Tourism Council of Frederick County

Hundreds of exotic animals -- bears to boas, turtles to tigers, lions to lemurs, over 50 naturally wooded acres. Interactive animal presentations, special feeding encounters, birthday parties, group rates, 45 minute safari ride.

Well-appointed in the picturesque mountains overlooking Lake Royer, Fort Ritchie Community Center is located on a re-purposed military base and built as the first green certified building in the area. Its mission includes creating healthy lifestyle and leisure activities, fostering community traditions, and promoting cultural development through the arts, education, sports, technology, and natural resources. Inexpensive memberships and day rates are available for use of the gymnasium, multi-purpose room, childwatch, game room including ping pong and billiards, and a gorgeous fitness center overlooking the lake. Popular group fitness classes, available to members and non-members, include Zumba, Hip Hop, Yoga, Pilates, Senior Yoga, Cardio, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, as well as special programs such as Cheer Camp, Basketball Camp, and an eight-week summer day program. Events include boating, picnics, craft bazaars, pet fests, family movie nights on our outdoor screen, Mountain Top Heritage Days, holiday celebrations, a New Years Polar Plunge, and Corporate Sports Battles. A technology center with eight internet access Mac desktops are available as well as reference materials. Wifi is also provided. Seminars, classes, and group meetings available include art classes, executive and business seminars, community groups, and self-help groups. Rentals of the gymnasium, multi-purpose room, two Meeting areas with high tech projectors, arts/ crafts room, game room and a large kitchen are available at inexpensive rates. Fishing at Lake Royer is available. Fishers must have Maryland permit and apply for a permit at the Community Center. Programs and Classes may be seasonal. Check our website for the latest schedule at www.thefrcc.org

A juried two-day regional celebration of the arts held the first weekend in June. Offerings include 115 professional artists from over 20 states, representing 14 visual media, performing arts, local art and children's crafts, along Carroll Creek.

Frederick Indoor Sports Center is Frederick County's only Indoor Sports complex, and includes the Goal Fitness Center located on the North End of Frederick. We provide leagues for youth and adult indoor soccer, lacrosse, flag football and other sports activities. Goal Fitness Center provides functional training for all ages with our new line of Free Motion Equipment.

The Keys offer a fun, family-friendly environment right in the city of Frederick's backyard. Kids eat free Mondays, giveaways and fireworks are just a few of the promotions planned for the season. The Frederick Keys are the Single A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

Family-Focused-Fun! Gaver Tree Farm - 65 acres, cut-your-own Christmas trees. Gaver Pumpkin Patch - fall fun festival, jumping pillow, pedal karts, corn maze, hayrides, slides, animals, tunnels, mini mazes, pumpkin barn.

The Great Frederick Fair is one of Maryland's, as well as the nation's, oldest county agricultural fairs. It offers educational programs, daily harness racing, exhibits, concert entertainment, carnival rides, and great food.

Like to Play With Your Food? Check out The Kitchen Studio Cooking School, where everything is about the food & a relaxed, playful goodtime. Join us for fun classes where you are sure to meet new friends, pick up new kitchen skills & enjoy fabulous food! Our classes are small, our instructors really know their stuff and a great time is had by all! Ready to dive right in? There are tons of great classes to choose from at The Kitchen Studio’s convenient location,both in the evenings and on weekends. We've got a great class schedule, available on our website. Just check out our class calendar for the complete schedule. The Kitchen Studio Cooking School has it all (and if we don’t, make a suggestion for a class you want to take or a skill you would like to master). We even offer private classes, corporate culinary team-building, and fun cooking birthday parties for kids!

Family entertainment during Sept. and Oct. Nine solid years of nighttime fun. Bring a flashlight and navigate your way through Frederick County's largest corn maze. Try your luck with our corn cannon or pumpkin chunker! Groups call or visit web.