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Frederick, Maryland: Where Fun and Adventure Meet – Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Frederick sits at the foot of real mountains, not out on flat ground. Cunningham Falls and Catoctin Mountain both involve a real amount of hard climbing. The downtown itself is flat and walkable from one end right to the other. The C&O Towpath is level, but it runs a very long way. Pick the day by whether or not you want the legs properly used.

Are you planning a trip to Frederick, Maryland and wondering what to do? Look at the history first, because that is what this town is built on. This small city holds the outdoors, historical sites, arts venues, serious food and drink and a good deal more. Whether you travel alone, with friends or family, or with somebody, Frederick will fill the days properly.

Step back a century and take the historical run through Frederick’s past. Visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and the Civil War Medicine Museum and Historical Society to see how medicine was actually practiced then. Stroll through the historic downtown area and look properly at the 18th and 19th-century architecture still standing.

If the outdoors is what brought you, Frederick has plenty. Explore the Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park, where you can hike, swim, fish and camp. Take a drive along the Frederick Wine Trail and work through the strongest wineries in the region. Or head to the Carroll Creek Park, where you can walk the creek, look at the public art and eat at one of the restaurants and cafes.

Key Takeaways

• Frederick, Maryland offers a wide range of activities and attractions for all types of travelers.
• History buffs will enjoy exploring the city’s rich past, while outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the many parks and trails in the area.
• Foodies will love the local cuisine, and art lovers can indulge in the many galleries and museums throughout the city.

Historical Journey Through Frederick

Frederick, Maryland carries a deep history, and if that is your subject you are well served. Here are the historical sites that will take you properly through Frederick’s past.

Civil War Era

If the Civil War is your subject, Frederick is where you want to be. The city took a real part in the war and holds many sites worth the walking. You can start with a walking tour of the historic district, which is full of Civil War-era buildings and landmarks.

Hessian Barracks

Did you know Frederick was once home to a Hessian barracks? Yes, you read that right. The barracks went up in 1777 to hold Hessian soldiers fighting for the British in the American Revolution. Today the barracks have been restored and are open to the public. You can walk them and read what a Hessian soldier’s life actually was.

National Museum of Civil War Medicine

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is the first stop for anyone who follows the Civil War. The museum sits in downtown Frederick and holds a deep collection of artifacts and exhibits covering medicine during the war. You’ll read what the doctors and nurses were up against and how the practice changed under that pressure.

Schifferstadt Architectural Museum

If architecture is your subject, you’ll want the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum. The museum sits in an 18th-century building and exists to keep and explain the city’s architectural heritage. You can take a guided tour and learn which styles Frederick has worked through over the years.

So, there you have it, a historical run through Frederick that genuinely moves you back in time. Whether the Civil War, architecture or simply history in general is your interest, this small city will serve it.

Outdoor Adventures in Frederick

Looking for time outdoors? Frederick runs plenty of options for open country and real effort. Check these sections for the strongest outdoor days in Frederick.

Parks and Trails

Frederick County holds a range of parks and trails that suit every kind of walker. Whether you want an easy stroll or a hard climb, one of them will fit. Some of the better-known parks and trails around here include:

Park/Trail	Description
Carroll Creek Linear Park	This urban park offers a scenic walk along a restored creek.
Gambrill State Park	This park has over 16 miles of hiking trails and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Monocacy National Battlefield	This historic site has several hiking trails that take you through the battlefield and along the river.

Cunningham Falls State Park

Cunningham Falls State Park is the one outdoor people should not skip. The park holds Maryland’s largest cascading waterfall along with hiking trails, swimming areas and picnic ground. You can also rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboards for the lake.

Fishing in Monocacy River

If fishing is your subject, you’ll want the Monocacy River. This river holds smallmouth bass, rock bass and channel catfish among the rest. You can fish from the bank or rent a kayak or canoe and work it from the water.

Biking and Camping

Frederick County runs plenty for cyclists and campers alike. The C&O Canal Towpath is the cycling route people name, running through the county with the Potomac River alongside. If you want to camp, check out Greenbrier State Park or Cunningham Falls State Park.

So take the boots, the rod or the bike and get out into what Frederick has around it.

Artistic Frederick

Frederick is a genuinely artistic town, with visual arts and cultural events running right through it. Here are the strongest places to take the artistic side of Frederick:

Weinberg Center for the Arts

The Weinberg Center for the Arts is a historic venue that has been programming for over 90 years. From live performance to classic film, the Weinberg Center covers most tastes. So whether theater, music or dance is your subject, the Weinberg Center will have something on.

Art Galleries

Frederick carries a real arts community, and the galleries are spread right across the city. From contemporary work to traditional, most tastes are covered. Some of the strongest galleries to check out include the Delaplaine Arts Center, the Griffin Art Center and the TAG/The Artists Gallery.

Community Bridge Mural

One of the more unusual artistic things in Frederick is the Community Bridge Mural. This mural runs across the underside of the Route 15 bridge over Carroll Creek and holds over 40 panels by local artists. The mural is built around Frederick’s history and culture, and it is the one thing every visitor should walk under.

Whether performing arts or visual arts is what you follow, Frederick has it. So take the paintbrushes or the tickets to the Weinberg Center and get into the artistic side of Frederick.

Food and Drink in Frederick

Frederick, Maryland eats well, with options running from classic American cooking to food from much further afield. Whether you want a formal dinner or something quick, Frederick can meet it.

Local Restaurants

Frederick runs a range of local restaurants with good cooking, warm service and rooms worth sitting in. Some of the ones to work through in Frederick include:

The Tasting Room

A small room that serves American cooking with something extra in it. Their brunch is the meal to book.

Ayşe Meze Lounge

A Mediterranean-inspired place doing small plates and cocktails that are worth the order.

Dutch’s Daughter

A classic American restaurant that has held its place in Frederick for over 30 years. Their Sunday brunch is the one people talk about.

Flying Dog Brewery

If craft beer is your subject, do not skip the Flying Dog Brewery. This local brewery has been brewing since 1990 and still turns out beers nobody else makes. Take a tour, taste your way through the list and let the room do the rest.

McClintock Distilling

For anyone who prefers spirits, McClintock Distilling is where to go. This local distillery makes award-winning gin, whiskey and vodka. Take a tour, learn how the distilling actually works and taste what comes out.

Frederick Wine Trail

The Frederick Wine Trail is the one wine people should not skip. This trail takes you through the strongest wineries in the area, including Linganore Winecellars and Black Ankle Vineyards. Sample what the region produces, learn how it is made and take the country in while you do it.

So whether a serious meal, a cold beer or a glass of wine is what you want, Frederick can supply it.

A great many people treat Frederick as a bedroom town for the capital. But the Hessian barracks here went up in the year 1777, which settles that. That is a very long time before the capital itself existed at all. The Civil War medicine museum sits here for exactly that same reason. Frederick is old entirely on its own terms, and not on anybody else’s.

Sports and Recreation

Looking for something that gets the heart going? Frederick runs plenty of it. Here are the strongest sport and recreation options in the area:

Frederick Keys Baseball

If America’s favorite pastime is your game, you cannot miss a night at the Frederick Keys stadium. This minor league team is how you spend a summer evening with friends and family. With cheap tickets and a full crowd, you will be shouting along inside an inning. Plus nobody has ever regretted a hot dog and a beer at the ballpark.

Golfing in Frederick

If you want to work on the swing, Frederick has plenty of golf courses. Whether you started last week or have played for decades, one of them will suit you. Some of the better-known courses here include Clustered Spires Golf Course, Maryland National Golf Club and Whiskey Creek Golf Club. So take the clubs and give a day to it.

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo

For something slower outdoors, head to the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo. This 35-acre zoo holds over 300 animals from around the world, including lions, tigers and bears. You can also feed and pet some of them, including the giraffes. It’s how you get near animals you would otherwise only see on a screen.

So whether sport or simply a day outside is what you want, Frederick has the options. Don’t forget the sunscreen and a willingness to walk.

Shopping Spree

Looking for a shopping day that actually rewards the walking? Frederick can arrange it. Whether you want high-end boutiques or something to carry home, you’ll find it here.

Downtown Frederick

Downtown Frederick is where the shopping happens. The streets are lined with shops, boutiques and galleries running everything from clothing to jewelry to art. The other thing worth knowing? You can walk from one to the next, taking in the architecture and the street performers as you go.

If you’re looking for something specific, check out the Downtown Frederick Partnership website for a list of all the stores in the area. Don’t miss out on the specialty shops, art galleries, breweries, distilleries, and restaurants that call Downtown Frederick home. Quaint small town charm and picturesque scenes are everywhere you look.

Boutiques and Souvenirs

For anyone after something out of the ordinary, Frederick’s boutiques and souvenir shops are where to start. You’ll find vintage clothing, handmade jewelry and small oddities nobody else is selling.

Some of the strongest boutiques in Frederick include Velvet Lounge, a women’s clothing store with a sharp eye, and The Muse, a gift shop carrying handmade work by local artists. If you want souvenirs, check out Retro-Metro, which runs a long line of Maryland-themed gifts and memorabilia.

No matter what you are after, Frederick’s shopping will meet it. So bring the wallet and give the day to it.

Places to Stay in Frederick

When it comes to somewhere to sleep in Frederick, the choice is wide. From full hotels to small bed and breakfasts, every preference is covered. Here are two worth considering:

Hilton Garden Inn Frederick

If you want comfort and convenience together, the Hilton Garden Inn Frederick is the safe pick. Located a short drive from downtown Frederick, this hotel runs large rooms, an indoor pool and a fitness center. Plus the restaurant on site will feed you properly.

10 Clarke

For something smaller, consider a stay at 10 Clarke. This bed and breakfast sits in the heart of downtown Frederick and runs comfortable rooms with real character. Plus the breakfasts are good enough to carry you through a full day of walking.

No matter where you stay in Frederick, the days will look after themselves. So book the room, because you have earned the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some free things to do in Frederick, MD?

Well, you are in luck, because there is plenty in Frederick, MD that costs nothing. Take a walk through the historic downtown area and look at the architecture. Visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and read what medicine meant during the Civil War. Take a hike at Gambrill State Park or Cunningham Falls State Park. You can also call at the Frederick Visitor Center and pick up a brochure for a self-guided walking tour.

What’s the best way to spend a day in Frederick, MD?

The strongest way to spend a day in Frederick, MD starts with breakfast at one of the local cafes or bakeries. Then take a self-guided walking tour of the historic downtown area. Visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and read what medical practice was during the Civil War era. Have lunch at one of the restaurants nearby. Spend the afternoon walking at Gambrill State Park or Cunningham Falls State Park. End the day with dinner and drinks at one of Frederick’s bars and restaurants.

What are some fun places to visit in Frederick, MD?

There is plenty worth seeing in Frederick, MD. Take a tour of the Flying Dog Brewery and taste what they are making. Visit the Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums and pick up the area’s history. Take a walk through Baker Park and let the grounds do the work. Visit the Weinberg Center for the Arts and catch a show or a concert.

What are some kid-friendly activities in Frederick, MD?

Frederick, MD works well for families with children. Take a trip to Adventure Park USA for the rides and the attractions. Visit the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Museum and read the history of firefighting. Spend a day at the Frederick County Fairgrounds for the events and activities running there. Visit the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo for the exotic animals.

What are some outdoor activities to enjoy in Frederick, MD?

Frederick, MD is a strong base for anyone who wants time outdoors. Take a hike at Gambrill State Park or Cunningham Falls State Park. Go kayaking or fishing on the Monocacy River. Take a bike ride on the Frederick City Bike Trails. Visit the Frederick Municipal Forest for the hiking and biking trails through it.

Is Frederick, MD worth visiting?

Absolutely. Frederick, MD is a historic small city with a great deal to offer visitors. From the architecture to the food to the outdoor days, every interest is served in Frederick. Plus the city sits a short drive from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, which makes it work as a day trip or a weekend.

Frequently asked questions about Frederick, Maryland

Which park in Frederick costs you nothing to walk?

Baker Park, for one. Gambrill State Park and Cunningham Falls State Park both ask a small gate fee, but the historic downtown, the Community Bridge Mural and the walking tour from the Visitor Center all cost you nothing. That fills a whole day without you opening the wallet even once. The museums are where the money actually goes in this town. Budget for two of those and the rest of it is free.

Is the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo worth paying for?

Yes, it genuinely is so. It runs to 35 acres and holds over 300 animals, and you can feed and pet some of them, which is a good deal more than a paid attraction usually allows. The giraffes are the ones that people remember long afterwards though. A Frederick Keys game is the other genuinely cheap ticket here. Both of them cost less than a single restaurant dinner does.

Is the Flying Dog Brewery tour worth the money?

It certainly is, yes indeed. They have been brewing here since 1990, the tour covers how it is actually done, and the tasting at the end is where the ticket earns itself back. McClintock Distilling runs the very same arrangement for all its spirits. The Frederick Wine Trail is the third one of the three. That is three tours, and none of them will break the budget.

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