Frederick Heights - Frederick, MD

Prior to colonial times, Frederick represented an important crossroads community. The area intersected the north to south Indian trail and the east to west routes of the Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore to Washington D.C. and across the Appalachian.

Rich with history still preserved in museums and historic sites, multiple options exist here to gives resident a look into the heritage of their neighborhood, spanning from colonial times to the Civil War and even later. During the winter, 19 area museums and historic sites, including the Barbara Fritchie House and Museum, participate in Museums by Candlelight.

Museums in Candlelight presents visitors free holiday-themed programs that give a glimpse into how the area's ancestors decorated their homes and how they made gifts by hand. Visitors can watch demonstrations, living history vignettes and listen to music.

The suburban enclaves of Frederick County proffer residents a number of national chains, giving people respite from cooking up a storm at home. Frederick’s historic downtown area, home to a number of privately owned businesses, brings visitors a culinary escape.

Get lost in the intimate atmosphere of Volt, an upscale New American restaurant housed within a 19th-century brownstone mansion. This restaurant brings patrons into its dining area, reminiscent of the building’s original construction during the Gilded Era, as its renowned chef prepares dishes using seasonal, fresh and local ingredients. Indulge in a full-course meal, including the braised lamb, and for your first visit, sample the tasting menu, which takes you from the vegetable course to the meat course and ends with dessert.

Nothing brings people together better than the tasty pizza pie served at Pistarro’s. Not only does the Neapolitan-style pizza here deliver satisfying flavor, the restaurant’s casual atmosphere brings in all ages. The establishment also has a bar with an attentive bartender, making this destination a good place to wind down on a Friday night. While here, be sure to try the Bianca.

For a casual lunch with your friends or a more formal dinner with family, Ayse Meze Lounge brings its diners a tapas-style menu with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Order a number of small plates to share or a few for yourself. From the hummus to dolmades, every well-prepared dish intrigues the palate. Many rank the Bruksel Lahanasi — the house special of grilled brussel sprouts topped with walnuts, capers, and honey — as a must.

Continue your night-time festivities after dinner in downtown Frederick by heading over to the Irish pub Bushwaller's if you want a low-key night with friends. For more bang for your buck, Wag's Restaurant, a little hole in the wall, has an amazingly low-priced happy hour.

Residents of Frederick Heights find many transportation options in addition to its close proximity to Interstate 70 — Dwight D. Eisenhower Parkway — and Route 40. The downtown Frederick area has ample parking and features parking garages with free admission during designated holidays.

Bicycling may not be the ideal option for commuters as dedicated lanes sit clustered within surrounding neighborhoods or parks without any connection between neighborhoods or into city center. On the other hand, readily available public transportation makes getting around the area simple.

TransIT provides public transportation, paratransit and commuter services to the Frederick County area. Nine connector routes operate throughout the area, with commuter shuttles and two Meet-the-MARC shuttles operating during the week. Making public transportation accessible to senior citizens and people with disabilities, TransIT has a demand response paratransit service. Commuters can take the regional transit system, including the MARC commuter rail, MTA commuter bus, Metrobus and Metrorail. People looking to reduce their carbon footprint without taking public transport can participate in Commuter Connections, a free computerized carpool and vanpool matching service.

Although Uber doesn't service this area, you can call a cab ahead of time for your transportation needs.

Residents of Frederick Heights can plan for a day of exercise at the park that meets beginner and advanced fitness levels as well as anywhere in between.

Cunningham Falls State Park, located in Thurmont atop the Catoctin Mountain, features a 43-acre man-made lake and the waterfall that gives the park its name. Divided into two different areas meets varying needs, the park's William Houck Area houses the lake, falls and camping area, while the Scales and Tales Aviary side has a camping site near the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace. Perfect for swimming, hiking, fishing, and canoeing, this park provides families and individuals with a day escape or longer stays, with camper cabins available for rental.

Located just outside Frederick, Gambrill State Park has 16 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails with scenic overlooks. The park even has horseback riding. Whether you want to stroll with your dog or enjoy a picnic after an afternoon of fishing at the pond, a visit to this park gives residents a relaxing escape into the outdoors.

If you need an excuse to visit these parks or any state park in Maryland, do so in the New Year when the parks host the First Day Hike, an annual event that encourages residents to frequent these parks and engage in an active lifestyle.

Residents of Frederick Heights find a cost of living 6 percent less than the rest of Maryland, with a median rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment at $1,170. Getting into the city center via TransIT costs around $1.50, making public transportation preferable to driving with gas costs 7.4 percent higher than the national average. Grab a beer at local establishments for around $5.

In the suburbs of Frederick County, residents find the usual options for satisfying their retail therapy needs, but for specialty shops, a trip into the heart of downtown will suffice.

Head to the Francis Scott Key Mall for bargains, or check out the Hagerstown Premium Outlets for a wide array of high-value shopping options. The Westview Promenade, an open-air shopping center south of Interstate 270, blends entertainment and lifestyle, with Regal Theatres showing the latest blockbusters and selection of stores selling both essentials and luxuries.

Kids of all ages enjoy a visit to independent toy store, Dancing Bear Toys and Gifts. The store sticks to the classic toys, avoiding high-tech items, encouraging playtime among children. It also has a calendar that features year-round class and activities for children.

Frederick County has many options for vintage shopping. Try visiting Silk & Burlap in downtown Frederick, which combines old and new. Modern clothing displayed in a storefront filled with upcycled furniture and vintage-inspired home fixtures delights the eye as much as the prices delight the wallet. Whether you need a new outfit or something for your kitchen, this interesting store likely has it.

Grocery needs can be met at chains such as ALDI, Safeway and Food Lion. Frederick Heights also lies close to Latin markets that give residents alternative options. For fresh, local produce, the West Frederick Farmers Market opens in the UnitedHealthcare parking lot on Oak Street every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.