The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is a picturesque area crisscrossed with waterways and marshes. It’s dedicated to its namesake former slave, a key activist in the Underground Railroad in the lead-up to the American Civil War. Head to the park’s visitor center for exhibits about Tubman’s life and the ecology of the park.
Follow meandering nature trails through the park, which stretches across an area of 480 acres (190 hectares). This is the former home site of Jacob Jackson, a free African farmer. T
ake shelter from sun or rain in the picnic pavilion. Use the stone fireplace and numerous benches that are ideal for enjoying a meal in the park’s utter tranquility.
Drive along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, which runs through Maryland for 125 miles (200 kilometers) and reaches many heritage sites related to her activism. Tubman risked her life to guide hundreds of enslaved people to freedom. The park was set up by President Barack Obama in 2014 as part of the 25,000-acre (10,000-hectare) Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument.
The visitor center is open from Thursday to Sunday and has activities for the whole family. Let your kids take part in the Junior Ranger Activity, which comprises a self-guided booklet about the Underground Railroad. The interactive book allows participants to answer questions while walking through the exhibit. Chat with some of the park rangers on your tour of the museum. Purchase gifts and souvenirs from the museum store.
The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is on the eastern side of Chesapeake Bay. Find it in eastern Maryland, southwest of the state’s border with Delaware. From the center of Washington D.C., drive 100 miles (160 kilometers) east and then south to get here in about 2 hours.
Explore the rest of the region for other landmarks, including the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, the Taylors Island Wildlife Management Area and the Little Choptank River Sanctuary.
