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Filled with various cultural spots, art venues, historic architectural landmarks, you can explore many top-notch places to visit in Frederick, Maryland. Located in Western Maryland, the city has beautiful countryside and alluring modern attractions, making it a perfect destination for family vacation. Our family decided to spend a short vacation trip of five days at Frederick, Maryland, exploring the bustling downtown, vibrant streets, culinary delights, and historic sites. Let’s dive into our fun-filled journey to Frederick, discovering the top attractions and best places to visit.
Day 1: Highlighting Downtown Exploration
Around 8:00 AM in the morning, we packed our luggage and left for Frederick. Reaching there at 1:00 PM in the afternoon, we arrived at Hollerstown Hill Bed and Breakfast, a close walk to downtown. After check-in and resting a bit, we were all excited to stroll around the downtown streets. Furthermore, we were mesmerized witnessing the historic architecture of the city and the welcoming atmosphere of this place.
Wandering around the streets, we decided to visit Carroll Creek Park, one of the most beautiful attractions around downtown Frederick. The park is a dynamic venue for public art, live music performances, fountains, sailboats, and community events. Kids were excited watching the beautiful ducks floating on water while my husband and I enjoyed an energetic performance by a band.
After a long walk in the park, we were hungry and decided to stop by The tasting Room, a top-tier restaurant in Frederick with savory cuisine. Moreover, we loved their crab cakes and delicious vegan menu. On top of it, the seating ambiance and overall atmosphere of this place made us feel like home.
Day 2: Discovering the Historic Landmarks
Our second day in Frederick was decided to uncover the historic sites and architectural landmarks of Frederick, Maryland. Our foremost destination for day 2 was the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. We were so thrilled to learn and discover the fascinating facts about the clinical practices and medical and nursing procedures during the Civil War. Kids enjoyed the exhibition, displaying an array of surgical instruments and medical equipment and uniforms.
Our next destination was the Monocacy National Battlefield, a historic place highlighting the battle to save Washington during the Civil War. The eight walking trails of the battlefield mark the significance of this place nationally. We were fully indulged in the history reading the informative boards on different walls and trails.
Café Nola was our lunch stop, a captivating restaurant with an all inclusive menu. Their mixed salads, loaded fries, burger, and sandwiches were a hit. My husband and I loved their freshly brewed coffee and avocado toast, while kids enjoyed their fresh juices and sandwiches.
After having our lunch, We went to explore the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, another historic landmark in Frederick, Maryland. Our guided tour took us to the stunning architecture of German-Georgian history. Furthermore, kids really admired the stories of Germans and Georgians inhabiting this house in the 18th century.
Day 3: Adoring Nature and Enjoying Adventures
on the third day, we delved into exploring nature and enjoying the adventurous activities in Frederick, Maryland. In addition, the striking and scenic countryside offers the best views of natural beauty. Early in the morning, we arrived at Cunningham Falls State Park, one of the standout places to visit in Frederick, Maryland for all nature and adventure lovers. The wonderful hiking trails and alluring waterfalls present breathtaking views. My husband and I went hiking while kids were indulging in exploring the stunning surroundings of this place.
In the picturesque view of surrounding mountains, we had a fun picnic at Gambrill State Park. Kids were delighted playing frisbee around the large and beautiful trees while I set the table with sandwiches, fruits, and juices. It was a memorable day and happy meal with all of us laughing at our own jokes and capturing the best moments on our phones.
In the afternoon, we planned to visit the Frederick Municipal Forest to unleash wildlife and more hiking trails. The dense forest has various kinds of trees and we enjoyed pointing out some famous trees with the help of a book we took with us. Moreover, we were thrilled spotting deer and wild birds hiding behind the tall trees.
Day 4: Spending Day Exploring Art and Culture
Day four was packed with the adventure of discovering the art and culture of the city. We began experiencing the stunning artistic talent of Frederick by visiting Delaplaine Arts Center, featuring the artwork of national and local artists. My husband joined the hands-on-painting session, uncovering his creative art talent. It was an adventurous experience witnessing the unique masterpieces and creativity of great artists.
Then, we went shopping through the downtown area, visiting many boutiques and shopping centers. We bought a few pieces of hand-crafted jewelry and some historic books about Frederick. Additionally, Kids insisted on buying toys as souvenirs to keep the memories of the trip with them.
A famous brewery and eatery in Frederick, Brewer’s Alley was chosen for lunch. Their lively and welcoming atmosphere was the highlight of the visit along with the kind staff and superb services.
Day 5: Time to Say Goodbye
Our last day in Fredrick introduced us to the mixed feeling of happiness and sadness. We decided to take most of this opportunity and visit other top-notch attractions of Frederick.
Exploring the early lifestyle of old Americans, we stopped at Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums. We were so excited watching the interactive exhibitions and wearing the traditional costumes. The breathtaking scenery of the Gardens kept us indulged in the beauty of the museum.
We opted for Madrones for our last lunch in Frederick. They served us the lender and best steaks in the town with an extensive menu featuring delectable dishes. Furthermore, the interior and cozy atmosphere of the restaurant was a perfect end to our culinary experience in Frederik.
Before going back to our rental space and packing our luggage, we decided to visit Catoctin Mountain Park in Frederick County. The beautiful scenery of the park helped refresh our mind before a long drive back to our home. Moreover, The calm atmosphere and scenic walking trails made it hard to say goodbye to this captivating place.
Summary of Our Trip
On our way back home, we couldn’t stop admiring and talking about the beauty of this city. Undeniably, it is one of the most memorable and fun trips we have ever gone for. In addition, the warm hospitality depicts the welcoming nature of people in Frederick, making it a must-visit destination for family outings and trips.
If you are a history buff and want to experience the vibrant culture and stunning architecture, I recommend you to add Frederick in your next go-to- vacation destination list. Each day will fill you with most cherished memories and lovely moments with your family. Our trip to Frederick, Maryland was full of the best experiences of discovering historic sites, lively markets and streets, natural beauty, and rich culture of the city. We have already decided to visit this place on our next vacation to explore the places we couldn’t get to.
You can also check out our trip to Annapolis here.
