15 Best Things to Do in Mount Airy, MD

June 8, 2020 - Updated

Set on the border between the Carroll and Frederick counties, Mount Airy is a small Maryland town surrounded by some of the state's most beautiful countryside. Beer and wine lovers will appreciate the opportunity to visit the area's many wineries and craft breweries, some of which grow their own grapes or hops, and the town's rural nature also means that you can enjoy farm-fresh ice cream and pick your own pumpkins or apples during the fall. If you'd rather stay in town, you can visit one of the excellent restaurants, play an escape room game, or attend a class at Firehouse Pottery & Arts.

1.Linganore Winecellars

Sitting on a 230-acre family estate in the countryside just outside Mount Airy, Linganore Winecellars is a family-operated winery and vineyard that has been making high-quality wine since 1976. The winery produces more than 30 different types of wines, including both sweet and dry reds and whites, and a handful of their wines are estate bottled. Fruit wines and honey wines are also available for anyone who wants something a little different. The winery is open seven days a week except for select holidays, and complimentary guided tours are offered several times a day. Wine tastings always available during opening hours.

13601 Glissans Mill Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-831-5889

2.Gaver Farm

A welcoming family farm that was established in 1978, Gaver Farm is the perfect place to go for some good old-fashioned fun between September and December. Their opening season kicks off with the Fall Fun Festival at the beginning of September, which features a corn maze, a petting zoo, and plenty of kids' game. U-Pick pumpkins and apples are available as soon as they're in season, and complimentary hayrides are offered on weekends. Between November 29th and December 23rd, the farm also sells Christmas trees, and customers can choose from the pre-cut selection or head out into the field to cut their own.

5501 Detrick Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-865-3515

3.Black Ankle Vineyards

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Black Ankle Vineyards is a beautiful winery with one of the best tasting rooms in the Mount Airy area. Visitors can participate in a guided tasting at the bar or order a wine flight to enjoy at a table, and complimentary tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Guests can also purchase wine by the glass or by the bottle to enjoy right on the winery's beautiful property, and if you want to have a picnic, you're welcome to bring your own food or order some meat, cheese, and bread in the tasting room.

14463 Black Ankle Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-829-3338

4.Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm

Situated on a small 47-acre property in the Maryland countryside, the Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm serves a rotating selection of six beers, all of which are made with hops grown right on the farm. A small selection of local cheeses, meats, and other snacks are available for purchase, but visitors are also welcome to bring their own food to enjoy on-site. Outside alcohol is not permitted, but sparkling wine is available on tap. The brewery is open Thursday through Sunday, and it often hosts special events like live music, buck-a-shuck oyster nights, and special appearances by local food trucks.

8253 Dollyhyde Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-829-6950

5.MISCellaneous Distillery

Owned and operated by a husband and wife duo, MISCellaneous Distillery is known for its award-winning spirits, many of which are made with grains grown right in Carroll County. Visitors are welcome to come take a tour of the 2,000-square-foot facility where the spirits are made, and there's also a small tasting room where visitors can sample the spirits free of charge. In a unique twist, you can also get behind the bar and make a DIY cocktail. Hours vary according to the season, but tours can often be arranged by appointment outside of opening hours.

114 S Main St b103, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 240-394-6472

6.Elk Run Vineyards

Widely recognized as one of the best wineries on the East Coast, Elk Run Vineyards produces high-quality wine using a combination of old and new practices. The tasting room is open six days a week, and the staff are happy to suggest wines based on your preferences. Complimentary tours of the wine-making facility are offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and if you have a group of ten or more people, you can also arrange to do a special tour with a wine and cheese tasting. Tented outdoor picnic areas are available year-round, and live music is played on weekends between May and October.

15113 Liberty Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 410-775-2513

7.Red Shedman Farm Brewery and Hop Yard

Located on the same property as Linganore Winecellars, the Red Shedman Farm Brewery and Hop Yard produces a wide range of craft beers, including everything from seasonally inspired fruity brews to barrel aged stouts. Customers are welcome to stop by the brewery to sample whatever brews are on tap at the moment; the tasting room features big screen TVs and a small food menu, and beer can be purchased in cans and growlers to take home. The brewery is open Wednesday through Sunday, and tours are available by request, although it's best to call in advance to ensure your group can be accommodated.

13601 Glissans Mill Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-831-5889

8.Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary

Formerly a private farm, the Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary is a 129-acre property that was donated to a local conservation society in the 1990s. More than 155 different species of birds have been spotted here, and visitors might also see spotted turtles in the marsh and butterflies flitting around in the fields. Approximately half the property is covered with well-maintained trails, and guided wildlife walks are held every other month. The sanctuary is open to the public year-round, but annual highlights include the spring and fall bird migrations, the monarch butterfly tagging in September, and the native plant sale in April.

13030 Old Annapolis Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-514-5419

9.Woodbourne Creamery at Rock Hill Orchard

Home to a herd of pasture-raised Golden Guernsey cows, the Woodbourne Creamery at Rock Hill Orchard makes some of the best farm-fresh ice cream in Maryland. All the ice cream is made right on the farm using seasonal ingredients whenever possible, and it can be purchased by the cone or by the pint in their charming farm market, which also sells fresh milk, honey, local produce, and sometimes even homemade pies. Visitors can pick their own herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables starting in June, and in September and October, there are fun weekend activities like a corn maze, hayrides, and a pumpkin cannon.

28600 Ridge Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-831-7427

10.Enter Exit Escape

One of the most highly rated escape room venues in Maryland, Enter Exit Escape offers exciting, immersive adventures for people of all ages. There are four separate adventures to choose from; the experiences range in difficulty and can accommodate a maximum of 6, 8, or 10 people, and the staff are always happy to advise which adventure would be best suited to you or your group. Larger groups can book an entire room to themselves, but there's also an option to book individually, in which case you might be put with some teammates you haven't met before.

1902 Back Acre Cir, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-703-5258

11.The Links at Challedon

Boasting 18 beautiful holes with large greens and water features, the Links at Challedon is a par-72 public golf course suitable for golfers of all abilities. Personalized lessons are available for beginners and experienced golfers alike, and the course also has an excellent practice area with a putting green, a driving range, and a chipping green with a practice sand trap. At the 18th hole, golfers will find a welcoming restaurant and bar that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you're planning a private event, you can also consider booking the clubhouse, which has a private dining room for up to 50 people.

6166 Challedon Cir, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-829-3000

12.Firehouse Pottery & Arts

If you're looking for an easy way to get your creative juices flowing, Firehouse Pottery & Arts is the perfect place to go and make a beautiful piece of artwork. The studio offers paint your own pottery classes, glass fusing workshops, and lessons in painting on canvas, and depending on the month, you might even be lucky enough to participate in one of the seasonal themed art-making nights or painting parties. The space can also be booked for children's birthday parties, bridal showers, and other special events, and for the grown-ups, there are often sip and paint classes in the evenings.

116 S Main St, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-829-1665

13.CarterQue Barbeque & Grilling Co.

CarterQue Barbeque & Grilling Co. started out as a group of friends with a passion for competing in barbecue cooking contests, but it's now a cozy restaurant that specializes in Maryland style BBQ. The menu offers a variety of different meats to choose from, including beef, chicken, pork, and seafood, and many of the dishes have the option to pick one of their award-winning sauces, which can also be purchased by the bottle to take home. The signature meat platters are probably what the restaurant is best known for, but other options include salads, sandwiches, burgers, and stuffed potatoes.

1310 S Main St, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-829-2222

14.The Mt. Airy Tavern

With its diverse menu and its inviting atmosphere, the Mt. Airy Tavern is a great choice for everything from grabbing a quick drink to enjoying a sit-down meal with your family. The culinary team takes pride in sourcing their ingredients locally and making things from scratch whenever possible, and this is reflected in the regular menu as well as in the creative lunch and dinner specials that are offered each week. Happy hour drink specials are available on Sundays and weekday afternoons, and happy hour food specials are offered at the bar on weekdays between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

1001 Twin Arch Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-829-3212

15.Mamma Angela

Established by an Italian immigrant with a love for good food, Mamma Angela makes all its dishes according to traditional Sicilian and Italian recipes that have been passed down through the family for generations. The pizza dough and sauce are always made from scratch in-house, and although they might be the dish of which the restaurant is most proud, you can also order toasted subs, baked pasta dishes, and all sorts of chicken, meat, and seafood entrees. The restaurant is open seven days a week, and lunch specials are offered every day until 3 p.m.

5 Ridgeside Ct, Mt Airy, MD 21771, Phone: 301-829-1575