Stop by the Frederick Visitor Center if you plan a trip to Maryland. This is a tourist information center that offers a lot of resources and services to help you explore the county and its attractions. In this blog post, I will tell you more about the history, culture, and points of interest of the Frederick Visitor Center, as well as some interesting facts and advice for visitors.
The Frederick Visitor Center is housed in a historic building from 1899. It was originally a warehouse for the Frederick Brick Works. This company produced bricks for many buildings in the city. The brickworks closed in 1973, and the building was later renovated and converted into a visitor center in 2006.
The visitor center preserves some of the warehouse’s original features, such as brick walls, wooden beams, and metal trusses. It also displays some artifacts from the brickworks, such as molds, tools, and bricks. The visitor center also showcases the history of Frederick County through 2,200 square feet of interpretive exhibits that cover topics such as transportation, agriculture, industry, and culture.
The creek played a vital role in the development of Frederick, as it provided water power for mills, factories, and tanneries. However, the stream also threatened flooding, especially in 1976, when a devastating flood damaged many buildings and businesses along its banks. To prevent future floods, the city embarked on a project to transform the creek into a linear park, with flood control measures, landscaping, lighting, and public art. The project was completed in 2006, and since then, Carroll Creek Park has become a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike.
The Frederick Visitor Center is not only a place to get information but also to experience the culture of Frederick County. The visitor center hosts various events and programs throughout the year, such as art exhibits, concerts, lectures, workshops, and festivals. Some popular events include the First Saturday Gallery Walks, the Festival of the Arts, and the Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship.
The visitor center also features a state-of-the-art theater that plays an award-winning film about Frederick County called “A Turn of the Wheel.” The film is narrated by actor John Astin, a native of Baltimore and a descendant of one of the founders of Frederick. The film tells how Frederick County evolved from a rural farming community to a modern urban center over three centuries. The film also highlights famous people and events that shaped the country’s history, such as Francis Scott Key, Barbara Fritchie, Roger Brooke Taney, Thomas Johnson, and the Civil War.
The Frederick Visitor Center is located at the edge of Downtown Frederick. This vibrant and historic district offers many attractions for visitors. You can walk or bike along Carroll Creek Park, a scenic waterway with public art, fountains, bridges, and gardens. You can also visit some of the museums and landmarks in the area, such as the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, the Barbara Fritchie House, and the Roger Brooke Taney House. You can also enjoy shopping and dining at the many boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants lining the streets.
If you want to explore beyond Downtown Frederick, you can also find many other attractions in Frederick County. You can visit some historic sites and battlefields that played a role in the American Revolution and the Civil War, such as Monocacy National Battlefield, South Mountain State Battlefield, Catoctin Furnace Historic Site, and Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums. You can also enjoy some outdoor activities and natural beauty at some of the parks and trails in the county, such as Catoctin Mountain Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Gambrill State Park, Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area Preserve, and C&O Canal Towpath.
Here are some interesting facts about the Frederick Visitor Center and Frederick County:
If you are planning to visit the Frederick Visitor Center, here are some tips and advice to make your trip more enjoyable:
The visitor center is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
The weather in Frederick County can vary depending on the season, so it is advisable to check the forecast before you visit and dress accordingly. You should also wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you plan to walk or bike around the area.
Yes, the visitor center and Frederick County are very family-friendly. The visitor center offers a children’s area with interactive exhibits and activities for kids of all ages. The county also offers many attractions and events suitable for families, such as the Adventure Park USA, the Frederick Fairgrounds, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre, the Weinberg Center for the Arts, and the Frederick Keys Baseball Team.
There is no wrong time to visit the Frederick Visitor Center and Frederick County, as there is always something to see and do throughout the year. However, some of the best times to visit are during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild and the scenery is colorful. You can also see some of the special events and festivals in the county, such as the Frederick Festival of the Arts in June, the Great Frederick Fair in September, the In The Street Festival in October, and the Museums by Candlelight in December.
Hampton Inn & Suites Frederick-Fort Detrick: 1565 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums: 1611 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States
Schifferstadt Architectural Museum: 1110 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, MD 21701, United States
Baker Park Bandshell: 21 N Bentz St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States
Downtown Frederick Partnership: 19 E Church St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States
Carroll Creek Linear Park: Frederick, MD 21701, USA
Frederick Visitor Center: 151 East St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States
Nymeo Field At Harry Grove Stadium: 21 Stadium Dr, Frederick, MD 21703, United States
Castle Floor Epoxy – Frederick: 7180 Proclamation Pl, Frederick, MD 21703, United States
