terminus of the C&O Canal.
- The starting point of the National Road, the first federal highway.
- The Great Allegheny Passage, a rail trail connecting to Pittsburgh.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'Allegany' as al-uh-GAY-nee.
- Expect snowy winters; I-68 can be icy.
- Try a pepperoni roll from a local bakery.
- Explore the Great Allegheny Passage on a bike.
- Visit the Cumberland Narrows at sunset.
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Nearby
Every areaBedfordPennsylvaniaGentle hills, covered bridges, and the quiet rhythm of farm life.SomersetPennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet the maple.Garrett CountyMarylandWhere Maryland meets the mountains.WinchesterVirginiaA valley of apples and historyJohnstownPennsylvaniaSteeped in history, rising from the flood.Potomac HighlandsWest VirginiaHigh country, deep woods, and friendly towns.Hagerstown–MartinsburgMarylandWhere the mountains meet the valleyChambersburgPennsylvaniaHeart of the Cumberland Valley
Cumberland, MD-WV. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.