Historic Downtown Frederick, MD
Itineraries
Suggested Itineraries
The Fort, The Flag and The Poet
Walk the streets of Maryland where Francis Scott Key once lived, worshipped, practiced law in the early 1800's, and visit the final resting place of the man who penned the Star-Spangled Banner on this regional tour of Francis Scott Key highlights.
- Visit Key's Memorial and Grave at Frederick's Mount Olivet Cemetery
- See the original draft of the Star-Spangled Banner at the Maryland Historical Society
- Explore Baltimore's Fort McHenry, where the poem to inspire our National Anthem was written
- See the actual flag of inspiration at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC
- Visit Trinity Chapel in Frederick, the church where Key was baptized
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Presidential Playground: Beyond Camp David — The American President In Frederick County, Maryland
Frederick County is home to the presidential retreat of Camp David, so we've seen our share of the nation's decision makers.
- Guided walking tour of downtown Frederick’s historic district
- Have lunch or dinner at Brewer’s Alley restaurant, the site of several presidential speeches
- Visit Rose Hill Manor park, home to Maryland’s first elected governor, Thomas Johnson
- Tour the historic home of Roger Brooke Taney, who inaugurated seven U.S. presidents
- See the Camp David Room at the Cozy Restaurant in Thurmont
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Saints and Sinners Tour
Here's a tour full of heavenly fun and a devilishly good time.
- Visit the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Explore the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
- Take a scenic ride on the Walkersville Southern Railroad
- Excursion to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
- Learn about the “saints” that helped the wounded soldiers at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
- Hear about tragedy and moonshine at Catoctin Mountain National Park
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Maryland Civil War Trails Tour
From the outset of the Civil War until its end, Maryland and the Eastern Seaboard was a center of military activity. Situated between the capitals of Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, Maryland was truly a "house divided."
- Follow along the marked Civil War Trails in Baltimore, Washington County and Frederick County
- Visit battlefield sites at Antietam, Monocacy, and Gettysburg
- Explore Civil War museums and sites such as the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the Pry Field Hospital Museum and the Newcomer House
- Learn about stories of caring and compassion from the battlefield to the home front
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The Civil War
During the Civil War, Frederick was fiercely contested ground with numerous skirmishes and exhaustive troop movements accompanying the nearby battles of Antietam, Gettysburg, South Mountain, and Monocacy.
- Tour Monocacy National Battlefield
- Special Order #191 will be available for public viewing August 1 – October 31, 2012
- Travel Civil War Trails (Antietam & Gettysburg Campaigns)
- Learn about Frederick's healing role in the War at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
- See the home and burial site of Frederick's Civil War heroine, Barbara Fritchie on a guided tour of the historic district
- Visit Crampton’s Gap and learn about the Battle of South Mountain
- Travel to Harpers Ferry and experience the history of John Brown’s famous raid
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Historic Spaces and Garden Oases
The historic sites and museums of Frederick County provide visitors with a living reminder of our grand past.
- Visit period gardens and taste herbs that would have been growing in the 1800's at Schifferstadt Museum and Rose Hill Manor
- Enjoy a high tea at a gracious fedral-style mansion
- Savor a performance at the Weinberg Center, a 1926 restored movie palace or Toby’s Dinner Theatre
- Relax in the shade of the period sitting garden at the Historical Society of Frederick County
- Tour one or two wineries on the Frederick Wine Trail
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Life, Labor and Liberty: The African American Experience
Become acquainted with over two centuries of African American heritage in Frederick County.
- Tour the Catoctin Furnace, designated an official site on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
- Learn about the role of African American troops at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
- View the Community Bridge Mural, an enormous tromp l'oeil mural featuring symbols representing the "spirit of community." Many of the symbols derive from African or African American sources.
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Catholic Heritage Tour
Trace the roots of religion in Frederick County by visiting a variety of religious and historic houses of worship, which are sure to inspire.
- Visit the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Explore the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
- Embark on a walking tour of Frederick’s historic downtown and view some of our earliest churches and places of burial
- Learn about the important regional role of Father John Dubois in our area’s Catholic heritage
Covered Bridges & Fall Foliage Tour
Travel through the rolling hills when the leaves are at their peak!
- Visit Catoctin Mountain Orchard for some fresh-picked apples, fresh produce and fruit pies
- Enjoy scenic views of Maryland’s rolling hills piedmont nestled between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains
- Travel to the county’s three historic covered bridges
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The Holidays With High Tea
Beginning after Thanksgiving, the streets of historic Frederick are decorated with twinkling white lights, making this a truly charming time of the year to visit.
- Shop at the Maryland Christmas Show where over 500 artisans and crafters offer their wares
- High tea will be served at a beautiful Victorian-style mansion
- Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship (event date announced annually)
- Kris Kringle Procession (event date announced annually)
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Bold Women of Frederick County
Since the early 18th century, when Frederick County was largely wilderness, to the present, bold, brash, and brilliant women have contributed to our heritage. Come along on this tour to hear the stories of our most famous and infamous females.
- Embark on a guided walking tour of Frederick’s historic downtown and learn about Frederick’s bold women, such as Barbara Fritchie, Helen Smith and Claire McCardell
- Visit the Beatty-Cramer House, once owned by plucky pioneer Susannah Beatty
- See the picturesque Dahlgren Chapel, commissioned by Sarah Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren
- Visit the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Tour L’Hermitage and learn about Victoire Vincendiere, Frederick’s youngest landowner
Girlfriends Getaway to Frederick County
Let the relaxation begin with a fun getaway full of pampering, shopping, fine dining and chocolate treats.
- Spend some time at one of Frederick's premier salons
- Browse antique shops and unique boutiques in downtown Frederick
- Indulge in handmade chocolates and truffles, which are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth
- Visit some of the stops on the Frederick Wine Trail where you can enjoy a tasting paired with local bread and cheese
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Apple Pie à la Mode Farm Tour
Visit a few of Frederick County's farms, wineries and orchards for a unique tour experience only Frederick County can offer!
- Learn about South Mountain Creamery's milk and ice cream production
- Taste and shop for local fruit and vegetables at the orchards' markets
- Visit the bakery at Catoctin Orchard where pies, cookies and other delicious goods are baked daily
- Tour downtown historic Frederick, including a visit to McCutcheon's Factory Store
- Educational opportunities are available for your group at Summer Creek Farm
Please contact the Tourism Council for additional Tour Suggestions…
- Agricultural Tours: wineries, farm markets, orchard tours and restaurants serving locally raised produce, dairy and meat products are all available to have a farm to table experience.
- Student Tours: Less than 45 minutes from Washington, DC, Gettysburg, and Baltimore, Frederick County makes an ideal home base for your student tours.
- Religious Pilgrimages & Mountain Retreats: Tour the National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton, experience the serenity of the Grotto of the Lourdes, sightsee in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains or plan your retreat at the Claggett Center.
- Soft Adventure Tours: 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 tours, including rafting, canoeing, biking and hiking.
Catoctin Mt. Nat'l Scenic Byway
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Historic Sites Consortium
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