Story and photos by Cassandra and Joseph Ellis (unless otherwise indicated)
The lockhouses are located along the C&O Canal and once housed families who were responsible for their part of the lock system to maneuver goods down the canal. Due to the B&O Railroad the canal and its locks were almost obsolete even before they opened, but they were still utilized for nearly 100 years. A major damaging flood closed the locks down and when the National Parks System took over the care of the Canal the lockhouses were in a state of total disrepair. A few of them have been restored and are designed to represent different periods of American history and depict that time within their four walls.
Lockhouse 10
In the 1930s workcamps were established on the Canal to restore it to its previous beauty. These camps exclusively housed African-American youth who were provided housing and education, training and jobs, in exchange for their labor, working alongside members of the Public Works Administration and the National Parks Service they transformed the C&O Canal into the beautiful park it is today.
Built in the 1830s, Lockhouse 10 has been remodeled in a 1930s period style. Located on the Clara Barton Parkway, inside the Beltway, Lockhouse 10 has indoor plumbing, a beautiful kitchen and bathroom, and lovely hardwood floors. This lockhouse can sleep eight comfortably. Experience life on the locks from the screened-in sunporch and enjoy the period pieces in this inviting space.
7906 Riverside Drive, Cabin John, Maryland 10818
Lockhouse 6 – Cabin John
Demonstrating what it was like to live in the 1950s, Lockhouse 6 is a modern structure with all the amenities, including a working indoor bathroom and kitchen, and a private porch. This lockhouse sleeps eight people but you will need to bring your own linens and pillows. Located at mile 5.4 on the Canal come experience the unique living quarters of the past in this well-kept stone house and imagine what it would be like to have lived there 70 years ago.
6100 Clara Barton Parkway, Bethesda, Maryland 20816
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
With newly remodeled rooms, located in the heart of Bethesda, you will be set in indulgent extravagance. The Hyatt offers direct access to the Metro, that can take you anywhere you might want to explore, and is close enough to all that Bethesda has to offer you cannot go wrong in this centrally-located hotel that offers all of the amenities you could want, including an amazing onsite restaurant
7400 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
B&B at Lansdowne Way
A family-run home in Silver Spring, Maryland, B&B Lansdowne Way serves delicious breakfasts and is accommodating to any dietary needs. They offer pleasant, comfortable, well-appointed accommodations. This location is a short walk to the Metro and only one stop away from downtown Silver Spring on the Red Line. Come and go as you please as if this were your own home. The hostess is helpful and can offer many insights about the area. This B&B even comes equipped with its own cat.
2009 Lansdowne Way, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Etta Mae Inn B&B
A lovely old Victorian, off the beaten path but close to everything, including the Metro. A picturesque setting with an opulent garden area. Inside the décor is full of period pieces in each room, the bathrooms are well appointed, with large showers, and there is even a luxurious soaking tub available. Plenty of seating inside, in the gardens, and on the wraparound porch, and an amazing reading room lined with books. The breakfasts are lavish and well prepared. Why stay in a sterile hotel when you can relax in an inviting home.
703 New York Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20910
The Hotel at the University of Maryland
The Hotel offers beautifully styled rooms, studio suites to luxury suites, there is also an option to upgrade to the executive level and indulge in additional amenities, complimentary breakfast, snacks throughout the day, an executive lounge, as well as appetizers at dinnertime. There are also restaurants available onsite to cater to any palate.
7777 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, Maryland 20740
University of Maryland Inn and Conference Center
An ideal location the lovely private rooms make the Inn and Conference Center a perfect spot to stay if you are visiting the university or just traveling through, need a conference room or a luxurious night away. Close to hiking and biking, with plenty of on-site amenities, get a picnic-to-go at Fresh Bites or dine in The Common, the atmosphere is opulent and the food will make you wonder why you would ever cook for yourself.
3501 University Boulevard East, Adelphi, Maryland 20783
Cherry Hill RV Park
From full hook-up RV sites to simple tent sites, cottages (full-sized houses that sleep up to 10 people) and log cabins that are fully equipped with full-sized kitchens and bathrooms and all the amenities of a hotel but close to the out of doors, A/C, wi-fi, covered porches with Adirondack gliders for relaxing in the evening, and included with each space an open firepit. The cherry on the cake, they are pet friendly.
There is also an on-site yurt available for rent, that has electricity and A/C, firepit and grill, and access to a bathhouse and wash station, or try the glamping pod, a bit more rustic than the cabins but with the same charm and access to the bathhouse and wash stations. Cherry Hill Park boasts two pools, a splash park, dog parks, and 18-hole mini golf, a café camp store that makes deliveries to individual sites and a propane truck. Camping has never been so easy.
9800 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, Maryland 20740
