Bartonsville

Ten minutes to everything you need and an hour from big cities, Bartonsville, Maryland is perfectly situated. “It really has such easy access to everything restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, everything,” says Bartonsville native and Fredrick County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Debbie Streeton. Everyday conveniences aren’t the only upside to Bartonsville’s location. “People travel in to visit D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis. Day trips are very easy.” This suburb is constantly evolving with new restaurants and attractions for the locals to explore. Streeton boasts, “The schools are amazing and that’s a big draw for the area, but the neighborhood has grown leaps and bounds in the past few years.”

Homes in Bartonsville have a median price point of $600,000. The community features everything from detached ranch-style homes to new luxury townhomes to 4,000-square-foot three-story homes on large lots. Many of the larger homes feature front porches where residents can look out over expansive front lawns. With driveways and garages prevalent in the neighborhood, on-street parking won’t be an issue. There is plenty of room to entertain in the spacious fenced-in yards, and with well-maintained sidewalks on both sides of the street, it is a great area to take the family dog on a long walk. Be sure to bring sturdy shoes and sunscreen, as the hilly area does not have many trees to block out the sun.

Students begin their academic endeavors at Oakdale Elementary School, part of the Frederick County Public School system, which holds a B+ rating on Niche. Kids will then head to Oakdale Middle School. The A- rated middle school offers extended learning time for tutoring and re-teaching to ensure students are in the best position to understand material. Oakdale High School was honored as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2023, and holds an A rating on Niche. Oakdale provides college information nights and application help to students and has resources for test preparation. Since opening in 2010, the Bears have won 17 athletic state championships, including the boys’ basketball title in 2022.

On the eastern shore of the Monocacy River, Pinecliff Park features fishing access and a boat ramp for those looking to grab a smallmouth bass. The park also offers picnic shelters and newly renovated playground areas that are great for a family outing. Even more popular in the winter, Pinecliff Park has a ice skating pond and a sled run to warm up the chillier months. On the eastern side of town, Tree Trekkers Arial Adventure and Zipline Park is the go-to place for thrilling fun. Trekkers can test their skills with 16 trails, over 40 ziplines, and 250 unique obstacles as a part of team bonding, birthday parties or an exciting date.

Streeton recommends checking out Avery’s Maryland Grille for wood-fired steaks, ribs and chicken, but the seafood and shellfish are the main attractions. Avery’s has a large steam room to serve up the fresh seafood Maryland style. Monocacy Crossing serves up bacon-wrapped petite filets with poached eggs, bearnaise sauce and hashbrowns as the neighborhood's premier Sunday brunch spot. Il Forno Xpress boasts over 25 different signature pizzas and made-to-order pasta, while Monkey Lala is a great spot to get a crab pretzel and beer while watching the big game.

For residents who want to spend time in the kitchen, R.D. Bryant Ag is a must-stop for the freshest groceries. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, R.D. helps you stock your fridge with locally raised beef, pork and more. There is always a wide variety of vegetables and farm-fresh eggs each week. For more selection, Weis Markets has everything needed for a week of meal prep.

Written By

John Moyer

Photography Contributed By

Tyler Priola

Video By

Nathan Allen