Yet another reason Nicole and I love Frederick is its central location.  Frederick sits dead center between Washington D.C., Baltimore, the Shenandoah Mountains, the Chesapeake, and several other Mid-Atlantic destinations.

You can enjoy all the amazing things to do in Frederick, MD, without leaving town.  But a bonus to living in Frederick are the day trip possibilities. 

We love exploring and going on a good day trip.  In this article, we list what we believe are the Best Day Trips from Fredrick, MD.  Most of these are within two hours of Frederick.

The Best Day Trips From Frederick, MD - Contents

Map of Day Trips From Frederick, Maryland

Do you have a favorite day trip from Frederick?  Did we rank something too high or low?  Let us know in the comments.

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1. Harper's Ferry (West Virginia)

Stone wall with a sign reading Appalachian Trail Conservancy and a green hiking backpack strapped to the right.

Why We Love It: Harper’s Ferry has a little bit of everything.

History buffs will enjoy learning about its significance in the Civil War and John Brown’s escapades.  Nicole and I are usually in Harpers Ferry for a hike, such as the Maryland Heights Loop Trail.

It’s also where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet, so there are hikes with beautiful mountain and river views.

Check out Harpers Ferry Brewing if you want to enjoy a beer with your view.

Best For:

  • History Buffs
  • Mountain Hikes
  • Appalachian Trail Access

2. Gettysburg (Pennsylvania)

Rural scene at sunset with a large budding tree beside a staggered wooden fence, green field, and a red barn in the distance under a cloudy sky.
photo credit: NPS.org

Why We Love It: This is the ultimate Civil War history destination in all of the country, and it’s only around 45 minutes from Frederick.

Even non-history buffs will be impressed with the significance of the battlefields, museums, and nearly endless string of monuments in Gettysburg.  We highly recommend you start at the NPS Visitor Center.

The town of Gettysburg is worth spending time in as well, with a decent downtown of shops and restaurants.

Best For:

  • History Buffs
  • Families
  • Attractive Downtown

3. Annapolis (Maryland)

A woman wearing sunglasses and a black-and-white plaid jacket sits outdoors at a table in Annapolis, holding a pink drink with ice. She smiles slightly, with a sunny marina and buildings in the background—one of many relaxing things to do in Maryland.

Why We Love It: Annapolis is Maryland’s capital, and one of its most charming cities.

Another place with lots of history, but Nicole and I love Annapolis most for its waterfront and crabs. 

Check out the Choptank restaurant with a rooftop with a spectacular view (it’s #3 on our top things to do in Annapolis).

Also, check out the Naval Academy and take a waterfront cruise if you have time.

Best For:

  • Waterfront City Docks
  • Crabs
  • Naval Academy Tour

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4. Cunningham Falls and Catoctin Mountain State Parks (Maryland)

Chimney-rock-viewpoint-catoctin-mountain-park

Why We Love It: These two adjacent Maryland State parks are in Frederick’s backyard.  They are full of things to do.

Escape to Cunningham Falls State Park for a short hike to Maryland’s highest falls, a day at the Hunting Creek Lake beach, or beautiful fall foliage.

Catoctin State Park has some of our favorite hikes in Maryland, including the Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock Loop hike.

Best For:

  • Waterfalls
  • Hiking
  • Picnics

5. Mt. Vernon (Virginia)

White two-story colonial house with a red roof and tall columns; people gathered on the veranda and lawn on a sunny day.

Why We Love It: As you can tell from this list, Nicole and Glenn are big history fans (Glenn especially loves colonial history).

Mt. Vernon is a must-visit in the mid-Atlantic.  George Washington’s historical compound in Fairfax County exudes American History.

It can get busy, so we recommend buying tickets online and also booking a tour. 

Best For:

  • Colonial History
  • Garden Tours
  • Families

6. Antietam (Maryland)

Row of old cannons on a grassy parade ground with a tall monument featuring an eagle statue in the distance
photo credit: NPS.org

Why We Love It: Antietam is matched only by Gettysburg in terms of its Civil War prominence in the mid-Atlantic. 

If you love Gettysburg or Monocacy National Battlefield in Frederick, you should definitely visit Antietam.

Antietam today is located in a peaceful setting with a great visitor center and plenty of walking trails.

Best For:

  • Civil War History
  • Battlefield Walks
  • History

7. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)

Old Rag Shenandoah Virginia

Why We Love It: If you love National Parks, then there is a fabulous one right in Frederick’s backyard.

Shenandoah National Park stretches along the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia and offers great hiking, camping, and a can’t-miss car ride along the ridge.

You can visit for a day hike (including the epic Old Rag hike), but one of Frederick’s best day trips is a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with countless pullouts offering views of the park’s mountains.

Best For:

  • Scenic Drives
  • Family Hikes
  • Fall Colors

Find a Place to Stay Around Frederick, MD

8. Charlottesville and Monticello (Virginia)

Woman in black long-sleeve top and jeans posing on a grassy lawn in front of a large brick neoclassical building with columns and a dome, under a clear blue sky.

Why We Love It: This breaks our stated rules because it’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Frederick.  But a day trip to the Charlottesville area in Virginia offers plenty to do.

It’s home to a popular wine region, especially around the town of Crozet.  Check out King Family Vineyards.

Charlottesville itself is a great college town with lots of restaurants and the University of Virginia.

But the must-see venue in the area is Monticello.  Thomas Jefferson’s Home is an interesting and lovely place to spend an afternoon.

Best For:

  • Wineries
  • College Town
  • History

9. St. Michaels (Maryland Eastern Shore)

Person on a swing set by a grassy lakeside at sunset, holding onto the ropes with the water and sun in the background, trees overhead.

Why We Love It: Maryland’s Eastern Shore is like another world compared to the rest of the state.  It’s a great place to explore.

By far our favorite spot on the Eastern Shore is St. Michaels.  This charming town has great seafood, Chesapeake Bay views, and lovely downtown shopping.

There are lots of wineries worth visiting on the Eastern Shore; check out Crow Vineyards on your way to or from St. Michaels.

Best For:

  • Waterfront Views
  • Seafood
  • Shopping

10. Luray Caverns (Virginia)

Tour group inside a warmly lit cavern with dangling stalactites; a musician sits at a small organ in the background.
photo credit: visitshenandoah.org

Why We Love It: A truly spectacular natural wonder, Luray Caverns is the best of several caverns you can visit in the Shenandoah Valley.

The caverns are awe-inspiring, but so are the crowds.  Plan ahead by buying tickets in advance and try not to arrive during peak weekend hours.

There’s loads more to do at Luray, especially for families, including a garden maze, heritage village, a rope adventure park, and more.

Best For:

  • Families
  • Hot Summer Days (it’s cool inside!)
  • Natural Wonders

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11. New Market and Mt. Airy (Maryland)

A historical marker for East New Market, MD, stands by a street. The sign details the town’s origins, role in the American Revolution and War of 1812, and mentions Dr. Anthony Manning. Trees and a house are visible in the background on a sunny day.

Why We Love It: If you don’t want to travel far but want to check out some nearby towns to Frederick, drive 15 minutes east to New Market, then slightly farther to Mt. Airy.

You can combine a visit to both into an interesting day trip from Frederick.

Both have small but walkable downtowns with some interesting Maryland history.  In New Market, check out Tree Trekkers or Gaver Farms, especially if you have kids.  You can make a day trip alone out of each of these.

In Mount Airy, if you are downtown, check out Liquidity Aleworks.

Best For:

  • Strollable Downtowns
  • Wineries and Breweries
  • Family Attractions

12. Loudoun County (Maryland)

A man and woman sit at a wooden picnic table outdoors at Market Table Bistro, smiling at the camera. The woman holds a wine glass, with more empty glasses on the table. The man holds a water bottle amid lush green trees and grass on a sunny day.

Why We Love It: We are partial to this area because Glenn lived here before moving to Frederick. 

Loudoun County sits just across the Potomac River from Frederick County and offers a ton of places to discover, especially if you like wineries and breweries.

A winery day trip to Loudoun can be one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic.  Check out some of our favorites, including Breaux Vineyards, Stone Tower Winery, and Greenhill Vineyards.

Spend some time in Middleburg if you can, and try to grab lunch or dinner at our favorite hidden gem in Loudoun, Market Table Bistro.

Best For:

  • Wineries
  • Brewries
  • Farm Country

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Glenn VanLandingham Travel Writer
Glenn is a travel enthusiast and adventure seeker who lives in Frederick, Maryland, and Bend, Oregon. He and his wife Nicole use EpicBend and EpicFrederick to chronicle their adventures in these amazing places so others can live their best lives in Frederick and Bend.
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Frederick, Maryland Bend, Oregon
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