If you’re looking for something to do with the kids during the Bethesda school break, try the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park located in Washington, DC—and the surrounding suburbs!
The C&O Canal is a 184.4 mile stretch of water that moved goods to various communities between Washington, DC and Cumberland, MD from 1850 to 1924. It took 22 years to build (1828 to 1850), and during peak years of operation you would find up to 800 boats moving along this waterway, carrying 850 thousand tons of coal.
Boats moved along the canal by means of mules pulling the boats along a 100-foot tow rope. Top speed was 4 MPH, so it took seven 18-hour days to move the length of the canal. (Mules can only go so fast.) Each boat made about 25 trips per year and often carried the family that owned it.
There’s a great deal of history associated with the canal including western expansion, transportation, and the Civil War as well as the growth of industry and commerce. With over 1300 historical structures along the length of the water, there’s a lot you can learn. Some of these sites include lock houses, aqueducts, dams and pump houses. There are 74 locks along the canal which were based on a design by Leonardo Da Vinci.
If you’re not in the mood for history, the park has over 19,000 acres where you can stroll beside the water, ride a horse or bike, or just sit and enjoy the local wildlife. Or take a boat tour to combine relaxation with history.
To learn more about this great National Park right in our Bethesda backyard, check out their website.
This is just one of the great local attractions that area residents enjoy. Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.
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