Briefly Maryland’s capital in the late 19th century, the city of Frederick is teeming with history, culture, breathtaking architecture and opportunities to pursue art. Over the years, the “city of clustered spires” has found a place in the list of one of the “greatest US neighborhoods”, “prettiest painted placed in America”, and “America’s dozen distinctive destinations”. Frederick has something to offer to everyone and that is how I organize my top to-do’s in this charming city!

For the History buffs:

• Monocacy National Battlefield; Site of “The Battle that Saved Washington”, a.k.a, the 1864 Civil War.
• National Museum of Civil War and Medicine; Depicts stories of patients and caregivers, and medical innovations during the American Civil War.
• Gathland State Park; A unique War Correspondent’s Memorial Arch, constructed by journalist and author George Alfred Townsend. Experience Civil War living histories and encampments as you hike through the park on the Appalachian trail.
• Mount Olivet Cemetery; Dating back to 1854 and featuring the gravesites of some famous Americans, most notably the author of the national anthem, Francis Scott Key.
• National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; Comprises two historic homes where the first American-born saint lived, the awe-inspiring Basilica dedicated to her, and peaceful, scenic grounds.
• Brunswick Heritage Railroad Museum; Exhibits the story of a town built by the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at the turn of the 20th century and the people who lived here and a 1700 square foot HO Scale model railroad that depicts the B&O Metropolitan Subdivision beginning at the west end of Brunswick’s rail yard and running eastward through Montgomery County communities all the way to Union Station in Washington D.C.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church; The first church in Frederick county and the largest ELCA Lutheran church in the state of Maryland. This two-spired marvel also served as a hospital following the Battle of Antietam in 1862.
• Walking tours; Offered throughout the week on topics including the American Civil War, African-American Heritage, local art, architecture, cuisine and even the city’s haunted history!

For the Adventurous:

• Catoctin Mountain Park; Offers a wealth of scenery, wildlife, wildflowers, historic buildings, hiking trails, scenic drives, camping, and fly-fishing.
• Cunningham Falls State Park; Hiking, swimming, hunting, fishing, picnicking, boating, camping are only the basic activities offered here. The more enthralling ones being a  43 acre lake, a 78-foot cascading waterfall, an aviary and the annual Maple Syrup Festival.
• C&O Canal National Historical Park; 185 miles open to hikers and bikers, the park preserves the remains of the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal as well as valuable wild spaces along the Potomac River shoreline from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, MD.

For Art lovers:

• The Delaplaine Arts Center; An award-winning arts center with 8 galleries, offering more than 50 exhibits, 250 classes and workshops, dozens of public programs, and one of the largest free art libraries open to the public.
• Carroll Creek Park; For a project that began as a flood control effort, this park located conveniently in downtown has transformed into a public work of art with its Community Bridge; Iron Bridge at the Delaplaine comprising iron trees, scrolling plants, flowers, and the occasional water creature; a bronze-cast drinking fountain under the suspension bridge; and 24 water mosaics along the path between Market and Court Streets.
• The Potters’ Guild of Frederick; Promotes the ceramic arts, the gallery showcases the work of 25 local Potters’ Guild members.

For the Shopaholics:

• Antiques; Downtown Frederick is dotted with antique stores such as the Antiques Folly, Chartreuse and Co., Emporium Antiques and Great Stuff by Paul.
• Fresh Produce; The Catoctin Mountain orchard, Gaver Tree Farm & Pumpkin Patch, McCutcheon’s Factory store are some top places to go to if you are looking for farm-fresh produce.
• Art; Numerous art galleries and pottery studios are hard to miss in downtown Frederick. They also offer classes through the week!

For the Foodies:

• Volt; Top Chef star Voltaggio’s jewel of Frederick’s thriving culinary constellation ranks as one of the premier farm-to-table destinations on the East Coast.
• L.O.V.E.; Lebherz Oil & Vinegar Emporium over 50 varieties of oil and vinegar ranging from black truffle oil to jalapeno white vinegar that you are encouraged to sample!
• The Perfect Truffle; Creates chocolates from scratch in their open kitchen while you witness the magic.
• Firestone’s Market; Offers fresh baked bread, artisan cheeses, wine & beer and loads of other tasty foods.
• Breweries; Beer-lovers rejoice at Attaboy Beer, The Flying Dog, Monocacy Brewing Company to name a few.
• Wineries; Springfield Manor Winery, Linganore, Loew, Elk Run, Hidden Hills and Catoctin Breeze vineyards are on the Frederick wine trail.