Location: Prince Frederick
Top Things to do in Prince Frederick
Top 10 Things to do in Prince Frederick, United States
Prince Frederick is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Calvert County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Prince Frederick was 2,538, up from 1,432 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Calvert County.
Restaurants in Prince Frederick
1. Flag Ponds Nature Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By JSinDC - Washington, DC
We've done our fair share of exploring the parks around Maryland's southern coast, but Flag Ponds Nature Park was one we had never heard before friends suggestion going one day. What a wonderful little surprise this place was. A massive coastal playground co pared to most parks in the area with views of the marshland and cliffs. The park has ample walking trails and is, as others have mentioned, dog friendly. It's is a bit of a hike from the beach to the parking lot, so keep that in mind when packing gear. Most of that walk is on a paved or fairly smooth path, although some of it is a gravel walk. Handicap parking is limited a short walk from the beach. Bathroom facilities are thankfully available at ends - the parking lot and just before stepping on the beach. Parking is madly affordable compared to some of Calvert's nearby beaches (Chesapeake Beach and North Beach, for example charge per person). And the public beach toys, which includes sand sisters for those of you scouting for shark teeth, was a really nice touch. The park closes the lot when parking is full. You aren't turned away but will have to wait for a space to open, so be sure to plan accordingly. The one saving grace is, if you do get stuck, you can keep driving south on the coast till you find a beach that's taking newcomers.
2. Running Hare Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By JJnCJ - Lexington Park MD
We visited Running Hare for a company event. It was our first time being there. It will not be our last. Once you get there after traveling over the river and through the woods, you may forget you are in Calvert County. Beautifully peaceful setting for a relaxing afternoon or evening. Plenty of parking... some close, some about 50 yards away. There were plenty of places to sit… picnic tables at the beer pavilion, and table and chairs over towards the wine pavilion, and spaces for your own chairs or blankets. A good selection of 8 wines to sample and then buy a glass or bottle to sit and enjoy while listening to music piped in or whomever they have performing. Food is available but you can bring your own. Port-a-pottys are a short walk away from the wine tasting pavilion. And at the beer pavilion…I recommend the Oktober fest brew. It’s the only one I tried and decided to stay with it. They are really getting a lot of notoriety so there’s a good chance of a crowd when you visit. One slight issue I had was coming from the Sixes Road (506) and Adelina road (508) direction, the entrance comes up on you pretty fast. A sign about 50 yards before the entrance would be helpful. It may be there and I missed it, but there were 4 of us in the vehicle and no one saw it. But we know where the place is so that won’t be a problem for us next time.
3. Second Looks Books
Overall Ratings
5 based on 26 reviews
Second Looks Books is a family-owned community bookstore, operating in the same location since 1991. Open seven days a week, we offer a wide selection of used books, DVDs, and CDs. We have been selling on the internet since 1998, and we strive to maintain the high standard of customer service we've established in our brick-and-mortar store.
Reviewed By UsaAmazed - USA
Second Look books is a great second hand book store. The staff is very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. They have a great selection of books. They even take the books you have already read for store credit. Great for adding to your collection or finding a book to read that you don't want to pay full price for.
4. Edward T Hall Aquatic Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By SarahdaraR - Huntingtown, Maryland
Love this pool. Its clean, the staff is nice and its well maintained. Love to run in the little balcony over looking poolwhile my daughter swims. Has a childrens pool, a dive pool, large hot tub and a thersay pool.
5. Bruce Snake Gabrielson's Surf Art Gallery and Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 19 reviews
Recognized as a top cultural site by the Maryland Department of Tourism, this free museum contains several rare historical artifacts from the surfing world collected by surfing legend Bruce Gabrielson over a 60 year period. Displays include Dale Velzey's original 1950's templates and planer, an original Makaha Skateboard, the first day edition of the Duke Stamp from both Huntington Beach and Waikiki, signed posters from numerous surfing legends, a signed poster from the Wooden Year's exhibit opening at the International Surfing Museum, a set of Rick Griffin drawings, plus paintings and photos from artists and surf photographers from the East and West Coast. Several antique boards are also on display. The museum is located in the offices of the National Surf Schools and Instructors Association. During the summer months the museum is open when the surf isn't great and in the evenings with reservations preferred.
Reviewed By johnmarie1 - Maryland
We visited the Snake's museum on a cold, dreary day in early March and were instantly transported to sunny southern California. Bruce is so passionate about his sport, and we left with a great appreciation for the history of surfing and how far the sport has come. My husband and I are both scuba divers, so we're more familiar with life below the waves. Visiting Bruce exposed us to the joys of topside water sports!
6. American Chestnut Land Trust
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is a land trust in Calvert Co., Maryland, an hour drive from both D.C. and Baltimore, featuring the 3,400 acre "Parkers Creek Preserve". ACLT offers 22 miles of trails (free!), guided canoe/kayak trips up the beautiful creek, and tons of events and activities celebrating this beautiful region and the Chesapeake Bay. Dedicated to caring for the land, ACLT also manages a small farm, educational garden and food forest all focused on regenerative and perma-culture growing systems. 75% of the harvest - more then 7,000 lbs in 2017 - is donated to a local food pantry. There are so many ways to get involved with caring for the land and sharing it with the community! Visit http://acltweb.org for more info :-)
Reviewed By Ernest W - Mayaguez
SUMMATION: Excellent Conservation Organization preserving a well-managed wildlife area. Excellent educational programs, hiking trails, and access to lands.
NAME: American Chestnut Land Trust
DESCRIPTION: These protected lands progress from dry, sandy upland woods to cool, moist ravines and forested wetlands. The ancient shell deposits from the Miocene Epoch, which deposit fossils on the beaches of Calvert County, create fertile soils in the inland ravines that support remarkable spring wildflower displays. Flowers such as American Golden Saxifrage [A] and Two-leaf Miterwort [B], uncommon on the typically poor soils of the Coastal Plain, thrive in the rich, moist soils of these steeply sloped valleys. Eastern Fence Lizards [C] and other reptiles make their home in the dry, sandy uplands, as do some unusual plants.
MY RATING: Excellent (4.9/5)
SIZE: 4000 acres with 19 miles of hiking trails.
TITLE: “Wonderful Preserve” [TripAdvisor, Parguera Pirate review #529 [1], 27 January 2016]
CHESAPEAKE BAY TRIP REVIEW NUMBER: 21
TELEPHONE: (410) 414-3400, FAX: 410-414-3402
WEB PAGE: cannot be published on TripAdvisor
MANAGEMENT: American Chestnut Land Trust
LOCALITY: 667 Double Oak Road, Prince Fredrick, Maryland 20678
South trail: Scientists Cliffs Road, Port Republic, Maryland 20676; North trail: Double Oak Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678 [see maps on web page]
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 2363, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678
DIFFICULTY LOCATING: easy
DIRECTIONS: see their web page
HOURS OF OPERATION: Daily dawn to dusk. Double Oak Farm is closed during deer firearms season for safety.
FEES: none, but memberships available
AMINITIES: Nineteen miles of self-guided serene public hiking trails in two locations. Guided hikes are available from spring through fall. Guided canoe trips are offered from spring through fall on beautiful Parkers Creek. Check the online calendar of events for annual family events. Master Naturalist course. Volunteer-run Double Oak Farm.
ANIMALS: pets welcome
HEALTH:
(I) Swarms of mosquitoes near the wetlands and biting Black Flies [D] in the forest.
(II) Limited access for wheelchairs and must be arranged prior to visit.
AWARDS: Important Bird Area (2014, National Audubon Society); Accredited Land Trust.
REVIEWS: rated Excellent, 4.9/5, 5 mini-reviews, 12 votes [2] (FaceBook); Excellent, 5.00/5, 4 reviews (TripAdvisor); Very Good, 4.00/5, 2 reviews (Trails.com); Terrible, 1.00/5, 1 review (Google)
HISTORY: When Annie Gravatt died in 1986, Peter R. (Richard) Vogt (76) and Ralph H. Dwan (1932-2011) collected $400,000 from more than 90 families in Scientists’ Cliffs to purchase 450 acres of nearby, undeveloped land from her estate to save it from commercial development. Vogt contributed $7500 to start the preservation project called the American Chestnut Land Trust (named for the trees once common in the area). The trust now manages more than 4000 natural acres, acquired by the State and the Nature Conservancy. The trust includes Parkers Creek and offers hiking and canoeing.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Plus thousands of unnumbered article and book reviews for hundreds of journals.
[2] I counted 19, but they said “18 reviews.”
SPECIES:
[A] American Golden Saxifrage, Chrysosplenium americanum. We also saw a lot at the base of the cliffs at Scientists’ Cliffs.
[B] Two-leaf Miterwort, Mitella diphylla.
[C] Eastern Fence Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus.
[D] Black Fly, Simulium spp., are small insects. Adult females feed on blood. Swarms can be quite aggravating. One got the Pirate, but did not escape unsquashed. They carry human diseases in the tropics.
7. Breezy Point Beach
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By Tom16306
Staying in Chesapeake Beach gives one the option of two beaches, North Beach and Breezy Point. Choose Breezy Point, larger, cheaper, and bring in a few beers.
8. Spider Hall Farm
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By GoBinWi - Mequon, Wisconsin
This quaint, working farm has so much going for it. From the great Farm Stand, with Fresh, local products, including milk, cheese and Ice cream (AMAZING)! To some great programming for kids and adults year round with Agricultural Education, Tours, Games, Ladies Night Out, Fall Corn Maze, Pumpkins, Etc. The list goes on... The Farm Stand is open year round and offers a great selection. I asked and they even have a farm fresh "subscription" program where you can sign up to get weekly fresh milk, seasonal produce, and their amazing ice cream! We will definitely be back. If you are driving through Calvert County, it is well worth the stop! Their website also has some up to date information on ladies wine night and some other great fun programs!
9. Greene Turtle Prince Frederick
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By travelnmom31 - Solomons, Maryland
Went here with my kids for dinner. The food was good for the most part. Crab soup tasted like it was reheated from a frozen container...not alot of taste to it. The kids liked having a tv at the table until we realized ours was broken. Not like we would have been able to hear it anyways...the noise coming from the bar was so annoying. I guess they were playing some type of game over there...constant yelling and cheering. Not anything my kids and I wanted to hear. I doubt we will be making this one of our regular spots. This is a good place for people who like to party and act obnoxious, but definitely not a family atmosphere at all.
10. R&J's PlayPark
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
R&J's PlayPark is a premier outdoor family entertainment and recreation facility located in Southern Maryland. We feature Baseball/Softball Batting cages with different selected speeds, a natural landscaped putting course with waterfalls and water features, and a bumper boat lagoon with boats that shoot water. At the Playpark we also serve concession foods, and can host all types of parties.
Reviewed By HuntingtownTraveler - Huntingtown, MD
R&Js PlayPark is right behind the Jasper's Restaurant (that just closed). It offers a lot for kids to do. The miniature golf course may not be as nice or as elaborate as those that you'll find at the beach in Ocean City, but it is challenging and fun for the kids. The kids also like the water bumper cars (if that's what you call them) and squirting water at each other. The main draw for the PlayPark appears to be the batting cage. Every time we go there, there are tons of kids of various ages in the batting cage. They have something like 5-6 different cages, with some that serve both softballs and baseballs, some that only serve softballs, and some that serve only baseballs. Our son can only handle the slower speeds, but there are high schoolers and adults that use the high speed cages.
The PlayPark is a great option for summer. In addition the great activities, they also offer icecream and popsickles to cool the kids down.
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