"Welcome to Hagerstown, the cultural heart of Washington County in beautiful Western Maryland. Impressive architecture, galleries, public art, festivals, theatres, and restaurants await your visit to our Arts & Entertainment District!"
About this A&E District
Hagerstown’s Arts & Entertainment District is just over an hour away from both Baltimore and Washington, situated just west of South Mountain in beautiful and historic Washington County. Downtown Hagerstown’s impressive building stock is the result of its great success as a center of industry, particularly in the field of transportation - from the railways to the aviation industry and from the National Road to the crossroads of I-70 and I-81.
Once you’re off the interstate, Route 40 brings you downtown where the District is anchored by the historic Maryland Theatre. Hosting over 200 performances a year, the district’s crown jewel is also home to the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Stroll further to discover the Washington County Playhouse’s dinner theater offerings; the Washington County Arts Council’s gallery and tasty gift shop featuring local artisan goods; the Washington County Free Library’s cultural offerings that include Sunday afternoon music concerts; University Plaza, an urban pocket park that is home to summer music concerts; the Just Lookin’ Gallery, which specializes in original paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture by African American artists; the Doleman Black Heritage Museum’s collection of artifacts related to the history of the Black community in Washington County; and the Discovery Station, a hands-on museum focused on STEAM principles. The A&E District is also the starting point for Hagerstown’s esteemed Cultural Trail, connecting downtown with City Park and the lovely Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. A diverse collection of public art amidst attractive landscaping populates the trail and brings delight to all!
Numerous festivals and sporting events take place throughout the year, including the Augustoberfest German heritage festival, the Tour of Washington County bicycle race, summer Shakespeare productions, historic car shows, and the one-and-only New Year’s Eve Donut Drop which features a giant-size donut (in honor of Hagerstown’s Krumpe’s Donuts) marking the new year in Public Square. Numerous restaurants and coffee shops abound, offering a wide range of culinary experiences from traditional Bavarian meals to contemporary American cuisine, from specialty pizza to delicious seafood. Many of them also offer live music, comedy, trivia nights, and art displays to round out your experience in Hagerstown’s A&E District.