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.

Fall and Winter Highlights

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C&O Canal Towpath and Great Falls Tavern
Take a walk down history lane along a portion of the 184-mile long C&O Canal towpath, which was once a lifeline for communities and businesses along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, grain and other agricultural products floated down the canal to market. Today, hikers and cyclists come out in droves to stroll the path and revel in nature’s wonders. In Montgomery County, one of the best ways to experience the C&O Canal is along MacArthur Blvd., where the historic Great Falls Tavern and lockhouse greets visitors, and geology and nature hikes are planned. Be sure to detour off the towpath to view the famous Great Falls gorge via a Maryland-side overlook. Visit the National Park Service Web site to plan your visit.

Festival of Lights
Celebrate the season with one of the most spectacular light displays the region has to offer with a visit to the Washington, D.C. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, also known as the Mormon Temple. This impressive church and its surrounding grounds shine brightly with more than 450,000 sparkling Christmas lights of every color, and each night, a different local musical group performs a live concert in a state-of-the-art theater. All events are free. The Festival of Lights runs throughout the month of December from dusk to 10 p.m. nightly. An outdoor, live nativity scene is open each evening from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and live musical performances begin at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. For directions, click here.

Clara Barton Glen Echo
Sometimes historic homes have been changed so much over the years, it’s impossible to imagine what it was must have been like to live there. But that’s not the case with the home of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, who spent the last 15 years of her life in a house built to her specifications in Glen Echo, Maryland. Now a National Historic Site and open to the public, the house, which also served for a time as the headquarters of the Red Cross, is a perfectly preserved remnant of a different era. Guided tours, offered on the hour from 10:00 to 4:00, are offered daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. Following the tour, be sure to visit nearby Glen Echo Park, a magical place that will thrill all ages. Originally a Chautauqua retreat and then an amusement park, today this unique National Park hosts a wide variety of arts, environmental and history programs. Click here for more information about the Clara Barton house; click here for more information about Glen Echo Park.

Strathmore Hall Arts Center
Strathmore Hall, a Colonial Revival style mansion built in the late 1800s, and the Music Center at Strathmore, a 1,976-seat concert hall and education center built on the property, have together become one of Montgomery County’s most beloved gems. Currently, the grand estate and music center are home to exhibits by both national and local artists; concert series of chamber, folk, and jazz music; afternoon musical teas; performances for children; lectures on music, art and poetry; as well as unique shopping opportunities. An outdoor sculpture garden on 11 acres is also open to visitors year-round. To plan your visit, check Strathmore’s web site.

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