Tourism Council of Frederick County

Frederick County, Maryland
Three-days and Two-nights

Day One

TOUR OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF ELIZABETH ANN SETON. Here, your group will tour the home of the first American born Saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton. Self-guided tours of the grounds include a video presentation depicting Elizabeth Seton's life and accomplishments, a tour (with museum docents) of the original 1770's farmhouse and the colonial style "White House" (built in 1809) that served as her home as well as a tour of the beautiful basilica dedicated to her memory. Allow 1.5 hours for touring.

THE GROTTO OF LOURDES Here, your group will tour the oldest replica of The Grotto of Lourdes in the Western Hemisphere. Nestled in the glorious foothills of the Catoctin Mountains, the grotto is a peaceful place to relax. Allow 30 minutes for touring.

LUNCH AND JESSE JAMES TRAIN RIDE ON THE WALKERSVILLE SOUTHERN RAILROAD. Your trip departs from Walkersville station, a small turn-of-the-century station built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 1800's. Shortly after the train departs from the station, notorious "sinner," Jesse James will stage a hold-up. Faux jewels and funny money will help your group experience the Old West train robbery. The group will be entertained as the train rolls past a 100 year old lime kiln, working farms, wooded areas and rolling countryside. You'll get an impressive view of the Catoctin Mountains and the Monocacy River as the train passes over a railway bridge, 25 feet above the water. The excursion ride is 1.5 hours, 2.5 hours with lunch.

At CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, relief from the Great Depression took several interesting twists and turns in the late 1920's and early 1930's. From an early beginning as a form of currency and a medicinal treatment, distilling whiskey grew into a form of tax protest and big profits. Moon shining was very profitable and the quality of Catoctin moonshine was common knowledge as far away as New York. In 1929 the Blue Blazes Still was raided by the Frederick County Sheriff's office, resulting in one of the first line of duty deaths of a Frederick County deputy sheriff. Today the Blue Blazes Still serves as a reminder of the past and is a 0.25-mile walk from the Catoctin Mountain Park visitor center.

Just a few years after the raid, a second tragedy occurred in Catoctin Mountain. On October 31, 1933, Bessy Darling, a businesswoman who operated a summer boarding house for the tourist trade, was murdered. A love affair gone wrong produced the tragic results; thirst from a Depression era community struggling with hard times and the daily grind of living produced sensational headlines. Both of these events occurred on the eve of the birth of Catoctin Mountain Park, an area administered by the National Park Service, after the Great Depression. Park Rangers will meet your groups and fill in the details of these colorful people and the stories that are part of our heritage. Allow 1 hour for the tour.

In the evening, stop by the WEINBERG CENTER FOR THE ARTS for a performance in this restored 1920's movie palace.

Day Two

Sit back and take in the view from the coach as your guide tells the stories of HISTORIC FREDERICK. From our famous "clustered spires," to notable Federal-style architecture, this tour offers a tranquil way to enjoy your Frederick County experience. With just the right mix of historical vision complemented by homespun local lore, these tours are guaranteed to make Frederick's colorful past come alive for your group. Your tour will include a stop at 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! Your day could also include tours of: The National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the Barbara Fritchie House, the Historical Society of Frederick County, Schifferstadt Architectural Museum or Rose Hill Manor Museum.

Tour the National Museum of Civil War Medicine to hear about the story of care and treatment of the wounded during the Civil War.

In the evening visit CHARLESTOWN RACETRACKS where your group can enjoy over 2,000 slot machines and live thoroughbred racing year round (racing Wednesday- Sunday). With a three-hour minimum stay, your group will be treated to $5 in slot vouchers. Space, based on availability; blackout dates may apply.  Enjoy a delicious buffet meal.

Day Three

Spend the morning touring the areas three historic covered bridges and return trip home.

Please contact the following for tour prices and schedules:

• National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton
  * Donations Encouraged
  (301) 447-6606 www.setonshrine.org
• Grotto: no charge, no reservations needed, open dawn to dusk.
• Train Ride: Doe Horch
  (301) 898-0899, doezy@aol.com
• Catoctin Mountain National Park: Chief Ranger, no charge.
  * Written Reservations should be made at least three weeks prior, mail to:
  Catoctin Mountain National Park
  6602 Foxville Road
  Thurmont, MD 21778
  (301) 663-9388 www.nps.gov/cato
• Weinberg Center for the Arts
  (301) 600-2828 www.weinbergcenter.org
• Covered bridges tour (301) 600-4050

Questions?

Contact Tiffany Ahalt, Tourism Marketing Manager, (800) 999-3613 or 301-600-4050 or e-mail: tahalt@fredco-md.net