While visiting or living in Bethesda, Maryland take advantage of some of the exciting things to see and participate in.
Going to Bethesda, Maryland on vacation? Visiting friends or just new to the area, you'll need to know what to do and how to entertain yourself while you are there. Bethesda is definitely the type of place that you need to park your car and explore on foot or by bike; looking from a car window you will miss too much!
Did you know that Bethesda is the largest restaurant district per square foot in the United States"¦
Everyone needs to eat while away from home, so why not experience the atmosphere of Bethesda's fine dining? Fine dining in the sense that the food is great, the dress attire is casual and the price can range from not bad too pretty hefty. A lot of the restaurants place menus on their front doors/windows so you get an idea what type of food and pricing you will experience. Anything you can imagine and some that you wouldn't are available. Fresh seafood, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Burger joints, Vegetarian, Greek, Diner style and New Orleans styles can all be found, there is nothing Eat-n-Park or Perkins about these places"¦
Local Events:
There is always an event or two occurring in Bethesda, such as "Taste of Bethesda" in October; this is a sampling of the ethnic restaurants in the area.
For you warm weather lovers that love relaxing grab a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the summertime concerts, and free movies shown outside in the evenings.
Have children? No problem: there is a Children's Art Festival that caters to the imagination of the 12 year old and younger. Take them to the paint it yourself pottery center and let their imaginations loose, yours too.
Have a pet? Take them to the Doggy bakery located in Bethesda. This bakery makes treats especially for the dog in your life. If you live in the area and want to go away, there are plenty of dog sitting/dog walking companies in the area. This is an alternative to taking your loved one (I mean your pet) to a kennel. Another plus, the dog sitters/dog walkers are usually looking for help, so no matter your age if you miss being around pets but can't own one for whatever the reason, these are good places to look for part-time or full-time employment, so you can have the joy of being around animals.
You say "Rest? Who wants to do that? I want to get out there and be part of the excitement"¦" Well then, tune up your bike, find those running shoes, polish your car and lace up those saddle shoes because we have the action for you!
Wanna ride for leisure; go out on the Capital Crescent Trail. The trails are designed for walkers, runners and bikers alike to enjoy the scenery from Bethesda all the way into Georgetown; it is about a 7-mile trek, but well worth it.
If the leisure ride won't cure your competitive side, then sign up for the Bethesda Grand Prix of Cycling, usually takes place in June.
Have running shoes you want to put to good use? As always there are the Capital Crescent Trails; or the Bethesda Chase a 10k road race starting in March and the Marathon in the Parks, a 26.2-mile race in November. Or walk for a good cause The American Heart walk occurs in October.
How about displaying your car for everyone to see at the Custom Car show and Sock hop in October? Dancing feet still not cured, come back May thru September for Friday Night dance concerts at the Metro Center.
Don't worry there are plenty of arts festivals and flea markets to make the shopping and bargain hunter quite happy. Throughout the year are European Markets Festivals, Literary festivals, urban arts festivals and a year-round flea market. Yep, that's what I said year-round"¦the market is open Wednesday thru Saturdays until 3pm. Indoors and out you can find baked goods, fresh fruits and veggies of the season, plants, flowers, jewelry, CD's, and books just to name a few items you'll find. So far I have always come home with something and have never had a problem with parking.
As for the parking, it can be pretty painful during the week and always have a lot of change on hand for the parking meters, quarters, dimes, and nickels. But on the weekends most of the metered parking lots are free.
There is so much to do in Bethesda you can stay amused all year around. If you have a friend in the area that has been harassing you to come and visit, take them up on it. If you live here, get out and join the fun. The more you wander the more you will find to do, and it definitely cannot be done in one day.
