Step by step
By WP BrandStudio
Walking trips are a safe, socially-distant way to take in a new place—and this Maryland city has everything travelers could need to enjoy a getaway on foot.
As autumn settles in around the U.S., many Americans are itching to remedy their cabin fever by taking in new sites, all while keeping safety top of mind. For those looking to travel responsibly, walking-based trips perfectly fit the bill.
Walking tours have risen in popularity by 50% since last year—and it’s easy to see why. These trips allow visitors to explore a number of places in a new area while remaining outdoors and away from large crowds; 43% of U.S. travelers consider touring on foot to be “safe” or “very safe.”
Turns out, travel pros agree. Such tours allow visitors to “really explore while staying socially distant,” said Stephen Oddo, CEO and co-founder of takewalks.com.
Families in the DMV who are looking for a walkable travel option will find an ideal destination in the city of Frederick, Md. Founded in 1745, the area is filled with rich Civil War history, expansive parks, colorful public art and plenty of must-try spots for foodies and craft beverage fans alike—all of which can be enjoyed on foot.
A quaint city designed for a stroll
Those in search of an immersive on-foot experience will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of walking tours in Frederick. The Downtown Frederick Partnership, a nonprofit that works to enhance, promote and preserve the vitality and livability of Downtown Frederick, offers both a weekend art gallery tour and a family fun expedition with options for kids of all ages.
For fans of history or spooky tales, the Maryland Heritage Tours offer cemetery and candlelight ghost tours, as well as walkable Civil War-themed treks. The National Museum of Civil War Medicine and The Museum of Frederick County History also have historical walking tours on topics such as the American Civil War and African-American heritage—all of which are led by knowledgeable locals.
“Walking tour guides are experts in their cities and can really show you how to experience the area,” said Oddo. “Just like if you had a friend in the city, you’re going to see more than just the obvious places.”
Some visitors will certainly want options that have a little less guidance, and fortunately, there are plenty of ways to coordinate a self-navigated walk in Frederick. Art enthusiasts should have their cameras ready to snap some creative shots while strolling along the Downtown Frederick Public Art Trail. Spy up to 18 murals, statues and sculptures, including lifelike murals on the sides of historic buildings. Just a few miles outside of Frederick, in the town of Thurmont, the Catoctin Furnace Trail also offers a top choice for a self-guided tour, thanks to the markers and interpretive plaques that punctuate the path. The walk is about a mile round-trip, and ends at the ruins of the Catoctin Furnace, which produced iron from the 1770s to 1903.
To take things up a notch, travelers can also bike through Frederick, which is highly accessible to cyclists. One of the area’s most popular biking courses is the Frederick History Bicycle Loop. This 10-mile path goes through the scenic Maryland Main Street Community and includes a stop at the gravesite of national anthem lyricist Francis Scott Key. A brochure for the self-guided hike can be found on the Visit Frederick website and bike rentals are available throughout the city for quick and easy access.
Wind down your walk with a bite (and some rest)
After a long day of walking (or any other form of meandering,) users can slow things down a bit in the downtown area, which boasts a 50-block historic district that’s entirely walkable. There, check out over 200 independently owned boutique shops, galleries and restaurants, many of which feature historic architecture.
“The whole area has a modern feel within that historic setting, which really is wonderful,” said Melissa Joseph Muntz, marketing and communications manager for Visit Frederick.
Start off by grabbing a bite at one of Frederick’s many restaurants, such as the Cellar Door, a downtown staple. This popular spot offers inside and outside dining and is a prime choice for happy hour cocktail specials, mouthwatering brunch options like chicken and waffles with bacon-infused maple syrup and heaping plates of shareable loaded fries.
When it’s time to grab a drink, mosey down Market Street to Olde Mother Brewing, which has spaced-out seating indoors and outside. Visitors can enjoy beers from the microbrewery’s latest tap list of IPAs, lagers, stouts and more. Families with children can visit the North Market Pop Shop, instead; there, they can take their pick of the 400+ varieties of glass bottled sodas the shop has available. Pair a fizzy drink with made-to-order food, local creamery ice cream and vegan menu options, all accessible via a walk-up window for convenient and safe ordering.
No matter which eatery a visitor chooses, they can guarantee it will be following precautions that keep customers safe. “There’s certainly been a heightened focus on safety,” said Kara Norman, executive director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership. “We’re seeing that people feel comfortable visiting downtown Frederick as a result of that focus.”
After enjoying the best trails, shops, tours and restaurants that Frederick has to offer, travelers have a variety of lodging options to choose from. For a non-traditional stay, the Historic Barbara Fritchie House is a popular option downtown; the B&B was once a museum that paid homage to Civil War icon Barbara Fritchie (legend says that she once shook a Union flag at Confederate soldiers as they made their way through Frederick.) The space has been updated to accommodate as many as six guests, and features a burning fireplace, full kitchen, dining room, renovated bathroom and more.
Larger parties may opt to rent out the The Sage Way farm property, which sits on 25 acres and boasts a natural spring fed pond, two large kitchens and room for up to 16 guests. Looking for a more traditional place to stay? There are over a dozen hotels throughout Frederick that have ample space available for visitors coming to the area this fall.
Those who still aren’t ready to spend the night in a hotel can always take a day trip to Frederick—it takes an hour or less to drive there from major hubs like D.C. and Baltimore, but it has the feel of a town far removed from any urban center. And it offers ample ways for visitors to have safe, socially distanced fun.
“Frederick is just the perfect place to go,” said Muntz. “There are so many things to do and you really can explore on foot and have a wonderful time.”
Learn more about visiting Frederick, Maryland.
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