Hagerstown

Hagerstown is the county seat of, and the largest city in, Washington County. The city is perhaps best known for its outlet mall, which offers a huge variety of clothing among other things. The community is named after Jonathan Hager, a German pioneer who settled the area in the mid-1700s. Hagerstown has an approximate city population of 40,000 and metropolitan population of 270,000 (2019).

• Renting cars or driving to Hagerstown is advised because only the downtown area is walkable. Walking downtown, however, is safe and charming.
• For a taxi you could call Miller Cabs, Turner Vans, or hail Downtown Taxi cabs on the streets in downtown.
• County Commuter buses are effective and go to all points in Hagerstown and Washington County.

Aside from simply admiring the ubiquitous vistas of the Appalachian Mountains, you might also want to see:

• 🌍 Discovery Station, 101 W Washington St, ☏ +1-877-790-0076. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 2-5PM. Non-profit volunteer-run science museum dedicated to providing an exciting learning environment for curious minds of all ages. Active Military and Reservists (and immediate family members) free, children 3 and under free, ages 4-17 $6, adults $7, seniors (55 and over) and retired military $5. 
• 🌍 Hagerstown City Park, 501 Virginia Ave, ☏ +1 301 739-8577. 6AM-10PM. Stroll through a beautifully traditional city park, with playgrounds for the kids, picnic areas, and a flock of ducks and geese to accompany you on your walk around the park's lake. free. 
• 🌍 Hager House, 110 Key St, ☏ +1 301 739-8393. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 2-5PM. See the founder of Hagerstown's pre-Revolutionary War house. $3. 
• 🌍 Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 501 Virginia Ave (Hagerstown City Park), ☏ +1 301-739-5727, fax: +1 301-745-3741, info@wcmfa.org. Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-4PM, Su 1-5PM. Free. 

• Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 296 S Burhans Blvd, ☏ +1 301 739-4665. 4 model train layouts and various other railroad memorabilia, this museum is open year-round and is inside a former railroad roundhouse, hence its name. (updated Aug 2019)

• The city is a focal point for mountain bikers, fishermen, canoeists and hunters interested in the plentiful outdoor recreational opportunities in the area. The Appalachian Trail and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C & O) Canal Towpath are close by.
• 🌍 Hagerstown Suns (Municipal Stadium), 274 Memorial Blvd. E. (from Dual Hwy., turn west on Mt. Aetna Road and continue until it becomes Memorial Blvd. at the stadium), ☏ +1 301 791-6266. A-level minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Washington Nationals. $5-9. 
• 🌍 Black Rock Golf Course, 20025 Mt. Aetna Rd, ☏ +1 240 313-2816. $26-42/18 holes. 
• 🌍 Hagerstown Speedway, 15112 National Pike (6 miles west of Hagerstown), ☏ +1 301 582-0640. Weekends Feb-Oct. A dirt track. 
• 🌍 Mason Dixon Dragway, 21344 National Pike, Boonsboro (9 miles southeast of Hagerstown), ☏ +1 301-791-5193. NHRA sanctioned, 1/4 mile, dragstrip near Hagerstown. 

Hagerstown has multiple lifestyle/power centers with big-box stores, plazas, and 2 major malls:

• 🌍 Premium Outlets Hagerstown, 495 Premium Outlets Blvd., ☏ +1 301 790-0300, customerservice@primeretail.com. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-7PM. A large outdoor mall with over 100 stores. 
• 🌍 Valley Mall, 17301 Valley Mall Rd., ☏ +1 301 582-0700. M-F 10AM-9PM, F Sa 10AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-6PM. The Valley Mall is one of two indoor malls in the Hagerstown Metropolitan area (the other is the Martinsburg Mall). There is close to 1 million square feet of retail space. The anchors are Macy's, The Bon-Ton, JCPenney, Sears, Regal Cinemas 16, Toys 'R' Us/Babies 'R' Us, Old Navy, Men's Wearhouse, and Shoe Dept. Encore. 
• 🌍 Just Lookin' Gallery, 40 Summit Ave, ☏ +1 301-714-2278, toll-free: +1 800-717-4278, justlookin@justlookin.com. Tu-Sa 11AM-7PM. Exhibits numerous paintings, mostly by African-American artists. (updated Jan 2023)

Hagerstown dining includes international flavors as well as landmark American establishments. Many restaurants can be found downtown, on and around US 40, in the North End, and near the Valley Mall. Typical chain restaurants are also abound, particularly along US 40 and around the main retail areas.

Most drinking establishments in Hagerstown are found in the downtown area, but some are located in suburban areas including and near strip shopping centers.

• 🌍 Always Ron's, 29 N Burhans Blvd, ☏ +1 301 797-7887. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-9PM. The largest selection of craft beers on tap in Washington County with a continuous rotation of beers, and crafted bottles and cans to go. Mixed drinks are also available. 
• 🌍 Bennys Pub, 49 Eastern Blvd N, ☏ +1 301 791-5915. M-Sa 11AM - 2AM, Sunday 11AM-midnight. Food, ice cold beer, Entertainment weekly. Nice, friendly atmosphere. 
• 🌍 The Corner Pub, 158 S Mulberry St. Has a casual, friendly Irish pub atmosphere and features an excellent selection of draft beers from regional craft brewers and an impressive bottled beer selection that includes intelligently selected Belgian, English, and German classics. The only place in Hagerstown that rivals the beer quality is the bar at Schmankerl Stube. 
• 🌍 Gourmet Goat/GG's Restaurant & Martini Bar, 41 N. Potomac St (Downtown), ☏ +1 301 790-2343, fax: +1 301 790-0733, gourmet.goat@myactv.net. M 7AM-3PM; Tu 7AM-6:30PM; W Th 7AM-9PM; F 7AM-10PM, Sa 9AM-10PM. Full Bar Specializing in Martinis. 
• 🌍 LJ's and the Kat Lounge, 1130 Conrad Ct (off Eastern Blvd.), ☏ +1 301 797-3354. Tu-F 11:30AM–midnight, Sa 5PM–midnight. 
• 🌍 Zepheira Sports Bar and Hookah Lounge, 49 S Potomac St, ☏ +1 240-347-4598. The best in American cuisine coupled with exquisite Mediterranean dishes. Finely crafted mixed drinks from wide selection of vodka, bourbon, whiskey, gin, scotch and a rotating stock of craft beer. Frozen drinks too including milkshakes to mudslides, and strawberry daiquiris to frozen margaritas. 

Most hotels and motels in Hagerstown are located in proximity to exits along Interstate 70 and Interstate 81. Others, including full-scale hotels, are clustered along Route 40.

• 🌍 Best Western Grand Venice Hotel Wedding & Conference Center, 431 Dual Hwy, ☏ +1 301 733-0830. Full-service hotel with Cellar Wine and Spirits and Hagerstown Family Diner. 
• 🌍 Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Antietam Creek, 901 Dual Hwy, ☏ +1 301 733-5100. The largest full-service conference center in the area. HagerHall Conference & Event Center, Cancun Cantina nightclub, and Barefoot Bernie's restaurant adjoin hotel. 
• 🌍 Comfort Inn and Suites, 920 Dual Hwy (next to Valley Mall.), ☏ +1 301 739-9050, fax: +1 301 739-8347. 
• 🌍 Comfort Suites, 1801 Dual Hwy (next to Valley Mall.), ☏ +1 301-791-8100, fax: +1 301-766-2079. 
• 🌍 Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, 17612 Valley Mall Rd (next to Valley Mall.), toll-free: +1-800-456-4000, fax: +1 301 582-3529. 
• 🌍 Courtyard By Marriott, 17270 Valley Mall Rd (next to Valley Mall), ☏ +1 301-582-0043. 
• 🌍 Days Inn, 1101 Dual Hwy, ☏ +1 301 733-2700. 
• 🌍 Hampton Inn Hagerstown, 1716 Dual Hwy (near Exit 32B off Interstate 70 in the SE part of town), ☏ +1 301 739-6100, fax: +1 301 791-7885. 
• 🌍 Hampton Inn Hagerstown I-81, 18300 Peak Circle (near Exit 9 off Interstate 81 and the airport), ☏ +1 240 420-1970, fax: +1 240 420-1971. 
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, 241 Railway Ln (near Valley Mall shopping area), toll-free: +1-888-551-0222. 
• 🌍 Homewood Suites by Hilton, 1650 Pullman Ln (near Valley Mall shopping area), ☏ +1 301-665-3816. 
• 🌍 Microtel Inn & Suites, 13726 Oliver Dr, ☏ +1 240 527-2700. 
• 🌍 Ramada Plaza Hotel (Previously the Plaza Hotel), 1718 Underpass Way (near Halfway Blvd.), ☏ +1 301 797-2500. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers Wyndham Rewards, Full Service 6-story hotel with an oversized indoor pool, Fireside Restaurant & Lounge. On-site Laundry Facilities. 
• 🌍 Rodeway Inn, 901 Dual Hwy (Adjacent to the Clarion Hotel.), ☏ +1 301 714-0800, toll-free: +1-888-528-6738. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Adjacent to Clarion Hotel, Cancun Cantina nightclub, Barefoot Bernie's restaurant and bar, and Hager Hall convention center. $55-60. 
• 🌍 Sleep Inn & Suites Hagerstown, 18216 Col Henry K Douglas Dr, ☏ +1 301 766-9449, sleepinnhagerstown@gmail.com. Offering complimentary breakfast and hi-speed wireless internet. Indoor pool, fitness room and more. 
• 🌍 SpringHill Suites by Marriott, 17270 Valley Mall Rd (next to Valley Mall), ☏ +1 301 582-0011, fax: +1 301 582-9011. 
• 🌍 Super 8 - Hagerstown, 1220 Dual Hwy, ☏ +1 301 739-5800, fax: +1 301 739-5800. 
• 🌍 Super 8, I-81, Halfway Hagerstown, 16805 Blake Rd (near Exit 5B off Interstate 81), ☏ +1 301 582-1992, fax: +1 301 582-3488. 

• Whitetail Resort has alpine skiing on 16 trails, just across the state line in nearby Mercersburg in southern Pennsylvania.
• You could drive from Hagerstown to Antietam National Battlefield, Fort Frederick State Park, or the Chesapeake & Ohio (C & O) Canal National Historical Park.
• The Appalachian Trail offers walking paths and breathtaking scenery from atop South Mountain.
• If you want more scenery you could cross the Potomac River into West Virginia or tour nearby smaller towns like Sharpsburg, Boonsboro, or Smithsburg.
• Neighboring cities include Frederick and Cumberland in Maryland, Martinsburg in West Virginia, and Chambersburg in Pennsylvania.
• Nearby big cities Washington, D.C. and Baltimore are good day-trips from Hagerstown. In fact, many tourists to those cities stay the night in Hagerstown for cheaper lodging rates and to add a few local historic and retail spots to their itinerary.