State(s): Maryland
Link: https://www.nps.gov/mono/index.htm
During a recent family visit, we turned the drive into an adventure of its own — weaving in a remarkable string of historic and natural stops along the way. From the storied grounds of Fort Monroe National Monument and the rich colonial history of Colonial National Historical Park, to the Civil War echoes of Richmond National Battlefield Park and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, each stop offered a deeper look into the stories that shaped our nation. We also carved out time for the serene trails of Prince William Forest Park, the hallowed fields of Monocacy National Battlefield, the breathtaking scenery of Ohiopyle State Park, and the historic grounds of Fort Necessity National Battlefield — rounding out the journey with a truly unique visit to First Ladies National Historic Site. It was the kind of road trip that reminds you just how much history and beauty there is to discover, even on the way home.
Info
Monocacy National Battlefield is a preserved Civil War site in Frederick, Maryland, commemorating the Battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864 — often called “the battle that saved Washington.” Union forces under General Lew Wallace were vastly outnumbered by Confederate General Jubal Early’s troops, but their determined stand delayed the Confederate advance long enough for reinforcements to reach the capital. Today, the battlefield features historic structures, interpretive signage, driving tours, walking trails, and a visitor center with a museum and film that bring the story of this pivotal engagement to life.
What We Did
We made the most of our time at Monocacy by completing the driving tour, stopping to explore the historic structures and read the interpretive signs along the way. While we didn’t get the chance to tackle any of the trails, the self-guided drive did a wonderful job of weaving the battle’s story together. The visitor center capped it off perfectly with an impressive video and museum exhibit.
On our way to the next stop, we broke for lunch at Mitch’s Fuel and Food, where we enjoyed a caprese panini, a turkey reuben, and sweet potato fries.
