For lunch, stop in at Cafe La Donna for a delicious sandwich. Try the hearty Monte Cristo: a grilled turkey, ham, and Swiss delight on sourdough bread served with powdered sugar and cherry compote.

Though it doesn't contain much nowadays, a quick trip through the historic Queen Anne-style train station is a must. Oakland was, after all, a train town founded by the B&O Railroad. Complete your afternoon with a trip to the Simon Pearce manufacturing facility outside of town. The store is jammed with gorgeous handblown lamps, bowls, glasses, and vases.

Should the town of Oakland not keep you entertained all afternoon, a sleigh ride at Pleasant Valley Dream Rides will awe with stunning vistas of the surrounding countryside. Located on an Amish dairy farm, rides cost $10 per person, and reservations are recommended; (301) 334-9612.

Many locals prefer the Deer Park Inn for special dinners; (301) 334-2308. The menu changes regularly at this old Victorian mansion, but a typical meal might include an appetizer of local corn chowder with smoked bacon and crabmeat ($6), sea bass with a Champagne-butter sauce ($20), and crêpes filled with ice cream ($5.50).

Sunday--Enjoy the Outdoors
If you're a fan of downhill skiing, spend the morning on the excellent slopes of Wisp, a four-minute walk away. A Sunday morning ticket (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) costs $42 per person. For more details visit www.skiwisp.com.

From the slopes, you're two minutes from lunch at the Deep Creek Brewing Company. The delicious stews and pastas pale next to the beers, which are truly amazing.

If the morning's skiing left you pooped, head back to the inn to relax. Check out is at 11 a.m., but you can use their facilities until 3:30 p.m. Whatever you do, don't leave this area without a trip to one of the state parks. Go to Herrington Manor State Park for cross-country skiing, snowshoe-clad jaunts, and a rustic warming station. Nearby, Swallow Falls State Park offers quiet trails through 40 acres of a 300-year-old white pine-and-hemlock forest. Just 1/4 mile from the parking area, you'll hear the roar of Maryland's tallest (and arguably most beautiful) waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls. Both parks provide a winter wonderland you'll never forget.

This article is from the January 2005 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.