Prince Frederick offers nature experiences, regional history, art and a range of recreational activities. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, it helps to first weigh the themes you want to shape your trip: hiking trails and water access, nature exploration, historic sites, or activities such as swimming and mini golf. Each attraction has its own focus.
Nature, Trails and Water Access
There are more than 26 miles of public trails across three American Chestnut Land Trust locations; two of these locations are in Prince Frederick. This total trail length is spread across multiple locations. The Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary covers 100 acres and is home to the northernmost naturally occurring stand of bald cypress trees in America. Its nature center houses live animals and exhibits, and the nature trail features a raised boardwalk.
Gatewood Preserve offers direct access to Battle Creek and expands public access to outdoor recreation. Activities include water access, hiking, fishing and nature exploration. Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm has natural-surface trails for hiking and horseback riding. The nature offerings thus range from trails at multiple locations and a swamp-area nature trail to water access and horseback riding.
History and Art
Historic Linden, which dates to around 1868, is home to the Calvert County Historical Society. The society maintains a research library with family papers and firsthand accounts of historical events. Old Wallville School is the oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse for African American students in Calvert County; it remained in use until 1934. These historic sites offer different points of interest: Linden, with its connection to the Historical Society, and the school, with its clearly defined history.
The art offerings also take different forms. CalvART Gallery in Prince Frederick showcases artists from Southern Maryland. Local artists hold public art classes at the Kocen Arts Center. A gallery featuring regional artists and public classes are thus two distinct cultural offerings.
Recreation and Local Food
Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center has three heated, accessible swimming pools. King Memorial Park has walking trails, while K&K Adventure Park in Prince Frederick offers mini golf. These recreational activities have a different focus from hiking or art: swimming, walking trails and mini golf each offer a distinct way to shape your trip.
The seasonal Farmers Market at CalvertHealth offers fresh food from farmers, agricultural businesses and fishers in Calvert County. If local produce is part of your plans, keep the market’s seasonal nature in mind.
Choosing a Focus for Your Stay
For planning purposes, what matters most is the kind of days you have in mind: trails and water access lend themselves to a nature-focused trip, while historic sites and art offer a cultural focus. Swimming pools, walking trails and mini golf add other recreational options. Since the farmers market is seasonal, check whether it will be open during your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Chesapeake Beach, Solomons, Lusby.
For the main travel overview: Calvert County.
