All around Montgomery County, Maryland you’ll find extraordinary exhibits, installations, and architecture. Plan a weekend to experience the thriving art and design scene in Maryland’s culture capital with the help of our curated itinerary.
Day 1: Hyatt Regency
The lobby of the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda is an architectural marvel, boasting 12-stories of atrium space. Upon entering and checking into the hotel, guests immediately notice the marble entryway, wood features, and interactive touch screens. The lobby also includes workstations and a quiet area with low music and white noise — also a form of art in itself.
Day 1: Strathmore Mansion
A visit to the Strathmore Mansion for afternoon tea wields a delectable experience between the special sounds from local musicians and the intricate details that go into the sandwiches and teas. The mansion also collaborates with renowned art museums and institutions to feature expansive exhibits in their two main galleries.
Day 1: BlackRock Center for the Arts
Home to performing stages and gallery spaces, BlackRock Center for the Arts features work from regional, national, and international talent. Their events calendar is full of shows spanning from comedy to musicians to theatrical productions. Meanwhile, visual artwork displayed in the galleries range from woodwork to paintings to photography.
Day 1: Glen Echo Park
Take a visual or performing arts class at Glen Echo Park. From ceramics and silversmithing to dance and theater, the arts and culture venue offers a variety of courses and workshops for beginners and advance students alike.
Day 2: Glenstone Museum
Discover the balance between outdoor and indoor works at Glenstone Museum, including streams and meadows, minimalist architecture design, and modern and interactive artworks. The museum champions experiencing art at your own pace without fighting through crowds, so making a reservation for their timed entry is highly encouraged.
Catch a glimpse from the Glenstone feature on CBS This Morning
Day 2: VisArts
Become the artist at VisArts by taking a class in ceramics, drawing, jewelry-making, and more. The center also gives visitors the opportunity to appreciate works of art in exhibit spaces and through their Inside Art program, which includes workshops, artist talks, and docent-led tours.
Day 2: Arts Barn
Within a renovated horse stable, the Kentlands Arts Barn in Gaithersburg, Maryland is a 99-seat performing arts space, a gallery of rotating art exhibits, and artists-in-residence studio. Catch a concert series or magic act, take a class or workshop, attend a movie night or film screening, or see an artist at work or their final masterpiece on display.
