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Gaithersburg is a city of about 70,000 people in Montgomery County, Maryland, roughly 20 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. It grew from a 19th-century farming village and railroad stop on the B&O Metropolitan Branch into a diverse suburban city and a hub for science and technology, home to the main campus of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The Kentlands, built from the late 1980s, is one of the best-known New Urbanist neighborhoods in the country, with walkable streets, a lively Main Street and the restored Kentlands Mansion and Arts Barn. Old Town Gaithersburg keeps its railroad heritage at the Gaithersburg Community Museum, and the rare Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory recalls an international scientific project from 1899.
Seneca Creek State Park offers trails and Clopper Lake, and each winter it hosts the city's drive-through Winter Lights Festival. The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair fills the fairgrounds every August, and Washington, D.C. is an easy trip away by MARC train or car.
A celebrated New Urbanist neighborhood planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk, with tree-lined streets, varied houses, small lakes and a Main Street of shops and restaurants next to Market Square. It is a pleasant place to stroll and eat. Park near Main Street and walk the loop past the lakes and greens.
A tiny town beside Gaithersburg that began in 1873 as a Methodist camp meeting site, with wooden Victorian cottages set along footpaths among tall trees, plus woods and a lake. The whole town is on the National Register. Walk the shaded pedestrian avenues and respect that the cottages are private homes.
A restored 1900 manor house that was the center of the old Kent farm before the Kentlands neighborhood was built. The city now uses it for events, art exhibits and community programs, and the lawns are lovely for a stroll. Check the city calendar for open houses and gallery shows before going inside.
A small wooden observatory built in 1899 as one of six stations around the world that measured the wobble of Earth's axis for the International Latitude Service. It is a National Historic Landmark on a quiet residential street. Visit the grounds to see the building and markers; interior tours are occasional.
A local history museum set in the restored 1884 B&O railroad station and freight shed in Olde Towne, with exhibits on the city's farming and railroad past. Outside you can see historic rail cars, including a Budd rail diesel car. Admission is free, and kids enjoy the trains; check the limited weekly hours.
A free one-day literary festival held each spring in Gaithersburg, with author talks, book signings, writing workshops, children's activities and food trucks under big tents. It regularly draws well-known national authors. Check the festival website for the date and lineup, and arrive early for the most popular speakers.
A popular holiday tradition run by the City of Gaithersburg, where visitors drive a route of several miles through Seneca Creek State Park lit by hundreds of animated light displays. It runs from late November through December. Buy tickets ahead for busy nights, and go on a weeknight to avoid the long lines.
A big summer fair held each August at the fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, with livestock barns, 4-H exhibits, carnival rides, tractor pulls, concerts and fair food. It is one of the largest county fairs in Maryland. Go in the evening when it is cooler, and plan to spend a few hours wandering the barns and midway.
An outdoor shopping and dining center built around a lake, with a waterfront boardwalk, restaurants, a movie theater and seasonal paddle boats and a carousel. It is a lively spot on warm evenings. Parking is free, and the lake path makes for an easy after-dinner walk with views of the fountains.
A city park on the old Summit Hall Farm with an outdoor water park, a skate park, mini golf, sports fields, picnic shelters and an activity center. It is a go-to spot for families in summer. Water park passes are cheaper for residents, so arrive early on hot days, as capacity can fill by early afternoon.
A converted dairy barn in the Kentlands that now houses a small theater, art galleries and studios for resident artists. It hosts plays, concerts, classes and rotating exhibits run by the city. Check the season schedule online; the galleries are free to browse and pair well with a walk around Kentlands.
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