Prince William, Virginia & Frederick, Maryland: Endless Opportunities, new longer Bike Trails

By Megan Mentuck

Within the Greater Washington area, the local government has finalized plans to expand the area’s trail network.

The plans would stretch the trails from Prince William County, Virginia to Frederick County, Maryland in the D.C. metropolitan area.

Both counties offer visitors a unique experience complete with good food and interesting attractions.

Biking and walking trails are being added to the area to increase tourism in the region and encourage residents to get outside and enjoy the outdoors!

VA to DC

So, plan your trip via bike trail from Prince William County, Virginia to Frederick County, Virginia, and enjoy what the D.C. metropolitan area has to offer.

Prince William County, Virginia

GoNOMAD spoke with Nicole Warner with the Prince William County Office of Tourism.

Warner told us all about some of the best attractions in the region.

Prince William County offers visitors experiences relevant to the county’s history and expanses of green space.

Warner said, “You could spend a day on the water, you could spend a day shopping, you could spend a day in a national park.”

History in Prince William County, Virginia

One way visitors can engage with the history of Prince William County is by visiting the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

The Manassas National Battlefield Park is one of the county’s two national parks.

It preserves the site of two different major Civil War battles.

The park is home to 5000 acres of land, a visitor’s center, and a theatre where visitors can watch a 45-minute-video to better understand the place that they’re visiting.

Visitors can also take a walking, driving, or even equestrian tour.

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Another place where visitors can enjoy the history of the area is the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

The museum preserves the story of the Marine Corps in the United States.

Warner spoke to the value of the National Museum of the Marine Corps saying, “It’s not your typical museum experience. It’s a really immersive and engaging experience.”

Shopping in Prince William County

Potomac Mills

Potomac Mills in Prince William County is the biggest outlet shopping mall in Virginia, with a variety of stores ranging from luxurious retail ones.

Warner said, “We have tons of visitors throughout the US and even international visitors who come for the outlet mall.”

Downtown District and Shops

If you’re interested in supporting small businesses and finding one-of-a-kind pieces for your closet, you may also be interested in Prince William County’s downtown district and shops.

The area offers scenic architecture and walkable areas lined with small boutiques and retail shops.

Spend a Day on the Water

When you think of Virginia, you may not think of waterfront activities.

However, with direct access to the scenic shores of the Potomac River, visitors can enjoy activities such as kayaking, sailing, and even swimming!

Bike Trails

And of course, you should check out the new bike trails—perfect for walking, biking, and everything in between.

GoNOMAD also spoke with Dan Cook, the tourism marketing manager for Prince William.

Cook said, “As Prince William’s growth continues (Prince William County is the second most populous locality in Virginia), bike and pedestrian-friendly trails are vital to the County’s future transportation initiatives.”

Frederick County, Maryland

GoNOMAD spoke with Melissa Muntz with Visit Frederick about the different attractions and eateries in Frederick Maryland County.

History in Frederick County, Maryland

Similar to Prince William County, Virginia, Frederick Maryland is a must-visit destination for all of the history buffs out there.

Muntz said, “One thing to note about Frederick is that we have a lot of Civil War history.”

One way that people can learn about the region’s history by visiting the Frederick’s County Visitor Center.

The Frederick Visitor Center isn’t just an office in a building according to Muntz.

Rather, the building is home to artifacts of the town’s history and helpful information about other must-visit sites in the area.

Eateries in the Area

After catching up on the history of the region, make sure to check out Frederick County’s variety of eateries.

There are a bunch of amazing options to choose from featuring cuisine that ranges from classic American food to more unique choices.

Muntz told GoNOMAD about Brewers Alley Restaurant, a popular dining location in the region that offers visitors classic American cuisine options.

The restaurant also has beers that are brewed on-sight, a rooftop bar, and is located in a beautifully renovated historic building.

Beans in the Belfry Meeting Place and Cafe is another unique restaurant option located in a renovated church building.

Swing, Batter, Batter!

In Frederick County, Maryland, the Frederick Keys Baseball Team offers visitors the opportunity to engage in some sporting fun.

The Frederick Keys offers a variety of fun for visitors to the area with 90’s nights, celebrity visits, kids-eat-free Mondays, and countless other fun opportunities.

Muntz said about a Frederick Keys game at the local Harry Groves Stadium, “It’s a “really cool place to get that local flavor.”

The 4 ½ Taphouse at Harry Groves Stadium features 20-30 local brews for visitors to taste-test.

Shopping!

Beyond going to a baseball game, enjoying the region’s local eateries, and educating yourself of its history, shopping is another must in Frederick County, Maryland.

In downtown Frederick, there are a plethora of small retail shops to check out. Most shops are small businesses unique to the area. Muntz even went as far as to say, “The only chain here is a Starbucks!”

Being home to more than 200 different retail shops, art galleries, and restaurants, the walkable downtown area is the perfect place to park your car and explore on foot.

National & State Parks

In addition to urban activities and eateries, Frederick County, Maryland is home to several national and state parks.

Muntz said, “In our national and state parks we have great hiking and great biking trails, great fishing, and great places to camp!”

The area is home to six different National Park units that offer a variety of outdoor opportunities to visitors.

With a variety of different activities and different places to explore, Muntz advises potential visitors, “Plan to spend more than a day!”

Prince William, Virginia to Frederick, Maryland

From Prince William, Virginia to Frederick, Maryland, there are countless outdoor regions to explore, eateries to enjoy, and downtown districts to explore!