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Bethesda is a community of about 68,000 people in Montgomery County, Maryland, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from the Bethesda Meeting House, a Presbyterian church built in 1820, which in turn was named after the biblical pool of Bethesda. It grew from a crossroads village into one of the most affluent suburbs in the country.
Bethesda is home to the National Institutes of Health and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and its downtown is packed with restaurants from around the world, shops and outdoor dining at Bethesda Row. The Round House Theatre and the Strathmore music center nearby offer theater and concerts.
The Capital Crescent Trail, a paved rail-trail, runs from Bethesda to Georgetown, and many small parks line the streets. Glen Echo Park, a former amusement park with a working 1921 carousel, and the Great Falls of the Potomac in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park are a short drive west.
A walkable shopping and dining district in downtown Bethesda with boutiques, national stores, many restaurants, a cinema and outdoor seating along tree-lined streets. It hosts an outdoor arts festival and seasonal events. Public parking garages are nearby, and evenings and weekends are the busiest times.
A dense urban center around Wisconsin Avenue and the Bethesda Metro station, with high-rise offices and apartments, hundreds of restaurants, art galleries and an urban district that runs events and festivals. It is easy to reach by Metro from Washington, D.C. Use public garages, as street parking is limited.
A historic market founded in 1932 on Wisconsin Avenue, where local farmers and vendors sell produce, baked goods, meats, flowers and crafts. It is one of the oldest markets of its kind in the region. Check the market days before you go, and arrive early on weekends for the best choice of fresh items.
A tall stone statue of a pioneer mother with her children, one of twelve identical monuments placed along the National Old Trails Road in 1928 and 1929 to honor pioneer women. It stands on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. It takes only a few minutes to see and is a pleasant stop while walking downtown.
A professional theater company with a modern playhouse on East-West Highway in downtown Bethesda, staging contemporary plays, classics and new works through the year. It is one of the leading regional theaters near Washington. Buy tickets in advance, and use nearby public garages on show nights.
A theater arts center for young audiences in downtown Bethesda, presenting family plays and musicals and offering drama and dance classes for children. Performances are suited to different ages, from toddlers to teens. Book tickets ahead for weekend shows, which often sell out during school holidays.
A performing arts center in North Bethesda with the Music Center at Strathmore, a large concert hall with excellent acoustics, and a historic mansion with galleries and smaller concerts. The grounds include sculpture and walking paths. It is next to the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station.
A popular paved rail trail running from downtown Bethesda to Georgetown in Washington, D.C., through woods and along the Potomac River and C&O Canal. It is busy with cyclists, walkers and runners. Keep right and watch for fast bikes; weekend mornings are crowded, and there are few water stops.
A small park in downtown Bethesda with shaded paths, playground equipment, benches and public art, next to the Capital Crescent Trail. It is a quiet place to rest after shopping or a meal nearby. It suits families with young children and is an easy starting point for a walk or ride on the trail.
A large county park west of Bethesda with wooded trails, a miniature train, playgrounds, an ice rink, tennis courts and the Locust Grove Nature Center. It is a good family outing with many activities in one place. Some attractions like the train run seasonally, so check schedules before you go.
A 40-acre nature sanctuary in the Bethesda and Chevy Chase area, home of the Audubon Naturalist Society, with a historic mansion, woodland trails, meadows and a pond. It offers bird walks and nature programs. Entry to the grounds is free during open hours; dogs are not allowed on the trails.
A former amusement park just west of Bethesda, now an arts and cultural center run with the National Park Service, with a 1921 Dentzel carousel, a historic Spanish Ballroom for dances, art studios and children's theaters. Carousel rides run in summer; check the schedule for social dances on weekends.
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