Holiday Travel: A Victorian Christmas Town In Berlin, Maryland

For a fast and beautiful vacation getaway that’s a straightforward drive from Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia – Berlin, Maryland is a candy little historic city with loads of Christmas allure that you just’ll merely fall in love with. Situated simply 9 miles west of the summer time 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 value visiting that’s simply off the overwhelmed path.

However what’s the draw? With 47 constructions on the Nationwide Historic Register Berlin’s Most important Road hasn’t modified a lot during the last 100 years as most of its historic structure and Victorian allure stays preserved. A stroll down Berlin’s Most important Road provides you a sense that you just’ve simply stepped again in time. And that’s precisely why we find it irresistible. A go to to Berlin is fantastic any time of 12 months, however throughout the Christmas season, Berlin’s streets come alive with magical lights and decorations that can get you within the vacation spirit. Remember to examine the city calendar for the record of ongoing vacation occasions.

 ? Enjoyable Journey Reality: The charms of Berlin haven’t escaped Hollywood and you might have seen it featured on the large display screen. 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 grime roads, horses and interval costumes for the film Tuck Eternal launched in 2001.

WHAT TO DO IN BERLIN, MD

Extremely preserved, Berlin is full of charming retailers, boutiques, artwork galleries, and eating places. Most important Road Enchanted Tea Room serves lunch, tea, and pastries on advantageous china, whereas the extremely acclaimed Baked Dessert Cafe is house to Berlin’s official dessert: the Peach Dumpling. For individuals who love books, try The Greyhound, a brand new little indie bookstore proper on Most important Road. 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 Most important Road is taken into account the vintage capital of the Jap Shore. You may simply spend hours looking out the proper treasures to take house or give as presents. Historical past buffs ought to try The Taylor Home 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 means of December 23 the place free Christmas carriage rides by means of city depart from the nook of Pitts and Most important Road.

Journey Tip: Film buffs can cease into the Berlin Customer Middle or The Atlantic Lodge check-in space for a self-guided strolling tour brochure of film filming areas situated all through the city. 

WHERE TO STAY IN BERLIN, MD

The Atlantic Lodge
2 N. Most important St., Berlin, Md.
(410) 641-3589.
atlantichotel.com
Charges: $120-$280

Ideally situated within the coronary heart of Berlin proper on Most important Road lies the hanging  Atlantic Lodge. In-built 1895, the resort retains a lot of the identical character it did when it first opened over 120 years in the past. The resort itself has 18 charming and Victorian-style rooms fantastically embellished 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. For those who want lodging which might be just a little extra non-public, The Gardner’s Cottage could also be extra your pace.

The second ground of the resort 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 supplied to visitors on a serving desk within the hallway. Every of the resort guestroom flooring are elevator accessible.

 ? Tip: Love Runaway Bride or possibly you’re a romantic comedy fan? Guide room #20 the place Richard Gere stayed whereas filming Runaway Bride. It’s now appropriately known as “The Richard Gere Room.”

However among the finest spots on the resort to take a seat and loosen up is on its sprawling lined veranda that doesn’t solely have to be loved the hotter months. Seize a cup of scorching 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. Once you get hungry there’s no must go far. Head contained in the resort to its personal restaurant and bar known as Th Atlantic Lodge Bistro Bar that serves Maryland type specialties.

In a resort that has survived over 120 years, it’s no shock that The Atlantic has its fair proportion of ghost tales and studies 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 using her tricycle. Nobody appears to know who she is. Whether or not true or not, we discovered the resort remarkably snug and had no different worldly experiences ourselves. There’s all the time subsequent time.

WHERE TO EAT IN BERLIN, MD

Atlantic Lodge Bistro Bar 
2 N. Most important St., Berlin, MD
(410) 641-3589.
AtlanticHotel.com

Even for those who’re not staying in a single day, the Atlantic Lodge Bistro Bar is an excellent technique to expertise the resort and its pleasant hospitality. And the way can I overlook the meals? Open for lunch and dinner, the Atlantic Lodge 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 may’t go away with out making an attempt 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 Lodge Bistro Bar for a fantastic view of Most important Road.

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 type restaurant serving Farm-to-Desk American type meals alongside a pleasant collection of native Jap Shore beers and a fantastic cocktail menu. Their empanada with slow-cooked beef and their crab truffles have been each excellent. And the show-stopper? The Fried Banana Cheesecake. Contemporary 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 touch of whipped cream earlier than serving. Price each single calorie. Cease in for his or her tremendous joyful hour.

Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain & Grill
10 N Most important St, Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 641-2131
raynesreef.com

Situated on the adjoining nook to The Atlantic Lodge, Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain & Grill is the quintessential old style 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. For those who want a candy, attempt one in all their old style ice-cream sundaes, malts or sodas. Even for those who’re not within the temper for a burger you’ll discover it exhausting to withstand the scrumptious aromas coming off the grill as you stroll by. We couldn’t. Rayne’s can also be open for breakfast each 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 Lodge is The Globe, a restaurant serving American specialties in a renovated 100-year-old constructing that first started as Berlin’s personal Previous 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 Guide Membership, Homicide Thriller Dinners and musical acts all year long. On the evening we visited, there was a screening of A Charlie Brown Christmas taking part in on the Globe’s massive film display screen 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 significantly 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. For those who go to, make sure 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 Most important Road and in 6 public parking tons situated round city. Click on right here for a map. Friends staying on the Atlantic Lodge are capable of park behind the resort constructing for no cost as nicely.

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