DC Day Trip: Brunswick, Maryland

January is looking more than a little bit different this year. Under normal circumstances, I’m running around the country for conferences and getting changes of scenery all the time. Being cooped up in my condo for days (work is crazy busy in other ways besides travel!) has made me more than slightly crave an escape on the weekends.

We recently took a drive up to Brunswick, MD to escape the DMV. It’s amazing that an-only 45 minute drive can feel like a whole new world and Brunswick doesn’t disappoint. While I wouldn’t say there’s a ton to do there, it is a nice little town to visit for many reasons.

Take a stroll on the C&O Canal Towpath

Jim and I parked at the Brunswick MARC train station and walked the towpath to the Catoctin Aqueduct which is almost exactly 7 miles round trip. The walk is completely flat and the views of the Potomac River are gorgeous and have some fun history! The C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Canal was intended to be a mode of transporting commodities from the Pittsburgh area (often coal) down to the DC area but in the 22 years it took to build, the B&O Railroad was completed, basically making the canal obsolete before it was even completed! Even though it is winter, we managed to stroll on a sunny day.. It was cold but still lovely!

Get a pizza at King’s

Few things make my heart go pitter patter more than delicious hole-in-the-wall pizza places. King’s is insanely delicious and that means a lot coming from me. I highly recommend that you get the garlic knots no matter what.

Bring your pizza next door to Smoketown Brewing Station

Lest you think we’re alcoholics, I should clarify that we only drink on the weekends.. And yes, we like craft beer. We stumbled upon Smoketown in the throws of the quarantine and were thrilled when it was able to reopen for visitors. Smoketown is in what was once an old fire house and it’s so very thematic.. I just love it. They’re beyond chill there and the beer is delish. I had the Light Rail Lager (3/5) and the Berlin Brown Ale (3.5/5). I learned from one of the signs on the C&O Canal Towpath that Brunswick used to be called Berlin so that beer’s name makes sense now! Actually, I recommend reading the signs alone the towpath because several of the beer names (German Crossing is another one) are historical! Oh, and the Patsy IPA is named after Patsy Cline who sang for the firemen there way back when!

Other Places To Note:

Beans in the Belfry: This coffeeshop is in a former German Reformed Church (read- gorgeous, gothic… sigh) and looks adorable! We didn’t check it out but it’s definitely on our list.

Hive Bake Shop: This place is adorable and the photos make me think that there are some VERY talented pastry chefs there.

Boxcar Burgers: So, we’ve never been to the brick and mortar place in Brunswick but we have had dinner from their food truck. Just trust me and get the Rodeo Fries.

For as much as I sometimes whine about living in the DC area, one thing that it definitely has going for it is a plethora of things to do! It’s just a matter of finding them, and I hope this encourages you to get out this weekend!