Fall images available upon request.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Allegany County Office of Tourism
701 Kelly Road
Cumberland, MD 21502
aworkman@alleganygov.org
www.mdmountainside.com
Allegany County Earns Fourth Consecutive USA Today 10Best Nomination as a
"Best Place to Visit for Fall"
National recognition continues as Mountain Maryland competes among America's top autumn destinations
August 11, 2026 - CUMBERLAND, MD – Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, has once again been nominated by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards as one of the nation's Best Places to Visit for Fall. The 2026 nomination marks the fourth consecutive year the destination has been recognized among the country's premier fall travel destinations.
Public voting is now open at 10Best.com and continues through Monday, September 16. Winners will be announced later this fall.
"Receiving this recognition for the fourth consecutive year is an incredible honor and speaks to what makes Allegany County such a special place to experience autumn," said Ashli Workman, Director of Tourism. "From vibrant mountain landscapes and nationally recognized trails to historic downtowns, scenic train rides, and unforgettable seasonal events, fall truly comes alive here. We're proud to represent Maryland on a national stage and invite everyone to cast their vote."
Each autumn, Allegany County transforms into one of the Mid-Atlantic's most picturesque destinations. Visitors can experience brilliant fall foliage along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath, explore scenic Maryland byways, ride the rails, discover more than 70,000 acres of public lands, and enjoy the charm of the historic trail towns of Cumberland and Frostburg. Seasonal festivals, outdoor recreation, boutique shopping, locally owned restaurants, breweries, and cozy accommodations complete the perfect fall getaway.
USA Today's travel editors, together with a panel of travel experts, selected 20 destinations from across the country for this year's competition. Allegany County joins an elite group of nationally recognized fall destinations, further solidifying its reputation as one of America's premier places to experience the season.
The nomination continues a remarkable streak of national recognition for Allegany County and its tourism partners through the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, including honors for:
- Best Historic Small Town – Cumberland, MD
- Best Outdoor Concert Series – Levitt AMP Cumberland Music Series
- Best Recreational Trail – Great Allegheny Passage
- Best Scenic Train Ride – Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
- Best Small College Town – Frostburg, MD
- Best Small-Town Museum - Allegany Museum
Supporters can vote once per day throughout the contest by visiting 10Best.com. Every vote helps showcase Mountain Maryland to travelers across the nation.
For more information about planning a fall getaway to Allegany County, visit www.mdmountainside.com.
Allegany County Tourism
Allegany County Tourism is the official tourism office for Allegany County, Maryland. Allegany County Tourism enhances the quality of life in Allegany County, Maryland, and strengthens destination awareness through promotion, development, and services that attract visitors to stay longer and spend more in our community. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging options, and community events can be found at www.mdmountainside.com. Tourism supports 3,600 jobs in Allegany County, generating $202 million in visitor spending and $50 million in tourism tax revenues annually. Source: Tourism Economics