Planning a trip to Frederick
Getting There
From Washington, D.C., take I-270 to Frederick, where it 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. To get to the historic district, take Route 15 to the Rosemont Avenue exit to Second Street, across the street from the exit ramp.
Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) operates daily bus service to Frederick to 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 (743-3682) or go to www.mtamaryland.com for schedule and fare information.
Visitor Information
The Tourism Council of Frederick County operates a visitor center at 151 S. East St. (opening in early 2010; tel. 800/999-3613 or 301/600-2888; www.fredericktourism.org). This office supplies maps, brochures, and listings of accommodations and restaurants, and conducts walking tours of the historic district. The African American Heritage Sites brochure outlines historic African-American sites -- churches, homes, and slave quarters in Frederick and the surrounding county. Though some buildings are gone, signs mark the locations.
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, Monday through Friday, it's $7; Saturday $1; and Sunday it's free. 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 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. 301/271-7533; www.colorfest.org), a crafts show of enormous proportions, is held in mid-October. First Saturday Gallery Walks are held monthly 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 (tel. 301/662-3515 for information). The Battle of Antietam is recalled in September (tel. 301/432-5124 for information).
