15 Best Things to Do in Gaithersburg, MD

Founded in 1878, Gaithersburg is located in Montgomery County, Maryland.

You won’t run out of places to explore in Gaithersburg, from art centers, farms, parks, and museums to visit, as well as numerous restaurants and shops.

Many of the primary attractions in Montgomery County, Maryland, are located in the municipalities of Gaithersburg and Germantown.

Germantown, Maryland’s third-largest city, is a vibrant community with everything from gorgeous parks to farmer’s markets.

There are a few notable tourist attractions around Gaithersburg that you should also see.

Gaithersburg and its nearby areas have much to offer to make your long-awaited weekend one to remember.

Find out more about the best things to do in Gaithersburg, MD!

Visit the RIO Washingtonian Center

The initial RIO building debuted in 1982.

In 1997 and 2004, the “Washingtonian Center” and “Washingtonian Waterfront” followed, respectively.

The finest retail and eating destination in Gaithersburg is conveniently located in the center of Montgomery County.

RIO Washingtonian Center is a family-friendly lakeside shopping, eating, and entertainment destination.

Everyone at the Center has access to free Wi-Fi.

Enjoy a ride on the carousel, rent a paddle boat and paddle around the lovely lake.

Take a long stroll all around the lake, or have fun at the playground.

The RIO Washingtonian Center features various fish feeding spots at the gazebo and alongside the boardwalk.

There is something for everyone here.

Come to RIO Washingtonian Center and create lasting memories!

Go for a Swim at the Water Park at Bohrer Park

Water Park is a large outdoor pool containing deep lanes, a small play area, and a 250-foot double waterslide.

With slides, inflated animals, and a water feature for youngsters to explore, the pool area is like a vacation on a beach paradise.

Its main swimming pool is ideal for recreational swimming, while the primary attraction is a twin water slide that stands 38 feet tall.

The enclosed slide is 250 feet long and provides an exciting trip to the bottom.

Meanwhile, the open flume slide is 336 feet long and offers a more relaxing experience.

There are also numerous covered picnic tables in the vast grassy field around the pool.

You’ll undoubtedly have a fantastic and relaxing weekend at Bohrer Park’s Water Park.

Have a Blast at the Kids Play Gallery

The Kids Play Gallery provides a pleasant, friendly, and safe atmosphere for creative discovery.

The purpose of the Kids Play Gallery is to provide a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience for everyone.

Whether you are visiting for everyday play or scheduling a birthday party, the friendly staff at Kids Play Gallery will greet you with delight.

Your children will enjoy the Kids Play Gallery, an indoor innovative playground environment.

They also provide complimentary WiFi to their visitors.

Visit their one-of-a-kind facility at Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Appreciate the View while Dining at Coastal Flats

Coastal Flats is a laid-back, modern restaurant with many cuisine selections perfect for a weekend brunch.

It is a favorite beach home among many Americans, providing coastal and classic cuisine and making each day a summer vacation.

Coastal Flats serves steak, ribs, fresh seafood, chicken and pasta, sides, and desserts.

They also offer a variety of alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, wines by the glass, and beer.

It’s a bustling spot where you may dine and unwind.

Dine at the Coastal Flats to get the most out of your Gaithersburg food experience.

Rent a Boat at Washingtonian Paddle Boats

Washingtonian Paddle Boats is a renting boat service that has operated since 2001.

This kid-friendly tourist attraction is ideal for a day out with the kids.

Visit their historical sightseeing trips along the Potomac River in Washington, DC.

Come for a pleasant boat ride and eat lunch at Riverside Grill on the boardwalk.

Boats come in various patterns, including ducks, swans, and dragons, as well as a conventional blue motif.

Their 30-minute boat rentals include life jackets, which you must wear at all times.

Enjoy an aquatic adventure in Washingtonian Paddle Boats with family or friends.

Grab a Snack at Not Your Average Joe’s

Not Your Average Joe’s is a welcoming, modern establishment with a diverse American menu and a full bar.

For their customers, they provide Gluten Free meals, Cocktail beverages, a Kid’s menu, a Dinner menu, and Takeout.

You may order a variety of delicacies from their menu, including Buffalo Caribbean chicken tenders, chicken dumplings, tomato basil soup, smokey joe burger, and herb-crusted haddock, to name a few.

To make their delectable pizzas, they hand-form the dough, layer it, bake it, and drizzle it with homemade roasted garlic oil.

This is the place to go if you want to eat delicious food with various options.

Explore the Gaithersburg Community Museum

The Gaithersburg Community Museum’s objective is to encourage reflection, stimulate curiosity, nurture connections, and cultivate the community by sharing Gaithersburg’s cultural history.

The museum, housed in a renovated 1884 B&O Railroad facility in Olde Towne, connects Gaithersburg’s past and present for residents and visitors alike.

Hands-on learning stations for children and exhibits in the Freight House and train carriages highlight their rich history.

The Station, which serves as a commuter stop, has dining facilities.

Its outdoor areas, which include the rolling stock, allow visitors to experience the sights and sounds of the trains that pass by often.

Learn more about history at the Gaithersburg Community Museum, which will help you better understand and appreciate Gaithersburg.

Order Mexican Food at Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café

Are you looking for the ultimate Mexican restaurant in Gaithersburg, Maryland?

In a hacienda-style setting, Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café serves mesquite-grilled cuisine and margarita-sangria swirls.

Uncle Julio’s uniquely serves Tex-Mex made from only the best and freshest ingredients.

They serve authentic made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine, desserts, and beverages.

At Uncle Julio’s on Rio Blvd, they believe great passion can turn a decent meal into an outstanding experience.

Every meal and drink is brimming with taste when you dine in Uncle Julio’s!

Grab a Beer at Dogfish Head Alehouse

Do you want to go to an excellent craft beer pub in Gaithersburg, Maryland?

Gaithersburg, Maryland’s Dogfish Head Alehouse is a local outlet of a well-known craft beer company that serves American pub fare and seasonal brews in relaxed surroundings.

Wood-grilled menu items, delectable burgers, salads, and pizzas are just a few savory options available to pair with their beer on tap.

Dogfish Head Alehouse offers not only artisan beer but also fantastic food from their wood-fired grill at their local restaurant.

Special events such as beer feasts, new beer launches, and tappings frequently occur at Dogfish Head Alehouse.

Appreciate Art at Gaithersburg Arts Barn

The Artists Barn is a stunning rebuilt antique barn that houses an arts center.

Throughout the year, the center hosts numerous performing arts activities, including exhibition space for changing visual art exhibits and art studios where guests may observe resident artists.

They provide a variety of educational programs, camps, and workshops for people of the community.

The City Art Shop in the city’s heart has a wide range of souvenirs, accessories, and clothing you may buy and take home.

Gaithersburg Arts Barn is a must-see for art enthusiasts!

Taste Specialty Beers at Old Town Pour House

Old Town Pour House provides more than 90 specialty beers and comfort cuisine inside a massive wood-and-copper room.

They have some of the most excellent craft beers on tap in Gaithersburg, featuring rotating handles for unique, exclusive, and seasonal brews.

There are also 30 or more taps allocated to local brewers.

Enjoy Happy Hour during weekdays, Rock N Roll weekend brunch, a large outdoor terrace, and a massive HD TV in the 8,000-square-foot dining area.

They also have a semi-private party space.

The revolving handles at Old Town Pour House can vary daily, ensuring that there is always a unique jewel in the house.

Come to Old Town Pour House if you are looking for beer and tasty snacks.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Buy Fresh Products at Butler’s Orchard

Butler’s Orchard in Germantown is a market and farmland run by a  family spanning three generations.

Find it in Germantown, Maryland, 16 minutes from Gaithersburg.

The farm has been giving choose-your-own food possibilities to the community since the 1950s.

It produces more than 25 different species of vegetables, flowers, and plants on 300 acres of property.

They started selling seasonal decorative objects, honey, gourmet sauces, cider, and other goods in their Farm Market in the 1970s.

They outgrew their initial red barn in 1993 and enlarged the Farm Market to the modern structure you can see today.

Throughout the year, they conduct various family-friendly events such as hayrides, campfires, sightseeing, and pumpkin harvest days.

The farm’s fruit, local honey, seasonal décor, apple cider, and other goods are sold at the market.

Pumpkinland, a yearly display of unique animals made of pumpkins, is their most popular attraction.

Butler’s Orchard is well worth the 7.2-mile trip from Gaithersburg.

Visit the BlackRock Center for the Arts

Gaithersburg is roughly 13 minutes or 5.7 miles from BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown.

BlackRock has provided access to the arts for the past 20 years, including great programs, concerts, exhibitions, and family and community activities.

It has grown from a cultural arts center to a family resource center across Upcounty Montgomery County, Maryland.

BlackRock Center for the Arts is a premier performing arts center and visual arts gallery that showcases outstanding talent from throughout the globe.

High-quality concerts, visual art exhibitions, and community art education are available at the facility.

Pop, jazz, rock, classical, and folk music are among the genres represented, as are dance performances, theatrical plays, and even modern circus performances.

Check out the BlackRock Center’s numerous events for a thrilling weekend vacation.

Unwind at the Great Seneca Stream Valley Park

The Great Seneca Stream Valley Park near Watkins Mill Road in Germantown is a lovely natural park and escape.

The Greenway Trail runs through the park and offers various natural and ecological attractions, including many bird species.

Mountain bikers, hikers, and runners frequent the path by a lovely creek and links to other greenbelt trails.

The park offers paddleboat and canoe rentals, as well as a variety of events and activities.

They include a family-friendly playground, tents, and picnic tables for family occasions.

It’s a wonderfully tranquil, natural setting for unwinding after a long, tiring day.

Go on a Bike Ride at Schaeffer Farms Mountain Bike Trail

The Schaeffer Farms Mountain Biking Track is a 15-mile picturesque bike trail with a moderately complex ride.

It starts in nearby Germantown, Maryland, 16 minutes from Gaithersburg.

The trail is a terrific opportunity to introduce beginners to singletrack biking, with rolling terrain and enough roots to stay on your toes.

On weekends, the paths can be busy, and the corners might grow.

The track is a little lumpy in certain areas, with slopes and roots protruding, but it is not exclusively for experienced riders.

There is also lots of parking along the path, and the trails are designated.

The Schaeffer Farms Mountain Bike Trail features a lovely setting, with streams and meadows ideal for picnics.

Follow the bike route at Schaeffer Farms if you’re looking for a thrill ride.

Final Thoughts

As you go through Gaithersburg, you will come across both indoor and outdoor attractions.

Even though many of the sights are historical in nature, the locals are highly inventive, adding their touches to make the excursions and sites more interesting.

Germantown is a nearby tourist destination from Gaithersburg, too.

The community provides excitement and beautiful moments for your trip and an agenda of things to do.

There is never a dull moment in Gaithersburg, so come see for yourself!

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