Westminster: History, Art and Hiking

Westminster offers a variety of ways to shape a trip: historic downtown, themed walking tours, performing arts, a seasonal outdoor farmers market and hiking opportunities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Westminster, you can first consider what you’d like to focus on during your trip. The historic attractions highlight events and architecture; the festival and market take place at specific times, while two hiking options offer a different focus.

Historic Sites and a Specific Event

Downtown Westminster is within a National Historic District. On June 29, 1863, a skirmish took place in Westminster between elements of the Union First Delaware Cavalry and the cavalry division of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under Major General J. E. B. Stuart. Corbit's Charge commemorates the skirmish; the Corbit's Charge Walking Tour retraces it. You can therefore choose between a designated historic downtown and a walking tour focused on a specific skirmish.

Choose Walking Tours Based on Your Interests

There are two other walking tours for exploring sites and architecture. The Courthouse Square Walking Tour passes the exterior facades of ten sites, including the historic jail, the original Carroll County Courthouse and Ascension Church. The Westward Expansion Walking Tour takes in the exterior facades of 31 sites west of the original town of Westminster. When choosing, you might consider whether to focus on a specific skirmish, named historic buildings or the larger number of sites west of the original town.

Festival, Market and Performing Arts

The Westminster Flower and Jazz Festival takes place annually in historic downtown Westminster. Dates and programming may change; if you’re planning your travel dates around it, check both before making plans. Downtown also has a seasonal outdoor farmers market, where only producers sell their goods. The timing is different for each: the festival depends on the specific event date, while the market runs during a season. Check the two separately if you’re traveling to Westminster for either of these offerings. The Carroll Arts Center serves as a performing arts venue. It adds a distinct cultural focus to the historic walking tours.

Hiking in Westminster

If you’re planning to go hiking, there are two different options. Westminster has an approximately two-mile hiking trail from Uniontown Road to Long Valley Road. The approximate length and named endpoints give you a general idea of how to fit this trail into your travel plans. Wakefield Valley Park also offers hiking opportunities; the park is still being developed. If you’re planning to include the park in your stay, check its current status before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Sykesville, Taneytown, Hampstead

For the broader travel overview: Carroll County.