Maryland International Raceway – Photo Ops
If you’re spending the day at Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, Maryland, chances are you’ll be taking plenty of pictures. After all, how could you resist snapping some shots of all the cool cars there?
Maryland International Raceway isn’t the only shutterbug-friendly attraction in the area, however. There are plenty of places nearby where you can go to fill up your camera roll some more. If you enjoy nature photography, the Three Notch Trail and Battle Creek Cypress Swamp are both right up your alley. Fancy yourself a history buff? Turn your camera towards the Old Jail Museum.
For more information about these potential photo op spots, check out the list below. This list also features a couple of other places worth visiting, and photographing, after the high-octane action ends at Maryland International Raceway.
Three Notch Trail
The Three Notch Trail is a scenic pedestrian and bicycle trail that runs for a little over 13 miles through the heart of Southern Maryland. The trailhead is located in nearby Charlotte Hall, about six and half miles from Maryland International Raceway. So if you’re looking for a place to stretch your legs as you hone your nature photography skills, look no further than the Three Notch Trail.
At about 13 miles long, the Three Notch Trail passes through a variety of surroundings. Some parts of the trail are more scenic than others, but for the most part it’s pretty secluded. It passes through plenty of densely wooded areas, which, as you could probably imagine, look particularly photogenic in the fall.
Because the Three Notch Trail was built on what was once a former railroad right-of-way, it holds some historical significance. You can learn about the history of the rail line, which was in operation until the early 1960s, via interpretive panels dotted along the trail.
Forrest Hall Farm & Orchard
Since shifting focus from tobacco production to agritourism after the Maryland tobacco buyout in 2000, Forrest Hall Farm & Orchard has quickly grown into one of the area’s most beloved attractions. Stop by while you’re in town to find out why. Getting there from Maryland International Raceway takes between 10 and 20 minutes depending on which way you go.
Forrest Hall Farm & Orchard has a lot to offer, especially in terms of fun photo opportunities. If you visit during the fall, take a couple selfies or group photos as you try to make your way through their sprawling corn maze. The fall season also marks the opening of the farm’s petting zoo, which is good news for animal lovers looking to photograph cute critters like goats, bunnies, and chickens.
No trip to Forrest Hall Farm & Orchard is complete without doing a little bit of shopping, so once you’re done exploring the rest of the farm, take a look around their store. There you’ll find everything from fresh produce to seasonal décor.
Old Jail Museum
The Old Jail Museum invites visitors to take a step back in time into Maryland’s past. As its name implies, this museum is located in what was once a jail. There’s a lot of stuff on display at the Old Jail Museum that you won’t find anywhere else, so it’s a great place to take some photos if you’re big into history.
The jail was in use from 1876 to 1945, and it still retains many of its original features, such as the jail cells on the second floor. Downstairs is what used to be the jail keeper’s quarters; now it houses artifacts related to the county’s history.
Displayed prominently out front is a canon from The Ark, one of the two ships that first brought colonists to Maryland. That same canon was later used to defend St. Mary’s City, Maryland’s first colonial settlement and capital.
The Old Jail Museum is only a short ways away from Maryland International Raceway, so it’s easy to pay it a visit even if you’re short on time. The drive over to Leonardtown, where the Old Jail Museum is located, should only take you about 20 minutes, tops.
Leonardtown Wharf Park
While you’re in Maryland, you’ve got to spend some time along the water. A good place to do just that is Leonardtown Wharf Park, a serene waterfront park that’s located right down the street from the Old Jail Museum.
Having two picture-perfect spots within walking distance of each other makes a visit to Leonardtown practically a must while you’re in the area. Like the Old Jail Museum, Leonardtown Wharf Park is about a 20-minute drive from Maryland International Raceway.
There are plenty of things you could photograph as you walk around Leonardtown Wharf Park. If you’re there during the warmer months, for instance, there’s a good chance you’ll find people boating out on the water. You could also go there later in the day to capture some pictures of the wharf at sunset.
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
At right around 30 minutes away, Battle Creek Cypress Swamp is the farthest photo op spot on this list from Maryland International Raceway. The drive is definitely worth it if you’re someone who loves the great outdoors, however.
In an area of Maryland abundant with natural beauty, Battle Creek Cypress Swamp stands out because it harbors one of the country’s northernmost stands of bald cypress trees. The bark of these trees turns flaky and gray in the winter, which is how they got their name.
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp is also home to a variety of wildlife, including songbirds and frogs, as well as several wildflower species. A quarter-mile boardwalk cuts through the heart of the swamp, allowing visitors to explore with ease.
100,000 years ago, cypress swamps like this were quite common in the region; now, not so much. So if you want to see how Maryland looked back when mammoths and other prehistoric creatures roamed the Earth, don’t let this opportunity to go back in time pass you by.