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Census-designated place in Maryland, United States
Photo: EnLorax G. Edward Johnson, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Bethesda is in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1½ miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Wealthy and well-educated, Bethesda is best known for its numerous restaurants and as the headquarters of the National Institutes of Health.
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Art gallery
Art gallery.
The Madonna of the Trail memorial was dedicated at Bethesda in 1929 by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is one of 12 identical memorials that mark the National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway. Each Madonna of the Trail monument stands 18 feet tall and weighs 17 tons and is constructed of algonite stone. The statue depicts a pioneer woman clasping her baby with her young son clinging to her skirts and is a tribute to the women that headed west with their pioneer husbands.
The mammoth collection of buildings housing the majority of the nation's government bio-research. Due to worries about the security of the bio-weapons research programs here, admission of non-employees to the grounds requires a security screening.
The view from Wisconsin Ave of the main building is plenty impressive. If you see a helicopter landing on that main building, it's probably the president or one of the top cabinet officials — this is where they get their repairs. Frankin Delano Roosevelt sketched the design for the impressive main building.
Art gallery
Hands-on learning center and museum where kids learn how to make, build and design things and objects with science and technology. Open to general public only on Sundays 10AM to 4PM.
A 2.1-acre park in downtown Bethesda. There is a playground, a picnic area with an open shelter, and a stone and metal statue by Jenny Read titled Girl with Hoop. Occasionally, this is the site of free dance classes on weekends.
A 1-acre park in downtown Bethesda. There is a playground, picnic tables, and seating areas
A big, 34-lane upscale bowling alley with two large and popular bars.
The Music Center at Strathmore
A fantastic hall for seeing concerts because of its state-of-the-art acoustics and great seating. Even the last row has great sound and viewing lines. Check the schedule to find everything from classical music symphonies to rock concerts to kids music performances.
A festival featuring arts and crafts for sale by local artists and live music.
The taste of Bethesda is the biggest festival of the year, when people from all over the area come to sample Bethesda's restaurant offerings and to enjoy big free concerts. A pack of 4 taste tickets costs $5, and restaurants will give you a food serving for 1-4 tickets. Many great restaurants participate!
A DC-area chain. New York-style take-out bagel shop, which offers bagel sandwiches with generously portioned toppings, as well as a smattering of other items.
A DC-area chain. Large tortillas filled with delicious and creative ingredients. The most popular choice is the blackened chicken caesar burrito. Any menu item can be made vegetarian upon request. For customers who like spiciness, customers can help themselves to any of the hot sauces on their Wall of Flames. Occasionally, the restaurant's social media accounts will announce a free item for anyone saying a particular word to a cashier on a particular date.
Craft barbecue.
Tacos and margaritas.
Offers many creative ice cream flavors not usually found elsewhere.
One of the best in the D.C. area. It has relatively inexpensive food served in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Cheap eats any time of day or night.
Vace's serves the best, most authentic New York style pizza you'll find anywhere this far south. Takeout only.
Indian cuisine. All dishes served with hand prepared spices and fresh ingredients.
Just a bit north of the hotbed of restaurants, this unassuming but pleasant and friendly corner sushi bar is excellent. They specialize in creative sushi (or Maki) dishes like the "Red Dragon" (spicy crunchy tuna inside, topped with avocado, tobiko and spicy sauce) and "Fuji Maki" (eel, tobiko, shrimp tempura, cucumber, tamago, cream cheese & eel sauce).
French bistro
Mussels, frites, and Belgian beer.
Italian food in a rustic environment.
The often fiery cuisine here is some of the best Indian food you'll find anywhere in the metro area, and it's also attractive, rather quiet, and has reliably excellent service. If you are up for a challenge, try to finish one of their vindaloos without asking them to dull down the spice level.
Authentic Neapolitan pizza from a wood-fired oven. Fresh imported tomatoes & mozzarella; ingredients also sourced from local and organic farmers.
Inventive and well-done Szechuan cuisine. Part of the regional (DC/VA/MD) empire of cult chef Peter Chang.
Arguably the best Asian food in Bethesda. It's kid-friendly and rather noisy, but the food is made with incredibly fresh, high quality ingredients, and will not likely disappoint. Very popular so make a reservation or get there early.
Japanese cuisine. Wide variety of sushi. Cooked entree dishes include teriyaki, negimaki, tonkatsu, tempura and broiled fish. Noodle dishes: ramen, soba, udon. Also izakaya (small plates). Delivery available via Uber Eats.
Indian cuisine.
Dance floor upstairs.
A very nice place for a few drinks with some oysters on the half shell, particularly during happy hour (M-F 4-7PM), when there are good deals to be had on the oysters and on the drinks. It can get very crowded around meal times—make reservations.
A sports bar.
Coffee, espresso, tea, and pastries.
This hotel offers conference space and services for any event. It also offers a fitness center, heated indoor pool, restaurants, the largest ballroom in Maryland.
Eclectic store offering jewelry, clothing, baby gifts, and home decor.
Decorative paper, crafting supplies, stationery, and interesting gifts.
Women clothes store.
Dates back to the Great Depression. Food, drink, and crafts are sold.
In the parking lot of Bethesda Elementary School.
Includes many clothing stores such as Aeropostale, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Apparel, American Eagle, Banana Republic, Forever 21, Gap, Old Navy, an Apple Store, and a food court
By Metrorail
C. is just over 20 minutes. Bethesda Station is located at the intersection of Wisconsin Ave and Old Georgetown Road.
By bus
Ride-on-Bus and MetroBus operate service between downtown Bethesda and other locations in Montgomery County, including Rockville, Silver Spring, and Wheaton.
By car
Wisconsin Ave (Route 355) and Connecticut Avenue run from Downtown Washington DC to Bethesda.
By bicycle
The Capital Crescent Trail, which runs from Georgetown to Silver Spring passes through Bethesda. Between Bethesda and Georgetown the trail is smooth asphalt suitable for rollerblading.
By foot
You can walk around downtown Bethesda — it's not so big.
By car
Parking is usually only available in the public garages, which have rates between $1.50 and $2.00 per hour.
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Washington · International · DCA
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