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Bethesda, MD

Tips on where to go and what to do in and around the area.

Get to know Bethesda, MD

In this guide, you'll get a general feel for the area—from Downtown Bethesda to North Bethesda and beyond. We'll highlight locals' favorite things to do in the neighborhoods from unique restaurant experiences, to shopping, outdoor activities, seasonal events, and more. 

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EYA Bethesda Guide

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Get insider tips, recommendations, and can't-miss attractions in Bethesda.

Section 1:

Thinking About Moving to the Area?

Get to know the neighborhoods.

The Area at a Glance 

Bethesda, MD is a unique and vibrant area located just outside of Washington, D.C. It offers all the amenities and excitement of a big city with a more suburban feel, making it the ideal in-between for its residents.

The area has a multitude of fun activities, fantastic trails and parks, acclaimed arts and cultural venues, and hundreds of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. As such, Bethesda and North Bethesda are highly sought-after communities for families, young professionals, and empty-nesters alike. 

If you are looking for a walkable neighborhood, areas that may interest you include Downtown Bethesda or Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. These areas offer trendy shops, restaurants and nightlife just outside your door. 

Or, you may be looking for a more suburban lifestyle. The area has it all.

Plus with four Metro stations, you can be in nearby DC, Rockville or other neighborhoods within minutes. 

Here are some links to information about Bethesda that you may find helpful*:


*These links are independent, third-party resources and information within is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Getting Around

Bethesda not only has walkable neighborhoods, but also offers plenty of other ways to get around or commute.

The easiest way to get around car-free in Bethesda is by Metro. The D.C. Metro Red Line has 4 stops in the neighborhood including Bethesda, Medical Center, Grosvenor-Strathmore and North Bethesda. The future Purple Line will connect the Bethesda station all the way past College Park. 

Residents in Bethesda also have access to alternate modes of transportation, including Capital Bikeshare and buses, making Bethesda a commuter-friendly town.

For a free ride around downtown Bethesda, you can catch the Bethesda Circulator, which can be conveniently accessed from the nearby Metro and parking garages. 

 

Section 2:

Where to Dine

There are almost endless dining options, but we've sorted through them to find the best.

If You Love Foods & Flavors from Around the World

You don't have to travel the globe to experience cultural dishes

Bethesda is home to a wide variety of dishes and restaurants from all over the world. Here are some of our favorites:  

  • Mon Ami Gabi – Experience upscale French cuisine paired with an impressive wine collection at this elegant French bistro.
  • Spanish Diner – Renowned chef Jose Andres will transport you to Spain with his authentic Spanish comfort food to enjoy. 
  • Q by Peter Chang – This is a must-visit for modern Szechuan cuisine. Peter Chang is an award-winning chef who trained in China and worked as the chef at the Chinese Embassy in DC before starting his own highly-acclaimed restaurants.
  • For more options, check out Yelp's top picks.

If You Love Brunch

Brunch has a way of bringing everyone together

Catch up with family and friends over breakfast at these creative and tasty brunch spots in Bethesda:

  • Barrel and Crow – Rated as the ‘Best Brunch Spot in Bethesda’ on Yelp, their extensive menu offers a variety of delicious Southern-inspired dishes.
  • True Food Kitchen – Offering a creative seasonal menu focused on nutritious ingredients, this menu has plenty of tasty options for those who are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free.
  • Melina – For a different take on brunch, try Melina's modern Greek cuisine or Julii, a French bistro with a touch of Mediterranean. Both located at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda and brought to life by the team who started CAVA.
  • Check out WanderDC for more tasty options!

If You Love Happy Hour Deals

Bethesda is a hot spot for happy hour any day of the week

While the happy hour options may seem endless in Bethesda, here are some of our local favorites: 

  • Black's Bar & Kitchen – From food specials ranging from oysters, mussels, and calamari to handcrafted martinis, draft specials, and wine by the glass, this happy hour is one of the best deals in town, especially for seafood lovers. Happy hour runs every Monday – Friday from 3pm – 6pm.
  • Gringos & Mariachis – For tasty tacos, margaritas, and more, stop by this special happy hour every Monday – Friday from 3pm – 6pm. All food and drink specials only $7!
  • Summer House Santa Monica – Get a taste of California at this happy hour Monday - Friday from 3pm - 6pm featuring pizzettes, sangria, spiked lemonades and more, all in a beachy-inspired space in North Bethesda.
  • Check out Yelp and WanderDC for more great drinks and deals. 

Section 3:

What to Do

Whether you like entertainment, art, shopping, or the outdoors, Bethesda has it all.

If You Love Shopping 

Bethesda is one of the best places for shopping in the DC area

 

Westfield Montgomery Mall is a constantly evolving, high-end shopping center, featuring stores like Nordstrom, Arhaus, Sephora, lululemon, and Under Armour. Not only are there tons of stores for everyone in the family, but the center also includes AMC Theatres, Lucky Strike bowling alley and gastropub, and dozens of dining options. 

 

Take a stroll through Downtown Bethesda and you'll pass tons of specialty boutiques as well as brand name stores like Vuori, Anthropologie, and Reformation. You can also find salons, home goods stores, and jewelers. Walk under festive lights as you shop on Bethesda Lane, a popular street filled with unique boutiques and dining. 

 

Pike & Rose is a chic development in North Bethesda that has become a lifestyle destination for locals. Shopping includes stores like H&M, Sur la table, Lucky Brand, and Warby Parker. While you're there you can grab a bite to eat at City Perch Kitchen + Bar, &pizza, Summer House Santa Monica, or one of the other popular restaurants. Pike & Rose also includes attractions such as a Central Farm Market, Bark Social (park for dogs + bar for their humans), Pinstripes bowling, IPIC, Escapology and more. 

 

The Shops at Wildwood are a mix of upscale shopping, boutiques, and casual dining. Check out stores like bluemercury and South Moon Under or dine at Piccoli Piatti, Fish Taco, or Le Pain Quotidien. 

 

Bethesda shopping options are seemingly endless—you can find everything you want at one of the nearby trendy shopping areas. 

If You Love Being Active

Here are some of the best places to get outdoors in Bethesda

The Capital Crescent Trail is one of the most popular trails in Montgomery County, stretching from Georgetown, D.C. to Silver Spring, MD. Passing right through downtown Bethesda, the trail is frequented by bikers, walkers, joggers, and rollerbladers of all ages. You can even stop for a quick bite or to shop in Bethesda or Georgetown along the way. 

 

Visit Cabin John Regional Park for over 6 miles of hiking and biking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Cabin John offers a wide variety of activities like educational nature programs, recreational sports, and skating at the Cabin John Ice Rink. The park offers residents a unique oasis in the form of a natural refuge within an urban city.

 

Other great nearby places to get outdoors include beautiful Rock Creek Park and the C&O Canal Towpath, fantastic for hiking, running or biking. And fun for the entire family, Glen Echo Park features a carousel, outdoor events, music concerts, theater, classes and much more. 

 

Residents get a nice break from the urban bustling city feel and can stay active at these popular outdoor areas. 

If You Love the Arts

Explore your creative side at one of these local attractions

 

Strathmore is an arts center in North Bethesda that showcases a diverse variety of visual and performing arts and offers educational programs for both kids and adults. Here you can check out free art exhibitions, catch a comedy show or musical performance at the state-of-the-art Strathmore Music Center, or take a stroll to the Strathmore Mansion for smaller performances. 

 

Round House Theatre is a frequented theatre located right in downtown Bethesda that produces plays with a focus on casting local actors. If you're interested in getting involved, the theatre offers programs for kids and adults. 

 

Imagination Stage is a popular venue for families with children because it holds productions and plays targeted at younger audiences. Additionally, the theatre offers youth classes and camps that encourage creativity from a young age. 

 

If live action shows aren't your thing, you can catch an independent or foreign film at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema, a small theater specializing in thought-provoking films from around the world. 

 

While D.C. is home to many notable art museums, you won't have to leave Bethesda to experience impressive art. Waverly Street Gallery is a small gallery tucked between boutiques in downtown Bethesda. This contemporary fine arts gallery has diverse exhibits with art created in a wide range of media. Click here for a list of additional art galleries. 

 

If you're looking to be cultured in the arts or just for something fun to do close to home, look no further than Bethesda's many arts venues.  

 

If You Love Local Events

Being the lively urban area that it is, Bethesda has a ton of seasonal local events and attractions to check out

 

One very popular food and music festival is Taste of Bethesda. Held annually in October, it features approximately 60 different restaurants from the area as well as several artists and a kid's corner. You'll get a taste of some of the diverse restaurants in Bethesda while enjoying live music and cultural performances. 

 

Throughout the year, "Restaurant Weeks" take place where you can enjoy a good deal at some of the area's most popular (and priciest) restaurants. For example, many restaurants create multi-course prix fixe menus for under $40, making these some of the busiest dining weeks of the year. Check out events such as "Savor Bethesda" and make sure to book your reservations early!

 

Right on Wisconsin Avenue, you'll find the historic and unique Bethesda Farm Women’s Market, which has been a community staple since 1932. There, you'll find fresh produce, drinks, artisanal goods, and boutique items from a variety of vendors. Additionally, the Bethesda Central Farm Market is open on Sundays from 9am - 1pm in the Bethesda Elementary School parking lot. 

 

There is no shortage of fun events and attractions in Bethesda. These include:

  • Film Festival (April)
  • Fine Arts Festival (May)
  • Summer Concert Series (May-June)
  • Outdoor Movies (July - August)
  • Bethesda Row Arts Festival (September)
  • Winter Wonderland (December)

 

Learn more about these great events here. For a more detailed weekly calendar of events, click here. 

 

You'll never be bored living in Bethesda. The residents value a strong and active community and like to come together at the many exciting local events and attractions each year. 

Section 4:

Why Residents Love the Area

Don't just take it from us. See why it's ranked a top place place to live.

Niche has named North Bethesda as the #1 Top Place to Live in Montgomery County in 2024 with an A+ rating. Bethesda also has an A+ rating and comes in at #4. But it's not just a top place to live in Montgomery County. Niche also lists North Bethesda as the #1 Best Place to Live in Maryland, #1 Best Suburb for Young Professionals in Maryland, #7 Best Suburb in the entire U.S. and #14 overall Best Place in the U.S.!


Travel + Leisure also recently ranked North Bethesda as the #4 top suburb in the U.S. Check out the article, "10 Best U.S. Suburbs to Live in for Affordable Housing, Top-rated Schools, and Excellent Job Opportunities."


We hope you find this guide to be a helpful resource and enjoy getting to know Bethesda and all the shopping, dining and fun activities the area has to offer!

Please note that this guide has been prepared for informational purposes only and nothing contained in this guide constitutes a representation or warranty by EYA LLC, EYA Marketing LLC, or any affiliate of EYA, LLC.

EYA LLC, through its various development affiliates, builds and sells homes in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In no event shall this guide be deemed part of any sales agreement entered into for the sale and purchase of a home.

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