Looking for historic charm, scenic drives, and spiritual landmarks? Visit Emmitsburg! Nestled at the base of the Catoctin Mountains near the Pennsylvania border, Emmitsburg offers a peaceful small-town feel with deep historical roots and religious significance. It’s a great day trip or weekend escape from the Mid-Atlantic cities.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Emmitsburg is from spring through fall (April through October). The weather is perfect for exploring mountain trails, historic sites, and enjoying the surrounding countryside. Fall also brings beautiful foliage across northern Maryland.
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: Emmitsburg is located on US-15, about 90 minutes from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and just 20 minutes from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
- By Air: The nearest major airport is Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), about 1.5 hours away. Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) is also nearby.
- By Train: There is no train station in Emmitsburg. The closest Amtrak stops are in Frederick, MD or Harrisburg, PA, with car rentals or rideshares recommended from there.
Where to Stay
- Sleep Inn & Suites Emmitsburg – Comfortable and convenient hotel with free breakfast and easy access to downtown and Route 15.
- Historic Inns and B&Bs Nearby – Consider charming options in Thurmont or Gettysburg for a more intimate stay with scenic surroundings.
- Retreat Centers – The National Shrine and nearby religious institutions sometimes offer overnight accommodations for spiritual retreats.
Top Attractions
⮕ Find Peace and Reflection at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
The National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is a stunning Catholic national shrine that showcases one of the oldest replicas of France's Lourdes shrine in America, constructed in the 1870s following the apparition of Mary at Lourdes in 1858.
The shrine, which is devoted to Our Blessed Mother Mary, is a top pilgrimage site for Catholic visitors throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, offering opportunities for meditation and contemplation.
It is located on beautiful forested grounds and showcases gorgeous attractions such as the Grotto of Lourdes Cave, a replica constructed in 1875 offering opportunities for prayer and candle lighting.
Visitors can also explore the shrine's beautiful Mother Teresa Garden, view its 95-foot Pangborn Memorial Campanile tower, or shop at the shrine's visitor center gift shop for religious items and memorabilia.
16330 Grotto Rd, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, Phone: 301-447-5318
⮕ Honor a Saint's Legacy at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a lovely religious basilica and shrine paying tribute to the life and career of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the United States' first native-born citizen to be canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
The basilica, which has been designated as a National Shrine, honors Seton's journey from teacher in Baltimore to Founder of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, the United States' first free girls' Catholic school.
Today, visitors can explore the shrine's complex throughout the week, located at the site of two former residences connected to the school. Its grounds also include a basilica, cemetery, museum, and mortuary chapel that once housed Seton's remains. Several annual pilgrimage events are hosted at the shrine each year, including an annual event honoring all Catholic women nationwide named Elizabeth.
339 S Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, Phone: 301-447-6606
⮕ Pay Tribute to Heroes at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is the official national memorial honoring fallen United States firefighters, including both career and volunteer firefighters.
The memorial, which is located on the campus of the National Fire Academy, was constructed in 1981 and is intended as a tribute to American fire service. Visitors can view the memorial and see the names of fallen firefighters from around the country, listed on plaques that encircle its plaza area.
Flags are flown at half-staff in honor of fallen firefighters whenever deaths on the job are notified to the memorial's overseeing organization.
Each October, a National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is held on the memorial's grounds, honoring fallen firefighters from around the nation with a candlelight vigil and memorial service.
S Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, Phone: 301-447-1365
⮕ Discover Firefighting History at the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Museum
Frederick County Fire and Rescue Museum preserves the history of the Frederick County area's tradition of fire and rescue service, displayed within a lovely museum space in Emmitsburg.
The museum traces the region's firefighting traditions back as far as the 18th century, when the City of Frederick purchased its first fire engine for fire service. Historic artifacts, pictures, and equipment tell the story of firefighting service in the region and elaborate on how firefighting practices have evolved over the course of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
Visitors can view featured exhibits such as the museum's Old Lady hand tub pumper, constructed in 1848 for the Mechanical Fire Company No.1 of Baltimore, which was recently restored to pumping condition as part of the commemoration of the 1861 Frederick County Courthouse Fire.
300-b S Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Where to Eat
⮕ Dine in Historic Elegance at the Carriage House Inn
Carriage House Inn is an award-winning restaurant in historic Emmitsburg, nestled within the foothills of the gorgeous Catoctin Mountains. The National Register of Historic Places-listed restaurant, which is located just minutes from the Civil War attractions of Gettysburg, showcases romantic ambiance and rustic country decor, with a cozy fireplace offered to keep diners warm. Its dining space, which was constructed in around 1957, formerly served as the Zimmerman and Maxwell Feed and Grain Warehouse. Since the 1980s, it has served up delicious gourmet American fare, including favorites such as veal Oscar, blue crab rainbow trout, prime rib au jus, and Maryland-style jumbo lump crab cakes. Gourmet sandwiches are also served up, including turkey reubens and fried haddock sandwiches with homemade tartar sauce.
200 S Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, Phone: 301-447-2366
⮕ Feast on Maryland Seafood Favorites at Rube's Crab Shack
Rube's Crab Shack is a delicious seafood dining destination located within the heart of the Catoctin Mountains, known for its fresh steamed seafood entrees showcasing the best catches of the Chesapeake Bay region. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining experiences throughout the year at affordable prices, making it a great choice for diners looking for authentic regional cuisine on a budget. Diners can enjoy excellent entree selections like hand-dipped fried oysters, steak and crab leg platters, Maryland jumbo lump crab cakes, and seafood platters showcasing favorites like fish filets, scallops, and fried shrimp. American-style fare such as pizzas and chicken entrees are also on the menu, along with delectable shareable appetizers like fried dill pickles, cheesy bacon fries, and crab-topped pretzels.
17308 N Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, Phone: 301-447-4116
Be sure to check out the parks in Emmitsburg.
Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:
- Mount St. Mary’s University & Grotto – Visit this Catholic liberal arts college and its serene National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on the mountainside.
- Emmitsburg Antique Mall – Browse unique finds and collectibles from over 30 dealers in a charming small-town setting.
- Community Park – Enjoy open space, walking trails, sports courts, and picnic areas right in town.
- Emmitsburg Trail System – Hike or bike scenic trails just outside town with views of the Catoctin foothills.
If you are interested in local events:
- Seton Shrine Candlelight Tours (December) – Special holiday tours of the historic grounds decorated for Christmas.
- Mount St. Mary’s Homecoming & Family Weekend (Fall) – Community events, food, and sports during the college’s biggest celebration weekend.
- Community Heritage Day (Late June) – A family-friendly celebration with a parade, music, games, and fireworks in the park.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Emmitsburg, Maryland:
- Gettysburg, PA (20 min) – Tour Civil War battlefields, museums, shops, and historic downtown.
- Thurmont (15–20 min) – Explore the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, local wineries, and Catoctin Mountain Park.
- Frederick, MD (30 min) – Discover vibrant downtown with boutiques, breweries, and art galleries.
- Cunningham Falls State Park (25 min) – Hike forest trails, see Maryland’s largest waterfall, or enjoy lake swimming and picnicking.
- Taneytown (20–25 min) – Visit Antrim 1844 for fine dining or stroll through this quiet Carroll County town.
FAQ:
- Where is Emmitsburg located?
- Emmitsburg is a lovely town in Frederick County, Maryland, located just south of the historic Mason-Dixon line.
- The Mason-Dixon line separates Maryland and Pennsylvania and historically served as the dividing line between Union and Confederate states during the Civil War.
- What is Emmitsburg best known for?
- The town is best known as the home of Mount St. Mary's University, which features the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, honoring Catholic religious tradition.
- What religious sites can visitors explore in Emmitsburg?
- Emmitsburg is home to the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, which honors the first U.S.-born individual to be canonized as a saint in the Catholic tradition.
- The shrine is considered one of the nation’s top Catholic pilgrimage sites.
- Are there any Civil War attractions near Emmitsburg?
- Yes! Just across the Pennsylvania border, visitors can easily explore the Civil War attractions of Gettysburg, which are within a short driving distance.
Plan Your Trip