by Krista Beck

Lucketts, Virginia. Where in the world is that and is there even anything to do?

A rural, Western Loudoun County, Virginia town, Lucketts is actually central to so many great adventures! We decided to create a series of articles highlighting some of the many possibilities!

This week’s highlight is 15 miles and 22 minutes from Potomac Overlook Farms.

FREDERICK, MARYLAND

I may be a bit biased having been born and raised in one of America’s great small towns. Frederick truly is a gem of a city. Founded in 1748, Frederick played its part in the American Revolution and The Civil War. Francis Scott Key, the writer of “The Star Spangled Banner”, was also a Frederick resident and is now buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Although much of the county still is rural and agricultural, Frederick has experienced tremendous growth since I was a kid. This hip, still up and coming, hub of food, drink and fun is DEFINITELY worth at least one day trip. I’ll give you a few ideas to jumpstart your visit. I also encourage you to follow the Visit Frederick Events Calendar- there is ALWAYS something going on!

ART

1. The Delaplaine Art Center. A visit to the Delaplaine is a must. You’ll find unique exhibits from local and national artists, as well as opportunities to take classes or attend events.

2. Weinberg Center for the Arts. The Weinberg Center is certainly nostalgic for me, as I grew up attending annual performances of The Nutcracker with my grandmother every December. The Weinberg center opened in 1926 as a high end theatre, and became the first building in Frederick to have air conditioning! Check their schedule for upcoming speakers, musical events, theatrical performances and art exhibits.

3. The MET. If you have the opportunity to catch a show at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre, you simply must! The MET is an artist collective of actors, writers and designers that will have you laughing, crying and contemplating. Visit if you can!

4. I Made This! Pottery Studio. Yet another personal childhood memory. Nothing beats spending a rainy afternoon painting your own pottery at I Made This! No experience required!

5. The Great Frederick Fair. Just about always the third week in September, The Great Frederick Fair is the talk of the town. As a young Frederick native, you simply grew up anticipating the excitement of the fair. It’s so engrained in the county’s culture that school closes on the last Friday of the fair. You MUST visit if you’re around in mid September!

HISTORY

1. Monocacy National Battlefield. Just south of town lies the Monocacy National Battlefield, maintained by the U.S. National Park Service. This is known as the site of “The Battle That Saved Washington”. Spend a sunny afternoon exploring and learning about this intense battle!

2. National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine to learn and appreciate the skills of doctors and surgeons in the past.

3. Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick. Who doesn’t love a good Ghost Tour in an old, historic city?!

SPORTS, OUTDOOR & SHOPPING

1. Frederick Keys Baseball. Catch a minor league baseball game with the Frederick Keys! Attending a Keys game is an ICONIC Frederick activity.

2. Carroll Creek Park. Carroll Creek runs through Downtown Historic Frederick and has caused two devastating floods in the city. What to do? Build an incredible water containment solution a mile and a half long that includes sidewalks, benches, trees, plants, art, fountains and an outdoor amphitheater! Have a great meal and finish with a stroll along the creek.

3. Baker Park. A visit to Frederick is incomplete without a walk through Baker Park. Trails, creek, recreational fields, pond, the historic clocktower, an amphitheater and the home of Frederick’s Annual 4th of July Fireworks make Baker Park the heart of Historic Frederick.

4. Historic Downtown Frederick Shopping. Where to even begin?! Downtown Frederick is home to so many neat stores. Curious Iguana has all your book needs, Viola! Tea, Dancing Bear Toys and Gifts, The Muse, Creme de la Creme, Retro Metro, Sky’s the Limit, Zebop and the many antique stores are just a start of my favorite! Park your car and get to it.

RESTAURANTS

1. May’s Seafood. Marylanders know their crabs, and when in Maryland, you just must! You’ll also find clams, mussels, shrimp and more!

2. Black Hog BBQ. For incredible BBQ and sides, Black Hog is a MUST!

3. Firestone’s Raw Bar. Pull up a seat in the elegant Firestone’s Raw Bar while enjoying craft beverages, raw seafood options and stunning charcuterie boards.

4. Frederick Coffee Co. & Cafe. A long standing community hub, the Frederick Coffee Co. is the perfect lunch or pick me up spot!

5. Lazy Fish Sushi. In the mood for crave-worthy, stunning, fresh and creative sushi? Visit Chef Pong at Lazy Fish Sushi for some of the very best sushi in Frederick, and probably anywhere.

6. Pretzel & Pizza Creations. Icnonic Pretzel & Pizza Creations is a staple to downtown Frederick residents. Pretzel pizza?! Everyone’s addiction.

7. The Tasting Room. For a beautiful, elegant and high end dining experience, reserve a dinner table at The Tasting Room.

8. Lucky Corner. My personal favorite restaurant of all time in Frederick, MD is Lucky Corner, a Vietnamese restaurant with authentic flavors that will have you coming back for more every time you visit.

9. Glory Doughnuts. Have a sweet tooth? You canNOT go wrong with a donut or breakfast entree from Glory Doughnuts. And, they’re vegan!

10. A.K.A. Friscos. Probably one of Frederick’s best kept secrets is a.k.a. Friscos. They are known for their MASSIVE sandwiches, exploded potatoes and ginormous, creative salads. Adjacent is a beer and wine store stocked with great local and regional finds.

THE BAR SCENE

1. Wag’s. A visit to Wag’s is pretty essential. It’s Frederick’s best dive bar and known for having Frederick’s Best Burger. Don’t forget a big basket of cheese fries!

2. Cafe Nola. Cafe Nola is known for a delicious breakfast, infused liquor cocktails, delicious coffee and creative entrees that even include vegan and vegetarian options. It is also your destination to catch great weekend music shows!

3. Bushwaller’s. An Irish bar, Bushwaller’s is an essential stop for happy hour or to catch late night tunes!

4. Cellar Door. The Cellar Door is a versatile, underground space that offers beautiful dinner options, wonderful happy hours and late night music.

5. Brewer’s Alley. Great food, in house brewed beer, beautiful pub and indoor dining, AND a rooftop bar makes Brewer’s Alley a versatile happy hour stop!

BREWERIES

You can’t go wrong visiting any of these!

Bonus: Most of them have outdoor seating for those pretty sunny days.

1. Attaboy Beer

2. Idiom Brewing Company

3. Smoketown Brewing- Creekside

4. Olde Mother Brewing

5. Flying Dog Brewery

DISTILLERIES

Sip on a cocktail and learn about distillation at any of these stops!

1. Tenth Ward Distilling Company

2. McClintock Distilling Company

3. Dragon Distilling

Say hello to my

favorite small town!