In June 2023, CULTA acquired Frederick-based cannabis dispensary Kannavis. Located about an hour away from our Federal Hill location, we felt it was just far enough away for us to be able to bring our premium cannabis to a new set of Marylanders. Frederick is one of the largest cities in Maryland and is as rich in history as it is in natural beauty. Whether you’re heading to Frederick for an hour, a full day, or an entire weekend, here are some of our favorite things to do in the gateway to Western Maryland.
Fall in love with fall
Since it’s situated along the Appalachian Trail right in the middle of the Mid-Atlantic, it’s no surprise that Frederick is an absolutely fantastic place to enjoy fall foliage. Leaf peepers from around the country travel to Frederick to take in the gorgeous yellow, orange, and red leaves, which typically are at their peak from late September through early November. If you time your visit right, you’ll be able to grab a pumpkin from Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch or check out Fallfest at Catoctin Furnace.
And don’t forget about Oktoberfest! Gorge on traditional German food, drink imported beer and sing traditional Oktoberfest songs with a live band at Oktoberfest at Schifferstadt or Frederick’s Oktoberfest.
Drive through the iconic covered bridges
Nothing screams “East Coast” quite like a picture-perfect covered bridge, and Northern Frederick County is home to three of them (all are listed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places.) Utica Mills Covered Bridge, Roddy Road Covered Bridge, and Loy’s Station Covered Bridge are all within 12 miles of each other, making it easy for visitors to see all three on the same day. All three have different truss systems, meaning they’re kept upright in different ways and are architecturally unique. Get your cameras ready because these picturesque bridges make for a fantastic backdrop.
Bike through history
Who said staying in shape and taking in history can’t happen at the same time? If you’re looking for a unique way to brush up on local history, you won’t want to miss the Frederick History Bicycle Loop. The 10-mile bike ride will take you through the city’s 50-block historic district, the Hessian Barracks, and the town creek before culminating in the cemetery where Francis Scott Key is buried. What makes this bike tour even better is that you’ll be riding through streets full of shops and restaurants -- if something catches your interest, hop off your bike and check it out. We recommend giving yourself at least 2-3 hours for the ride, even more if you plan on shopping (or eating) along the way.
Sip some vino in the wine region
Bike trails aren’t the only thing Frederick has to offer -- the Frederick Wine Trail includes 15 wineries and over 90 acres of grape vines and rolling hills. Make a weekend out of it by staying at a traditional B&B (that stands for “Bed & Breakfast,” AIRBNB fans), a Cabin In The Woods, or one of the many local hotels. Each winery is family-owned and operated and offers its own unique presentations of wine styles and flavors. (There are even some distilleries, meaderies, and ciderworks included on the list if someone in your party isn’t a fan of wine.) With the Frederick Wine Trail, you can take a ride through Maryland’s gorgeous countryside while enjoying some of the best views and wines the region has to offer.
Ride on a vintage train
With a vintage train excursion, you can travel over a track that was originally built in 1872! Located just 10 miles northwest of Frederick, Walkersville Southern Railroad is an absolute must-visit in the area. You can stop by the train station and tool house for a quick visit or take it a step further and ride in a vintage passenger car from the 1920s. Regular (and dinner) trains are operated on weekends between May and October, with charters and special trains operating year-round. Depending on the season, you’ll be able to catch the Santa train, bunny train, superhero train, or their 4th of July fireworks spectacular.
Check out the “15 on the 15”
Compiled by the Tourism Council of Frederick County, the “15 on the 15” is a list of 15 great places to stop along Route 15. The list includes some of the favorites from above (Roddy Road Covered Bridge, Walkersville Southern Railroad, Historic Downtown Frederick, and a vineyard from the Frederick Wine Trail) in addition to some historic Civil War sites, the visitor center, wildlife preserves, and state parks. If you start at the north and work your way south, the second-to-last stop is Prospect Point Brewing, a local favorite for beers and seltzers. For a list of events and daily food trucks, visit their events page.
Visit Kannavis today
If this list hasn’t convinced you to visit Frederick, then maybe our high-quality cannabis will. Located in the Urbana neighborhood of Frederick, Kannavis offers a wide variety of cannabis products, including exclusive products from our own brands, like CULTA, Old Pal, Robhots, and Blissiva. You can learn more about Kannavis (and order online!) by visiting the official dispensary page.
