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The Potomac River tumbles over jagged rocks at Great Falls just a few miles from the leafy lanes of Potomac, Maryland, a wealthy community in Montgomery County about 15 miles northwest of Washington. Most of the area is horse country and woodland, with large estates hidden behind fences, but its riverfront belongs to everyone as part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
The canal was dug in the 1820s and 1830s to carry coal and grain from the Appalachians to Georgetown, and its stone locks, lockhouses and towpath still line the river. At Great Falls the 1830s Great Falls Tavern serves as a visitor center, a boardwalk crosses rocky islands to the Olmsted Island Overlook, and the Billy Goat Trail offers one of the most famous rock scrambles near the capital.
Inland, Potomac Village is the small crossroads of shops and cafes at the center of the community, and Glenstone, a contemporary art museum set among meadows and woods, draws visitors from around the world to its free timed-entry galleries.
A boardwalk and bridges cross rocky islands from the C and O Canal to a platform directly facing the thundering Great Falls of the Potomac. It is the closest view of the falls from the Maryland side and fully accessible. Expect crowds on spring weekends; the park entrance fee covers it.
A white tavern and lockkeeper's house from the 1830s beside Lock 20 of the C and O Canal, now the park's visitor center with exhibits on canal life, the boatmen and the mules who towed the boats. Rangers lead talks on weekends. Ask here about trail conditions before walking out to the falls.
Lock 21 of the C and O Canal, with its stone lock walls, a picnic area and the historic lockhouse once run by the Swain family who rented boats here for decades. It is a quieter entry point to the towpath than Great Falls. Walk downstream about two miles to reach the falls area on foot.
Lock 22 of the C and O Canal, a peaceful spot with a stone lockhouse, wetlands and woods known for birdwatching, especially in spring migration. President Grover Cleveland liked to fish nearby. Parking is limited and the access road is narrow, so come early in the day.
A strenuous 1.7-mile route that climbs over boulders and along cliffs above Mather Gorge, including a steep traverse up a rock face. Allow two to three hours and wear proper shoes. Dogs are not allowed, the trail is one way at busy times, and it closes when the river floods.
A wooded county park on high cliffs above the Potomac where Union soldiers kept a lookout post during the Civil War to watch river crossings. Trails lead to overlooks with sweeping river views and remains of the old picket post. It is rarely busy, so it suits a quiet morning hike.
A private contemporary art museum set in some 300 acres of meadows, woods and streams, with minimalist stone pavilions and outdoor sculptures by artists such as Richard Serra and Jeff Koons. Admission is free but requires timed passes booked online, released monthly. Allow at least three hours.
The small commercial heart of the community where River Road meets Falls Road, with locally owned shops, bakeries, coffee spots and restaurants serving the surrounding estates. It is a handy place to pick up a picnic before heading down Falls Road to the river and the canal.
A restaurant in a building from the 1860s on MacArthur Boulevard near the canal, with a stone fireplace inside and a terrace garden under the trees. It has served travelers and anglers on the Potomac for generations. Book ahead for dinner, and expect upscale prices and a relaxed pace.
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