Your Family Itinerary
Time spent with family is time well spent! From our residents to our businesses and visitors, Downtown Frederick is a destination for all kinds of families and we couldn’t be more proud. This guide provides a full list of ways to explore and enjoy Downtown Frederick as a family. As you venture downtown, please be sure to wear your mask and stay at least six feet away from those not in your direct household.
For families with younger kids:
Take a walk down Carroll Creek
Fish, and flowers, and water, oh my! Take a relaxing walk down this beautiful and functional creek to observe the different animals and flowers that call it home. Depending on the time of year you are exploring, you will also be able to admire incredible sculptures or illuminated boats to make this mile and a half long stretch that much more magical.
Grab a scoop (or two!) of ice cream
Who screams for ice cream? We certainly do! As you’re exploring downtown, it’s always a good idea to drop in somewhere for a frozen treat. We’ve had our ice cream taste testers working hard to inform you on the happenin’ places to get the scoop (get it?) around here!
Juliet’s Italian Market and Cafe | 9 E Church St
Flavor To Try: Exotic Bomba — From passionfruit to mango to raspberry, this gelato flavor packs a fruity punch!
Frederick Fudge & Ice Cream | 253 E Church St
Flavor To Try: Peanut Butter Cup — For all the peanut butter lovers in your family, this flavor is a downtown favorite!
Hometown Harvest | 50 Citizen’s Way Suite 101
Flavor To Try: Build Your Own Flight — Why stop at 1 when you can try 4 delicious flavors?!
Pretzel and Pizza Creations | 210 N Market St
Flavor To Try: Play Dough — Yes you read that correctly… the kind of play dough you can EAT!
North Market Pop Shop | 241 N Market St
Flavor To Try: Any of the Vegan and Lactose-Free flavors — These vegan-friendly flavors are made of a coconut based scoop so dairy and non-dairy eaters in the family can take part in the fun!
Stop for playtime at East 3rd St Park
There’s no better place for pretend than Downtown Frederick! Head over to the East 3rd St Park for a few hours of fun on the playground equipment. You can even grab lunch or a snack from your favorite downtown restaurant and make a picnic out of it on one of the picnic tables offered.
Get in touch with your inner artist
A must-stop and play on your tour, the Delaplaine Arts Center has a knack for entertaining all ages! From their extensive class and camp schedule to the exciting galleries with local and regional work on display, this arts center serves as a gathering place and destination for a wonderful family day in downtown. If your family is full of art lovers, also check out our Downtown Gallery Tour, a self-guided walking tour of our downtown galleries, here. Be sure to play a few notes on the outdoor xylophone (located creekside).
Grab an afternoon coffee or tea
Let’s be clear, a day with the whole family has been fun but certainly tiring! Stop in at any of our downtown beverage shops for a quick pick me up to steer clear of the need for a nap.
Beans and Bagels | 49 E Patrick St
Serendipity Market & More | 14 E Patrick St
Cafe Nola | 4 E Patrick St
The Perfect Blend Cafe | 31 W Patrick St
Frederick Coffee Co. & Cafe | 100 N East St
Glory Dough and Diner | 244 E Church St
Market Street Boba & Beans | 35 N Market St
Starbucks | 104 N Market St
North Market Pop Shop | 241 N Market St
Up On Market | 301 N Market St
Ibiza Cafe | 8 W 4th St
Play games or pretend at Dancing Bear
Whether you’ve got a few minutes or a few hours to spare, this battery-free toy store is a must on your list of places to stop as you’re out and about. From events to daily activities, this hands-on toy store has something to involve everyone in the day’s play! Don’t forget to wish them a happy birthday while you’re in there, this shop turned 20 in 2020!
Watch the sunset from a parking garage rooftop
Check out any of our 5 parking garages downtown at parkfrederick.org and make plans to see this evening’s sunset from new heights. From the top of any of the five decks, you can get a front row seat to the most beautiful view in Frederick. Snap a family photo, try to spot your house or your favorite shops, or just sit back and enjoy the sky’s evening performance together as a family.
Unleash your inner geologist
Curious minds of all ages are welcome at Earthly Elements! Entertain the whole family for hours exploring the beautiful and unique rocks of all shapes, sizes, and colors at Downtown Frederick’s very own rock shop. From collectors to admirers, this is certainly a must-see during your day out with the family.
Let creative minds wander
Curious Iguana is downtown’s very own independent bookstore and certainly has something for everyone in your crew. This stop contains an adult and kid section so you can divide and conquer – just meet back at the register with all of the finds you can’t live without!
For families with older kids:
Put your teamwork to the test with an escape room
Looking for some good, clean fun and an escape from the cold weather? Check out Surelocked In Escape Games! You and your team have 60 minutes to solve a series of challenging riddles and puzzles to complete your mission objective. Each room offers a different entertainment experience – do you have what it takes to escape? Come live your adventures here!
Ghost Tours
If your household has older kids with an interest in all things haunted, a Frederick Ghost Tour is the perfect evening outing for you! Take a remarkable journey through Frederick’s gruesome and bloody past. Nearly 300 years of war, executions and revenge. True documented stories of the “Paranormal” with Maryland’s oldest operating ghost tour!
Reservations Recommended. Tours available select weekends thru November. Private Group Tours available on “Non-Scheduled” dates year-round. Each purchased ticket includes a 10% off coupon for Brewer’s Alley Restaurant and Brewery. Frederick’s Original Brew Pub! Learn more at marylandghosttours.com.
One Vast Walking Hospital Tour
For the family of history lovers, join NMCWM docent Brad Stone for a walking tour of Downtown Frederick focused on the city’s role as a makeshift hospital in the final months of 1862. This tour occurs regularly throughout the. year.
Outdoor Yoga
Many of downtown’s yoga studios offer outdoor yoga classes throughout the warmer months. Check for schedules at Sky Stage or Sol Yoga to get you started!
Brewery/Distillery Visit
So your kids are all grown up? That’s great! While they’re in town, swing by one of the many breweries or distilleries in Downtown Frederick to grab a drink, take a tour, or participate in one of the scheduled activity nights by testing your wits at a game of trivia!
Attaboy Barrel House | 24 S Wisner Suite 100
Attaboy Beer | 400 Sagner Ave
Smoketown Creekside | 400 Sagner Ave Suite 100
Steinhardt Brewing | 340 E Patrick St Suite 102
Idiom Brewing Company | 340 E Patrick St Suite 104
Tenth Ward Distilling Company | 55 E Patrick St
Olde Mother Brewing | 526 N Market St
Rockwell Brewery | 880 N East St
McClintock Distilling Co | 35 S Carroll St
