Planning a Trip

Getting There -- From Washington, D.C., take I-270 to Frederick, where the interstate becomes U.S. 15 and continues north to Gettysburg. From Baltimore, take I-70 west. From points west, take I-68 east to I-70.

Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) operates daily bus service to Frederick into its depot at the MARC train station, 100 S. East St. (tel. 301/663-3311).

The MTA's MARC train runs between Frederick and Washington, D.C., with service Monday through Friday. Call tel. 866/RIDE-MTA or go to www.mtamaryland.com for schedule and fare information.

Visitor Information -- The Tourism Council of Frederick County operates a helpful visitor center at 19 E. Church St. (tel. 800/999-3613 or 301/228-2888; www.fredericktourism.org). This office supplies maps, brochures, and listings of accommodations and restaurants; it also conducts walking tours of the historic district. The African American Heritage Sites brochure outlines historic African-American sites -- churches, homes, and even slave quarters in both Frederick and the surrounding county. Some buildings are gone, but signs mark the place. Tourist information booths can also be found in rest areas: on I-70, west of Frederick, and on U.S. 15, south at Emmitsburg. These facilities are open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Getting Around -- The best way to get around Frederick is by car -- that is, when you're not walking through the historic district. Parking is cheap and sometimes free: At downtown meters and garages, it's $7 Monday through Friday, $1 on Saturday, and free on Sunday. Parking garages are located at 17 E. Church St., 44 E. Patrick St., and 2 S. Court St. Stop at the visitor center to have your Church Street garage ticket validated for up to 3 hours of free parking. If you park in a residential district, check for the signs that restrict nonresident parking.

Frederick County operates TransIT (tel. 301/694-2065; www.co.frederick.md.us/transit), a bus service that connects outlying hotels, malls, and local colleges with the historic district and Frederick-area train stations. See the website for maps and schedules.

Special Events -- Fall colors are at their peak in mid- to late October -- which is also the peak time for special events. Thurmont's Catoctin Colorfest (tel. 301/271-4432; www.colorfest.org), a crafts show of enormous proportions, is held in mid-October. On the weekend before Halloween, Haunted Rail and Trail (tel. 301/696-2936 or visit www.recreater.com) takes you on the Walkersville Southern Railroad for a ride to Fountain Rock Nature Center for creepy fun.

First Saturday Gallery Walks are held every month in Frederick. Shops, galleries, and restaurants stay open until 9pm. Call tel. 301/698-8118 for details.

A couple of events mark the anniversaries of Civil War battles. The commemoration of the Battle of Monocacy, the "Battle that saved Washington," is held the weekend closest to the July 9 anniversary (call tel. 301/662-3515 for information). The Battle of Antietam is recalled in September (call tel. 301/432-5124 for information).