Capital Region

Venture into Montgomery County located in the heart of the Capital Region and discover yet again, a plethora of communities dotted with antique shops. Or visit the bike and hike haven, C&O Canal National Historic Park, featuring the impressive Great Falls. Museums abound including the Gaithersburg Heritage Museum, a 19th century railroad station and the Sandy Spring Slavery Museum. There is also an antique streetcar collection at the National Capital Trolley Museum. Recall the beginnings of the American Red Cross where its founder, Clara Barton is memorialized at Glen Echo.

The southern segment of Capital Region falls within Prince George's County whose deep Colonial and Federal Roots lie just east of Washington, D.C. This area boasts the nation's best aviation and aerospace attractions. College Park Airport is arguably second only to Kitty Hawk for its aviation role during the early 1900s. Then there's Andrews Air Force Base, which is the base station for Air Force One, the President's plane. If you visit during their annual open house, expect crowds and excitement. It is at this time when the Navy's Blue Angles and the Army's Golden Nights display precision skill. Prince George County is also home to NASA/Goddard Space Flight Visitor Center in Greenbelt where state-of-the-art satellite communications are at work. If you have a passion for the early years of aviation, you will want to visit Suitland's Airmen Memorial Museum. Another memorable museum, not about aviation, but about the Civil War, is Surratt House Museum. It was this modest 1852 home and tavern that John Wilkes Booth stopped while fleeing capture after assassinating President Lincoln. Within footsteps of the nation's capital lies Fort Washington where lovely photographic opportunities wait. The dense population attracts large commercial enterprises including Six Flags America theme park, Rosecroft Raceway, and the Washington Redskins football team.

Attractions - As populated as the Capital Region of Maryland may be, outdoor enthusiasts can find quiet woodlands and placid waterways abundant with wildlife. The region is home to such getaways as Catoctin Mountain National Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Gambrill State Park, Seneca Creek State Park, Rosaryville State Park and Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitors Center. Literally thousands of acres of hiking and biking opportunities are available. Incidentally, the Capital Region is home of the presidential retreat, Camp David, named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower's nephew.

Recreation - Recreations found in the Capital Region include hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and visiting historic sites, homesteads and countless museums. Antiquing at quaint rustic shops or fabulous sophisticated galleries bring the past to life in Frederick County, Prince George's County, and Montgomery County.

Climate - Maryland has four distinct seasons with spring and fall being particularly pleasant with low humidity and mild temperatures. The average January temperature ranges between 30 and 34 degrees F (-1 to 1 C) with July averages ranging between 74 degrees F and 80 degrees F. Typically, coastal temperatures are slightly warmer then the western Appalachian Plateau area. Travelers should be aware that winters can become miserably cold and summers can be hazy, hot and humid with afternoon thundershowers.

Location - The Capital Region begins along the Pennsylvania border and rolls down through the piedmont, past Washington, D.C., into the Atlantic Coastal Plain.