Explore Bel Air on foot and along themed routes: the historic downtown combines old and new architecture with tree-lined sidewalks. Other options include a trail along a former railroad line, tours focused on history and public art, and gardens. The perspective you choose changes the character of your walk—from a set route to views of historic buildings and plantings.
Walks and Trails in Bel Air
The Ma & Pa Heritage Trail is a scenic walking and biking trail along the former route of the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad. The Williams Street Trailhead Station for the Ma & Pa Trail is centrally located in Bel Air. Trail conditions and access may change; check the latest information before setting out on foot or by bike.
The Historic Walking Tour offers two routes with specified distances and durations: the shorter loop takes 45 minutes and is 1.8 miles long; the longer route is 2.3 miles and takes 60 minutes. This lets you choose a walk based on the time you have available. Check the latest route information before your tour. The Public Art Tour begins with a two-mile self-guided walk through downtown. Here, too, it is a good idea to check the latest route details before setting out.
Historic Buildings and Local History
The Bel Air Courthouse Historic District is made up primarily of two- and three-story brick or half-timbered buildings. They were built or renovated from the 19th century through the early 20th century. The district represents an important aspect of Bel Air’s growth and development as the county seat. So a walk here is about more than individual houses; it also offers a look at the role the town played in its history as the county seat.
The Bel Air Armory is significant for its connection to the reorganization and expansion of the National Guard system in the 20th century. The Hays House Museum offers another way to explore local history: this living history site provides tours of the historic townhouse. As tour arrangements may change, check visiting options in advance.
Liriodendron is a historic mansion in Bel Air. It was built in 1898 as a summer home for Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly, one of the founding physicians of Johns Hopkins. The building offers another tangible connection to the area’s history: its original use as a summer home and its construction date can be clearly distinguished from the later histories of downtown and the Courthouse Historic District.
Gardens, Art, and Getting Around
The Rockfield Horticultural Gardens include a lawn garden, a shade garden, an evergreen garden, a xeriscape garden, a vegetable garden, and a hummingbird and butterfly garden. The different garden types give the grounds a distinct layout; the plantings may change over time. In the Gazebo Garden, the gardens also provide a setting for public art by the Harford Master Gardeners.
For help finding your way around, Bel Air’s visitor center is located in the Harford Artists Gallery at Armory Marketplace, just steps from historic Main Street. It is also a good starting point if you’d like to get to know downtown. Historic downtown is home to locally owned shops and boutiques. Its mix of older and newer architecture and tree-lined sidewalks is part of its character.
Farmers Market and Planning Your Visit
The Town of Bel Air holds a farmers market on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot next to the Mary Risteau Building at 2 South Bond Street. The market offers produce, meat, eggs, dairy products, preserved foods, baked goods, pet treats, and other consumer products. Since the selection of vendors may change seasonally, the market is a chance to discover local products without assuming the selection will stay the same. Check the latest market information before your visit, too.
For planning your visit, you can choose from several different options: take one of the Historic Walking Tour routes with specified distances, include the public art tour in your downtown walk, or set aside time for the Heritage Trail and gardens. The specific tour routes, trail access, and market hours are the details you are most likely to want to check again before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Havre De Grace, Pylesville, Forest Hill, Belcamp, Aberdeen, Whiteford, Edgewood, Abingdon
See the regional travel guide: Harford.
