Travelers searching for their next autumn getaway are finding Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, near the top of the list this year. Mountain Maryland was recently named the No. 2 Best Place to Visit for Fall in the United States in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The recognition marks the county’s fourth consecutive nomination in the national competition and moves Allegany County up from its No. 3 finish in 2024.Ashli Workman, Director of Tourism for Allegany County Tourism, says the ranking showcases something larger about the community and the growing confidence surrounding it.“I think for so long, we’ve gotten stuck in the mentality of what we’ve lost or what we don’t have,” Workman said. “There has been a shift in our community, a real renaissance and a new generation of people with an opportunity-focused mindset.”This new mentality is becoming increasingly visible to both Allegany County residents and visitors. Before the public votes in the USA TODAY 10Best competition, destinations must make the first cut. A panel of travel experts and USA TODAY 10Best editors selects the initial nominees, and readers then vote. For 2026, Allegany County was one of 20 destinations chosen to compete and ultimately finished second behind Mackinac Island, Michigan. For Workman, earning a place among those initial nominees carries its own significance, proving that national travel experts are becoming increasingly familiar with Mountain Maryland and see it as competitive alongside destinations across the country. The public vote is yet another measure of how strongly visitors, businesses, and residents are willing to rally around the place.

Western Maryland’s outdoor recreation attractions are increasingly recognized globally for their natural beauty, accessibility, and variety. Top destinations such as the Great Allegany Passage and the C&O Canal National Historical Park—ranked as the 16th most visited U.S. National Park Service site—continue to draw visitors near and far. A new research project and Make It. In the Mountains. marketing campaign, spearheaded by Allegany and Garrett County Governments and the Maryland Department of Commerce and Office of Tourism, aims to leverage the region’s leading natural resources to attract more outdoor-focused businesses and manufacturers to the area, driving further investment into Western Maryland. Ashli Workman, Director of Allegany County Tourism, explains, “We have seen Allegany’s outdoor-based amenities drive destination awareness and visitor volume, but they’ve also acted like an ambassador for our economic development. Companies are interested in our region because of the lifestyle that their workforce can have after the nine-to-five.” 

Located along the eastern edge of Allegany County, Locust Post Brewery welcomes visitors into the area’s vast world of craft beer and outdoor recreation. The brewery's 26-acre property creates a unique farmstead-style experience, hosting a regionally-recognized disc golf course that attracts visitors across the tri-state area.Denise and Tony Cornwell, owners of Locust Post Brewery, were inspired to include a course on their property during the establishment's early development phases. Denise Cornwell shares, “It’s a great day when you can enjoy a beer and play a round of disc golf.”Following the completion of the main brewery building in 2021, Denise and Tony shifted their focus toward incorporating a course to complement their visitors' experience. Cultivation Disc Golf, located in nearby Frederick, Maryland, designed a nine-basket course for Locust Post Brewery. The par-three course is designed for players of all skill levels — from amateurs to proficient players.

Committed to creating meaningful impact, Runners’ Wings has become a champion for fitness, inclusivity, and community spirit in greater Western Maryland. The downtown Frostburg store, owned by Laura Byrnes, offers a range of athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories for patrons with all mobility and fitness levels.Driven by her personal passion for running, Byrnes shared her enthusiasm for the sport with her daughters, Maddie and Molly Offstein. In 2023, she opened Runners’ Wings as a way for her daughter, Molly, to reconnect with the running community after a near-fatal accident left her unable to pursue the sport further. The store's ethos is deeply rooted in Molly's resilience and the family’s love of the sport.

Established in 2021 by Adam Forshee and his wife, Julie, Tracks and Yaks is an outdoor adventure company combining rail biking and kayaking into guided tours along the Western Maryland Railway. Forshee initially conceived a plan to offer kayak rentals. However, upon noticing the proximity of train tracks to numerous rivers, he was inspired to explore the concept of rail biking—a popular activity in Asia and Europe but still relatively new in the U.S.Rail bikes are custom-built, pedal-powered vehicles that glide smoothly along railroad tracks. Designed to accommodate groups of varying sizes, these bikes offer both tandem and quad options. The experience is crafted to be easygoing, allowing guests to soak in the natural surroundings and the rich history of the railroad.“I had been searching for a place to do this, and Allegany County was the first to welcome us,” says Forshee. “We operate in Frostburg and opened a second location earlier this year on the Eastern Shore in Berlin, Maryland.”