It is a fairly oddball choice for a trip, as people generally don't think to visit the countryside so close to the metropolis just southeast. It gets a fair amount of visitor traffic nonetheless, simply because it is so easy for residents of the close-in Montgomery County D.C. suburbs to get to. In particular, Sugarloaf Mountain is a very popular destination. But if you look a bit further and feel like wandering along quiet country roads, there are other gems to explore, be they farms where you can go picking, petting zoos, wineries, or even Maryland fried chicken.
Dulles International Airport[1] is not at all far away, although the rarely-bridged Potomac River does make it harder to get to. The fun way to get here from there would be via White's Ferry off of US-15 in Virginia by Leesburg.
Amtrak doesn't have any stops here between Rockville and Harpers Ferry, but the MARC Train Brunswick Line[2] does have stops at Boyds, Barnesville, and Dickerson. But unless you have a car waiting here, you'll have no way to get around upon arriving!
I-270 is the principal highway running through Rural Montgomery County, and I-70 runs east-west just to the north. The former is a quick way to get here from either D.C. or Frederick; the latter from Baltimore or Pennsylvania via Gettysburg.
McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, (On River Rd, 2.5 miles west of Seneca Rd/MD 112, then turn left on Hunting Quarter Rd), ☎ +1 410 356-9272, [x]. While its principal purpose is as a stocked hunting range, McKee-Beshers WMA is best known for its magnificent fields of sunflowers, in bloom towards the end of July. The sunflowers were planted not for public enjoyment—they are there to attract doves for the hunt! But there are miles of trails through the fields and forest, which do connect with the C&O Canal towpath, and the WMA is quite popular with photographers. Be sure to bring heavy-duty insect repellent, long pants, and good boots, as the terrain is pretty marshy. It's a good idea to give them a call to see what the hunting situation is like—it's less pleasant to walk around the fields if hunters are out in force.
Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, 15200 Mt Nebo Ave, Poolesville, ☎ +1 301 428-8128, [x]. Events are somewhat monthly (check the online calendar), and feature everything from the obvious hanging out with "farm" animals to live bands and vegan potlucks.
Sugarloaf Mountain, 7901 Comus Dr, Dickerson, ☎ +1 301 869-7846, [x]. Perhaps Maryland's best known and most prominent monadnock, it's full of hiking trails and beautiful views over the Piedmont Plateau and towards the Appalachian Mountains. It's quite popular during the busy summer months, as it's less than an hour's drive from Washington, D.C. While a National Natural Landmark, it is a rare example of a privately owned (non-profit) park open and intended for broad public use. Beautiful day trip.
Homestead Farm, 15604 Sugarland Rd, Poolesville, ☎ +1 301 977-3761, [x]. A fun getaway for picking fruit, pumpkins, Christmas trees (or they also have a shop out front if you just want to stop by and get some great fresh produce and other farm goods). Especially if you are with kids, be sure to look for the farm animal petting zoo!
Sugarloaf Mountain Winery, 18125 Comus Rd, Dickerson, ☎ +1 301 605-0130, [x]. noon-6PM daily. This is one of Maryland's most well-regarded wineries, and is easily coupled with a trip to the mountain itself, which in turn provides lovely views from the winery. The Comus is a favorite. Dog-friendly.
Iron Antler Forge, 26723 Ridge Rd, Damascus, ☎ +1 301 787-1880, [x]. Whoa! Is there really Steampunk themed smithy in Damascus? Needless to say, metal gifts—inspired by the (fictitious) revelations of an ancient technologically advanced culture in the caverns below Damascus following an earthquake—purchased from the resident artist-blacksmith will be interesting. It's probably best to call in advance of a visit.
Comus Inn at Sugarloaf Mountain, 23900 Old Hundred Rd, Dickerson, ☎ +1 301 349-5100, [x]. Lunch: F-Sa 11AM-3PM; dinner: W-Th,Su 5PM-8PM, F-Sa 5PM-9PM; brunch: Su 11AM-3PM. A beautiful, classic American, upscale dining option, with views right out the window of Sugarloaf Mountain.$35-60.
House of Poolesville, 19611 Fisher Ave, Poolesville, ☎ +1 301 349-2935. Pan-Asian cuisine in a Victorian mansion, with frequent live bands and full bar.
Mooin' to his own beat at Poplar Springs
Jimmie Cone, 26420 Ridge Rd, Damascus, ☎ +1 301 253-2003, [x]. April–October. 50-year-old small town soft serve ice cream joint.
Red Rooster, 10005 Damascus Blvd, Damascus, ☎ +1 301 253-4081. M-Sa 5AM-9PM, Su 8AM-7PM. A hole-in-the-wall dive with what is universally acclaimed (among anyone from the area, at least) as the best fried chicken you'll ever eat. Stop by and confirm for yourself. For a treat, ask for a cherry coke—they add their own cherry syrup to regular coke, and it's twice as delicious as anything you'd get out of a can.
Sunshine General Store, 22300 Georgia Ave, Brookeville, ☎ +1 301 774-7428. M-F 4:30AM-5PM, Sa 5AM-5PM, Su 6AM-3:30PM. This is a shack out in the country with incredible handmade burgers, as well as the best diner-style breakfast for miles. It's worth a stop.$3-12.
Tom & Ray's Restaurant, 9876 Main St, Damascus, ☎ +1 301 253-3331, [x]. M-Sa 6AM-7:45PM, Su 8AM-2PM. A classic and ancient American greasy spoon in the center of Damascus. Regional plates like soft-shell crab sandwiches (in season), fried chicken, and scrapple are always good bets. Huge portions!
Sunflowers at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area
Surprisingly enough, there is not one place in this fair part of the county to lay one's head. You'll have to backtrack to Germantown or onwards to Frederick.
D.C. via I-270 or even Baltimore via I-70. If you want somewhere in between, the small, laid-back city of Frederick is close by and a nice place for dinner or some antique shopping.
