Located roughly an hour away from both DC and Baltimore, Frederick, Maryland is a quick and easy drive for many, and it has a full calendar of events going on throughout the year. In spite of its close proximity, last September was the first time we’d ever visited the city of Frederick. We randomly picked a weekend and ended up enjoying the annual In the Street festival, which meant lots of fun and food, but very little parking. (Word to the wise: make sure you plan ahead to avoid circling the town a few hundred times at a snail’s pace to look for spots).

This area is also home to wineries, breweries, scenic and historical sites, parks, and fantastic restaurants. One of those restaurants is The Orchard, which offers a casual but delicious dining experience in downtown Frederick. They use fresh, local whole foods and a lot of organic ingredients, but the prices are reasonable and the menu options aren’t fussy or overly exotic.

We only went for a day, and we’re sure that we didn’t see a fraction of what the area has to offer, so we’re planning to go back again soon. Check out the Tourism Council website to plan your trip, and if you have suggestions for me, please comment below!