Savor this 3-Day Visit to the Deep Creek Area

Welcome to the mountains of western Maryland. Your group will head to the southern end of this beautiful region into the historic town of Oakland for a look at the area’s rich heritage.

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Is This Itinerary Right For Your Group?

Ideal Demographic: Active Adult Travelers
Mobility: Low to moderate
Peak Window: September through mid-October
Booking Lead Time: 6-12 months

Welcome to the mountains of western Maryland. Your group will head to the southern end of this beautiful region into the historic town of Oakland for a look at the area’s rich heritage.

Planner's Hotline: Your Local Advocate

Holly Lane

Project & Groups Manager
holly@garrettchamber.com
Toll Free: 888.387.5237, ext. 202
Direct: 301.387.6171
Fax: 301.334.8073
www.deepcreekgroups.com
Facebook: /deepcreekgarrettgroups
Instagram: @deepcreekgarrettgroups

Click Here to Connect with Visit Garrett County

Day 1: Embark on a scenic drive

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Midday:

Enjoy a leisurely ride through the Appalachian Mountains to Garrett County. Your first stop will be on the Historic National Road. Head to downtown Grantsville for a stop at the Grantsville Museum (open seasonally), located in the former First State Bank. Peruse the historic images of Leo Beachy, who photographed the region from 1905–1927. Learn more about the town of Grantsville as well as artifacts from the B-52 Bomber crash in 1964. If your group is large or has some free time, take a stroll down Main Street to the Blue Moon Antique store or the historic Casselman Inn, built in 1842.

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Afternoon:

Next, enjoy lunch at The Casselman Inn or Penn Alps Restaurant & Craft Shop. The Casselman in Grantsville is housed in a historic inn that has been around since 1842. Savor its delicious country food featuring a variety of favorite recipes reminiscent of the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish background of its owners. Penn Alps, also in Grantsville, is renowned for its incredible weekend buffet that features fried chicken, fresh turkey, and much more.
A short distance from downtown will take you to the Spruce Forest Artisan Village for a look at how local artisans make their craft, such as hand-carved birds, pottery, weaving, quilling, and metalwork. Artisans’ hours vary daily in season. Visit the Historic Casselman River Bridge State Park for a look back at this beautiful single-arch stone bridge. You may even find a local fly fisherman casting his line on the quiet waters.

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Evening:

Enjoy dinner either on your own in one of Garrett County’s downtown restaurants or gather as a group. Pay a visit to the Casselman Creamery in Grantsville is in order. See how the Head Cheese Maker and his team create cow’s milk cheese such as their delicious dill curds or scrumptious aged cheddar. Check with Casselman Creamery to ensure it is a production day to get a glimpse of the team at work.

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Alternative:

With more than 6,000 square feet of showroom space, Blue Moon Antiques is located in a completely renovated General Store, dating from 1875, along the historic National Highway in Grantsville. This shop offers an exceptional selection of antiques and collectibles featuring American and European furniture, carpets, art glass, pottery, porcelain and kitchenalia. It also offers a large inventory of vintage fashion, jewelry and textiles.

Day 2: Explore a quaint Main Street community

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Evening:

Return to the hotel to relax before dinner. Enjoy dinner on-site or at a local eatery and experience evening entertainment at the hotel, whether it be a performance, craft or game.

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Morning:

Your second day in Garrett County begins with breakfast on-site at the hotel or at a local dining establishment, then tour the northern end of the county, continuing home.
Head to historic downtown Oakland. Explore Oakland’s quaint Main Street Community, visiting local shops or the art gallery shop. In season, visit the local Mountain Fresh Farmer’s Market for locally grown produce, homemade treats and so much more. (Wednesdays & Saturdays in season.) Among Oakland’s highlights is the Oakland B&O Museum & Train Station, a restored historic Baltimore & Ohio Railroad station featuring a 1920 Baldwin steam locomotive, and Garrett County Historical Museums, featuring exhibits that preserve and share the heritage and founding of the region.

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Afternoon:

Have lunch at a downtown restaurant of your choice. Then, visit Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center, an interpretive environmental center complete with hands-on experiences about the area’s local flora, fauna, cultural and historical heritage. Deep Creek Lake State Park features a new Aviary and Boat Tour where the captain discusses the history of this magnificent lake.

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Day 2 Alternatives

Visit Wisp Resort for an in-depth look at how the ski resort makes snow using their state-of-the-art equipment or take a scenic chairlift ride to the top of the ski mountain. After these adventures, lunch can be enjoyed at a variety of local eateries.

Day 3: Swallow Falls State Park will amaze you

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Morning:

Cameras are a must as the group heads to the next stop, Swallow Falls State Park, home to Maryland’s largest waterfall. Muddy Creek Falls is a crashing 53-foot waterfall surrounded by tall hemlocks and a spectacular old-growth forest. Make a stop at Simon Pearce Glass Blowing Facility, where you can see glass that was featured in the movie Sweet Home Alabama and there is a catwalk where groups can watch the glass blowing techniques.

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Afternoon:

Head into Accident and visit Branch Bender Cidery, where they offer tasting year round. All of their blends are dry, sippable and refreshing.

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Day 3 Alternatives

Located along historic National Pike in Grantsville, Maryland, Hilltop Fruit Market is a must-stop destination for travelers, families, and anyone with a sweet tooth. It features more than 900 varieties of candy, as well as farm-fresh fruits and vegetables to hundreds of nostalgic candies.

Planning your next group tour? Get fresh itinerary ideas and destination inspiration in InSite from Leisure Group Travel.

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How manageable are the roads, parking and coach access at the various mountain attractions?

Garrett County is generally well suited to motorcoach travel, and the Garrett County Chamber specifically promotes the area for motorcoach groups, noting its interstate access and group-friendly attractions. Wisp Resort is particularly straightforward for groups: it offers on-site motorcoach parking, free parking, group rates, and ADA accessibility. Swallow Falls is the attraction where planners should do a little more homework. The park has limited parking in some areas, and the main Canyon Trail is a 1¼-mile hiking trail through an old-growth forest. Maryland DNR also notes that wet weather can make the trail slippery. In 2026, Swallow Falls requires advance day-use reservations for motorized vehicles on weekends and holidays during the applicable season, so that should be incorporated into group planning.

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Which activities are best suited for groups with limited mobility, and are there easier alternatives?

For an accessible experience, Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center is a particularly good option. The 6,000- square-foot center has ADA accessible restrooms and a Discovery Sensory Trail, along with indoor exhibits and educational programming. Deep Creek Lake State Park also has accessible facilities, including an ADA-accessible fishing pier and restrooms. Wisp Resort is another useful option, with ADA accessibility and group-friendly facilities.