Things To Do
National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Dedicated to telling the medical story of the Civil War - a story of care and healing, courage and devotion amidst death and destruction, while laying the foundation for modern medical care. Explore the Exhibits: Follow in the footsteps of soldiers and surgeons to discover the harsh conditions, personal sacrifices, and brilliant innovations of Civil War medicine, innovations that continue to save lives today.
Frederick County Fire Rescue Museum
We are proud to have opened the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Museum and the National Fire Heritage Center. Displays highlight apparatus, equipment and pictures of the colorful history of the Frederick County fire and rescue service. Featured units will include a 1939 Ahrens-Fox piston pumper owned by the United Steam Fire Engine Company No. 3 and the "Old Lady" 1821 hand tub pumper that served both Frederick and Libertytown. Learn about plans for the office and research center of the National Fire Heritage Center, a national organization that is in the process of developing a national fire service archive in Emmitsburg. Seasonal Opening - Please call to confirm Open every Saturday and Sunday (April-October), 12-4pm.
International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum is an independent non-profit history museum which documents the tradecraft, history, and contemporary role of espionage. It holds the largest collection of international espionage artifacts on public display.
National Children's Museum
This engaging museum encourages children to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through hands-on experiences. Video programs, experiments, and exhibits entertain and educate with fun for a wide range of ages. For infants and toddlers, a cloud and flight-themed area encourages movement and connection. “Weather Worlds” is an immersive digital experience that allows visitors to control weather with hand gestures that trigger everything from rain to tornadoes and blizzards.
National Aquarium
The nonprofit National Aquarium opened on August 8, 1981, the jewel of Baltimore City's Inner Harbor redevelopment. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures, the Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the nation's top three aquariums and as Maryland's largest paid tourist attraction, featuring thousands of fishes, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals living in award-winning habitats.
Dinos Alive Washington DC
Travel back to the Jurassic in a thematic park full of realistic dinosaurs—see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat! Come face to face with over 80 specimens of life-sized, moving replicas: T-rex, Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Velociraptors, and many more Dive into the depths of the seas and interact with Jurassic sea giants in a unique virtual aquarium. Learn more about the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods in a fun and interactive way. Immerse yourself to the fullest with a captivating VR experience (suitable for ages 8+)
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum maintains the world's largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts, encompassing all aspects of human flight, as well as related works of art and archival materials. It operates two landmark facilities that, together, welcome more than eight million visitors a year, making it the most visited museum in the country. It also is home to the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
We steward a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time; in these moments we find Earth’s story. And our researchers continue to glean critical new information from these objects. These discoveries about the past help us model and anticipate the future. Our exhibits, our educational programs, and our staff and volunteers share our collections and the knowledge drawn from them with millions of visitors every year – deepening their appreciation for science, the natural and cultural world, and the challenges of our time.
David M. Brown Planetarium
The David M. Brown Planetarium has dedicated nearly fifty years of service to Arlington students and the greater community. The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium provide programming including full dome programs and fascinating lectures from the field of Astronomy and other scientific fields designed to broaden our appeal to the planetarium-going public.
Tree Trekkers Outdoor Aerial Adventure
Climb, swing, and ZIP through the trees on 30 acres of protected forest. With 15 trails and 8 difficulty levels there is something fun for everyone! Get off the screen and into the green with this outdoor socially distant adventure. Crossing bridges, tight rope walks, tunnels, ziplines, and more, climbers take on aerial obstacle courses that can climb up to heights of more than 65ft above the forest floor. Recommended for ages 7 and older. It's the perfect place for groups, scouts, team bonding, family fun, school field trips, corporate picnics, date night, and more! Located in Spring Ridge, just minutes from downtown Frederick conveniently accessible off I-70
Green Meadows Petting Farm
Come touch the wonders of our farm! Get up close and personal with nearly 300 farm animals like horses, goats, pigs, llamas and many more! Catch a wagon ride, milk a REAL cow, experience our thrilling pig races and much more! We offer a variety of seasonal events such as Easter Egg Hunts in the spring, pumpkin patches and our famous Trail of Jack-O-Lanterns in the fall and Santa’s Farm Fest in the winter! Plan your visit today!
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve
The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo allows each guest to get as close to the animals as safety permits. To feel the silky soft fur of the chinchilla or see the muscles in a jaguar’s legs as he prowls within his naturalistic habitat are just a few of the experiences that will bring you closer to the animal world. We are home to over 300 species including amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Among them are bears to boas, leopards to lemurs, meerkats to monkeys, parrots to pythons, you’ll meet over 450 exotic animals on your zoo adventure.
Schifferstadt Architectural Museum
One of America's finest examples of German colonial architecture. The 1758 stone house is one of the earliest known homes in Frederick and has several unique architecture features. The house and Heritage Garden are known for its living history events. Walk-in any time on Saturday or Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm. Trained docents will be on hand to tell you the history and significance of the house and to show you through it. The cost is $8 per adult & children under 12 are free.
Brunswick Heritage Museum
Features huge, interactive HO scale model railroad depicting B&O passenger line from Union Station, DC to Brunswick Freight Classification Yards. Railroad equipment and memorabilia, social history exhibits, photographs, Victorian costumes, furnishings, toy, baseball, and medical history exhibits. C&O Canal Visitor Center and Pete Harper's Children's Hands-On Activity Room located on main floor.
Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums
Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums provide visitors with a look at early American life; transportation history and the agricultural history of Frederick County. Thomas Johnson, Maryland's first elected Governor, spent his retirement at Rose Hill Manor. The Children's Museum of Rose Hill Manor Park specializes in providing child friendly exhibits and programs and brings history alive for children of all ages. $5 for adults; $4 for seniors and children. Open for special exhibit March 4- April 16 everyday 11am-4pm. After April 16th Normal open hours are April-September, Thursday-Sunday 11am-4pm. October-November Saturday-Sunday 11am-4pm.
Pry House Field Hospital Museum
Be sure to visit the new Pry House Field Hospital Museum. This new museum is located in the historic Pry House which served as Union Commander General George B. McClellan's headquarters during the battle. The museum is sponsored by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Please call the museum to confirm the hours on (301) 416-2395 or call the main Frederick museum on (301) 695-1864. There is a $5.00 per person admission to enter the house.
The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Historical site dedicated to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint. Discover her inspirational story on a self-guided tour using our Map & Guide that you can get from our Visitor Center, or on a guided tour by one of our helpful guides. See two historic homes where she lived, the awe-inspiring Basilica dedicated to her, and our peaceful, scenic grounds. The Seton Shrine Visitor Center (Museum, Exhibits, and Theatre) and Basilica are open to the public Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm. Daily mass offered Monday- Friday at 1:30pm and Sunday 11am and 1:30pm.
Francis Scott Key Memorial and Grave Site
Inside the entrance to Mt. Olivet Cemetery is the Francis Scott Key monument. The author of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814 which became our national anthem in 1931, Key was born in 1779 in Frederick County. In 1800 he established his first law office in Frederick. Key died in Baltimore at age 63 in 1843. After the Civil War, his body was reinterred here to Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In the 1890s, money was raised to build a monument to Key and in 1898 this monument and statue, sculpted by Italian artist Pompeo Copini, was dedicated. Key, his wife, and one of their children are buried under this monument and grave. A brochure near the cemetery’s restrooms is available to guide you through the rest of the cemetery.
Monocacy National Battlefield
Note: Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The walking trails and self-guided auto tour remain open 7 days a week. The Visitor Center is open Sun, Mon, Thurs, Fri and Sat from 9am-5pm. A visitor center, self-guided auto tour and walking trails interpret the July 9, 1864 battle that saved Washington, D.C. from Jubal Early's advancing Confederates. Join a park ranger for an orientation program and learn the importance of the Battle of Monocacy in the Civil War. This program is offered Memorial Day through Labor Day. Please call for times and details.
South Mountain State Battlefield
The State Battlefield park encompasses the three gaps of South Mountain (Crampton's, Fox's, and Turner's gaps) that were the scene of the September 14, 1862, battle, just days before Antietam. Daily: 8am-sunset.
Antietam National Battlefield
he Bloodiest Day in American History--Hope for Freedom 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
Gettysburg National Military Park Museum
Loys Station Covered Bridge
Roddy Road Covered Bridge
