Pack your bags, grab your road snacks, and plan your playlist: Scenic drives in Maryland are a great way to explore and spend quality time with your partner or friends. The fall is an especially beautiful time to head out on these adventures! The forest is awash in gem tones, the weather mild, and there are many great hikes and attractions to stop off and explore.
Fun facts: Maryland has 18 scenic byways, including three All-American Roads, six national scenic byways, and 12 state scenic byways. For those heading from Pittsburgh, Deep Creek Lake is about two hours from the city center and includes a stretch of the scenic 219. This route cuts through the stunning Appalachian forests, which consist of oaks, maples, and hickories. These trees put on a bright and colorful show come fall. Seeing this fall foliage from the car is a cozy and comfortable way to start your journey.
Deep Creek Lake in McHenry, MD, is one of the best places to make the endpoint for your scenic drives in Maryland—especially when you choose our hotel on the shores of the lake as your homebase, Lake Pointe Inn. Our Arts and Crafts-style lodging property offers only the most comfortable guest accommodations, bed and breakfast amenities, and top-rated hospitality. Join us this fall to soak up the fall foliage and relax at our lakefront hotel. Book your room today!
Day Trip Itinerary: Scenic Drives in Maryland from Deep Creek Lake
No matter which direction you’re coming from, driving to Deep Creek Lake will include some beautiful scenery, especially in the fall. This area of Garrett County has some of the most scenic drives in Maryland. With our hotel on Deep Creek Lake as your home base, you can head out to the nearby attractions and adventures, where the pretty drive is all part of the journey.
Here are the best scenic drives in Maryland from our hotel:
- High Road to Laurel Highlands: Take a scenic drive from the shores of Deep Creek Lake through the uncommercialized Amish Country near Springs, PA. Stop at the Observation Tower at Mt. Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania at 3,213 feet, and pass by Deer Lake, High Point Lake, and Forbes State Park. You will be dazzled by the changing colors!
- Grantsville, MD: Take a beautiful scenic drive to this charming small town in Maryland. Visit several of the antique shops in Grantsville and stop at the historic roadhouse, “The Casselman Inn.” As you head beyond the town, make sure to visit the Old National Road Stone Bridge. Bring a picnic or have lunch at the Penn Alps Restaurant or The Cornucopia Cafe. Don’t miss the chance to visit the artisans at the Spruce Forest Artisan Village.
- Wine Tasting at Christian W. Klay Winery: This lovely winery in Maryland is reached by a beautiful scenic drive with sweeping vistas in the Allegheny Mountains, surrounded by farmlands, lush forests, and rushing waterways. Stop for a tour and flight of the locally grown wines.
Frank Lloyd Wright Tour from Lake Pointe Inn
One of the most popular scenic drives in Maryland from our hotel is a beautiful ride to two well-known Frank Lloyd Wright properties in the Laurel Highlands: Fallingwater House and Kentuck Knob. These two architectural gems are close enough to each other to see both in one day trip! Head to Fallingwater first, about 50 miles from Deep Creek Lake. Make reservations in advance to take a tour. Kentuck Knob is just another 15 minutes from Fallingwater, so make it a double feature and plan to see both!
Book our Lakefront Hotel in McHenry, MD
A cozy fall getaway is awaiting you at Lake Pointe Inn! It’s the ideal location for couples looking to escape to a peaceful and quiet nook of the lake. You’ll arrive by one of the most scenic drives in Maryland, with the fall colors whipping by your windows. This beauty continues at the lake, with the leaves reflecting in the crisp, clean waters. Take advantage of our wraparound porch with comfortable rocking chairs, the perfect place for a hot cup of coffee, taking in the views of the lake.
Inside, our beautiful Inn is reminiscent of a woodsy lodging with handsome decor in the Arts and Crafts style—you’ll feel a world away from your daily schedules. The one thing you will want to plan is a massage in our on-site spa room, followed by a sauna session. Retreat back to your guest room for a soak in a jacuzzi tub, and peak relaxation will be right at your fingertips! As you sink into our comfortable beds, you’ll drift away for a restful night’s sleep, ready to take on another day of relaxation and adventure.
We have the perfect add-on package for those heading here with romance in mind to up the wow factor. “A Lot of Romance” includes elegant touches like flowers, dessert, and wine in your room, two massages, rose petals, and a gift certificate for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants on Deep Creek Lake. We can’t wait to host you at our luxurious hotel on the lake; book your lodging today!
