by Alani Aerco and Jake Chewning
Downtown Frederick is a well-known area for those who visit Frederick County. With so much to explore like restaurants to get a good, shops to buy trendy clothes, hair salons, gyms, a radio shop, and so much more.
The buildings were built in the 18th century, and the park, The Carroll Creek Linear Pars is a beautiful to walk and relax. Also with events such as Pride, Festival of the Arts, Frederick Wine, and the Frederick Oktoberfest, Downtown has a lot of great things going on and things to check out. Here are our Top 20 personal favorite picks on what to do, where to eat and shop in Downtown Frederick.
20. Gravel and Grind, 15 E 6th St, Frederick, MD 21701
A coffee shop that is a great place to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry, but it also has a great selection of bikes and bike accessories. This place is one of our favorite coffee shops downtown. They have good seating and helpful staff. They also offer bike rentals and guided bike tours. Overall, this place is good for a quick cup of coffee and a bite to eat. When it comes to meeting someone for the first time or a student needing a calm place to get work done. So if you like coffee and enjoy riding your bike, this is a great destination to visit and check out!
19. Vintage MC, 24 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
This retail store offers a wide selection of vintage and retro clothing. These items can catch the interest of all different types of people with their own interests. When going into the store, we found it interesting that they sell spaceman foods, which is not only interesting but unique. The workers were knowledgeable about the items they were selling, which was super helpful. They offer accessories such as jewelry and home decor. If you’re into the vintage aesthetic and if you’re looking for something different and unique to buy, this place is definitely worth checking out.
18. Treaty General Store, 30 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
Treaty General Store is another great retail store to check out. The workers were nice with helping customers find clothes when looking for certain sizes. They offer a wide selection of items, including clothing, home goods, and accessories. If you’re looking for a fun atmosphere and into unique items and in-trend fashion, definitely take a look at this retail store.
17. Venus on the Half Shell, 101 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
This is another great retail store that’s good to check out, especially if you’re into thrifting and vintage clothing that has good quality. The store is clean and organized, which is important for a shop to have. When you walk in, it feels like you’re back in time. Vintage fans would be shocked by how old the pieces they were selling were and how they looked as good as new. We even had the pleasure to talk to the owner and she was very sweet. She seems really passionate about her shop and what she sells. They have affordable clothing and sell home goods, accessories, and cute summer clothes you could wear this year.
16. Big Lush Plants and Flowers, 332 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
There are several florists in Downtown Frederick, but one that comes to mind is Big Lush Plants and Flowers. They offer beautiful floral arrangements and have great customer service. They have cool artwork to do for your home. When it comes to their work, they pay attention to the details. They also offer a range of unique and beautiful flowers.
15. Curious Iguana, 12 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
A fantastic independent bookstore that has a great selection of books and a friendly and knowledgeable staff. They also host events and book clubs. Plus you will meet people who also loves books.
14. Cafe Nola, 4 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
This is a cozy American restaurant that offers a variety of delicious food options and has a great atmosphere. It’s a pretty popular spot, and sometimes they host live music and other events throughout the week. And they also offer live music. They are also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the week. You are seated immediately, which is always nice. They also serve vegetarian options, which are always great when trying to include everyone.
13. Baker Park, 121 N. Bentz St. Frederick, MD 21701
This is a beautiful park that is a great place to have a picnic and go on a walk or run. They have a bandshell that hosts concerts and events throughout the year. The walk through the park is truly beautiful and has great trails with bridges. The history throughout these walks is also really nice to see.
12. Carroll Creek Park, Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick, MD 21701
This is another great park downtown. It has a beautiful creek running through it, surrounded by shops and restaurants. They also have an amphitheater that hosts concerts and events throughout the year.
11. Augusta Rose, 43 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
Looking for a great place to buy gifts? Augusta Rose has handmade items, including jewelry, crystals, and other gifts. If you want to start a cool collection this place would be great to check out. This store is kid and adult friendly. The staff is very knowledgeable about the things sold in this store also.
10. Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S Carroll St, Frederick, MD 21701
This visual arts education center offers different types of art classes, workshops, and exhibits throughout the year. They have a variety of art exhibits and a gift shop. I love the original art that is present here.
9. Pretzel and Pizza Creations 210 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Pretzel and Pizza Creations offer a unique spin on the dish. Using the same dough from their pretzels to make pizza dough! While the name inspires the customer to get pizza or a pretzel, they also offer a delicious selection of sandwiches and ice cream. I highly recommend going if you have never tried pretzel-based pizza.
8. Brainstorm Comics and Gaming 117 N. Market St., Frederick, MD 21701
This is a local hot stop for the biggest and brightest collection of comic books and tabletop game sets around! Offering some of the latest trading cards, Funko Pops, and recent releases of tabletop games and books, Beyond Comics is a gaming haven for anyone who dares to enter its fantasy.
7. The Cellar Door 5 E Church St, Frederick, MD 21701
A classic among nightlife here in Frederick, The Cellar Door offers a one-of-a-kind dining and dancing experience. While one of the largest congregating areas for older college students, The Cellar Door has an atmosphere like no other in Downtown Frederick. Ready to dance?
6. Retro Metro 213 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Need a present or keepsake? Well, Retro Metro has you covered! Having a catalog of fun stickers, mugs, joke books, and Maryland-style merchandise, Retro Metro is the place to go for a fun purchase. While more based on nostalgia and reference-based merchandise, they also have some quick things like phone chargers and toys for your little ones.
5. Maryland Ensemble Theatre (The MET) 31 W Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
Need a fun show for a date night? Luckily for you, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre gives free vouchers for shows out to students! As a community black box theater, the environment is much more intimate and allows accessibility for all types of theatergoers.
4. Tsunami 20 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
While a smaller dining area, Tsunami offers an affordable and creative atmosphere with a very intimate selection of dishes. Open only during select lunch and dining hours so make sure you plan out your trip before you arrive. If you love or want to try authentic ramen and Japanese cuisine, Tsunami is a great place to start.
3. North Market Pop Shop 241 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
This is a place where you stop when you’re downtown. With the most unusual soda selection around Frederick, the Pop Shop has flavors ranging from your normal Coke to buffalo wing, to pickle juice sodas. If you want to introduce yourself to a whole new range of fountain drinks, the Pop Shop has everything you’ll need. They also offer delicious ice creams and select food items like hot dogs, the Pop Shop is the perfect place to stop for a quick drink.
2. Juliet’s Italian Market and Cafe 9 E Church St, Frederick, MD 21701
With some of the friendliest staff around Frederick, Juliet’s Italian Market has a wide range of fresh to frozen pasta, desserts, and sauces, all waiting for you to eat or make right at home! While some dishes are more expensive, Juliet’s makes it perfect for eating a wonderful family meal that will make you want to go grab more. Their ever-changing stock of Italian grocery items always has customers coming back to check out what kinds of dishes they have each week.
1. Brewer’s Alley 124 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
One of the staples of downtown, Brewer’s Alley offers a big but versatile menu of local Maryland favorites but with an upscale twist. Their outdoor and rooftop spaces allow for some of Frederick’s largest seating spaces. When you ever wonder where to eat in Downtown usually Brewer’s is the first place to come to mind as it offers something for everyone to enjoy.
