Prince Frederick, MD

Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary is a forested wetland near the town of Prince Frederick, Calvert County. The sanctuary protects one of the northernmost sites where bald cypress trees grow naturally in North America. It is also the only large stand of these trees on the western shore of Maryland.

The Nature Conservancy bought the land in 1957 and declared it the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary.

The site covers 100 acres, about one percent of the 10,060-acre watershed of Battle Creek. A part of it is open to the public as a park. It has a nature center and quarter-mile long boardwalk over the swamp. The Calvert County operates it today as a county park. In addition to the cypress, the sanctuary protects many songbirds including prothonotary warbler and waterthrush, frogs and several species of wildflowers.

Address: 2880 Grays Rd, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, Phone: 410-535-5327

The American Chestnut Land Trust is a non-profit organization that was established in 1986 to protect, care for and share land within the Parkers Creek and Governor’s Run watersheds. Their goal is to prevent losing special natural and cultural places for the benefit of future generations.

A team from the Land Trust works with local communities and landowners to create special spaces where wildlife can live undisturbed, where researchers can learn, where adults can find peace and where children can be amazed and protect it forever.

It is today a tranquil 3,000-acre area with 22 miles of hiking trails, interpretive trails, historic structures, community farm and guided canoe trips.

Address: 676 Double Oak Rd, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, Phone: 410-414-3400

Spider Hall Farm is a working farm that grows corn, grain, and tobacco located near Prince Frederick. The farm runs a popular Farm Stand selling milk, cheese, meat, ice cream, canned goods, baked goods, seasonal produce, and much more. During the annual October Festival, the farm offers hay rides, corn maze, games, pumpkins and more. The farm also offers tours for those, adults and children, who want to learn more about how a farm works, as well as agricultural education for groups of school kids.

Address: 3915 Hallowing Point Rd, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, Phone: 410-610-0094

Where to Eat:

While Jerry retired, Jerry's Place Restaurant which open in 1983 still has the atmosphere he created – warm, cozy place where families come to enjoy fresh seafood. It is run today by Jerry’s children, grandchildren, nieces , nephews, and friends, who keep his legacy, the atmosphere, the high level of service and, of course, great menu. The quirky restaurant’s main feature is wall-to-wall amazing colorful murals depicting family scenes. The menu consists entirely of seafood – fish, crabs, oysters, haddock and more. Jerry’s has a small but great selection of wines and beer. Don’t forget to leave some space for Jerry’s amazing home-made desserts.

Address: 1541 Solomons Island Rd S, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, Phone: 410-535-3242

Brick Wood Fired Bistro is all about the Fire. This upscale, refined restaurant has great, warm atmosphere created by exposed brick walls covered in art, dark wood floors, crisp white tablecloths and comfortable private booths. Everything on the menu, from baking breads, to roasting fish, baking pizzas and cooking steaks and oysters have been touched by fire one way or another.

Their dishes start with the freshest ingredients possible, provided mostly by local providers, fishermen and growers. The menu is a blend of different cultures and techniques, bringing forward the flavors of the Chesapeake Bay. Some of the highlights of the menu are the Oysters Brickafella, with spinach, bacon and parmesan, Crab Avocado Stack, served with house-cut kettle chips and Roasted Beet Salad with beets, fried goat cheese, walnuts and a drizzle of honey served on a bed of arugula.

Address: 60 Sherry Ln, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, Phone: 443-486-5799

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Experience a bit of Tuscany and France together with the feel of California’s Napa Valley right in the heart of Southern Maryland. The beautiful Running Hare Vineyard boasts of its world-class wines and scenic landscapes, which imitate the beauty of the European countryside. The tasting room, set in the middle of the vineyard, welcomes visitors to sample some of Maryland’s finest wines created using only the best vines and barrels.

Wine slushies are also available in the tasting room as well as draft beers from local breweries. Visitors can choose to pair their wine with some Hispanic-American cuisine from Hungry Hare, a wood-fired pizza from Pizza Di Vigna, or even bring in their own food.

Address: 150 Adelina Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678, Phone: 410-414-8486

Clue IQ in Frederick offers a fun and immersive experience for families and groups of friends. Essentially an escape room, the Clue IQ games have been masterfully set up to offer a premium escape room experience that you are unlikely to forget.

Families and younger escapees can opt for the Operation Jingle Bells room, which is large and well lit and ideal for first-timers. Crane Manor has a thrilling paranormal theme, more suited to older players, while Excalibur and Blitzkrieg are suitable for all players.

You and your team will need to put your heads together to solve the riddles and beat the room within your allotted 60 minutes.

Address: Clue IQ, 103 S. Carroll Street, Frederick, MD 21701, 240 815 6458

Home to one of the largest forest lands in Calvert County, Parkers Creek provides visitors with the opportunity to explore plenty of beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The 2,000-acre protected park has a rich topography of dry and sandy woodlands, cool ravines, and dense wetlands.

Thanks to its unique geological and hydrological activity, the land possesses incredibly fertile soil producing magnificent wildflower displays during the springtime.

Wildlife is also thriving in this designated Important Bird Area with common sightings of lizards, reptiles, muskrats, river otters, and 19 species of forest-dwelling birds. Explore numerous marked trails or even take a guided canoe trip to marvel at all Parkers Creek has to offer.

Address: Parkers Creek, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678, Phone: 410-414-3400

Committed to providing aquatic programs to the Calvert community, the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center is home to a wide range of world-class facilities for all ages. There are several heated pools including a 10-lane lapping pool and a zero-entry leisure pool with fun slides for kids to enjoy. Adults can exclusively make use of the 100-degree hot tub and a therapy pool, which has walking bars along with an underwater bench and exercise well.

The fitness room is also available to adults, offering multiple fitness machines, weights, and mats. All areas of the aquatic center are completely accessible, even providing family and handicap-designated changing rooms.

Address: 130 Auto Drive, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678, Phone: 410-414-8350