Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland cleaned house during the 14th Annual Best of the Blue Ridge Awards, with 11 Mountain Maryland businesses, events, and experiences taking home titles in the February 2024 Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine issue.
Touted as the most iconic and well-known outdoor awards in the Southeast, it’s an honor to have so many of our hard-working businesses and organizations recognized at this level. While you’re out exploring, be sure to add these to your itinerary.
Mandela and Jamie Echefu in their retail location on Baltimore Street in Cumberland, MD.
We are especially proud of Wheelzup Adventures for placing first as the Best Bike Shop in the Blue Ridge. Mandela and Jamie Echefu are truly a dynamic duo, leading the charge for access, knowledge and community built around outdoor recreation in Mountain Maryland. With two retail locations - one an outdoor apparel and gear retail shop and the other an outfitting post for cycling, water sports, climbing, and more - Wheelzup Adventures is a must-stop location to suit up for your next mountain expedition. Plus, Wheelzup Adventures serves as the adventure outfitter with a mobile set-up in the summertime at Rocky Gap Casino Resort/Rocky Gap State Park.
Great Allegheny Passage trail in the fall.
Runner-Up awards went to ten other Mountain Maryland businesses, events, and experiences, including the destination itself, Allegany County, MD, as the Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family in the Blue Ridge. It’s no surprise that some of our favorite recreation assets took home runner-up awards:
- Great Allegheny Passage - Best Bike Trail
- C&O Canal National Historical Park - Best ADA Outdoor Experience
- Rocky Gap State Park - Best Campground.
Tracks and Yaks rail biking excursion out of Frostburg, MD.
And if you’re looking for specific activities in the outdoors, check out our runner-up attractions:
- Tracks and Yaks - Best Kid-Friendly Adventure
- Locust Post Disc Golf Course - Best Disc Golf Course.
A group of friends enjoying brews on the Mountain Maryland Tap and Pour Tour.
Fuel a day of exploration with runner-up Basecamp Coffee - Best Coffee Shop, and finish the day on the Mountain Maryland Tap and Pour Tour - runner-up for Best Beer/Wine/Spirits Trail, with Charis Winery - runner-up for Best Winery, as a must-stop along the trail.
Check out our awards plus many more in the February issue of the Blue Ridge Magazine.
The trail starts here.
