What to see and do in Frederick, Maryland

Frederick, Maryland is known for its historic downtown area, with its shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions

Frederick has long been an important crossroads, located at the intersection of a major north–south Indian trail and east–west routes to the Chesapeake Bay, both at Baltimore and  Washington, D.C. and across the Appalachian mountains to the Ohio River.  it was founded in 1745. The oldest house in Frederick today is Schifferstadt which was built in 1756 by a German settler.  George Washington and Abraham Lincoln spent time in Frederick.  Camp David is located near Frederick and Presidents often stopped here on their way back to Washington. 

We lived in Frederick for 10 years.  The county is home to Catoctin National Park, Monocacy National Battlefield, the C & O Canal, the Appalachian Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain, and several state parks. 

Frederick is situated about 50 miles northwest of Baltimore and 50 miles west of Washington D.C. It is known for its historic downtown area, which has a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. One of the most popular attractions in Frederick is the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, which is dedicated to preserving and educating visitors about the medical practices of the Civil War era. Other popular attractions in the area include the Monocacy National Battlefield, Baker Park, Rose Hill Manor, and the Weinberg Center for the Arts.

Frederick also has a strong economy, with a diverse mix of industries, including healthcare, biotechnology, and tourism. The city is home to several major employers, including Fort Detrick, which is a U.S. Army research and development center.

Overall, Frederick is a vibrant and historic city that offers a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities.

Looking for things to do?  Viator offers numerous tours in the Frederick area.  Click here for details.

Carroll Creek Park in downtown Frederick

Thomas Johnson house at Rose Hill Manor. Thomas Johnson was a friend of George Washington and he was a delegate to the First Continental Congress in 1774. He was elected first governor of Maryland in 1777. 

The oldest house in Frederick today is Schifferstadt which was built in 1756 by a German settler.

Overlook from Gambrill State Park near Frederick

Sugarloaf mountain is locate a a few miles south of Frederick and is a great place for hiking and rock climbing.

The C & O Canal crosses over the Monocacy River at the Monocacy Aqueduct.

The trail along the C & O Canal is a great place to bike along the canal and the Potomac river.

The original Washington Monument is located on the Appalachian Trail near Frederick.

The Correspondents Memorial is located in Gathland State Park at Crampton Gap on the Appalachian Trail near Frederick.

White's Ferry still transports cars between Virginia and Maryland over the Potomac River

One of the many farms surrounding Frederick

The railroad runs parallel to the C & O canal and passes through a tunnel under the Catoctin mountain at Point of Rocks.

Catoctin Mountain Park  is a national park in Frederick county. It is a great place for hiking and is home to the presidential retreat at Camp David.