Cumberland City
Historic canal town in western Maryland
Cumberland at a Glance#
Costs: $90-140 / day (mid-range USA) - affordable compared with big US cities; dining and lodging moderate.
Safety: Mixed - some rough neighbourhoods - downtown tourist areas are okay; some neighbourhoods have higher crime.
Best Time: April-October - pleasant spring-to-fall weather for hiking and canal visits.
Best Things to Do in Cumberland#
Cumberland Bucket List#
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad - Ride the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad through Allegheny Mountains aboard restored vintage trains.
Canal Place - Explore Canal Place shops, museums, and the C&O Canal basin’s historic industrial exhibits.
Cumberland Historic District - Walk Cumberland’s Historic District to see 19th-century architecture, museums, and local eateries.
Wills Creek waterfront - Stroll along Wills Creek for quiet river views, historic bridges, and photo opportunities.
George Washington’s Fort Hill sites - Seek out small interpretive sites describing early forts and frontier military history nearby.
Local antique shops - Browse family-run antique shops for regional collectibles, maps, and Civil War memorabilia.
C&O Canal and Potomac Valley - Drive to the C&O Canal towpath for scenic walks, cycling, and historic canal sites.
Frostburg and Cumberland Gap attractions - Take the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to Frostburg for history, hiking, and mountain views.
Cumberland's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1222 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (120 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Cumberland#
Cumberland, MD is a historic Appalachian town served directly by Amtrak’s Capitol Limited and reachable by car from major regional airports. Overland (car or train) travel is usually the most practical approach.
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) / Hagerstown Regional (HGR): Cumberland, Maryland has no major commercial airport; the nearest larger airports with frequent service are Pittsburgh International (PIT) and Baltimore/Washington (BWI) or Dulles (IAD) for larger networks. From BWI to Cumberland is typically a 1.5-2 hour drive by car; taxi/shuttle prices vary widely. Hagerstown Regional (HGR) is closer for some regional flights but services are limited.
Regional connections: Many visitors fly into BWI or Washington-area airports and continue by car or bus; check current shuttle providers for fixed routes to Cumberland.
Train: Amtrak serves Cumberland via the Capitol Limited route (Washington/Baltimore to Chicago), with Cumberland station on the city’s north side. Train travel is a comfortable option from Washington/Baltimore or Pittsburgh; check Amtrak schedules and fares for exact times and prices.
Bus: Local and regional buses (transit providers) serve Cumberland and the surrounding Allegany County; Greyhound and regional carriers may have routes into the area from larger cities, but schedules can be infrequent - plan ahead.
How to Get Around Cumberland#
Train travel (Amtrak) and driving are the most practical ways to reach Cumberland; local buses and taxis cover shorter trips. Cyclists will find excellent trail access with the Great Allegheny Passage.
- Amtrak (Capitol Limited) (Varies by route and booking (economy to sleeper fares)) - Amtrak’s Capitol Limited stops at Cumberland (Cumberland Station) on the route between Washington/Baltimore and Chicago. It’s a comfortable overnight/long-distance option with checked-baggage available on some trains; schedules are fixed so book in advance.
- Regional / intercity bus (Low to moderate (varies)) - Regional bus services connect Cumberland with nearby towns and cities; frequency can be limited, so check timetables in advance. Buses are an economical alternative to driving but often slower and less convenient for luggage.
- Car / rental ($30-$70/day) - Driving is the most flexible way to reach and explore the Cumberland area and the greater Appalachians. Roads are well maintained; a car is useful for day trips to nearby state parks and scenic byways.
- Taxi / rideshare ($5-$60) - Local taxis and rideshare services operate in Cumberland for short trips around town and to/from the train station; rideshares may be limited compared with big cities. Useful for airport transfers when combined with regional airports.
- Biking (Rental varies) - Cumberland is the eastern terminus of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) rail-trail and is very bike-friendly for touring cyclists. Bike rental and repair shops serve trail users in town.
- Walking - Downtown Cumberland is compact and highly walkable; historic sites, eateries and shops are easy to reach on foot. Walking is the best way to enjoy the city’s architecture and riverfront.
Where to Stay in Cumberland#
Near highway strip - $40-90/night
Small motels and budget inns cluster near major roads. Options vary by which Cumberland is meant; double-check state and location before booking.
Central / near downtown - $90-160/night
Chain hotels and comfortable independent properties provide predictable mid-range stays. Good for overnight business or university visits; facilities vary by property.
Historic district or nearby city - $160+/night
True luxury is limited in smaller Cumberlands; expect boutique or historic inns in nearby larger towns rather than five-star hotels in town.
Where to Eat in Cumberland#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Cumberland’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
