Explore Maryland’s Cultural Capital
A Perfect Weekend Road Trip Getaway — Right Outside Washington, DC
Whether you’re looking for a vibrant nightlife in an urban setting or a relaxing day of historic sightseeing, Montgomery County, Maryland is the perfect weekend getaway.
Get everyone in the car, load up your favorite playlist and head to Montgomery County, Maryland this weekend. An easy drive from anywhere in the Capital Region, the county offers a cornucopia of authentic dining experiences, local libations, outdoor adventures and historic treasures.
Montgomery County’s proximity to Washington, DC makes it easy to take the Metro Red Line to the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums. Continue your historic journey in Montgomery County by visiting the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, National Capital Trolley Museum and the Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park’s Underground Railroad Experience.
There are multiple shopping districts within this affluent county including Bethesda Row, Downtown Silver Spring, Clarksburg Premium Outlets and Pike & Rose. Recharge at restaurants like the Silver Diner in Rockville or delight in a farm-to-table dinner at Founding Farmers. A unique neighborhood spot located in downtown Silver Spring, Not Your Average Joe’s features a menu of made-from-scratch comfort classics at a good old-fashioned value. Once the clock strikes 5 p.m., hangout at Stella Barra in North Bethesda and order from their extensive happy hour menu.
Put yourself in the middle of the action and stay at the new Canopy by Hilton at Pike & Rose. The Hyatt Regency in Bethesda and Cambria Hotel & Suites in Rockville Town Center both offer easy access to the Metro Red Line. Located in the stylish Chevy Chase neighborhood, the Courtyard by Marriott is a stone’s throw away from Washington, DC.
Get tickets to see a show at the three-screen AFI Silver ÂTheatre and Cultural Center or the historic Music Center at Strathmore, home to the National Philharmonic and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Glenstone Museum — a hidden gem in Potomac — is a modern and contemporary art museum that seamlessly integrates art, architecture and landscape in a serene and contemplative environment.
Montgomery County is also home to a surprising number of rural areas. You can pick your own apples or peaches, tour wineries and breweries and shop at several farmer’s markets in the 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve. From the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, hikers can look out over the county’s pastoral patchwork of farms and villages, a countryside view largely unchanged since the 19th century.
No visit is complete without planning a self-guided tour of craft beverage experiences along the Tastemakers Trail. Begin your exploration at Waredaca Brewing Company in Laytonsville, where the whole family can enjoy the outdoors on a working horse farm while adults savor handcrafted brews. Continue your adventure at Lone Oak Farm in Olney, where adults can unwind with a pint while children run around on the playground. Then, venture to Windridge Vineyards in Darnestown for a serene escape, where families can gather around a refined fire pit or adults can relax amidst the vineyard’s tranquil beauty overlooking Sugarloaf Mountain.
Get outdoors and moving with a hike through the trails of Black Hill Regional Park, offering a diverse array of experiences for all ages. Traverse paved and natural trails that wind through lush landscapes, providing stunning views of Little Seneca Lake at every turn. Be sure to visit the Black Hill Discovery Center, where a children’s corner awaits young explorers, sparking their curiosity about the wonders of nature. For an adrenaline rush, head to Adventure Park at Sandy Spring and tackle their thrilling ropes course, nestled amidst the forest canopy. Channel your inner adventure as you navigate bridges, zip lines, and challenging obstacles.