New in 2020 in the Mid-Atlantic

(Mid-Atlantic Region, January 2, 2020) — As the Mid-Atlantic region ushers in 2020, destinations offer travelers to the region more things to do and see, revealing new events and attractions for the upcoming year. From hotel, restaurant, and brewery openings to fresh exhibits, festivals, and celebrations, the Mid-Atlantic continues to provide visitors with new and exciting travel experiences. For more information on any of the following, contact the destination marketing organization listed below. For general information on the Mid-Atlantic, visit MATPRA.org.

DELAWARE

Greater Wilmington
Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley, part of America’s Garden Capital, gets a new garden for 2020 when the Apothecary Garden at Rockwood Mansion opens. Plus, Hagley Museum introduces STEMtastic Weekends and the new retro ‘50s vibe Goober’s Diner opens alongside the neighboring and aptly named, classic car collection, Goober’s Garage. Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sarah Willoughby, VisitWilmingtonDE.com, [email protected]

Kent County
Coming Spring 2020 to Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is a new eatery, Sugar Factory American Brasserie. This new restaurant will feature a full-service bar, retail shop, café and a confectionary shop. Sugar Factory features unique signature drinks & milkshakes, mouth-watering burgers, savory entrees, and more! Delaware’s Quaint Villages, Danielle Jonigan, VisitDelawareVillages.com, [email protected]

MARYLAND

Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
Opened December 2019, The Hall at Live! features some of the nation’s best touring acts, comedians and show-stopping entertainment. With a capacity of up to 4,800 individuals, the 75,000-square-foot state-of-the-art concert/event venue connects to the Live! Casino floor and the AAA Four-Diamond-rated luxury accommodations at Live! Hotel in Hanover. Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Susan Seifried, VisitAnnapolis.org, [email protected]

Calvert County
Located on the Chesapeake Bay in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, the Rod N Reel Resort is going to be amazing in 2020! Lots of renovation and additional work will result in 5 new restaurants, double the hotel rooms, an outdoor concert venue, gorgeous wedding sites and several more fun gaming rooms. Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Hilary Dailey, ChooseCalvert.com,[email protected]

Cecil County
Discover the excitement of eventing, also known as an equestrian triathlon, at the new “Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill” in 2020. The MD 5 Star will be one of only two in the USA, and 7 in the world, and will be packed with family fun, competition, and entertainment. Cecil County Tourism, Sandy Turner,www.SeeCecil.org, [email protected]

Charles County
Discover the newest national marine sanctuary that will protect the remains of more than 100 abandoned steamships and vessels built as part of America’s engagement in World War I. Located along an 18-square mile stretch of Potomac River coast in Charles County, MD. Charles County Government,Department of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism, Catherine Herbert, explorecharlescounty.com, [email protected]

Frederick County
Warehouse Cinemas will open in Frederick this year with a first of its kind screen using SkyVue technology. The theater is part of an abandoned mall into District 40, an entertainment complex. Visit Frederick, Melissa Muntz, VisitFrederick.org, [email protected]

Harford County
Get a taste of Harford County, Maryland during Harford County Restaurant Week! This 10-day celebration of local flavors and delicious dining experiences will have you coming back for more. For a list of participating restaurants, including menus and specials, visit HarfordCountyRestaurantWeek.com. Visit Harford, Mindy Schneider, VisitHarford.com, [email protected]

Howard County
See what’s new in Howard County with Columbia Busboys and Poets, the neighborhood coffee house, restaurant, and bookstore will be the largest and farthest from D.C. coming fall 2020. Be sure to check out new hotels and events coming this year! Visit Howard County, Crystal Abrom, visithowardcounty.com, [email protected]

Washington County
The Conococheague Aqueduct on the C&O Canal is fully operational for the first time since 1924. Williamsport is the only place in North America with multiple working canal features in one location, including a lift lock, refurbished lockhouse, railroad lift bridge, canal turning basin, warehouse and a watered aqueduct. Visit Hagerstown, Betsy DeVore, VisitHagerstown.com, [email protected]

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania (Commonwealth of)
From new art exhibits to chocolaty attractions and even a hotel featuring cartoon favorites, Pennsylvania is ringing in the new year with fun for all. Scream on new roller coasters, splash your way through a six-story water park slides, and enjoy year-round fun at ski resorts. Pennsylvania Tourism Office, Sarah Lunny, visitPA.com, [email protected]

Altoona
We invite you to come Build your Blair County Bucket List! Find unique adventures that you can only experience here. Cool off at American’s only Italian themed water park, Laguna Splash, enjoy a steam engine train excursion and travel a portion of the 911 trail that goes through our destination! Explore Altoona, Jennifer Fleck, explorealtoona.com, [email protected]

Butler County
Moraine State Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2020. To commemorate this special occasion, Moraine is hosting 50 special events which include a variety of outdoor activities, festivals and more! Visit Moraine50.com to stay up-to-date on all the activities that are planned for the year. Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Tiffany Hernandez, VisitButlerCounty.com,[email protected]

Central Pennsylvania
Aficionados of all things vintage will be in their element at Philipsburg Shindig Alley. RE Farm Cafe serves what they harvest and also exceed sustainable in all their endeavors. Read more at our blog:  http://bit.ly/NewHappyValley2020. The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Edward Stoddard,visitpennstate.org, [email protected]g

Erie
Waldameer Park & Water World debuts 6-lane Rally Racer waterslide and “Whirlwind” family spinning coaster, VisitErie immersive experiential tours, U.S. Aerial Historic Adventures boat tours, Erie County Historical Society new exhibit building/campus, Bay House Restaurant/Rooftop Bar, Hampton Inn Bayfront Hotel/Oliver’s Rooftop Bar, artistic downtown murals. VisitErie, Christine Temple, VisitErie.com, [email protected]

Lancaster County
In 2020, Lancaster County features new additions like the Wilbur Lititz boutique hotel and the world’s first Cartoon Network Hotel, debut shows “Queen Esther” at Sight & Sound and “Britain’s Best” at American Music Theatre, and the opening of the Snyder Gallery of Colonial Decorative Arts at Rock Ford Plantation. Discover Lancaster, Joel Cliff, DiscoverLancaster.com, [email protected]

Lehigh Valley
Get ready for even more opportunities for fun in summer 2020 as Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom welcomes a new addition to the waterpark. Seaside Splashworks, the new beach-themed multi-level play structure, will feature more than 75 play elements to engage the entire family for hours including six water slides. Discover Lehigh Valley, Kaitie Burger, DiscoverLehighValley.com,k[email protected]

Montgomery County
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is proud to announce the Annual Revolutionary 5-Mile Run will celebrate its 15th Anniversary in April 2020. The Rev Run is a unique challenge for runners, a five-mile course that traverses the hilly terrain of Valley Forge National Historical Park, in Montgomery County. Visit Montgomery, Emily Keel, https://www.valleyforge.org/, [email protected]

Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains continues to experience rapid growth in 2020. Two ski resorts, Camelback and Jack Frost/Big Boulder, have new owners and will undergo upgrades. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has doubled its convention space to 205,000 square feet! A new Pocono Mountain Harley Davidson dealership, a destination in its own right, will open in Tannersville. Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, James Hamill, PoconoMountains.com, [email protected]

Reading, Berks County
Pennsylvania’s Americana Region welcomes the opening of the John Updike Childhood Home in fall 2020. The Pultizer-Prize winning author lived in the home until he was 13. Updike treasured the house because it was where his “artistic eggs were hatched,” visiting it often during his career. Updike fans, plan to visit. Pennsylvania’s Americana Region, Lisa Haggerty, VisitPaAmericana.com, [email protected]

WEST VIRGINIA

Pocahontas County
New Year means all new adventures! From attractions to activities, 2020 is going to be an adventurous year in Nature’s Mountain Playground. Snowshoe Highlands Bronze level IMBA Ride Center is West Virginia’s debut International Mountain Biking Ride Center. Hit the trails, then once you’re done, enjoy an ice cold heavy draft at the newly opened Old Spruce Brewing. Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chelsea Walker, NaturesMtnPlayground.com, [email protected]

About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance
The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The group serves travel journalists by creating a regional resource that ignores geographical boundaries to better promote common threads, offering story ideas about the Mid-Atlantic region as a whole. For more
information, visit MATPRA.org.