Overview
Prince Frederick is a community of 3,200 people (2020) in Southern Maryland.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Prince Frederick
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
The country's northernmost cypress swamp has an elevated boardwalk for a walk and wildlife spotting, as well as an informative nature center, open year round.
Jefferson-Patterson Park
Jefferson-Patterson Park is a 560-acre park set on the Patuxent River. It is home to a state history and archeology museum telling the story of the Chesapeake Bay's entire 12,000 year history of habitation. Includes a re…
American Chestnut Land Trust
22 miles (35 km) of hiking trails. Guided nature hikes are sometimes available.
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.
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 32 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore — 44 mi away (major hub). Directions
You'll only get to Prince Frederick by car, and MD-4 is the main road going north-south between Washington, D.C. and Solomons. It goes right through the heart of Prince Frederick. Just north of Prince Frederick it converges with MD-2, which heads north to Annapolis and on to Baltimore.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $65–$65 a night (typical $78), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $12 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$190.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, American Chestnut Land Trust
- Lunch Heritage 485
- Afternoon Jefferson-Patterson Park
- Dinner Adam's Taphouse and Grille
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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.
Get in
You'll only get to Prince Frederick by car, and MD-4 is the main road going north-south between Washington, D.C. and Solomons. It goes right through the heart of Prince Frederick. Just north of Prince Frederick it converges with MD-2, which heads north to Annapolis and on to Baltimore.
There is a commuter bus service to and from Washington, D.C. that is provided by the Maryland Transit Agency.
See
See Jefferson-Patterson Park
Jefferson-Patterson Park is a 560-acre park set on the Patuxent River. It is home to a state history and archeology museum telling the story of the Chesapeake Bay's entire 12,000 year history of habitation. Includes a reconstructed Native American village and extensive displays on Maryland agriculture from the colonial period to the present. The Park is also home to the Maryland Archeology Conservation Lab, a state-of-the-art research, conservation, and collections storage facility. It also has water access to the river; the beaches are small but are often deserted and the sand and water quality is often better than that of the Bay. Very child-friendly, with numerous hands-on displays and activities.
Do
Eat
Eat Adam's Taphouse and Grille
Roadside barbecue joint. Local chain with other locations in Annapolis, Severna Park, and Salisbury. Excellent pulled pork and smoked ribs.
Eat Heritage 485
Upscale comfort food.
Eat Stoney's Seafood House
Maryland is known for blue crabs, and the Washington Post voted Stoney's as having the best crab cakes in the state (and, by extension, the universe). Crab cakes come in two sizes, small and regular. The small is the size of a baseball and ordered as a sandwich is an ample meal for one. Order the regular and they'll have to carry you out. Stoney's also has great tomato-based seafood chowder, fried rockfish (another Maryland classic), mussels, and potato salad.
Sleep
Stay SpringHill Suites
A medium-sized all-suites property just south of Prince Frederick shopping center.
Nearby
Chesapeake Beach
City / town · 19 listings · 11 mi away
Solomons
City / town · 7 listings · 16 mi away
Leonardtown
City / town · 7 listings · 18 mi away
Waldorf
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
Upper Marlboro
City / town · 12 listings · 20 mi away
La Plata
City / town · 8 listings · 21 mi away
Lexington Park
City / town · 19 listings · 21 mi away
Clinton-Camp Springs
City / town · 16 listings · 24 mi away
My experience
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