Founded as “Hager’s Fancy” in the mid-18th century, Hagerstown serves as the seat of Washington County. It is the largest city in Maryland’s Panhandle and was largely built using limestone quarried from the surrounding ridges. Hagerstown has long been an important centre for transportation, earning it the nickname “Hub City”.
Things to do in Hagerstown
On the western edge of the city is the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, which occupies a complex built in 1939 for the maintenance of locomotives and railroad cars. Today, it houses exhibits related to the transportation history of Hagerstown and its location along five different railways. In addition to lovingly restored cabooses and locomotives, there are railway artefacts and model trains on display.
For a retail fix, head to the Hagerstown Premium Outlets, a shopping mall on the southern edge of the city. It’s home to big-name brands such as The North Face, Adidas and Polo Ralph Lauren, all of which offer discounted deals. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can feast at the LongHorn Steakhouse, grab a healthy sandwich at Subway or enjoy a sweet treat from Dairy Queen.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to the Discovery Station, a hands-on museum that explores the worlds of science, technology and art. It occupies a historic bank building that has existed since the Civil War and stands opposite the Washington County Circuit Court. There are exhibits dedicated to dinosaurs, robotics and space, as well as an award-winning model of the RMS Titanic.
Getting around Hagerstown
Hagerstown is around 1.5 hours’ drive from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is also 1.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Long-distance buses connect to Hagerstown while local services travel throughout the city.