Get outdoors and experience a thrilling climb at Adventure Park Sandy Spring. In 2024, Adventure Park was voted #2 Best Aerial Adventure Park. The main attraction features 14 courses with seven difficulty levels and over 200 climbing elements. Kids can go on climbs at the Labyrinth, their junior course. There’s also axe throwing and seasonal events like Glow in the Park where climbers can venture through the Adventure Park at night with colorful LEDs that light your path.
Watch Classic Movies at a State-of-the-Art Theatre
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, located in Silver Spring, is a cultural hub for first-run and indie movie lovers. The screens can showcase 70mm films, 35mm films, and 3D films. Every year, the theatre hosts the Latin American Film Festival, which is the largest and longest-running showcases of Latin American cinema in North America. During the festival, attendees can watch movies, then stick around for special guest Q&A sessions or a reception featuring actors and/or directors. The theatre also hosts the AFI European Union Showcase, which brings the best in European cinema to the Silver Spring area. Visitors can sip on crafted cocktails and try delicious meals at the AFI café.
Pick Your Own Produce Fun
Butler’s Orchard in Germantown is a county favorite. Their annual events give guests a chance to take home fresh, local produce and learn about the farm. Bunnyland, during late March to early April, lets kids go on an egg hunt and a hayride through their decorated trail and a visit from the Easter Bunny. During the Sunflower Spectacular, guests get a chance to pick their own sunflowers to take home and during the Fall the Pumpkin Festival is a huge hit to pick your own pumpkin, ride a pony, and shoot pumpkins out of a cannon. Children can have fun at the Farm Park, which has giant slides, farm animals, pedal tractors, and a playground. Take home fresh apple cider donuts and baked goods from the Farm Market. On the weekends, Chef Jay creates small bites, sandwiches, and foods at the Farmer’s Porch Kitchen. Guests can also try hard cider from Doc Waters Cidery, produced on the neighboring farm.
Make New Memories on the Farm
Calleva Farm has a lot to offer both children and children at heart. Sign a child up for day camps and overnight summer camp options. Older kids can go on a High Adventure Trip a full week away with wilderness camping and adventure skill development. Adults can head over to Calleva River School where you can take kayaking or white water rafting trips down through the Potomac River or go on a Moonlight River Experience which includes dinner. During the spooky season of October, Calleva hosts Markoff’s Haunted Forest and Christmas at Calleva during the holiday season. Summer evenings you can experience farm-to-table dinners with the Tastes of Calleva and Pizza Nights.
Get Some Retail Therapy
Shop til you drop with over 90 stores at Clarksburg Premium Outlets. Enjoy your shopping experience at stores like the Nike Factory Store, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ferragamo, Tory Burch, and more. They also have daily savings and specials from 25% to 65% off. Another mall to grab a deal at is Westfield Montgomery. Located in Bethesda, this mall is home to Nordstrom, Lululemon, Akira, and more. The food court features a diverse cuisine palette for every type of flavor. Dine at the Cheesecake Factory or grab a quick bowl from Kapow Buddy. Downtown Silver Spring has shopping options like Ulta Beauty and Uniqlo, and new dining options, including Chido’s Mexican Restaurant and a gourmet gelato shop called Fantasticks. At rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg, you can shop with a lakeside view. Take a walk around the boardwalk and visit stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Ikea or try new foods at Copper Canyon Gaithersburg or True Food Kitchen.
Grab A Glass of the Oldest Alcohol
Get a taste of mead, the oldest form of alcohol, which uses honey sourced from producers who verify the purity of their product. Clear Skies Meadery in Gaithersburg offers a wide selection of handcrafted meads that are aged to perfection. They brew and package their mead right on-site, behind their taproom. Some of their meads are minimally processed and aged with dried spices, whole fruit or fruit purees. Clear Skies brews seasonal and yearly meads like the Sweet Deception with Orange Blossom honey with citrus notes.
Eat in a Traditional, Rustic Setting
Dine at Clyde’s in the heart of Chevy Chase, Maryland. Renowned for its classic American cuisine and elegant yet welcoming atmosphere. The dining rooms are beautifully decorated with traditional décor. Clyde’s Chevy Chase also handcrafts cocktails and has an extensive wine list. Their menu emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients with dishes ranging from steaks to seafood and salads. The sister restaurant, Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge, is in Rockville. For a more rustic feel, this Clyde’s offers a rustic reminiscent of the grand “Great Camps” of the Adirondack Mountains from the early 1900s. They offer a seasonal menu that includes fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can sit both indoors and outdoors for lunch, dinner, and brunch.
Eat Out on the Lake in Gaithersburg.
Copper Canyon Grill is located in the heart of the lakefront at rio. New this year is their Lake House, which offers outdoor seating right on the lake. Try their signature wood-fired rotisserie chicken and dishes prepared by the chef daily in their scratch kitchen. Copper Canyon is the only certified green restaurant in Gaithersburg.
Explore the Art Scene of Montgomery County
Local artisans make up a part of Montgomery County. Countryside Artisans represent a select group of accomplished visual, sculptural, and textile artists living and working in both historic and rural areas of the county. Each studio is located within 30 miles of Sugarloaf Mountain, a highlight in the Ag Reserve. They host special art tours during April, October, and December. VisArts in downtown Rockville has award-winning art classes, camps, and art parties both for children and adults. Every year, VisArts hosts the Rockville Arts Festival at Rockville Town Square. This outdoor festival and artisans’ market has original art from over 130 fine artists. Guests can watch art demonstrations, participate in a community arts project, and enjoy local foods and drinks. Also in Rockville, is Hammer & Stain. Take a public workshop and craft fun projects like creating sea glass trees, or try your hand at using epoxy and resin to create a masterpiece. Join their group workshops and Hammer @ Home to keep the fun going at home.
Indulge in Brews in the Forest or a Horse Farm On our Tastemakers Trail, head to farm brewery, Elder Pine Brewing and Blending Co., a brewery on a Christmas tree farm. This adult-oriented and pet-friendly brewery features its unique blended beers. The barrel-aged sour beers are fine-tuned and balanced throughout their process. Head into the cozy tasting room, perfect for savoring a pint or flight of brews. And if you get hungry, there’s a food truck on site complete with snacks and small bites. Right down the road is Waredaca Brewing Company, an actual working horse farm. During the warmer months, sit out on their patio with your pets and children for vast views of the Ag Reserve. The brewers at Waredaca offer Pale Ales, IPAs, and seasonal pints.
Create Your Own All You Can Eat Adventure
Located in Silver Spring, Firepan Korean BBQ & Bar was named the highest Korean BBQ in the Washington, D.C. area. They offer a varies bbq menu with an all-you-can-eat menu, including unmarinated and marinated meats like chicken, beef, and seafood. The easygoing atmosphere complements their great food and drinks.
Explore a Park that was an Amusement Park
There’s no other park in Montgomery County that was once an amusement park. Glen Echo Park sees an average of 350,000 visitors annually. It also has historical importance as the Park was a part of the Civil Rights Movement. The Park operates a 100-year-old Dentzel Carousel which is registered on the National Register of Historic Places and called a “menagerie carousel” because of the seven different types of animals that make up the seats on the ride. Riders can choose to get on a horse, tiger, or even a chariot donned with golden mermaids and sea serpents. Arts and culture embody the spirit of Glen Echo Park with resident artists who focus on a variety of mediums to showcase their work to the public. During Labor Day Weekend, the Park hosts the annual Labor Day Art Show which features more than 300 artists from the mid-Atlantic region.
Focus on Art Works and Masterpieces in Small Communities
In Potomac, Glenstone Museum is a local favorite. It’s a place that seamlessly integrates art, architecture, and nature into a serene and contemplative environment. Glenstone assembles post-World War II artworks that trace the greatest historical shift in the way people experience and understand art in the 20th and 21st centuries. Guests can walk through wooded and natural trails while looking at sculptures and structures unique to the museum. Works are shown outdoors and indoors in their Pavilions. Visit the patio and their café for freshly made drinks and food, which are changed seasonally. In the springtime, Glenstone opens after hours for guests to explore over 50 acres of the museum. The Sandy Spring Museum is a cultural beacon for the town of Sandy Spring, located in Mid County. Everything the museum does is for the community. They envision an equitable Montgomery County that leverages the rich and diverse cultural heritage of its residents. Join the museum for interactive workshops for children and adults. Making a return this year, the Strawberry Festival plans to bring a strawberry shortcake eating contest, strawberry drinks, and more fun for the community.
Drink a Pint at the Oldest Licensed Bar
This tavern in North Bethesda is known as the bar with the oldest licensed bar for many years. It was taken over by a fan of the bar in 1990 and continued to run until a terrible fire devastated the bar in 2015. After community help, they were able to get the tavern rebuilt. In the evenings, Hank Dietel’s Tavern hosts local musicians and artists to showcase their live music and performances to an audience.
Taste Farm-to-Table Brews and Spirits
Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company, located in Olney, is another farm brewery aimed at showcasing the Agricultural Reserve. They boast a taproom, porch, snack shack, a massive playground, and a field for customers to enjoy the day. Lone Oak has become a destination for weekend beer lovers and connoisseurs alike. It’s MoCo Lite Lager was named one of the Best Light Beers in the Country by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and received gold medals from the Brewers Association of Maryland. The barley from Lone Oak’s farm is malted and milled on-site to create their award-winning beers. Right beside Lone Oak is their new distillery, Fallen Oak Distilling. Experience a true farm-to-bottle product where estate-grown and malted grains are fermented and distilled to make their aged whiskey. Hang out with friends in their tasting room, then take an adventure into The Whispering Speakeasy, a hidden gem inside Fallen Oak.
Learn about the County’s Wine Venture
A dining and golf destination, The Crossvines is the county’s premier winery. This place intertwines new adventures and hospitality with the Ag Reserve’s rich farming history. Located in Poolesville, The Crossvines houses a custom grape crushing facility and research vineyard where they make their wines. Try a wine flight experience specially crafted with local flavors in mind. Visitors can taste different varieties in the comfort of the dining room inside the Farmhouse Bistro or outside, overlooking the scenic views of the countryside. The bistro is a contemporary artisanal restaurant with rustic charm. It gives diners a peaceful, secluded retreat to indulge in seasonal locally sourced cuisine coupled with their rotating selection of wine.
Hitch a ride on a Historical Streetcar Take a ride on a historic streetcar at the National Capital Trolley Museum. This historic site offers a look inside transit systems that served communities across the DC area, Maryland, and Virginia. See street cars from six nations, including France, Germany, Canada, the United States, and more. See how streetcars were used as props in silent movies with early 20th-century actor Harold Lloyd. Interact with digital displays to discover the evolution of streetcar design and go back in time to see how street cars connected communities. During the holidays, get a chance to see Santa with their Holly Trolley event. On Saturdays, go out on the trolley for a peaceful one-mile ride of woodland track in Northwest Branch Park.
Take in a Show at Renowned Theatres
Watch captivating performances at Olney Theatre Center in Mid County. Olney Theatre is one of three theatres in the state designated as a “Major Arts Center” by the Maryland State Arts Council in 1987. Annual productions include the one-man show of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Every season at the theatre brings family-friendly and other performances to audiences. Another must-visit venue is the Round House Theatre in Bethesda. This theatre is one of the big six professional theatres in the Washington DC area. They’ve won the International Centre for Women’s Playwrights: 50/50 Award more than any other theatre in the region. Students are also able to enjoy performances without worrying about ticket prices through the Free Play program. It provides teenagers and college students with free Round House tickets for any play.
Travel to a European Style Brewery
Transport yourself to a European pub at this urban brewery in Silver Spring. Silver Branch Brewing celebrates beers from centuries of brewers experimenting in places like Belgium, Britain, Ireland, Central Europe, and the Americas. The ambiance of their taproom invokes camaraderie enjoyed in turn-of-the-century American biergartens, British pubs, sidewalk cafes in Prague, or a lowkey taproom in Portland or Poland. In Spring 2025, Silver Branch plans to expand to Rockville with Silver Branch Rockville Beerworks.
Taste Different Foods in a Food Hall In downtown Silver Spring, Solaire Social brings a diverse dining experience. Award-winning chef and restauranteur Akhtar Nawab curated artisan concepts from around the world. Local favorites to new eateries are the backbone of this food hall. Try local and sustainable meats from SOKO Butcher, wood-fired pizza from El Jefe, or African-inspired ice cream from Shuga X Ice. Along with the restaurants, the bartenders at their full-service bar create crafted cocktails sure to compliment your meal. Hang around with friends and play the games they provide like Connect 4 or board games.
Experience International and Intimate Performances
Strathmore is a nonprofit arts and music center located in North Bethesda. Best known for performances and events at the Music Center at Strathmore. Small, local artists to Grammy Award Winning musicians have played here since 1981. Different genres played by major international artists are folk, rock, blues, pop, R&B, jazz, world music, show tunes, dance, and classical music. The Mansion at Strathmore, right beside the Music Center, is for more intimate performances. Guests can also make reservations for their Afternoon Tea events, complete with tea and snacks from their kitchen. During the Summer, listen to more artists at the gazebo on the lawn. They also partner with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to provide world-class performances for families, children, and couples alike.
Explore Farm Wineries on the Tastemakers Trail
Located at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain is Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards. Since it opened in 2006, this winery has been embraced by wine enthusiasts for its award-winning vintages that reflect precision and passion in the science and art of winemaking. Their vineyard produces grapes they hand-pick, cold-soak, cold-ferment, and age in stainless steel or French oak barrels to make their Bordeaux-inspired reds and crisp whites. Tours are free for small groups by reservation, and guests can purchase wine flights or a tasting of their full selection. Next, head up to Windridge Vineyards in Darnestown, a family-owned farm winery dedicated to producing premium estate-grown wines. Windridge is situated on the Piedmont plateau of Maryland, with three vineyard sites carefully chosen for their unique geology and microclimates. Over 50 years of family farming have guided their selections to create their variations of white, red, rose, and dessert wines. In the warmer months, sit outside on their Adirondack chairs, take in the countryside views, and cozy up with the firepits and heaters in the colder months. Listen to live music or get a tour of their vineyard or cellars on select days.
Take in the Countryside with a dash of French Cuisine
Dine at The Comus Inn, located near Sugarloaf Mountain. This restaurant is housed in the historic 1860s farmhouse on five acres on the Ag Reserve. A farm-centric American tavern, a family-friendly beer and wine garden, and incredible mountainside views. Enjoy live music and craft brews on the lower levels of The Comus Inn at the Vanish @ The Comus Inn and El Segundo. Stick around during the fall months for Oktoberfest for a Stein. Visit them for brunch, happy hour, lunch and dinner.
Ride Outdoors on an Electric Bike
Get out and about on an electric bike from Pedego Bethesda. Take a trip through their Cherry Blossom tour and see the falling blossom petals fall as you ride from the Capital Crescent Trial to the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. It’s the best way to see the area while exploring nearby trails like the Capital Crescent Trail, Bethesda Trolley Trail, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, and Rock Creek Park. You can even tour the National Monuments from late March to November.
Eat Delicious Tex-Mex and American Cuisine
Embrace the lively atmosphere at Urbano located inside The Heights Food Hall in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Urbano brings an infusion of Mexican-inspired delights, showcasing a culinary masterpiece that features signature tacos, sizzling fajitas, and innovative Tex-Mex creations. Indulge in the must-try margaritas with premium tequila and fresh lime juice. The Grove, a sister concept, is in the Potomac area of Montgomery County. Their family-friendly vibes invite you on a journey of classic American cuisine with a modern, inventive twist. Try their Ferris Wheel fries or daily specials and exciting events.
