Less than an hour drive away from D.C., Frederick is full of historic charm, bookshop nooks, antique emporiums, and quiet hikes. All this makes it one of my favorite daytrips — and can easily fill a whole weekend! Try to time your trip with one of their community festivals like the Craft Beer Fest (May 9) or Maple Syrup Fest (March 14 - 22).
First, Coffee
The Perfect Blend cafe is, indeed, perfect. Strong, cheap, (by D.C. standards) and outstanding breakfast sandwiches. I get the avocado breakfast sammy which comes with an entire avocado on top of jammy eggs. Gravel & Grind is also a classic local spot for espresso drinks that have the best latte art I’ve ever seen. You can also rent a bike here to cruise around Frederick!
Your Trash Is My Treasure, Let’s Shop!
Coffee in hand, you’re ready to hit the shops. Frederick is an antiquer's dream. My go-to is Emporium Antiques, a massive store with hundreds of dealers with everything from weird miniatures to old lobster crates. Be careful, it’s too easy to get sucked in and spend all day here! For something less overwhelming, Vintage MC has beautifully refurbished pieces.
Other favorite shopping spots include the Curious Iguana bookstore and the Rock and Roll Graveyard record shop, which has an extensive collection of new and used punk and metal vinyl.
Emporium Antiques in Frederick, Maryland. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Where To Eat
Frederick is definitely a gastropub kind of town (and if you’re into that, the best is White Rabbit IMO) but there is a huge array of options for when you’re not feeling a burger. I am not vegan, but one of my favorite meals was from Hippy Chick Hummus. The buffalo cauliflower wrap goes crazy and they have kombucha on tap. For amazing Italian deli sandwiches you can’t beat Juliet’s Italian Market and Cafe. Or for something more upscale, check out The Tasting Room, but be sure to reserve in advance.
For a nightcap, head to McClintock’s Back Bar for their $11 chai pear gin sour. Many of their cocktails use their in-house made liquors from the distillery next door. Make sure to ask the bartender about the secret menu 🤫
Curious Iguana Books in Frederick, Maryland. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Where To Get Outside
Alright, enough indulgence. Let's go for a hike! Frederick is located right next to the Appalachian Trail and Catoctin Mountain Park, which provide a plethora of great hiking. I love hiking to Black Rock via the AT. It’s a seven-mile round trip and gets you great views from both Annapolis Rocks and Black Rock. For something more chill, check out the one-mile Hog Rock Nature Trail in Catoctin Mountain Park. For kids, the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is a 50-acres preserve with lots of animals the National Zoo doesn’t have, like bison, antelope, and kangaroos!
Itching for more daytrip itineraries out of D.C.? What town do you want us to do next? And check out our neighborhood guides here!
