Things to See and Do in Montgomery County, MD

Established by colonists in 1776, Montgomery County made history in 1791 when it ceded 36 square miles, the land known today as Georgetown, to the United States government to help create our Nation’s capital. Today, Montgomery County is a hub for technology and politics as well as dining and nightlife. Even with the increase of Metro access (today there is easy metro access to and from almost all sectors of the County from downtown Washington and Northern Virginia), the fact that more than 50 percent of the County's work force continues to work within the County speaks to the community bonds of Montgomery County as well as to the diversity of attractions.

Spring and Summer Highlights

Excursions on Walkersville Scenic Railroad
All Aboarrrd! Train buffs young and old will find something to love in Walkersville, where circa 1920s enclosed coaches and open flat-cars have been delighting passengers for almost 20 years, after six miles of the old Penn Central Railroad were renovated for excursion trains traveling between Walkersville and Frederick. Today, family-themed trains, murder-mystery dinner trains, and fine dining in a refurbished, first-class dining car are all part of making special memories for train enthusiasts. Walkersville is located in Frederick County, just north of Montgomery County and about a 50-minute drive from Washington, DC.

Strathmore Hall & Music Center
Picnic under the stars at free outdoor concerts; take in world-class performances by major national artists of folk, blues, pop, jazz, show tunes, and classical music; introduce your child to theater with special performances for kids; stroll an 11-acre outdoor sculpture garden; or enjoy afternoon tea … all at Strathmore! This Colonial Revival style mansion built in the late 1800s—along with the Music Center at Strathmore, a 1,976-seat concert hall and education center built on the property in 2001—have made Montgomery County a destination for arts lovers from all over the world.

Downtown Silver Spring
One of Montgomery County’s biggest business hubs has also become, thanks to a major renaissance that began in 2001, a major cultural hub. Home to Discovery Communications headquarters, the American Film Institute’s Silver Theater, hundreds of restaurants and shops, and the Round House Theatre, Silver Spring regularly plays host to free outdoor concerts (June through August), the SilverDocs Documentary Film Festival (June), and an Annual Jazz Concert in September that draws upwards of 20,000 music lovers. Even without a festival, visitors to Silver Spring’s revitalized main square can enjoy alfresco dining beside the city’s beautiful Silver Plaza interactive fountain.

C&O Canal
Check out a jewel of the U.S. National Park Service by visiting a portion of the 184-mile long C&O Canal towpath, which was once a bustling passageway for coal, lumber, grain and other agricultural products. In Montgomery County, one of the best ways to experience the Canal is along MacArthur Blvd., where the historic Great Falls Tavern and lockhouse greets visitors, and where geology and nature hikes are planned. The popular “Billy Goat Trail” offers fabulous hiking for the serious-minded, while a detour off the towpath allows everyone to view the famous Great Falls gorge via a Maryland-side overlook.

62nd Annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Summer isn’t summer until you’ve ridden a Tilt-a-Whirl, checked out a pie contest, slurped down a melting ice cream cone, and wandered through pens of prize-winning pigs at a County Fair. And among the area’s best is Montgomery County’s Agricultural Fair, being held this year from August 13 to 21. Originally started in 1945 by a group of 4-Hers interested in showcasing their livestock, garden and home economics projects, it’s now the largest county fair in the state of Maryland. So, take a step back in time and hop on over to the fairgrounds for this year’s Barn Yard Boogie!

More Highlights: Washington | Arlington | Alexandria

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