Take a Scenic Train Ride in Maryland
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Through the Allegheny Mountains
If your getaway calls for something beyond the usual things to do in Deep Creek Lake, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is one of the best day trips in the region. This heritage line, known to regulars simply as WMSR, has carried passengers through the Allegheny Mountains for decades aboard restored steam and diesel locomotives. It runs between Cumberland and Frostburg, Maryland, and offers a slower, more detailed view of Western Maryland than any scenic drive can match. For couples planning a fall foliage getaway, the timing could not be better. The hills around Cumberland turn deep red and gold by mid-October, and the train ride puts that color right outside your window.
Riding the Rails from Cumberland to Frostburg
Cumberland, MD is about a 45 minute drive from McHenry, which makes this an easy day trip from Deep Creek Lake. Book your Western Maryland Scenic Railroad tickets online ahead of time, especially during peak fall foliage weekends, when seats sell out fast. Arrive early. The historic Western Maryland Railway Station at Canal Place has plenty to explore before boarding, including trails through the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, a visitor center, and a few local shops for coffee.
The train departs Cumberland at 11:30 and heads toward Frostburg, where you’ll have an hour and a half layover before the return trip. Use that window to grab lunch, browse downtown Frostburg, or visit the Thrasher Carriage Museum at the depot, which offers free admission to railroad passengers. It’s a small museum, but a worthwhile stop between train legs.
What You’ll See Along the Route
Anyone who checks the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad map before booking will notice the route cuts through downtown Cumberland, through the Narrows, across a bridge, around Helmstetter’s Curve, and through both Brush Tunnel and Woodcock Hollow before reaching the Frostburg Depot. Among scenic train rides in Maryland, this one is hard to beat for sheer variety in a single afternoon.
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad reviews consistently point to the same two things: a friendly crew and well-kept vintage cars. If a dome car is available on your date, request it. The upper visibility makes a real difference once the train winds through the mountains.
Specialty Trains Worth Planning Around
Beyond the standard daytime run, WMSR operates a few specialty excursions that suit a romantic getaway particularly well. The Dinner Train is an evening ride with a full meal served as you roll through the mountains, a perfect fit for an anniversary date night. The Murder Mystery Dinner Train adds a layer of theater, with actors working the crowd as a mystery unfolds over the course of the meal. Both tend to sell out well ahead of standard tickets, so plan and book early if either one fits your dates.
Stay at One of the Best Hotels Near Deep Creek Lake
After a day on the rails, Lake Pointe Inn is the ideal place stay the night. As one of the top rated Hotels near Deep Creek Lake, our arts and crafts style bed and breakfast sits directly on the water in McHenry, just across from Wisp Resort. Rooms feature gas fireplaces, private baths, and thoughtful touches throughout, the kind of details that turn a day trip into a full getaway. Adults looking for a quiet retreat will find the wrap-around porch and outdoor fire pit ideal for unwinding once the sun goes down.
Mornings start with a multi-course gourmet breakfast from their chef. Between the lakefront setting, the seasonal color across the mountains, and easy access to Cumberland, this Deep Creek Lake Hotel makes an excellent home base for a Western Maryland Scenic Railroad day trip. Reserve your room now and build your fall getaway around it.