Harford County, Maryland has all of it. Scenic countryside landscapes and farms, verify. Charming cities, verify. State parks, verify. Nice seafood, verify. Lower than an hour away from Baltimore, simply over an hour from Philadelphia, 1.5 hours away from Washington DC, and 2.5 hours away from New York Metropolis that is the proper weekend getaway vacation spot on the East Coast.
From the historic cities of Havre de Grace and Bel Air to gorgeous outside locations like Rocks State Park, Ladew Topiary Gardens, and Susquehanna State Park, this numerous county gives a myriad of experiences to fill an unforgettable weekend getaway.
Harford County is famend for its historic significance, with influences courting again to the colonial period and the Struggle of 1812. As you wander via the beautiful streets of Havre de Grace, you’ll end up immersed within the city’s maritime heritage, discovering landmarks just like the Harmony Level Lighthouse and the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum.
In the meantime, the city of Bel Air beckons with its quaint attraction, bustling outlets, and thriving arts scene that showcases the county’s inventive spirit.
But it surely’s not simply the wealthy historical past that makes Harford County an distinctive getaway vacation spot. The area boasts an abundance of pure magnificence, providing a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life. Rocks State Park entices outside fans with its towering rock formations, scenic trails, and the awe-inspiring Kilgore Falls, whereas Susquehanna State Park offers alternatives for mountaineering, tenting, and exploring the picturesque Susquehanna River.
For a contact of caprice, head to Ladew Topiary Gardens. Lose your self within the enchanting world of meticulously sculpted hedges, vibrant floral arrangements, and serene gardens.Â
Whether or not you’re a historical past buff, nature lover, or just searching for a calming weekend escape, Harford County, Maryland has all the pieces {that a} recipe for a fantastic weekend getaway requires.Â
Take a look at these 5 locations to see and superb issues to do in Harford County to get pleasure from an unforgettable weekend getaway!
Disclaimer: This submit was in collaboration with Go to Harford, as at all times all experiences and opinions are our personal!
Locations To Go to in Harford County on a Weekend Getaway
Spend time in Historic Havre de Grace
One of many absolute should stops and issues to do in Harford County, Maryland is to spend time within the historic city of Havre de Grace, if not base your total weekend getaway right here.
This waterfront city is located the place the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. As a consequence of its waterfront location, you’ll find a wealthy maritime historical past right here, which you’ll be taught all about by visiting the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum in addition to Harmony Level Lighthouse, the second oldest lighthouse within the state of Maryland!Â
You can even thank the situation on the Chesapeake Bay for the unbelievable seafood and culinary scene right here, you gained’t wish to miss profiting from consuming all of the blue crab you may by eating at eating places like MacGregor’s or benefit from the outside waterfront seating at Tidewater Grille alongside the Susquehanna River.
Throughout our personal getaway, one in every of our favourite issues to do in Harford County was vintage buying and Havre de Grace had no scarcity of nice locations to search out antiques and classic items! If you happen to’re an vintage fanatic like us you’ll wish to put aside a couple of hours to take a look at Bahouka’s Vintage Mall & Beer MuZeum on Union Avenue, Seneca Cannery Antiques (which spans 3 full flooring), and JoRetro for mid-century dwelling furnishings and classic clothes on Washington Avenue!
Talking of Washington Avenue, you’ll wish to additionally store all of the cool boutiques and spots right here as properly. Even if you happen to’re simply on the lookout for a candy deal with at Les Petits Bisous Macarons or a caffeine-fueled pick-me-up at Harmony Level Espresso.
And as you’re exploring all of the fantastic issues to do in Havre de Grace, you’ll additionally discover the colourful murals that dot the city. Actually, you may take a look at the general public artwork map for Havre de Grace if you wish to hunt all of them down or take a look at Graw Alley for the gathering of murals by artist Ezra Berger that illustrates the historical past of Havre de Grace in over a dozen bigger than life murals in a ravishing public park and house.
And if you happen to’re on the lookout for some other excuses to stay round and discover extra of what Havre de Grace has to supply whereas testing all of the fantastic issues to do in Harford County on a weekend getaway, make sure to spend the night time on the historic Vandiver Inn mattress and breakfast that’s housed in a well-known, historic mansion and is the proper dwelling away from dwelling in your weekend escape!
Earlier than embarking on a scenic hike, make sure to make stops at a couple of of the historic factors of curiosity on the Rock Run Historic Space. This space is located proper alongside the Susquehanna River and gives lovely views and riverside trails to get pleasure from as properly.
Right here you’ll discover a historic and operational gristmill, referred to as the Rock Run Gristmill that’s constructed out of stone with a 12-ton water wheel! There’s additionally the Carter-Archer Mansion or Rock Run Mansion that rests on the hill overlooking the gristmill that also has period-piece antiques and residential furnishings inside. Close by you’ll additionally discover the Jersey Toll Home and what stays of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal.
Discover the City of Bel Air
One other vibrant city to not be missed in Harford County, Maryland is Bel Air, which truly serves because the county seat. Bel Air is one other pleasant cease in your weekend getaway.
You may recognize the wealthy historical past of Bel Air by exploring the Bel Air Historic District the place you’ll discover a assortment of superbly preserved buildings. Or benefit from the native arts and tradition scene by catching a efficiency in your weekend getaway on the Bel Air Armory, which constructing alone is a showstopper on Fundamental Avenue because it seems like a citadel!
Talking of Fundamental Avenue, you’ll wish to browse the nice impartial and regionally owned outlets dotted alongside right here together with shopping in your subsequent addition to your vinyl assortment at REB Information, attempting to find extra cool classic treasures at Tommy’s On Fundamental, or creating your personal scented candle at Aroma Candle Studio to call a couple of of the nice stops on Fundamental Avenue!
Beer lovers can rejoice as there are two breweries on the town on Harford County’s Libation Path together with Impartial Brewing Firm and AleCraft Brewery. We stopped at AleCraft Brewery and cherished all the pieces we sampled and tried right here, together with admiring the design work on their merchandise and their help of native artists.
If you happen to’re hungry, you’re in luck. There are mouthwatering Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks and pub grub at Magerk’s or get pleasure from a few of the freshest ice cream you will get your arms on at Broom’s Bloom Dairy simply outdoors of city. Well-known for his or her ‘cow to cone’ ice cream expertise, this totally operational dairy farm not solely has ice cream for these with a candy tooth, however a complete menu of farm-fresh meals and if you happen to’re about to move again dwelling, you may decide up contemporary kitchen substances straight from the farm from meats to cheeses!
Go to the Enchanting Ladew Topiary Gardens
Considered one of our favourite highlights and issues to do in Harford County from our private go to was spending the afternoon exploring Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton. This historic gem is dwelling to one of many high 10 topiary gardens on this planet!
Visiting right here you’ll be transported to the world of caprice and meticulously designed topiary gardens from the thoughts of Harvey S. Ladew, born well-off through the Gilded Age, this huntsman and inventive is the mastermind behind this lovely and world-renowned property.
Ladew spend a substantial quantity of his life having fun with the game of fox searching in areas all around the world together with Maryland, the place he found this property and bought it to remodel it into his personal private property and enchanting topiary backyard sanctuary.
Actually, a few of his century-old designs are nonetheless on show right now! The expansive gardens embody over 100 topiary designs and 15 themed backyard rooms all designed and organized round axes and vistas that give any customer up to now century, whether or not it’s one in every of Ladew’s private guests or to anybody who’s visited the gardens because it was handed over to the general public to get pleasure from within the Nineteen Seventies.
It’s simple to get misplaced like Alice in Wonderland right here for a couple of hours admiring the design work and imaginative and prescient behind this influential topiary backyard, you’ll even discover the love Ladew had for fox searching as there’s a complete topiary design and backyard targeted round a fox hunt – which was our favourite!
Guests may also schedule a tour inside his historic property too which incorporates superbly designed rooms that supply gorgeous views of the gardens.
Whether or not you’re an avid horticulture fanatic, a lover of artwork and design, or just searching for a peaceable escape, Ladew Topiary Gardens is a must-visit vacation spot and one of many to not be missed issues to do in Harford County, Maryland.
Benefit from the Gorgeous Views at Rocks State Park
Whereas driving round and exploring all the gorgeous issues to do in Harford County together with passing rolling pastures and farmland with attractive historic barns, chances are you’ll end up round Rocks State Park, which is one other must-visit vacation spot!
For followers of the basic fashionable youngsters’s literature and the Disney movie adaptation of Natalie Babbit’s Tuck Eternal, you’ll wish to head to Kilgore Falls, the second largest waterfall within the state and a well-known filming location within the 2002 movie.
The hike to Kilgore Falls is a brief stroll via a lush, closely forested path that leads you to a shallow creek the place you’ll discover the speeding waters. Put on water sneakers or take your sneakers off altogether to chop via the creek and get a better glimpse of the falls. You’ll discover locals swimming within the swimming pools beneath the falls, picnickers, and even households with their canine all enjoyable at this tranquil spot tucked away within the forest of Rocks State Park.
Whereas Kilgore Falls is undoubtedly probably the most in style outdoorsy issues to do in Harford County within the park, one other spotlight right here is the King and Queen Seat rock formations and outcroppings that supply a dramatic view that’s believed to be the place Native Individuals held ceremonies because the rock outcroppings resembled a pure throne.
This in style photograph spot will be visited by parking on the Park’s Fundamental Workplace and strolling over to the ledge or mountaineering up from the Purple Path on the Rock Ridge Picnic Space. You’ll wish to be extraordinarily cautious when visiting although as you’ll be uncovered to cliff edges and harmful areas the place it may be simple to fall if you happen to’re not paying shut consideration.
And for these on the lookout for extra outside actions to get pleasure from right here, there’s an ample quantity of areas for picnics, and fishing, and for many who are expert rock climbers, there are many alternatives for rappelling and bouldering.
Take pleasure in Historic Websites and Hike at Susquehanna State Park
Throughout our weekend getaway exploring all of the superb issues to do in Harford County, one in every of our favourite methods to benefit from the outside splendor earlier than heading again to the town was having fun with a hike in Susquehanna State Park.
Earlier than embarking on a scenic hike, make sure to make stops at a couple of of the historic factors of curiosity on the Rock Run Historic Space. This space is located proper alongside the Susquehanna River and gives lovely views and riverside trails to get pleasure from as properly.
Right here you’ll discover a historic and operational gristmill, referred to as the Rock Run Gristmill that’s constructed out of stone with a 12-ton water wheel! There’s additionally the Carter-Archer Mansion or Rock Run Mansion that rests on the hill overlooking the gristmill that also has period-piece antiques and residential furnishings inside. Close by you’ll additionally discover the Jersey Toll Home and what stays of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal.
After testing the historic websites and factors of curiosity, head over to the Deer Creek Picnic Space for a scenic hike and or picnic. We did the Deer Creek Path Loop, which might take anyplace from 90 minutes to 2 hours relying on what number of stops you make alongside the way in which, and is about 2.5 miles in complete.
The straightforward-to-follow path is marked by inexperienced signage, you’ll find the doorway to the path at in regards to the midway level of the parking zone alongside the wooded facet. You’ll first see 3 totally different instructions you may go, the straight path and the trail to the appropriate are the Deer Creek Path, you can begin in both path, we opted for the straight-ahead path which popped us out on the different on the finish of the loop.
Alongside the path you’ll encounter bird-watching alternatives and luxurious vegetation, we each actually cherished the vine-covered bushes we encountered alongside the path. The principle star right here is the towering champion White Oak Tree you’ll encounter at in regards to the midway level of the loop. There will probably be a small signal that you simply’ll encounter main you off the principle path momentarily to guide you to the champion tree! What’s much more thrilling is that the White Oak Tree is the official tree of the state of Maryland, so that you’re attending to see one of many largest and most spectacular within the state on the path.
There was additionally a champion beech tree on this path too that sadly succumbed to a storm a couple of month previous to our go to. It was nonetheless laying down on the bottom in a clearing so you will get a way of scale at what dimension this tree was standing and towering over the remainder of the bushes within the forest!
The whole path is easy-moderate with some ups and downs and is the proper solution to get a way of the sweetness that Harford County has to supply. If you happen to’re trying to go on an extended hike, you may simply department off on the forks to the pink and blue marked trails, which will also be accessed from the Deer Creek Picnic Space.  Â
Whether or not you’re exploring the maritime heritage of Havre de Grace, immersing your self within the small-town attraction of Bel Air, venturing into the scenic wonders of Rocks State Park and Susquehanna State Park, or exploring the enchanting and eccentric Ladew Topiary Gardens, Harford County guarantees a memorable weekend getaway on the East Coast.
Discovered this information to superb issues to do in Harford County, Maryland on a weekend getaway useful? Bookmark for later or share the love beneath on Pinterest.
