Originally developed to be a rural farming village with only a few hundred residents, Germantown is now the third most populous place in Montgomery County, Maryland known for its lush farmlands, scenic parks, and rural charm.

Locally grown produce, free-range-meat products, and fresh dairy staples are easy and convenient to find around the community because of its vast farmlands. Foodies will love local favorites like the Lancaster Dutch Market and Butler’s Orchard, both serving up homemade baked deserts, pantry staples, and seasonally grown fruits and vegetables.

Adventure seekers will find themselves spending hours at Black Hill Regional Park taking part canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. For those looking for a more relaxed way to immerse in nature, the park offers playgrounds, picnic tables for family gatherings, and a variety of paths perfect for a relaxing walk.

The History of Germantown
The Germantown area was first home to Native Americans who set up stationary villages along the Potomac River because of its convenient access to hunting. In the 1960’s, it was developed to be a rural farming village with only a few hundred residents so that forests and farms could be preserved—but since then, it has grown nearly 2,000 people per year.

Go For

• Lush farmlands
• Rural charm
• Locally sourced flowers and produce

Stay For

• Picking your own produce at Butler’s Orchard
• Eating your way through the Lancaster County Dutch Market
• Watching the Washington Spirit play at Maryland SoccerPlex & Discovery Center

Locals Know

• Delicious homemade breakfast can be found at the Dutch Family Restaurant inside the Lancaster County Dutch Market.
• The best way to spend a day at Little Seneca Lake is to rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, or rowboats at Black Hill Boats.
• Maryland SoccerPlex & Discovery center is the go-to spot for a pick-up game of basketball or volleyball. You can even rent your own court to bring people together for some friendly competition.

Get There

Airport: Germantown is a little over an hour away from Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

From Washington, DC:

• Driving: Germantown is about an hour drive away from Washington, DC and is a straight shot on I-270 N.
• Metrorail: The closest Metro stop to Germantown is Shady Grove Station, along the Red Line. The Shady Grove Station offers an express bus that can get you back to Germantown from the station.
• Train: The MARC train is a popular commuter rail service to Washington, DC. The Brunswick line will take you to Germantown Monday-Friday 4:45 am-8:45 am and 3:45 pm-8:30 pm from Washington Union Station.