Downtown Frederick is a National Historic District in Frederick County, Maryland. The district encompasses the core of Frederick and contains a variety of commercial, residential and industrial buildings.

Downtown Frederick on a Map

Downtown Frederick is belted by East South Street to the south, North Bentz Street to the west, North East Street to the east and East 7th Street to the north. Baker Park and Rosedale border the community to the west, Sagner and Monocacy Crossing to the east, Field Pointe to the south and Amber Meadows to the north. Fort Detrick, Braddock Heights, and Ballenger Creek are also a short drive away.

Downtown Frederick’s Historic District

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Downtown Frederick was one of the districts within the city to be at the crossroads of America’s Civil War. During the Civil War, many of the city’s towns were occupied by troops from both sides. The Maryland Civil War Trail can be traveled throughout the town to remember the footsteps of the soldiers. In the days after some of the war’s battles, Frederick became a major hospital center for both sides. Today the story of care and compassion in the wake of battle is told at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Homes for Sale in Downtown Frederick, Maryland

The housing stock in Downtown Frederick is mostly composed of 19th- and 20th-century row houses and duplexes. The scale of this older part of the city is dense, with streets and sidewalks suitable for pedestrians. Some architectural styles that can be found here include Queen Anne, Colonial, Greek Revival and Federal. Adjacent to downtown are many older communities with larger single-family homes.

Dining Out in Downtown Frederick

Some of Downtown Frederick’s best restaurants can be found along North Market Street. The Tasting Room is one of these spots. This contemporary bar and eatery features sophisticated American fare and an extensive wine list. Their entrees are healthy and organic, and some favorite combinations include the salmon with crab cakes and gratin potatoes. Orchard Restaurant is another eatery offering organic ingredients. This locally sourced and globally inspired menu also offers vegan and gluten-free dishes. For a more elegant destination, travel north on the same road to Volt—an upscale option for New American fare. This fabulous and popular restaurant offers a 6-course tasting menu and is highly recommended with wine pairings.

Things to Do in Downtown Frederick

Mullinix Park is a wonderful small park located near the south of downtown. Adjacent to Carroll Creek, this neighborhood park features grills, a lighted basketball court, picnic tables and playgrounds. It is also a nice park for walking, biking, jogging and the nearby creek is also great for dogs.

Baker Park is a fabulous 44-acre park featuring tennis courts, softball and baseball fields, Culler Lake, a public swimming pool and numerous playgrounds. The park also features a band shell which is home to many concerts and children’s theater in the summer, as well as other events throughout the year.

For more entertainment in the art category, check out Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center. This neighborhood art school features works by local artists and offers classes, free workshops and summer camps. Weinberg Center, located on West Patrick Street, hosts dance performances, music, comedy shows, plus a prominent speaker series. The aforementioned National Museum of Civil War Medicine is also nearby on East Patrick Street. This educational facility documents the medicinal treatment of wounded soldiers through exhibits and life-size dioramas.

Traveling Around Downtown Frederick

People searching for a walkable town love Downtown Frederick, as it is very pedestrian friendly. For travelers who work outside the area, Route 355 and Route 144 can easily be relied upon. Both of these major non-highway routes bisect the area while the latter can take you to Route 15, I-70 and I-270. Downtown Frederick is also home to one of the Frederick MARC stations on the Brunswick Line. This line heads south towards Washington, DC and is also a major hub for buses of the TransIT services.

Making Your Home in Downtown Frederick

Downtown Frederick is an historic district that features important routes that will take you throughout most of Maryland’s hotspot cities and DC. This community is filled with some affordable housing, as well as wonderful parks, recreational activities and some fabulous restaurants. It’s no wonder that more and more people looking for Maryland real estate are choosing to make their homes in Downtown Frederick.