Story Ideas
Frederick County has countless stories just waiting to be told. Here are some ideas to get the juices flowing. Looking for more? Contact Marketing and Communications Manager Jake Wynn anytime to help craft your story about Frederick County.
Historic Houses and Gardens
The historic sites and museums of Frederick County provide visitors with a living reminder of our nation's past.
- Visit period gardens and taste herbs that would have been growing in the 1800's at Schifferstadt Museum and Rose Hill Manor
- Savor a performance at the Weinberg Center, a 1926 restored movie palace
- Come face-to-face with the history of the enslaved people who operated the Catoctin Furnace dating back to 1776 at the Museum of the Ironworker
- Tour local homes and gardens during the annual Candlelight Homes Tour and the annual Beyond The Garden Gates Tour
Civil War
During the Civil War, Frederick was fiercely contested ground with numerous skirmishes and exhaustive troop movements accompanying the nearby battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg and Monocacy. Today, Frederick tells the story of a town divided and the care its citizens gave to wounded soldiers from both sides of the conflict. Three of Maryland's Civil War Trails (The Antietam Campaign, The Road to Gettysburg and 1864 Attack on Washington) pass through the county.
- Tour Monocacy National Battlefield and explore its complex history
- Explore the untold medical story of the Civil War at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
- Walk through Downtown Frederick to historic buildings used as makeshift hospitals on the "One Vast Hospital" walking tour
- Learn more about the legacy of Frederick resident Barbara Fritchie and the poem that made her famous
- Visit the War Correspondents Memorial Arch and learn more about Civil War-era journalists
Religious Pilgrimages & Mountain Retreats
The very roots of religious tolerance can be traced to Maryland, so it's no wonder Frederick County is home to a variety of religions and historic houses of worship. Frederick city's picturesque cluster of church steeples was distinguished in John Greeleaf Whittier's poem, The Ballad of Barbara Fritchie. He wrote, "The clustered spires of Frederick stand, Green-walled by the hills of Maryland."
- Tour the National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first-American-born saint
- Experience the serenity of the Grotto of Lourdes
Soft Adventure
From the C&O Canal, to the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the untamed beauty of the Potomac and Monocacy Rivers, Frederick County offers a wide range of recreational activities.
- Float down the Potomac, Shenandoah, and Monocacy Rivers
- Bike the C&O Canal Towpath
- Hike the Appalachian Trail
Art & Architecture
Frederick is recognized as an Arts and Entertainment District. Visit the nationally acclaimed Community Bridge Mural, where an artist has transformed a plain concrete bridge into a permanent illusion of an old stone and ivy covered bridge; a must see!
- Take in a performance in a grand, restored 1926 movie palace
- Search several independent art galleries for the piece you’ve been looking for
- Cap off the evening in one of many restaurants serving up after hours jazz and blues entertainment
- Relax in hospitality of a well-appointed bed & breakfast
- Create your own art at one of the many studios offering drop in classes
- Stroll through historic Downtown Frederick and take in the architectural treasures
Unique Dining
Frederick County is home to many unique restaurants, including many wonderful privately owned establishments. Many restaurants in hip and historic Downtown Frederick, which is fast becoming a culinary destination, offer great weekend musical entertainment following the dinner hour.
- Visit one of Bryan Voltaggio's world renowned establishments
- Enjoy outdoor drinks and dining along the main street or in a private courtyard
Fall Foliage & Scenic Drives
The foothills of the Catoctin Mountains are truly spectacular as the leaves change color. Leaf peekers are rewarded for their efforts with healthy doses of vibrant colors from late September to mid-October.
- Sightsee in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains and tour three scenic covered bridges
- Stop by a local orchard for fresh apples, pears and berries
- Hike mountain paths to a dazzling 78-foot waterfall
- Get off the interstate and travel at a slower pace along the National Road, the first federally funded highway
Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries
You are invited to discover some of Frederick County's best agricultural bounty, its unique wineries, breweries, and distilleries.
- Enjoy a taste of Maryland rye whiskey - a spirit with deep roots here in Frederick County
- Tour a facility to learn how your favorite drinks are made
- Sample craft beer, local wine, or unique spirits in one of Frederick's many tasting rooms
- Drink in the picturesque views at an outdoor beer or wine festival
Dog-Friendly Frederick
Dogs never have to go far without a drink, treat, and warm welcome when visiting Downtown Frederick. “My dog’s Diggin' Downtown Frederick” stickers, water bowls, and dog-friendly fountains abound, while dog-friendly business owners offer treats for pampered pooches. Throughout town, you can easily identify dog-friendly businesses by the decals in the windows and stop in for some of these treats.
- Visit over 55 dog-friendly shops, restaurants, and galleries
- Let your pooch run off some energy in one of Frederick's dog parks or take a stroll in one of the many other unique parks
- Stay overnight at one of over a dozen pet-friendly lodging options
Family Fun
Frederick County has much to offer for the under 18 set. In addition to our traditional attractions, tours and parks, you’ll find dozens of first run movie theaters, special events intended for youngsters, and a variety of specialty stores your kids (and you) will love.
- Get up close and personal with the animals at one of the zoos, farms, or nature centers
- Have an adventure in nature tubing, boating, or camping
- Take in a minor league baseball game
- Experience historic trains by riding the rails or visiting a museum
Shopping & Antiquing
Downtown Frederick boasts over 200 antique shops, many within easy walking distance of each other. Our specialty retailers have offerings to satisfy a variety of interests. Frederick County is also home to unique clothiers, home furnishing stores and jewelers.
- Spend the weekend antiquing in the quaint shops that can be found in many Frederick County towns
- Shop Historic Downtown Frederick on the first Saturday of the month and enjoy extended shop hours
- Visit one of Frederick's vintage barn sales for vintage decor and handmade items you won't find anywhere else