20 Things to Do in Frederick, MD (2026)
Downtown, Civil War history, the Catoctin hills and the rainy days.
Updated November 2026. Twenty attractions and activities in Frederick, Maryland, in four groups: downtown, history, outdoors and day trips, and nights and rainy days. Five are free.
The short answer: walk Carroll Creek, eat at Brewer's Alley, see a show at the Weinberg Center, hike Chimney Rock, and make something at AR Workshop Frederick.
20 things to do in Frederick, MD, by area
Updated November 2026. We show prices only where the venue publishes them; check hours before you go.
Grouped so you can do three or four in one day. Each entry lists where, cost, time and who it suits. Planning something specific? See date night ideas, team building, Christmas activities and every class at AR Workshop Frederick.
Downtown Frederick and Carroll Creek
The walkable core: creek, shops, restaurants and the theater.
A 1.5-mile park along the creek through downtown Frederick, with fountains, water gardens, footbridges and public art. Restaurants and brewers line the banks; summer brings live music.
- Where
- Downtown Frederick
- Price
- Free
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best for
- Couples, families, a first evening.
Browse the shops in the historic district
FreeA 50-block historic district with hundreds of independent shops: antiques, boutiques, galleries and gifts. Park once and walk.
- Where
- Market St and Patrick St
- Price
- Free to browse
- Time
- 2–3 hours
- Best for
- Weekends, gifts, antiques.
Dinner and a pint at Brewer's Alley
Frederick's original brewpub, open since 1996 in a building that once held the city hall, the jail and an opera house. House-brewed beer, big menu.
- Where
- 124 N Market St
- Price
- Check prices
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Best for
- Groups, beer lovers.
A craft distillery on Carroll Creek. Book a tasting flight, or a tour on Saturday or Sunday, on its website.
- Where
- 35 S Carroll St
- Price
- Check prices
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best for
- Couples; 21 and up.
The historic downtown theater for entertainment: live music, comedy, family shows and a classic film series. Popular shows sell out.
- Where
- 20 W Patrick St
- Price
- Varies by show
- Time
- 2–3 hours
- Best for
- Date night, families.
Baker Park and the carillon
Free58 acres of lawns, paths and a lake beside downtown, with the Joseph Dill Baker carillon tower. Free summer concerts and events; Frederick's Fourth ends here with fireworks.
- Where
- Downtown Frederick
- Price
- Free
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best for
- Families, picnics, biking.
Craft Night Out at AR Workshop Frederick
KraftStoriesPick a wood or canvas project, then paint, stain and distress it with an instructor. Most Friday and Saturday evenings; you bring the snacks and drinks.
- Where
- 914 N East St
- Price
- From $69 per person
- Time
- 3 hours
- Best for
- Girls' nights, couples.
Civil War history and museums
Three downtown museums and the battlefield just south.
National Museum of Civil War Medicine
IndoorTwo floors on the patients, surgeons and nurses of the Civil War, from field hospitals to the instruments. About people more than gore.
- Where
- 48 E Patrick St
- Price
- Check prices
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Best for
- History lovers, older kids.
Museum of Frederick County History and walking tours
IndoorHeritage Frederick's museum, and the start of its walking tours on the Civil War, African American heritage and architecture.
- Where
- 24 E Church St
- Price
- Check prices
- Time
- 1–2 hours
- Best for
- First-time visitors.
Monocacy National Battlefield
The 1864 battle here delayed a Confederate march on Washington. Start at the visitor center, then walk the farms and fields. Check current hours first.
- Where
- 5201 Urbana Pike
- Price
- Check prices
- Time
- 2 hours
- Best for
- Civil War buffs.
Rose Hill Manor Park & Children's Museum
FamilyA hands-on children's museum in a historic manor: kids card wool, grind spices and play with old toys. Seasonal hours.
- Where
- 1611 N Market St
- Price
- Check prices
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Best for
- Young kids.
Outdoors, wines and day trips
Hiking, biking, camping and wines, 15 to 30 minutes out.
Gambrill State Park and the High Knob overlooks
Outdoors16-plus miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, 15 minutes from downtown. The 1930s stone overlooks at High Knob look across the valley and close at sunset.
- Where
- Gambrill Park Rd
- Price
- Vehicle entry fee
- Time
- 1–3 hours
- Best for
- Hikers, sunset views.
A steep loop of about 3.5 to 3.9 miles to two rock viewpoints over the mountains. The park calls it its most strenuous trail; bring water and a map.
- Where
- Thurmont
- Price
- Free
- Time
- 2–4 hours
- Best for
- Fit hikers.
Cunningham Falls State Park
OutdoorsA 78-foot cascading waterfall on a short, easy trail, plus a lake with beaches, boat rentals and camping. Pair it with Chimney Rock.
- Where
- Thurmont
- Price
- Entry fee
- Time
- Half a day
- Best for
- Families, camping.
Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard
A winery on a 100-acre horse farm pouring dry reds and whites. Bring a picnic; groups welcome. Open Thursday to Sunday, so check hours before you drive.
- Where
- 7550 Green Valley Rd
- Price
- Tasting fee
- Time
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best for
- Couples, wine lovers.
Nights, rainy days and holidays
Evenings, wet weekends and seasonal events, from Oktoberfest to December.
Catch a Frederick Keys game
SeasonalBack in affiliated baseball in 2026 as the Baltimore Orioles' High-A team, so you may be watching future Orioles. Home games run spring through summer.
- Where
- Harry Grove Stadium
- Price
- Check prices
- Time
- 3 hours
- Best for
- Families, summer nights.
Clue IQ escape rooms
IndoorFour themed rooms downtown, most an hour long, for teams of up to 8 to 12. Games run seven days a week. A good rainy-day plan.
- Where
- 103 S Carroll St
- Price
- Check prices
- Time
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best for
- Friends, older kids.
Make a Turkish mosaic lamp
KraftStoriesIndoorSet coloured glass piece by piece from one of three palettes, then grout it with your instructor. You leave with a working lamp. Bring food and drink.
- Where
- 914 N East St
- Price
- From $89 per person
- Time
- 2 hours
- Best for
- Couples, rainy evenings.
Learn to play mahjong
KraftStoriesIndoorA beginners' bootcamp taught by Ellen: read the National Mahjong card, set up the table, pass the Charleston and play guided games. Small groups; you leave ready to play.
- Where
- 914 N East St
- Price
- From $90 per person
- Time
- One session
- Best for
- Friends, new to town.
Museums by Candlelight
SeasonalOn Saturday, December 12, 2026, museums and historic sites across Frederick County open for a free, self-guided holiday event, most from noon into the evening.
- Where
- Across Frederick County
- Price
- Free
- Time
- An afternoon
- Best for
- Families, history lovers.
Hours, prices and seasons change, and some places need advance booking on weekends; check before you go. Prices for the AR Workshop Frederick classes are exact.
More Frederick guides
Every class at AR Workshop Frederick
A downtown DIY studio for wood signs, chunky knit blankets and mosaic lamps.
Date night ideas in Frederick, MD
Make a mosaic lamp, chunky knit blanket or wood sign together downtown.
Team building in Frederick, MD
Guided DIY workshops for teams at AR Workshop Frederick, from $69 a person.
Christmas activities in Frederick, MD
Make holiday decor and handmade gifts at AR Workshop Frederick.
Quick answers for Frederick
So you can plan fast and feel confident.
Take home something you made in Frederick
