It’s time to vote!

This year, Brunswick Main Street has been nominated for SO MANY Best of the Best awards! To show your Brunswick Pride, head on over to the voting gallery and cast your vote for some of the awesome Brunswick (and greater Brunswick Community) businesses and organizations! Vote HERE.

For a guide on all of the 2019 Brunswick nominees, click here: The Best of the Best 2019 Awards

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Guest Post by Alyssa Theodore

Whether you like an adrenaline-pumping trail ride, a level out-and-back that everyone in the family can master, or something in-between, Brunswick has the bike experience for you. Here’s everything you need to know to get pedaling.

The Trails:

C&O Canal Towpath

The biking equivalent of a Sunday drive…

Brunswick’s section of the historic C&O Canal Towpath (Mile Marker 55) is a stretch of flat, recently-resurfaced trail shaded by nearly unbroken tree canopy that is perfect for everything from hardtail mountain bikes to training wheels.. Head west and in 5 miles you’ll enjoy views of the Potomac River and the chance to cross the railroad bridge footpath into Harper’s Ferry. Head east, and make the Brunswick Family Campground your destination for a picnic and some wading before your return trip. Or, continue on to Point of Rocks (MM 48.2) to explore where the canal and the B & O Railroad squeak alongside each other in an area narrower than the width of a baseball diamond. NOTE: a washed out culvert at MM 52.5 detours riders down a pathway to a temporary low-water crossing (i.e. little wooden bridge).

Brunswick Crossing-Valley Trail

Work up just enough sweat to earn a beer at Smoketown Brewing Stationor an ice cream cone at Towpath Creamery…

Pick up the bottom of this paved trail on Brunswick St. across from West End Park. From there it’s a gradual climb up to the Brunswick Crossing housing development, crossing and recrossing the ? Creek over picturesque wooden bridges. Continue your circuit through the neighborhood and back and you can clock up to 26 miles! 

River’s Edge Trail

Because you didn’t mount that GoPro on your helmet for nothing…

You’ll find the trailhead for this bone-rattling opportunity near the intersection of Cummins Dr. and 13th Ave., just past the driveway entrance for the Brunswick Middle School. The first section of the trail overlaps with the high school’s cross-country running course, then takes off into hilly terrain with, in the words of one rider, “some beautifully designed switchbacks.”

Click here for a map of Historic Downtown Brunswick: City of Brunswick Downtown MAP

Other Resources to Know:

Spring has finally arrived, and despite the chill that still seems to be lingering in the air, we couldn’t be more excited!! Those who have been anxious to get out of the house can finally step outside into downtown Brunswick to enjoy the sun and all that the community has to offer. For those of you who have been itching to try something new, look no further! We’ve done the research for you and found quite a few things for you to do on your day off.

Looking for an afternoon snack?

Head over to Beans in the Belfry! One of the town’s favorite food spots will be offering an afternoon tea! Now you may be asking…where do I sign up? A tea for two (or three or four or however many more!) can be reserved by calling Beans in the Belfry at least a day before you plan to attend. Guests will be served on vintage china and have an assortment of teas, sandwiches, and pastries to pick from. How fancy!

Looking to do some spring cleaning?

Sign up as a volunteer for Brunswick Main Streets Spring Clean! The big clean will be held on Brunswick’s Small City Saturday (April 13^th). Registration begins at 9AM in Square Corner Park and cleanup will be held between 10AM – 12PM. The early morning wake-up will be worth it!! Not only will you get to give back to Brunswick, but you will also be provided with a free continental breakfast! Volunteers will also be provided with needed equipment, but feel free to bring your own! Those wanting to sign up early can do so by visiting the link below. Hope to see you there!

www.brunswickmainstreet.org/?s=spring+clean

Want to spice up your home with some new furniture for the spring and summer season?

Head over to Antiques N Ole Stuff to take advantage of their 40% off storewide sale! Yes, 40% off STOREWIDE!! Antiques N Ole Stuff is making room for new merchandise and is offering this super discount for the first weekend of every month. Be sure to stop by and load up on goodies for your home!

Just need a breath of fresh air?

Take a hike or get out your bike! Go for a ride, run, or walk on one of the many trails in Brunswick! There is no better way to make the most out of a sunny day than taking a stroll with friends, family, or your four-legged friend. The C & O Canal is one of the many trails nearby that offers a beautiful path to hikers for… drum roll please…. FREE!!

Love is definitely in the air in Downtown Brunswick! If you’re looking for some fun trinkets to spoil your loved ones this year – look no further! Da da da daaaa (*fanfare of course!)… We have compiled a gift guide for some of Brunswick Main Street’s most thoughtful Valentines treats! So if you are in the mood for something local – or you simply need something close (*ahem* – for all of us who may have forgot to get something sooner) here is our Valentine’s Day Guide of 2019:

If your loved one is one to be spoiled with goodies and presents:

Towpath Creamery – From pink soap to heart shaped jewelry, there is something here for everyone! You can also find chocolates and cookies here too! Local and handmade crafts are just the perfect gift for a family member, friend or someone special.

Corner Store – Discount Alert! That’s right! 10% off wines and craft beers. Such a good idea for those who want an evening in.

For all of our Foodies in Brunswick:

Smoketown Brewing Station – Start the evening out at Smoketown’s Valentine’s Day Happy Hour (from 5PM – 7PM) with $4 pints, $5 specialty beers! Be sure to taste their new annual Oyster Stout – launching that day!

Beans in the Belfry – If you are really looking for a decadent evening – look no further. Beans in the Belfry is going full glamour this Valentine’s Day! Bellini, fresh fruit, eclairs, quiche, chocolate tortes …. WINE! Oh, and did we mention jazz music in the background to set the mood? A dreaaam date place.

For our Active Couples…. or Singles:

Roots and River Yoga – Come do some Yin Yoga with Machelle Lee and lift a glass to self-love! Choose from several wines and then take your glass, cheeses, and truffles to the mat for an indulgent but therapeutic Yin Yoga practice themed around deep love for the simple presentations of life.

Now THAT’s what we call a good Valentine’s Day!

Sending love from all of us here at Brunswick Main Street <3

Here in downtown Brunswick, we have such an important relationship with the C&O Canal and towpath. It is a deep part of our history and remains a significant source of tourism today. We are so thankful to the Community Foundation of Frederick County for recently awarding Brunswick Main Street the C&O Canal Endowment Fund of Frederick County! This grant will help Brunswick Main Street print and distribute the Canal Towns Brochure that highlights Brunswick’s unique history with the C&O Canal.

Brunswick’s History with the Canal

Brunswick was incorporated in 1787 with the name Berlin because of its many German settlers. Since Maryland already had another Berlin, the name was eventually changed to Brunswick. The C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad were built side-by-side here. Both were operating in the town by 1834, but in the late 1800s the B&O built a six-mile rail yard in Brunswick, transforming it into a railroad company town. Today, the rail yard is virtually gone, but freight and passenger train services thrive. Early industry in the area was based on waterpower; ironically, the power of floods destroyed much from that time. The ruins of C. F. Wenner’s mill lie near the present Potomac River Bridge, as do those of C&O Canal Lock No. 30. Brunswick suffered raids by Confederates from across the river during the American Civil War. The wooden bridge over the Potomac was burned by Confederate troops in 1861, forcing the Union Army to construct a pontoon bridge to move troops and materials across the river into Virginia. After the Battle of Antietam, the Union Army used Brunswick as a major supply depot due to its central location. The C&O Canal had strategic importance to both sides in the war. The Union army used it for transporting troops and war supplies while Confederates tried to damage canal aqueducts and impair barge traffic. The fully restored Catoctin Aqueduct is just downstream from Brunswick along the towpath and was considered the most beautiful along the line by the old canalers.

To find a copy of the Brochure, visit: www.canaltrust.org/programs/canal-towns