Fun Things to Do in Montgomery County, Maryland

Montgomery County is adjacent to Washington DC and just a short Metro ride from all the sights the city is known for.  In recent years, it has garnered the name “Maryland’s Cultural Capital” because of its own wealth of arts, entertainment, history sites, and fun things to do.  Discover what this DC local loves most about “MoCo” and add it to your itinerary for the nation’s capital.

Located just outside Washington DC, Montgomery County is a destination brimming with cultural, historical, and natural attractions.  It’s the perfect intersection of cultural and rural charm, from lively downtown districts to farm breweries and outdoor adventures.

I’ve lived in the DC area for over 15 years now, and I’m still discovering everything the region has to offer. Montgomery County holds a special place in my heart – and I hope it will for you too after you discover all of its secrets!

So whether you’re visiting Washington, D.C., have just moved to the region, or are a long-time area resident, I’ve got tips on the best things to do in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Thanks to Visit Montgomery and local businesses for hosting me on some of the experiences on this list!  As always, my opinions are my own and unbiased.

In this Guide to Montgomery County, MD

Location | Restaurants | Thai Chef | El Mercat | Outdoor Activities | Adventure Park at Sandy Spring | Lone Oak Farm Brewing | C&O Canal | McKee-Beshers | Brookside Gardens | Shopping | The Family Room | The Backyard Naturalist | Farmers Markets | Museums and History Sites | Clara Barton Historic Site | Glenstone | Sandy Spring Museum | Where to Stay

Where is Montgomery County, Maryland

MoCo (as it’s affectionately known to locals) is just outside Washington, D.C.  It borders Washington DC to the south, while the state of Virginia lies just to the east.

Drive north out of Washington DC, or hop on Metro’s Red Line, and you’ll soon find yourself in the heart of Montgomery County.

Montgomery County is Maryland’s most populous county, with over 1 million residents.  (DC itself, in contrast, has only about 770,000!)  It encompasses the cities of Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park, as well as other municipalities including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Glen Echo, Kensington, Poolesville, Wheaton, and others.

Montgomery County Restaurants

It’s never good to begin an adventure hungry, so I recommend starting with some of Montgomery County’s best eats and drinks.

Thai Chef, Rockville

If you’re missing Bangkok, or if it’s on your travel wishlist, Thai Chef should be your first stop in MoCo.  Their fun, Thai festival-inspired decor is the perfect setting for tasty small bites and street food. 

Thai Chef’s wide menu features delicious dumplings, fresh soups and salads, noodle dishes, curry and more.   My favorite is the curry puffs, served with an addicting dipping sauce.

As good as their food is, though, I think my favorite thing here is the craft cocktails.  It’s tough to decide on just one, with names like “Crazy Thai Lady,” “Purple Rain,” and “Fishing in the Mekong.”  Plan on ordering a few rounds!

In true Thai fashion, the restaurant is super-Instagrammable too, as you can tell from my photos. The restaurant has two equally delicious and photogenic locations, the first in Washington DC’s Dupont Circle area, and their newer location in Rockville. 

El Mercat Bar de Tapas, Rockville

Tapas-lovers and anyone looking for a new go-to local favorite will fall for the Spanish cuisine at El Mercat Bar de Tapas in Rockville Town Square. Their menu features an array of traditional tapas, from delectable patatas bravas to succulent albondigas.

Pair your meal with a glass of sangria, selection from their extensive wine list, or one of their stellar house-made cocktails. (Personally, I had a tough time choosing between the Caipirinha and the Kiwitini!)

The vibrant, friendly ambiance here evokes the lively tapas bars of Spain. El Mercat offers a slice of Spain in Maryland, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience filled with flavors and warm hospitality.

Gringos & Mariachis, Bethesda

Gringos & Mariachis in Bethesda, Maryland, is a busy eatery elevating Mexican street food. Their menu showcases classics such as birria quesadillas, cochinita pibil and al pastor, tacos, and guacamole. The stylish interior has just the right mix of mood and coziness that makes it one of my favorites.

Their bar boasts an extensive range of tequila, mezcal, and whisky, along with inventive cocktails and local beers. With locations in Bethesda and Potomac, this trendy Mexican spot serves up delicious tacos, margaritas, and other Mexican favorites in a hip, energetic setting.

Montgomery County Outdoor Activities

Montgomery County has tons of outdoor opportunities to get active and connected to the natural world. Here are a few of the best.

The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring

The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is the place in Montgomery County for thrilling outdoor adventures!  It’s the largest aerial adventure park in North America, with 16 courses made up of different climbing and ziplining elements.  They feature adventures for experienced zipliners and first-timers, from ages 5 and up.

The park’s newest attraction is their Adventure Axes Experience.  I’d never thrown axes before I visited, but with a few tips from their experienced staff, I quickly understood why this has become such a popular activity! 

Their axe experience has 4 lanes, each with its own projected target, so you can pick from zombie games, tic-tac-toe, a traditional bullseye, and more. Each lane has seating and nearby firepits for relaxing when waiting for your next turn.

The Adventure Park is great for families, friends, and groups – from birthday parties to school and scouting groups – to encourage everyone to get outdoors, stay active, and try new experiences.  Reserve tickets and axe-throwing ahead of time on their website. 

Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company, Olney

Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company in Olney, Maryland grows their beer from ground to glass! This unique farm brewery offers a lovely setting for enjoying the delicious craft beers produced on-site from home-grown ingredients. Try their top brews and seasonal specialties, such as the Lone Oak Lager, Moco Lite, and Malted Mango IPA.

Rent a tent or firepit VIP table and kick back with friends in comfort, or just pick out your favorite picnic table with a view of their picturesque lake. Indoor seating is available too, because you’ll need a table for their small bites to go along with your favorite beers! 

I recommend the “charcuterie bag” – it comes with all the supplies for your own classy spread! – or one of their craft pizzas.  And the soft pretzel sticks.  OK and the street corn dip.  (Bring friends.)

Lone Oak also hosts gatherings for groups up to 200 in their Barn and Pavilion.  But you don’t need an excuse to visit here – it’s the perfect setting for low-key gatherings with groups of friends and families of any size!

C&O Canal National Historical Park

The C&O Canal (Chesapeake & Ohio Canal) National Historical Park is an 800-acre natural gem along the Potomac River,  It includes views of Great Falls from “the Maryland side,” since the falls can also be viewed from Virginia just on the other side of the river. 

There are many outdoor activities here loved by both locals and visitors alike, including hiking, kayaking, picnicking, bird watching, and learning about the history of the region starting at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center.

The Billy Goat Trail, divided into three sections (A, B, and C), is a popular hiking spot, offering varying levels of difficulty and great views of the Potomac River.

It’s also possible to tour the river on a replica canal boat, where park staff operate the locks as they would have during the 1800’s.  You can even stay overnight in one of the restored Canal Quarters Lockhouses!

McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, Poolesville

Experience nature’s bounty at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area in Poolesville, Maryland. This 2,000-acre tract of land offers diverse activities like bird watching, hunting, hiking, biking, and fishing. 

My favorite time to visit is mid-summer, when their sunflower fields are in full bloom.  Planted as food for birds and local wildlife, they’re also a photographer’s paradise. 

Read next ⫸ My guide to Washington DC blooms & gardens including McKee-Beshers

Brookside Gardens, Wheaton

Brookside Gardens is a 50-acre public garden in Wheaton, Maryland, a part of the Montgomery County Department of Parks. The garden is a year-round attraction featuring beautiful plant collections, including specialty gardens like the Aquatic Garden, Rose Garden, and Japanese Style Garden. 

Visitors can also explore two conservatories filled with tropical and seasonal plants. The Gardens often host various exhibits, festivals, and educational programs. It’s perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and families who want to get out for an afternoon walk or picnic.

Montgomery County Shopping

Shopping in Montgomery County offers a wide variety of retail experiences, whether you’re looking for home furnishings, clothing, unique art, antiques, or local produce. Here are some of the best places to shop to find unique goods and support local businesses.

The Family Room, Laytonsville

The Family Room store in Laytonsville, Maryland is more than just a shop; it’s a hub for community connections. Offering a unique blend of artisanal goods, gifts, and home decor, it showcases the creativity of local craftsmakers and regional products. 

Their shop name is literal, too: it’s owned and run by a mother-daughter duo!

Locally-made products, lifestyle goods, holiday gifts, children’s books and toys are among the treasures that are thoughtfully-curated here. Additionally, The Family Room regularly hosts pop-up shops for local makers as well as community events, making it an interactive, vibrant gathering place.

The Backyard Naturalist, Olney

The Backyard Naturalist in Olney, Maryland is perfect for nature lovers. As the area’s largest and oldest independent retailer of products for wild birds and nature enthusiasts, it boasts an impressive array of bird feeders, birdhouses, and nature-related gifts. 

Their friendly staff is passionate about wildlife conservation, and offers expert advice on attracting and protecting local wildlife. This is one of my mom’s favorite shopping spots in MoCo, so be sure to take along your favorite bird-lover when you go!

MWBC Shop Local, Rockville

Shop Local is a retail business incubator program of the Maryland Women’s Business Center that cultivates retail entrepreneurship and reduces the obstacles that prevent the creation of successful businesses.

Their space in Rockville Town Square hosts 3-5 pop-up shops from different local makers and businesswomen, including clothing, handmade soaps, jewelry, lifestyle items and more.

Local Farmers Markets

Don’t miss Montgomery County’s local farmers markets, which offer a bounty of locally-grown and made items: vegetables, fruits, eggs, coffees, baked goods, flowers, organic produce, meats, cheeses, and more. Some of the most popular are:

• Olney Farmers and Artists Market (Sundays, year-round)
• Takoma Park Farmers Market (Sundays, year-round)
• Kensington Farmers Market (Saturdays, year-round)
• Bethesda Central Farm Market (Sundays, year-round)
• Rockville Farmers Market (Saturdays, seasonally)

Museums and History Sites in Montgomery County, Maryland

If you’re like me and love to learn about history and culture both at home and when traveling, don’t miss the chance to visit some of Montgomery County’s history sites and museums.

The Clara Barton National Historic Site

The Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo, Maryland, honors the life and legacy of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross. Her former residence, this historic site also served as the organization’s early headquarters. 

Visitors can tour the 38-room house, observing exhibits displaying Barton’s personal belongings, historic Red Cross artifacts, and various rooms including her office and the Red Cross disaster relief warehouse. Visitors here can appreciate Barton’s humanitarian contributions, discover early Red Cross history, and learn about women in early American history.

Glenstone, Potomac

Located in Potomac, Maryland, Glenstone is a perfect union of art, architecture, and landscape. It contains the private art collection of the museum’s founders, and showcases post-World War II artworks from notable international artists in a 230-acre natural setting. 

Glenstone features outdoor sculptures, installations, and a collection of over 1,300 works housed in their galleries and gardens. Visiting Glenstone is a truly a transformative experience of art in harmony with nature: I’ve visited it many times, and it’s always a joy to return.

Tickets must be reserved ahead of time on the museum website.  Or there are guaranteed-entry programs for students 12 and older, educators, active-duty military members, veterans, and others; and for passengers who arrive on the Ride On Bus (Route 301).  

Note that all visitors must be aged 12 or older due to the fragile nature of works on view.

Sandy Spring Museum

Situated in Sandy Spring, the museum supports community-generated cultural arts and educational programs.  Think of us as a participatory cultural arts community center, celebrating the diverse folk traditions that are part of the county’s history.

It showcases rotating exhibits that are part of the county’s history: folk traditions, historic artifacts, archival documents, and offers interactive activities. Visiting the Sandy Spring Museum is a must for history enthusiasts seeking to understand the heritage of Montgomery County and the wider region.

Where to Stay in Montgomery County, MD

Whether you’re visiting the area for business or leisure, I’ve got tips on convenient, comfy, and even unique places to stay in MoCo!