The warmer weather makes it the ideal time for a summer road trip from Rockville, MD. Hop in your Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Compass, or RAM 1500, hit the road, and discover some of the most fabulous and unique places while traveling in Maryland. 1. The Eerie Ghost Town of Daniels Take a 40-minute drive out to Daniels Road in Ellicott City to visit the remains of Daniels, a romantic ghost town slowly fading away into the forest. Once a small industrial town, vines and weeds now cover the few remaining stone ruins and rusted cars of what was once known as Elysville, a booming town on the Patapsco River established in 1810 by Thomas Ely when he built his textile mill here. By the 20th century, the little town had a church, a school, various stores, and a railroad station. After the textile mill closed in the late 1960s, many residents left. Then storm Agnes flooded the town in 1972, destroying many of the buildings, and it was abandoned entirely. Peeking out between the trees, you can still see remnants of the Pentecostal Holiness Church and Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church with its small graveyard. more 2. The Enchanted Forest Pine Tree Maze at Elioak Farm Drive down Route 108 west towards Clarksville to Martha and Nora Clark's 540-acre farm to see an unusual and delightful collection of vintage structures from a defunct storybook roadside amusement park. The Clarks salvaged, repaired, and painted most of the figures and storybook buildings of what was once a famous Maryland amusement park, The Enchanted Forest. Navigate your way through the twists and turns of The Enchanted Forest Pine Tree Maze and discover colorful storybook figures. Bump into Cinderella's pumpkin coach, the six mice, gingerbread men, Mother Goose and her gosling, Papa Bear, and giant mushrooms between the pines. Elioak Farm is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, the farm closes at 5:30 p.m. 3. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Take a trip to Oxon Hill and drive over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge that spans the Potomac River to Alexandria in Virginia. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge has two long multiple-span bascule drawbridges, each with six lanes. It is the only bridge in the country that passes through three different jurisdictions, connecting Oxon Hill, Maryland, on the eastern end to Alexandria, Virginia, on the western end. For approximately 300 feet, around the middle, the bridge passes over the southernmost point of our nation's capital. It's a great summer drive, not only for the view of the Potomac River but also for a bit of interesting Americana. 4. The Crystal Grottoes Cavern Head to Boonsboro for a unique cave experience at Crystal Grottoes Cavern, which has more formations per square foot than any other cave in the world. The caverns were discovered in 1920 while quarrying for limestone to build State Route 34 and opened to the public in 1922. The friendly and knowledgeable guides will tell you all about this well-preserved, beautiful natural phenomenon. The great thing about visiting the cavern in summer, it's constantly cool at 54 degrees throughout the year. Crystal Grottoes Cavern is at 19821 Shepherdstown Pike in Boonsboro. Ready for a Road Trip? Get a Service at Our Rockville Service Department Take a trip down Maryland's highways and byways and discover magical destinations along the way. Before you hit the road, stop at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Rockville today for a thorough inspection and service for your car.
