Vacation Journey: A Victorian Christmas City In Berlin, Maryland
For a fast and wonderful vacation getaway that’s a simple drive from Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia – Berlin, Maryland is a candy little historic city with loads of Christmas attraction that you simply’ll merely fall in love with. Situated simply 9 miles west of the summer season mecca that’s Ocean Metropolis, and voted the winner of Price range Journey’s “America’s Coolest Small City” in 2014, Berlin has confirmed itself a journey vacation spot price visiting that’s simply off the crushed path.
However what’s the draw? With 47 constructions on the Nationwide Historic Register Berlin’s Principal Avenue hasn’t modified a lot during the last 100 years as most of its historic structure and Victorian attraction stays preserved. A stroll down Berlin’s Principal Avenue provides you a sense that you simply’ve simply stepped again in time. And that’s precisely why we adore it. A go to to Berlin is fantastic any time of yr, however throughout the Christmas season, Berlin’s streets come alive with magical lights and decorations that can get you within the vacation spirit. You’ll want to verify the town calendar for the record of ongoing holiday events.
💡 Enjoyable Journey Truth: The charms of Berlin haven’t escaped Hollywood and you’ll have seen it featured on the massive display. Berlin was chosen because the filming location of the 90’s hit romantic comedy “Runaway Bride” starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and was additionally changed into the city known as “Treegap,” full with filth roads, horses and interval costumes for the film Tuck Eternal launched in 2001.
WHAT TO DO IN BERLIN, MD
Extremely preserved, Berlin is crammed with charming retailers, boutiques, artwork galleries, and eating places. Main Street Enchanted Tea Room serves lunch, tea, and pastries on high-quality china, whereas the extremely acclaimed Baked Dessert Cafe is residence to Berlin’s official dessert: the Peach Dumpling. For individuals who love books, try The Greyhound, a brand new little indie bookstore proper on Principal Avenue. It carries internationally acknowledged books whereas staying true to its Maryland and Jap Shore roots selling the skills of native authors.
If antiques are your factor, Berlin’s Principal Avenue is taken into account the vintage capital of the Jap Shore. You possibly can simply spend hours looking out the proper treasures to take residence or give as items. Historical past buffs ought to try The Taylor House Museum for a glimpse into all issues historic in Berlin.
For a enjoyable vacation expertise, go to Berlin on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm by December 23 the place free Christmas carriage rides by city depart from the nook of Pitts and Principal Avenue.
Journey Tip: Film buffs can cease into the Berlin Customer Middle or The Atlantic Resort check-in space for a self-guided strolling tour brochure of film filming areas positioned all through the city.
WHERE TO STAY IN BERLIN, MD
The Atlantic Resort
2 N. Principal St., Berlin, Md.
(410) 641-3589.
atlantichotel.com
Charges: $120-$280
Ideally positioned within the coronary heart of Berlin proper on Principal Avenue lies the placing Atlantic Resort. In-built 1895, the lodge retains a lot of the identical character it did when it first opened over 120 years in the past. The lodge itself has 18 charming and Victorian-style rooms superbly adorned with interval décor layouts starting from cozy to surprisingly spacious. Rooms have full to king-sized beds and lots of with classic clawfoot tubs. For contemporary facilities, every visitor room comes with a flat-screen TV in addition to complimentary on-site Wi-Fi.
One of many suites is full with a full kitchen and washer dryer. In case you favor lodging which might be a bit of extra personal, The Gardner’s Cottage could also be extra your velocity.
The second ground of the lodge the place we stayed has a stunning little parlor good for studying and having fun with a freshly brewed cup of Keurig espresso or tea provided to visitors on a serving desk within the hallway. Every of the lodge guestroom flooring are elevator accessible.
💡 Tip: Love Runaway Bride or perhaps you’re a romantic comedy fan? Ebook room #20 the place Richard Gere stayed whereas filming Runaway Bride. It’s now appropriately known as “The Richard Gere Room.”
However among the best spots on the lodge to sit down and calm down is on its sprawling coated veranda that doesn’t solely must be loved the hotter months. Seize a cup of sizzling chocolate, settle into one in all The Atlantic’s rocking chairs and drape one the complimentary electrical blankets round your self to maintain heat when you admire the Christmas Tree out entrance and watch the world go by. The cool winter air won’t ever really feel so bleak once more. If you get hungry there’s no must go far. Head contained in the lodge to its personal restaurant and bar known as Th Atlantic Resort Bistro Bar that serves Maryland fashion specialties.
In a lodge that has survived over 120 years, it’s no shock that The Atlantic has its fair proportion of ghost tales and stories of paranormal phenomenon most notably the story of little ghost woman has been seen and heard on the second-floor hallway through the years both bouncing a ball or driving her tricycle. Nobody appears to know who she is. Whether or not true or not, we discovered the lodge remarkably snug and had no different worldly experiences ourselves. There’s all the time subsequent time.
WHERE TO EAT IN BERLIN, MD
Atlantic Resort Bistro Bar
2 N. Principal St., Berlin, MD
(410) 641-3589.
AtlanticHotel.com
Even in case you’re not staying in a single day, the Atlantic Resort Bistro Bar is an excellent strategy to expertise the lodge and its pleasant hospitality. And the way can I neglect the meals? Open for lunch and dinner, the Atlantic Resort Bistro Bar is a full-service restaurant and bar serving American classics with a nod to native Maryland fare. Don’t miss their completely ready Caesar Salad topped with crispy and recent fried oysters. For dessert, you possibly can’t depart with out attempting a slice of their domestically well-known Lemon Lust that’s certainly luscious. A candy, tart and creamy lemon filling is piled excessive over a pecan shortbread crust and topped with whipped cream and garnished with lime and lemon zest. It’s pure heaven.
💡 Tip: Seize a seat within the enclosed glass room of the Atlantic Resort Bistro Bar for an incredible view of Principal Avenue.
Blacksmith Bar & Restaurant
104 Pitts St, Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 973-2102
blacksmithberlin.com
Our first official meal in Berlin was at Blacksmith, a country stylish gastro-pub fashion restaurant serving Farm-to-Desk American fashion meals alongside a pleasant number of native Jap Shore beers and an incredible cocktail menu. Their empanada with slow-cooked beef and their crab muffins have been each excellent. And the show-stopper? The Fried Banana Cheesecake. Recent bananas and a cheesecake filling are wrapped in a wonton-like pastry after which deep fried. As if that isn’t decadent sufficient it’s drizzled with caramel sauce, toasted coconut flakes and a splash of whipped cream earlier than serving. Value each single calorie. Cease in for his or her tremendous completely happy hour.
Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain & Grill
10 N Principal St, Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 641-2131
raynesreef.com
Situated on the adjoining nook to The Atlantic Resort, Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain & Grill is the quintessential old school soda store. Come right here for the burgers, keep for the burgers and are available again once more for the burgers. Juicy on the within and completely charred on the surface, the burgers right here steal the present. In case you want a candy, attempt one in all their old school ice-cream sundaes, malts or sodas. Even in case you’re not within the temper for a burger you’ll discover it laborious to withstand the scrumptious aromas coming off the grill as you stroll by. We couldn’t. Rayne’s can also be open for breakfast every day from 8 am to five pm.
The Globe
12 Broad St, Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 641-0784
globeberlin.com
Proper subsequent door to the Atlantic Resort is The Globe, a restaurant serving American specialties in a renovated 100-year-old constructing that first started as Berlin’s personal Outdated Globe Theater. Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, The Globe is a well-liked informal eating spot on the town that isn’t only for consuming. It additionally hosts its personal Ebook Membership, Homicide Thriller Dinners and musical acts all year long. On the evening we visited, there was a screening of A Charlie Brown Christmas enjoying on the Globe’s massive film display to ring in some Christmas cheer. Don’t miss their out-of-this-world-best-I’ve-ever-had Cream of Crab Soup served in a mug and topped with a mound of lump crab. It’s critically divine. The nice and cozy Snickers bread pudding was a sinfully decadent deal with that warmed our bones earlier than stepping out into the chilly. In case you go to, you’ll want to try the second-floor artwork gallery that has native artists on show.
WHERE TO PARK IN BERLIN, MD
The City of Berlin, Maryland presents free parking to all its guests on Principal Avenue and in 6 public parking tons positioned round city. Click here for a map. Company staying on the Atlantic Resort are in a position to park behind the lodge constructing for no cost as effectively.
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