This Walkable Historic City in Maryland Is a Must-Visit Gem

Here at Only In Your State, we love small towns—places often overlooked by travelers but full of hidden gems. But there is a walkable city in Maryland that I believe deserves the spotlight: Frederick. This historic city is known for its breathtaking skyline, rich history, easy access to the outdoors, and a downtown area where you can spend hours exploring on foot.

What Makes Frederick Truly Stunning

Frederick, Maryland, is no small town. It is the second largest incorporated city in the state. It is approximately a one-hour drive west from Baltimore and is surrounded by the Catoctin Mountains, with the Monocacy River flowing through town and Carroll Creek running right through its downtown. And while there are many natural features to love about this city, its skyline is one of the most well-known scenes here. Known as the "City of Clustered Spires," the city's many historic churches create a unique view—one that immediately makes you fall in love with the community.

Frederick was founded in the 1740s and quickly grew into a diverse community, home to German and other European settlers. Due to its location along the Historic National Road, B&O Railroad, and the C&O Canal, it became an important transportation hub, and its location also made it an important spot during the Civil War. Frederick is even connected to many historic figures like Francis Scott Key and Frederick Douglass.

Today, many of these historic Civil War-era buildings are still standing; however, they are now home to locally owned businesses, boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries, creating a historic yet modern downtown area that you can easily spend hours exploring.

Why This Maryland City Is So Easy To Explore on Foot

Yes, Frederick is one of the larger communities in Maryland, but thanks to its compact, pedestrian-friendly downtown area, it is also one of the most walkable cities in Maryland. Frederick's downtown district is 50 blocks, but they are short blocks, boast wide sidewalks lined with trees, and feature continuous storefronts lining the roads, housing plenty of shops to step inside and browse. Additionally, this historic downtown area was built before automobiles, meaning the streets are much narrower and quite slow for traffic, making your own two feet the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to explore this part of the city.

The Best Things To See Within Walking Distance

The historic buildings are certainly eye-catching and worth seeing, but we also love the many green spaces throughout the city. One of our favorite places to explore on foot is Carroll Creek Linear Park, a 2-mile park that runs right through the heart of downtown and next to Carroll Creek. Throughout this urban park, you’ll walk along brick paths, next to lily pads and various water features, and even over bridges that are so beautiful that they deserve to be on a postcard.

Depending on when you visit the downtown area, you’ll likely find some type of event or activity taking place. Many shops and restaurants host events like live music and trivia nights, but there are also historic walking tours, summer concerts, and markets to keep you busy.

Tips for Visiting Without a Car

With so much to do in Frederick, Maryland, you can easily park your car and forget about it until you are ready to leave. There are five parking garages located throughout the downtown area that are open 24/7 and have a low parking fee of $1 per hour. Free parking is available on Sunday mornings. If you are willing to walk just a little farther, there are free parking spots, along with EV charging stations. You can learn more about these areas on the Visit Frederick website.

Fall is one of the best times to visit Frederick and its downtown area, as you’ll enjoy mild temperatures and fall foliage transforming the tree-lined streets. Late spring also brings bright flowers and warmer weather for walking throughout town. Summer is hot, but you also have more opportunities for outdoor adventures like live music and patio dining throughout downtown. And while winter may be colder, Frederick’s downtown area transforms with twinkling lights and holiday décor, a scene you don’t want to miss.

Frederick may not be a small town, but it’s one of our favorite scenic cities in Maryland with plenty to do and see—especially in its historic downtown area. Park the car and explore. There are countless things to do in Frederick, Maryland.