Are you thinking about going to Bethesda, Maryland, and want to find fun things to do there? Don’t look any further! You’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll talk about the 28 best and most fun things to do in Bethesda, MD.
In southern Montgomery County, just outside of Washington, D.C., is the lively and charming city of Bethesda, Maryland. There are many things to do there for both locals and tourists. The town has some of the smartest and wealthiest people in the whole country.
This family-friendly location has something for everyone, from shopping and dining to cultural sites and outdoor activities. You can shop at Westfield Montgomery Mall, see a show at Round House Theatre, look around at the Waverly Street Gallery, and more.
There are 28 great and fun things to do in Bethesda, Maryland (2024).
1. Strathmore
Start your trip to Bethesda with a cultural feast at Strathmore, a famous place that hosts events, concerts, and art shows.
Strathmore has two venues: the Mansion and the Music Center. It got its start in 1981. The well-known venue has about 2,000 seats and hosts world-class performances of folk, blues, pop, jazz, show tunes, and classical music by big national artists.
As a part of Strathmore, the Mansion provides a cozy setting for smaller events. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the National Philharmonic, City Dance, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Levine Music, and the interPLAY Orchestra are just a few of the groups that have worked there.
You can find them at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852, USA.
2. Bethesda Row
One romantic thing for couples to do in Bethesda, MD is to go shopping at Bethesda Row, which is a great place for shopping and fun.
This attraction has a great mix of high-end shops, tempting cafes, and theaters, making it a great place to relax with some retail therapy and cultural indulgence.
You can shop at the Apple Store, eat at Bibibop Asian Grill or Matchbox Pizza Bistro for a special dinner, or get a massage at one of the more than 700 stores in the area.
The address is 4827 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
3. Glen Echo Park
One fun thing for the whole family to do in Bethesda is to check out Glen Echo Park, which is one of the liveliest places in the Washington area for the arts.
This historical site is in Glen Echo, just 10 minutes from Bethesda. It’s open all year and has fun and educational events for people of all ages.
There are kids’ theaters, nature and aquatic life programs, a social dance program, a restored 1921 Dentzel Carousel, many art workshops and galleries, and classes in both the visual and performing arts in the park.
You can ride the old carousel, have lunch, learn how to dance a new style in the Spanish Ballroom or go to an art show or other event while you’re there.
The address is 7300 Macarthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812, USA.
4. Capital Crescent Trail
Getting on your bike or walking shoes and riding along the Capital Crescent Trail today is one of the many free things to do in Bethesda, MD.
This beautiful road goes from Georgetown, Washington, D.C., to Bethesda, Maryland, and is 7.04 miles long. The path not only links the two towns, but it also has beautiful views along the Potomac River.
There are also six bridges and a tunnel on the Capital Crescent Trail, which is made of hard-surface asphalt. The trail has gentle slopes and crosswalks that are level with most roads.
Walking, running, biking, skating, and rollerblading are all popular things to do on the Capital Crescent Trail. The trail is interesting because it gets over a million visitors a year, making it one of the busiest rail paths in the US.
Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
5. National Museum Of Health And Medicine
The National Museum of Health and Medicine was founded in 1862 as the Army Medical Museum. It was the main place where studies into general medicine, treatments for infectious diseases, and war-related illnesses took place.
The museum now has several displays about new developments in combat medicine, anatomy and pathology, and medicine during the Civil War.
About 25 million artifacts are kept in the National Museum of Health and Medicine’s five collections. These include skeletal specimens, preserved organs, medical equipment, an archive of old medical papers, and collections about neuroanatomy and developmental anatomy.
The museum is one of the interesting places to visit near Bethesda, Maryland, and it’s only an 11-minute drive away.
The address is 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
6. Imagination Stage
At night, one fun thing to do in Bethesda, MD is to get lost in the magic of Imagination Stage, a family-friendly theater that puts on amazing shows for kids and teens that are both entertaining and educational.
The company was founded in 1979 as the Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts. In 2001, it changed its name to Imagination Stage and is now the biggest youth multidisciplinary arts theater in the mid-Atlantic.
Kids and teens ages 1 to 18 can go to the Imagination Stage for plays, classes, and theater camps.
Besides the lessons, Imagination Stage has fun, family-friendly shows all year long. Jungle Discovery, Mouse on the Move, and Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale are some of the shows that happen there.
The address is 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
7. KID Museum
The KID Museum (kids’ Innovation and Discovery) is another fun and different thing to do with kids in Bethesda, MD. It is one of the biggest educational maker spaces for kids in the country and focuses on creativity and innovation.
The KID Museum opened in 2014 and offers fun activities for kids, families, and teachers through transformative project-based activities and programs that happen in person and online.
Kids can learn useful skills while having fun at the museum through a variety of classes and courses. Art classes, computer programming classes, and 3D printing workshops are some of the programs that are offered.
Also, the museum has events all the time where kids can learn special skills that aren’t taught anywhere else. as part of the ongoing lessons.
The KID Museum is one of the best places for families to visit in Bethesda, Maryland, because it has so many fun and creative things to do.
The address is 3 Bethesda Metro Center #140, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
8. McCrillis Gardens
It’s one of the loveliest places for two to go in Bethesda, MD, and everyone should go there. This naturalistic garden has walked through quiet woods and bright pops of color, especially in the spring.
This garden is on 5 acres and has a walking path that goes through a beautiful collection of ornamental trees and shrubs, as well as bulbs, groundcovers, and shade-loving perennials that add color and texture all year.
There is also a pavilion and benches in the yard so that visitors can take a break.
This is the address: 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
9. Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema
At night, going to Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema to see your favorite movie is a fun thing to do in Bethesda, MD.
This theater is in Bethesda Row and has a comfortable setting with stadium seating, high-back rocker seats, and wide rows. It also has eight screens, reserved seats, and high-end food and drinks.
The theater’s bar serves a wide range of beer, wine, and liquor, including many local beers and drinks with movie themes.
Check their movie times before going to the theater and spend a few hours with your family watching the newest big hit.
You can find them at 2959 7235 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
10. Cabin John Regional Park
One of the biggest parks in town is Cabin John Regional Park, which has lots of fun things to do outside.
This beautiful park covers 528 acres and has a unique mix of nature and fun things to do. There are open shelters, picnic tables, big grills, horseshoe pits, horseshoe pits, a playground for kids, tennis courts, athletic fields, a dog park, ice skating rinks, miniature train rides, and a volleyball area in the park. The trails are miles long.
In addition, the park has the Locust Grove Nature Center, which has many environmental programs, camps, and events for people to try.
This is the address: 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
11. Westfield Montgomery
One unique thing to do in Bethesda, MD is to go on a shopping spree at Westfield Montgomery Mall, which has a lot of famous and high-end stores.
The mall has many stores, such as Nordstrom, Zara, lululemon, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, Michael Kors, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Madewell, Bonobos, Microsoft, and Apple. It opened in 1968.
In addition to fine-eating restaurants like Cava Mezze Grill, Beefsteak, and Bobby’s Burger Palace, the mall also has ArcLight Cinemas.
This is the address: 7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
12. Bethesda Central Farm Market
This weekend in Bethesda, MD, one of the interesting things to do is to check out the Bethesda Central Farm Market for fresh food.
The farmers market in downtown Bethesda is one of the biggest in the area, with more than 100 food sellers and artisan producers.
The market is open all year and is a great spot to find one-of-a-kind gifts as well as a great way to try the local foods of Bethesda and the nearby area.
This is the address: 7600 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
13. Bethesda Salt Cave
The Bethesda Salt Cave is one of the best things to see in Bethesda, Maryland. It was built to look like a real Himalayan salt cave.
Visitors can go to the Bethesda Salt Cave for therapy meetings and breathe in the salt air. There are signs that salt inhalation treatment can help with upper respiratory problems like asthma, allergies, eczema, psoriasis, stress, fatigue, and high blood pressure, but Bethesda Salt Cave does not make any medical claims.
As one of the unique things to do in Bethesda, enjoy the therapeutic atmosphere. The healing properties of salt help you relax and feel refreshed, making your trip more peaceful.
Get in touch at 4709 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
14. Round House Theatre
Going to the Round House Theatre to see a show at night is a fun thing to do in Bethesda, MD. The non-profit theater company wants to work with artists to create stage groups that teach the public about theater.
About 55,000 people visit the theater every year to see a mix of modern classics, new plays and shows. The Silver Springs Theater has 150 seats and a program for kids.
Spend the evening watching amazing shows put on by skilled artists. If you want to improve your acting skills, you can also join one of the acting schools.
This is the address: 4545 East-West Hwy, Bethesda, MD 20814.
15. Ratner Museum
One free thing for art lovers to do in Bethesda, MD is to look around the Ratner Museum.
The museum is owned and run by Dennis and Phillip Ratner. It has a unique collection of Jewish and Israeli exhibits as well as many other unique historical items.
The museum has a lot of paintings, books, and photos that show different parts of Jewish culture and ideas, in addition to Phillip Ratner’s work.
The museum also has displays about American history, like the collections of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
You should visit the museum, look around, learn more about the displays, and go to a talk or a show.
The address is 10001 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
16. Little Falls Stream Valley Park
One of the best places to do things outside in Bethesda, Maryland, is Little Falls Stream Valley Park.
In terms of size, this park covers 160 acres and goes from Fairfax Road in the north to Macarthur Boulevard in the south.
The park has beautiful hiking paths, a playground, a bike path, and open areas that are great for exploring and relaxing.
As one of the unique things to do in Bethesda, spend some time in Little Falls Stream Valley Park and enjoy the peace.
The address is 6300 Little Falls Pkwy, Bethesda, MD 20816, USA.
17. Bethesda Country Club
Visit Bethesda Country Club for a round of golf this weekend. It’s one of the best things to do in Bethesda, MD.
The Bethesda Country Club has been around since 1947 and is a good task for both new and experienced golfers. The 18-hole golf course is spread out over 156 acres and is very well taken care of. It is 6,861 yards from the back tees and is a par-70 course.
The Bethesda Country Club has more than just a golf course. It has a fitness center, tennis fields, an Olympic-sized pool, and a clubhouse for both the pool and tennis.
There is also a restaurant at the club where you can eat with your family and friends.
The address is 7601 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
18. Glenstone Museum
The Glenstone Museum is one of the best things to do near Bethesda, MD for people who like modern art. It is in Potomac, Maryland, which is about 25 minutes away.
The museum opened in 2006 and is spread out over 230 acres. It has both indoor and outdoor areas where about 1,300 works of art from after World War II are shown. People think that the museum has one of the best collections in the US.
People can go to the museum for free, and it makes people think deeply while also showing important art from the past from a global viewpoint.
The address is 12100 Glen Road, Potomac, MD 20854, USA.
19. Dalecarlia Tunnel
The Dalecarlia Tunnel is one of the most popular places to visit in Bethesda, Maryland. It is an old train tunnel that now runs the Capital Crescent Trail under MacArthur Boulevard and the Washington Aqueduct.
This Roman arch tunnel is 18 feet wide and 340 feet long. It was built in 1910 as part of the Georgetown Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
On both sides of the tunnel, there is a decorative brick wall, and the whole wall is made of brick.
Enjoy a stroll through this lovely cave and be amazed by this historic site that has stood the test of time.
This is the address for WVVM+CM: Bethesda, MD 20816, USA.
20. Willard Avenue Neighborhood Park
The 5.1-acre Willard Avenue Neighborhood Park is one of the best places in Bethesda, Maryland, to do things outside.
This lovely park has a playground, a half-court basketball court, a small multi-use field, a picnic area, and a walking path with exercise equipment. It is located next to a creek.
The park is one of the things to do in Bethesda that you can do with your dog.
The address is 4915 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20816, USA.
21. Escape Quest
Want to do something fun with your family and friends in Bethesda, MD? Then, go to Escape Quest and take part in a journey full of puzzles and other challenges.
This escape room has been around since 2016 and pushes people to find hidden clues, solve puzzles, find secret passages, avoid lasers, break the safe, and work together to get out of the room before time runs out.
Out of the six rooms, each one has a different theme, which makes the experience great. The Black Widow, The Lost Temple, The King’s Ransom, Expedition Unknown, and The Scorpion Code are some of the escape rooms that you can choose from.
The address is 4936 Fairmont Avenue, Second Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
22. Congressional Country Club
One of the best places to play golf near Washington, D.C., is the Congressional Country Club. The Blue Course has been around since 1924 and has been the site of five major titles, three of which were U.S. There are Opens and a PGA Championship.
The Blue Course and the Gold Course are the two 19-hole golf courses at Congressional Country Club. A lot of people think the club is one of the best golf clubs in the world.
An indoor duck-pin bowling alley, a tennis club, a grand ballroom, swimming pools, a fitness center, and a grand foyer are some of the other things that the club has besides the golf fields.
There is also a restaurant and bar at Congressional where you can fill your hunger and quench your thirst. It’s a great place to go on holiday because it has a spa, massage services, and an indoor jacuzzi.
The address is 8500 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
23. Lucky Strike Bethesda
In Bethesda, MD, another fun thing to do with family and friends is to go on an exciting trip at Lucky Strike Bethesda.
Lucky Strike Bethesda has 12 lanes for bowling, so it can accommodate both casual bowlers and serious league players. The entertainment center also has different types of bowling, such as open bowling and club bowling for kids and adults. Another thing that the bowling alley does is hold special events on several nights.
The entertainment center also has a restaurant and bar where you can get tasty food and cool drinks. It’s a full package for family fun.
The address is 7101 Democracy Blvd Ste 1022, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
24. Sky Zone Trampoline Park
The Sky Zone Trampoline Park is a fun place for families to go near Bethesda. It is in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which is only a short drive away.
There is a speed zone, freestyle jump, sky slam, foam zone, ultimate dodgeball, iWall, wipe out, bent wall, ninja warrior course, sky climb, and more at this indoor trampoline park. There are also programs for little leapers and nights just for members.
The park has lots of fun things to do, and Sky Zone is also a great place for birthday parties, family get-togethers, team parties, and other events.
The address is 15813 Gaither Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, USA.
25. Madonna Of The Trail
There are twelve huge, identical statues from Maryland to California along a major route for Western migration. The Madonna of the Trail in Bethesda is one of them.
The 18-foot-tall statue of a brave pioneer woman holding a rifle and her two children was erected in 1929 by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It honors the strength and drive of pioneer women.
The figure is now on Wisconsin Avenue, next to the old Bethesda Post Office. This is where the pioneers spent their first night away from Georgetown on their way to the West.
Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
26. Waverly Street Gallery
For art lovers, one fun thing to do in Bethesda, MD is to look at the beautiful art at Waverly Street Gallery.
A lot of different modern visual artists’ work is shown in this art gallery. Throughout the year, the gallery also has shows that change.
People can look at a variety of works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, photos, and jewelry.
The address is 4600 East-West Hwy #102, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
27. Go Ape Zipline And Adventure Park
One interesting thing to do outside with your family close to Bethesda is to go to the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park, which is less than 30 minutes away.
Treetop Journey, Treetop Adventure, and Forest Escape are some of the amazing adventures you can have at the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park. Take a look at Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park. It has eight zip lines and more than 100 different challenges.
This fun park has things to do for 15 minutes to three hours, so you can plan your visit however you like.
You can find us at 6129 Needwood Lake Drive, Derwood, MD 20855, USA.
28. Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland
Getting into the holiday mood at Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland is a fun thing to do in Bethesda, MD, during the winter.
During December, Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland has Santa Claus, live ice sculptures, and live music by both local and visiting artists. Food is also being served by Red Bandana Bakery and Good Ducking as part of the party.
This event should be on your list of things to do in Bethesda if you’re going to be there this month.
Norfolk Avenue Streetery is located between St. Elmo and Cordell Avenues in Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA.
Get ready for your trip to Bethesda, MD.
Bethesda, Maryland, is a treasure trove of things to do. It has the right mix of arts, recreation, and entertainment. Whether you live in or visit this beautiful city, every experience makes you want to learn more about its past, creativity, and sense of community.
Put on your shoes, enjoy the tastes and cultural differences, and let Bethesda enchant you in a way that only this one city can.