Ready to explore Maryland’s hidden gems?

Green Valley, MD, is one of the prettiest towns in Frederick County and a must-visit if you enjoy exploring the countryside.

With just over 12,000 people, this quaint town is surrounded by major cities.

While Frederick is a stone’s throw to the west, Washington DC and Baltimore are a few hours to the south and east, respectively.

The town is close to several fascinating tourist attractions.

And these are our top recommendations if you’re ever looking for things to do near Green Valley.

The 10 Best Places to Visit Near Green Valley, MD

How many of these are on your 2022 travel bucket list?

• Catoctin Mountains
• Cunningham Falls State Park
• Schifferstadt Architectural Museum
• Clue IQ Escape Room
• Crystal Grottoes Caverns
• Monocacy National Battlefield
• Weinberg Center for the Arts
• Barbara Fritchie House
• Hootch & Banter
• Hessian Barracks

Catoctin Mountains

An integral part of the Appalachian Mountain range, the Catoctin Mountains form the easternmost section of the Blue Ridge Mountain.

The area offers excellent views of the surrounding landscape and boasts a massive flora and fauna population.

Owens Green Campground is a cozy nook perfect for camping with a close group of friends, family, or a date.

You could also organize a picnic on a sunny spring day, go hiking, or explore the scenic trails on a bike.

There’s a lot to explore out here. So, drop by the Visitor Center and research the facilities for the best experience.

Cunningham Falls State Park

Famous for outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and canoeing, Cunningham Falls State Park is a nature lover’s delight!

The best time to visit the park is between April and October, when the water level is higher.

Cunningham Falls State Park is split into two distinct regions, the William Houck Area and the Manor Area.

While the falls, lake, and camping spots fall in the William Houck Area, the Scales and Tales Aviary and the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace are part of the Manor Area.

The hiking trails range from short steep climbs to long, winding paths.

Swimming is permitted on a few stretches of Huntington Creek Lake, while hunting is allowed throughout the land.

Schifferstadt Architectural Museum

Perhaps the best remaining example of German colonial architecture in the USA, Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, is a stone house constructed in 1758.

The building features several fascinating and distinctive architectural elements from the era and is one of the first houses in Frederick.

You can learn more about the history and whereabouts of Frederick’s early settlers here.

Don’t forget to take a stroll around the Heritage Garden, a square kitchen garden adjacent to the house, which a dedicated Master Gardner maintains along with a group of enthusiastic volunteers.

Clue IQ Escape Room

Escape rooms are an excellent source of pure adrenaline rush.

If you’ve never played an escape game before, let’s change that on your next visit to Green Valley.

Clue IQ, the best escape room in Frederick, is located a stone’s throw from Green Valley. So, gather your squad and drop in for some heart-racing adventure.

Pick your favorite escape room game from our vast list of challenges and test your limits in a controlled environment before time runs out.

Escape IQ has plenty of novel puzzles to keep you busy.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your slots now!

Crystal Grottoes Caverns

This exotic cave network has the most rock formations per square foot. It’s also the only cave in Maryland open to the public.

Crystal Grottoes Caverns abound in vast columns of drape-like stalactites, and the guides explain each exhibit in great detail.

Each tour is approximately 30-minutes long. And certain sections of the cave can take a bit longer to explore as they get relatively narrow in parts.

Certain areas are barely 4 feet tall. So, you might have to crouch to avoid hitting your head on the cave walls.

Monocacy National Battlefield

The site of the legendary Battle of Monocacy, this place prevented the siege on Washington during the Civil War.

The museum is spread over 1500 acres of land and exhibits several memorabilia and buildings reminiscent of the era.

Monocacy National Battlefield sits on the banks of River Monocacy and is right on the borders of Frederick.

The staff here are accommodating and will help you plan an educational and inspiring trip upon your visit.

Weinberg Center for the Arts

The hub of performing arts in Frederick, Weinberg Center for the Arts is a historic movie palace from the early 90s.

The venue hosts several professional musicals, dances, theatre performances, and family entertainment throughout the year.

The season typically starts from September and continues till May of the following year.

Apart from enjoying a live show, visitors can also join a free tour of the property to get a feel for the backstage.

Free tours are hosted weekly and last between 45 minutes to an hour.

A professional guide leads the group and occasionally spills exciting secrets about the iconic venue.

Barbara Fritchie House

The iconic house of Barbara Fritchie, the heroine of John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem, is a must-visit.

While this used to be a museum between 1927 and 2018, the place is currently an Airbnb, meaning you can stay here for the night.

The owners did a great job of offering patrons the latest amenities while preserving the authentic charm of the place.

The highlights of your stay include authentic Barbara Fritchie memorabilia, heirlooms, and antiques.

The house is a must-visit when in Green Valley.

Hootch & Banter

Despite opening its doors to the public only in 2015, Hootch & Banter has attained cult status in Frederick County.

Located in the historic South Market Street building known locally as The Canal Bar & Grille or Kidd’s Café, this magnificent restaurant breathes life into the area.

Guests will love the casual atmosphere combined with upscale food.

An enlarged photo of the Kidd family hangs on the restaurant’s central wall celebrating the venue’s history.

The menu includes a fine selection of wine, liquor, and cocktails, while the food emphasizes fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Hessian Barracks

A historic barracks and school building built during the French and Indian war, the Hessian Barracks and School was occupied by British General Edward Braddock.

There is further proof that the area was later used as a prison.

The history is long and exciting. From a state armory to a hospital and later as a silkworm farm, the barracks served several purposes over the years.

The Hessian Barracks was used as the Agricultural Fairgrounds and the Maryland Institute for the Deaf.

However, it has been officially listed as a historic place since 1971.

Are You Ready for an Epic Vacation?

If you’ve never been to Green Valley, MD, there are several fascinating places to explore nearby.

Here’s an interesting blog on the top twelve things to do in Damascus. We have plenty more on our blogs page.

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