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Department of Housing and Community Development

Sykesville Nominated for Coolest Small Town in America: Vote by June 6!

Sykesville's Main Street

Sykesville’s Main Street

A second town in Maryland is in the running for Coolest Small Town in America. Visitors to BudgetTravel.com have the chance to vote for Sykesville, a Main Street Maryland community located in Carroll County, to receive this designation. Another Maryland town, Berlin, located in Worcester County, won the honor in 2014.

In a state full of small towns with charm, Sykesville stands out. Traversed by the B&O Railroad, which still passes through the town regularly, the town also boasts a beautiful view of the Patapsco River, along with a thriving main street that has given new life to the community as it rebounded from the recession. Along the town’s main street, visitors can find many independently-owned shops and restaurants. The town also pays homage to its railroad history through train rides for children, model train displays, and a restaurant located in the former B&O Train Station.

The town is rich in history: Civil War buffs and other history enthusiasts can learn about the town’s significance in the war and the story of many of its buildings on a guided walking tour. It’s also home to the Sykesville Town House, named as one of the most haunted spots in Maryland, for those who like their history lesson to be a little on the spooky side.

The town also earned Main Street Maryland designation in 2012. Main Street Maryland is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program created in 1998 by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The program strives to strengthen the economic potential of Maryland’s traditional main streets and neighborhoods. Using a competitive process, Main Street Maryland selects communities who have made a commitment to succeed and helps them improve the economy, appearance and image of their traditional downtown business districts.

Sykesville was also previously recognized by Bloomberg BusinessWeek as the number 10 spot for best places to raise a family in the entire country.

All of this, and much more, make Sykesville worthy of taking the Coolest Small Town title. Click here to vote for Sykesville! The contest closes on June 6, and you may only vote once a day per IP address.