Overview
Frederick is a charming city of approximately 80,000 people (2020) in Maryland. It is a major antique center with many shops, eateries, galleries and antique dealers.
13 sights · 4 things to do · 8 places to eat · 7 bars & cafés · 11 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Frederick
National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Also has locations in Sharpsburg and Washington, D.C.. The exhibits demonstrate how medicine was practiced during the Civil War (which was a lesson in patient endurance), as well as track advances in medicine during thos…
Monocacy National Battlefield
Site of a summer 1864 Civil War battle between General Jubal Early of the Confederacy and General Lew Wallace of the Union.
Schifferstadt Architectural Museum
In a colonial German stone house built in 1758.
Evangelical Lutheran Church
One of the oldest Lutheran churches in the United States, built in 1752.
All Saints Church
Built in 1814, part of Frederick's reputation as "The City of Clustered Spires".
Barbara Fritchie House
A Civil War-era Union patriot and close friend of Francis Scott Key, Barbara Fritchie is perhaps best known for flying the Union flag outside her house as General Stonewall Jackson marched by on the Maryland Campaign. In…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HGR Hagerstown Regional Richard A Henson Field, Hagerstown — 26 mi away. Directions
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 33 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, take Interstate 270 north. Traffic is heavily congested southbound during morning rush hour and northbound during evening rush hour.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Barbara Fritchie House, All Saints Church, Baker Park
- Lunch The Orchard
- Afternoon The Artists' Gallery, Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Dinner The Tasting Room
- Evening Bushwaller's
Day 2
- Morning Monocacy National Battlefield, Francis Scott Key Memorial
- Lunch Frederick Coffee Company and Cafe
- Afternoon Hessian Barracks, Roger Brooke Taney House
- Dinner Pretzel and Pizza Creations
- Evening McClintock Distilling
Day 3
- Morning Brunswick Heritage Railroad Museum
- Lunch a.k.a. Friscos Restaurant
- Dinner South Market Sandwich Company
- Evening Tenth Ward Distilling Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Fast food and national chain restaurants are located to the west along Route 40, known as "the golden mile", and south along Route 85 and South Market Street. Smaller, local restaurants are located mainly along Market street in the center of the historic part of town.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Frederick is the county seat, largest city, and commercial and geographic center of Frederick County.
History
In colonial times, Frederick was on an important north–south Indian trail.
The town was founded around 1742 and was likely named after Frederick Calvert, the 6th and last Baron Baltimore.
Get in
By car
From Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, take Interstate 270 north. Traffic is heavily congested southbound during morning rush hour and northbound during evening rush hour.
From Baltimore and points east, take Interstate 70 west.
From Hagerstown and points west, take Interstate 70 east.
From Gettysburg and points north, take U.S. Route 15 south.
By train
MARC provides commuter rail service to Frederick Monday through Friday on the Brunswick Line, which originates at Union Station in Washington DC. Frederick station is located at 100 S East St. Also, from the MARC train station in Point of Rocks, there is a bus service to/from Frederick.
By plane
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Washington National Airport (DCA), or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) are the nearest large commercial airports. They are all within around an hour driving time of Frederick.
By bus
Route 515 provides service between Frederick and the Shady Grove Metrorail Station, whereby connections can be made from Washington, DC. The bus operates only during rush hour and costs $3.50.
Greyhound operates service to/from Baltimore for $11 if purchased online in advance.
Get around
By car
A car is the easiest way to get around Frederick. There are public parking garages and street parking in the historic downtown area.
By bus
TransIT operates bus services within Frederick. Buses operate between 6AM and 9PM and are free.
By rideshare
Uber is a popular method of transport in Frederick for those without a car.
See
See Barbara Fritchie House
A Civil War-era Union patriot and close friend of Francis Scott Key, Barbara Fritchie is perhaps best known for flying the Union flag outside her house as General Stonewall Jackson marched by on the Maryland Campaign. In memory of this event, John Greenleaf Whittier wrote his poem Barbara Frietchie, lines of which Winston Churchill recited by memory during his visit to the city.
See National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Also has locations in Sharpsburg and Washington, D.C.. The exhibits demonstrate how medicine was practiced during the Civil War (which was a lesson in patient endurance), as well as track advances in medicine during those times.
See Evangelical Lutheran Church
One of the oldest Lutheran churches in the United States, built in 1752.
See All Saints Church
Built in 1814, part of Frederick's reputation as "The City of Clustered Spires".
Do
Parks
Do Baker Park
Downtown Frederick's 44-acre park features a carillon, band shell, tennis courts, softball and baseball field, Culler Lake, Thomas pool, and numerous playgrounds for children. Park features concerts and children's theater in the summer and numerous outdoor events throughout the year including a Fourth of July celebration.
Spectator sports
Festivals
Buy
Frederick is known for a high concentration of antique stores. The majority are in the historic parts of the city along Patrick St, East St, and along Carroll Creek. There are also a variety of small shops along Market St.
Shopping malls
Collectibles
Eat
Budget
Eat Frederick Coffee Company and Cafe
Strong coffee in a comfortable setting.
Eat Pretzel and Pizza Creations
Pizza with a pretzel crust. Just as amazing as it sounds. If you can't find a seat, take the pizza for a lovely meal in the park.
Eat South Market Sandwich Company
Sandwich shop with creative combinations of quality ingredients. You can eat a sandwich on a park bench watching the flow of the creek.
Fast food and national chain restaurants are located to the west along Route 40, known as "the golden mile", and south along Route 85 and South Market Street. Smaller, local restaurants are located mainly along Market street in the center of the historic part of town.
Mid-range
Eat Airways Inn of Frederick
Famous for fresh seafood and delicious Maryland crab soup.
Eat a.k.a. Friscos Restaurant
Great sandwiches and potatoes. The specialty is the 'exploded potatoes.'
Eat Brewer's Alley
Local brewery with a nice range of beers. The Nut Brown Ale and Oatmeal Stout are very good. Cask aged beers are often available. Pizzas and baked dishes from the brick oven are really good. Try the sweet potato fries.
Eat The Orchard
Mostly natural and organic foods. Good selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Splurge
Eat The Tasting Room
European-style fine dining with an extensive wine list.
Drink
Drink Tenth Ward Distilling Company
Distillery selling gin, whiskey, rye, absinthe, and other spirits. Mixed drinks served as well. Can also have burgers delivered from the burger shop next door.
Drink Bushwaller's
Irish pub.
Drink Spacie Gracie
Cocktails and bites
Drink Mirage Lounge
Hookah bar with wide selection of sheesha. Serves Middle Eastern food. 50-cent beers on Thursdays. Frequented on the evenings by students from Hood College.
Drink Monocacy Brewing Company
Brewery with indoor and outdoor seating area. Sometimes has live music and a food truck.
Drink Gravel & Grind
Coffee house, also rents bikes
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Go next
- Brunswick
- Gettysburg
- Sharpsburg is the site of the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest one day battle in American history
- Harpers Ferry
Nearby
Middletown
City / town · 3 listings · 7 mi away
Rural Montgomery County
Rural area · 17 listings · 13 mi away
Brunswick
City / town · 10 listings · 14 mi away
Boonsboro
City / town · 6 listings · 15 mi away
Thurmont
City / town · 19 listings · 15 mi away
Catoctin Mountain Park
Park · 2 listings · 16 mi away
Germantown
City / town · 15 listings · 18 mi away
Sharpsburg
City / town · 11 listings · 18 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.