Poolesville, Maryland, blends small-town charm, historic Civil War roots, and rolling farmland with a creative, community-driven spirit. Visitors enjoy farm-fresh markets, art studios, live performances, local wineries, and outdoor experiences just a short drive from Washington, D.C.
AFST
Poolesville
Hands-on farm experience without pretense—pick your own produce, grab baked goods, and pay on the honor system. It’s one of those rare places where you slow down, smell the earth, and actually feel like you earned your snack.
More than just crops—this is a creative playground on farmland. Sculpture gardens, outdoor exhibits, and rotating art installations make a stroll here feel part gallery, part country escape. Keep an eye out for surprise workshops.
Historic 18th-century home with low-key charm. The exterior hints at old-world craftsmanship, while inside you catch echoes of the town’s past. Worth a quick stop for a sense of local history without the tourist gloss.
Small nonprofit preserving the town’s character, from restored storefronts to hidden historic markers. A walk through their sites feels like peeling back layers of local history—quiet, informative, and surprisingly immersive for a town this size.
Adding to Poolesville’s creative heartbeat is the Riverworks Art Center, a unique arts collective that weaves together spaces throughout town.
The Crossvines, a winery and bistro, is located on the Poolesville Golf Course. This innovative facility serves as both a grape-crushing and winemaking hub, offering space for small-batch vintners to launch their own labels. It’s also home to an outdoor classroom for the University of Maryland’s viticulture program.
Poolesville’s backyard is an adventurer’s dream. Just minutes away, the C&O Canal National Historical Park offers miles of scenic trails along the Potomac River. Visitors can bike the historic towpath, take their boat out for fishing, or even stay overnight in one of the restored lockhouses, where they can experience 19th-century life right on the water’s edge. Horse lovers will find plenty of equestrian trails and enjoy catching a polo match at the Congressional Polo Club.
Nature lovers can also explore nearby attractions, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, a popular spot for hiking and enjoying fall foliage views.
McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area is known for its 3 different sunflower fields that bloom across thousands of acres each summer.
Markoff’s Haunted Forest, one of the most legendary haunted attractions in the D.C. area, is hosted by Calleva Farm.