Bethesda Travel and Things to Do Guide

In Montgomery County, Maryland, it’s all about upscale Bethesda and Chevy Chase. They offer some of the area’s top local restaurants and world-renowned brands and department stores, all within walking distance of your hotel lobby.
Just northwest of Washington DC, Maryland's Bethesda and Chevy Chase area is known for its affluent culture and abundant shopping.
Bethesda is also home to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Other local headquarters include Lockheed Martin, Clark Construction, Marriott International, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The community is also home to Congressional Country Club, which has hosted Tiger Woods' AT&T National golf tournament and will be host to various upcoming PGA events.
The city lies near Chevy Chase, home to GEICO's head office, which is on the border of D.C., and connects with several D.C. communities through the Washington Metrorail system. The red line metro serves Bethesda with two stops: downtown Bethesda and Medical Center, which is closer to the NIH and Walter Reed campuses. Most Bethesda hotels and meeting venues are within a 45-minute drive of Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI), about 30 minutes from Reagan National Airport (DCA), and 45 minutes from Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Check out North Bethesda's newest hotel, Canopy by Hilton, with it's fun, boutique style in the heart of Pike & Rose.
Eat
Sample one of CRAVE's many specialty sushi rolls, try a classic French entrée at Mon Ami Gabi, or indulge in a different special each day at Tout de Sweet Pastry Shop. Or try all three and create your own culinary tour in Bethesda.
Groups will discover intriguing gourmet and ethnic dining venues in Bethesda Row, a pedestrian-friendly streetscape with brick sidewalks, fountains, and abundant outdoor seating, making it an attractive area for visitors.
Bethesda chef and restauranteur Jose Andres is the owner of high-end restaurants in the area, such as Jaleo, and was named the 2018 James Beard Humanitarian, recognizing his efforts to feed millions of people in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
See
For some of the area's best entertainment, look no further than Bethesda, one of three Arts & Entertainment Districts in Montgomery County. See your favorite band at The Music Center at Strathmore, enjoy comedy at Amp by Strathmore, or perhaps enjoy one of Round House Theatre’s shows.
Play
Fill up your itinerary with any of Bethesda’s many annual events, including the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival and Taste of Bethesda, or take a more spontaneous approach and explore the city by foot and walk through the charming streets of Bethesda Row.
Visit
Get ready for your night out with the perfect consigned dress and vintage handbag from Remix Recycling Co., or go on a luxury shopping spree at Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany and Co., or Bloomingdale's in downtown Chevy Chase, a shopper's paradise.
In North Bethesda, Pike & Rose is a pedestrian-oriented shopping and dining district with a friendly streetscape and community feel. Catch dinner and a movie at iPic + City Perch, or try a few rounds of bocce and bowling at Pinstripes.
Keeping it exclusive, book ahead to see Glenstone Museum, the largest private art museum in the world — and it’s free.