Reply to You gotta see this

So, I asked for and received input on camping areas to avoid... Thanks much!!

Now, my question is: Traveling the GAP and the C&O (west to east) there are undoubtedly some cool/odd things that are very close to the trail. What can't we miss seeing while we're there?

-In an aside, my older child and I rode the Katy Trail in '14 and HAD to stop and see the big Burr Oak near McBaine, MO. As quirky as it sounds, that is the type of thing my younger child and I don't want to miss! We also rode to Daniel Boone's farm site.

If you like white water rafting - there's Ohiopyle State Park. When you are in Pittsburgh, eating at Primanti Brothers is a must!

when riding the towpath check out the lock and weir design.Also civil war battle fields are close by and Fort Frederick State Park.

Harpers Ferry is a special place not to be missed. Just lock your bikes up, cross the bridge and check it out. Tons of history and good eats.

Shepherdstown, WV is worth the time to travel across the bridge. Historic small college town with great places to eat. Also, a nice bike shop with a hose out back to clean your bikes http://www.thepedalpaddle.com/
It is also worth the time to tour Ferry Hill Plantation if you like history.
The University also has some events planned through out the year. When my wife and I biked the towpath last summer we spent the night here and liked it so much we spent the night again a few nights later as we left DC traveling back home.

So many neat things to do. I really enjoyed touring the Fort Pitt Museum before departing Point State Park. The new Visitor Center at Ohiopyle is very nice. There is a Sansone formation that is constantly changing due to erosion (can't remember where but west of Ohiopyle.) Harper's Ferry, off the trail a bit but Maple Tree Greenhouse Campground is fun. Various Civil War Battlefields. The river views east of Harmon Tunnel, can't forget the great people you meet in the different towns, just so many neat things to see and do.

Ohiopyle State Park is definitely worth a stop, both for the town as well as the river, trails, etc. Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Falling Waters house is about 5 miles from the park but is a tough uphill ride on bikes. The trail junction in Cumberland is nice with a park visitor's center and shops. Fort Frederick east of Hancock is a must, very scenic as well as historical. Same is true for Harper's Ferry.

Some of my favorite things are:

--When going PGH to DC, ending at Mile 0 in Georgetown and then heading over to the Reflecting Pool for some celebratory pictures. It's always buzzing with people so it has a great vibe to wrap up your trip and reflect on your accomplishment.

--Along the Youghiogheny River and hearing the the white water rafters howling with delight. I also like the sounds the trains make blowing their horns far off in the distance (but I hate them when I camped in Rockwood...the campground is right across the river from where the trains cross at grade and they have to lay on their horns all night by law. Horrible!).

--All of the small towns that you can stop in to grab supplies or a bite to eat. Shepherdstown took me by surprise at how nice it was.

--The "Chicken Coop" bunks in the back of C&O Bicycle shop in Hancock, MD. Caged in, open air sleeping accommodations with bunks and showers right along the C&O and Western Maryland Rail Trail. I always lock my bike up inside and head into town knowing everything is safe.

--Sheetz Made to Order! If stopping in a town with one of these, I usually grab a sub sandwich and pack it in some grocery bags with some ice I gathered from the soda machine so I can woof it down at camp. Awesome.

--The ample free campgrounds along the C&O Canal every 5-10 miles. Just a great resource to have. Pump water, port-a-john, table. All Hiker/Biker sites are free.

--I usually always see a huge Blue Heron at some point along the C&O.

--I kind of like the all of the noise and buzz of the trail from Point State Park to about Homestead. Since the majority of the trail is pretty quiet, this is a stark contrast to the rest of the trail and makes for a nice change. Hot Metal Bridge is a beautiful bridge to cross.

--Western Maryland Rail Trail. 22 miles that parallel the C&O before and after Hancock, MD. Did I mention it's paved asphalt? :-) It's a nice break from the tree roots and rocks the C&O dishes out. It's nice to just pedal and daydream and not worry about hitting a big bump.

--Western Maryland Rail Trail. 22 miles that parallel the C&O before and after Hancock, MD. Did I mention it's paved asphalt? :-) It's a nice break from all of the tree roots and rocks that the C&O dishes out. It's nice to just pedal and daydream and not worry about dodging everything the canal can offer.

--Bring a light or headlamp for the tunnels! Some are just amazing.

--Great Falls at Mile 14 on the C&O. Love the raw noise the falls creates. Beautiful.