Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a community of 69,397 people in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Why visit Bethesda
Townapedia lists 115 museums and landmarks, 110 parks and trails, 205 places to eat, 15 places to stay and 14 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Round House Theatre, Glen Echo Park Aquarium, Avalon Theatre and Bethesda Theatre.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88°F; January lows average 26°F.
Weather in Bethesda
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Bethesda
Bethesda () is an unincorporated, census-designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. Located just northwest of Washington, D.C., it is a major business and government center of the Washington metropolitan region and a national center for medical research. According to the 2020 census, the community had a population of 68,056.
From the Wikipedia article Bethesda, Maryland (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do14
American Legion Memorial Bridge
Bridge · 3.5 mi
Potomac River crossing between the states of Maryland and Virginia, United States
American University
School · 3.9 mi
Private liberal arts and research-based university in Washington, D.C., USA
Chain Bridge
Bridge · 4.0 mi
Viaduct (bridge) which crosses the Potomac River at Little Falls in Washington, D.C.
Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre
Cinema and theater · 3.7 mi
Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Mondzac Performing Arts Center
Cinema and theater · 0.6 mi
6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda
2 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks115
Avalon Theatre
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Movie theater in Washington, D. C.
5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest
Bethesda Theatre
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Movie theater and theater in Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Glen Echo Park
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Arts and cultural center at former amusement park in Maryland, United States
7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo
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Seymour Krieger House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Historic house in Bethesda, Maryland, United States
6739 Brigadoon Drive
Alban Towers
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.7 mi
Historic apartment building in Washington, DC
All Hallows Guild Carousel
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.8 mi
Historic carousel housed at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Babcock-Macomb House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.1 mi
Historic house in Washington, D.C., United States
Battleground National Cemetery
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.1 mi
American Civil War burial ground of Union Army soldiers in Washington, D.C., US
Bethesda Meeting House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Historic Presbyterian church complex located in Bethesda, Maryland, United states
Carderock Springs Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Historic district in Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Carousel at Glen Echo Park
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Historic carousel at Glen Echo Park, Maryland, United States
Chain Bridge Road School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.2 mi
School building in Washington, D.C., United States of America
103 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds110
Carderock Springs Neighborhood Conservation Area
Hiking and trails · 2.7 mi
Neighborhood Conservation
6615 80th Place, Cabin John
Chevy Chase Circle
Park · 2.6 mi
Traffic circle and park on the Washington, D.C. – Maryland border
Little Falls Stream Valley Park
Hiking and trails · 1.9 mi
This 160-acre park stretches from Fairfax Road at its northernmost point to Macarthur Boulevard at its southernmost point.
98 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes205
Berries & Bowls
Restaurant · Juice, Smoothies, Bowls, Healthy · 1.1 mi
We're a family-owned cafe serving health-conscious acai bowls, smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, chia puddings, and toast. Made with only...
4961 Elm Street, Bethesda
Mo-Su 09:00-20:00
Aventino Cucina Romana
Restaurant · Italian · 1.4 mi
4747 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda
Tu-Th 11:30-14:30, 17:00-21:00; Fr 11:30-14:30, 17:00-22:00; Sa...
Clyde's
Diner · American · 2.5 mi
5441 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase
Mo-Th 11:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00; Su 11:00-24:00
Dok Khao
Restaurant · Thai · 2.3 mi
8551 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase
Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su-Th 11:00-22:00
Fialova
Restaurant · New American · 1.2 mi
8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda
Mo-Fr 06:30-10:30, 17:00-23:00; Sa-Su 07:00-11:00, 17:00-23:00
Little Beast
Restaurant · Pizza · 2.8 mi
5600 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington
Su-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-00:00
Maggiano's Little Italy
Restaurant · Italian · 2.6 mi
5333 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest
Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr 11:30-23:00; Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Opal
Restaurant · Seafood · 2.8 mi
5534 Connecticut Avenue Northwest
Mo-Th 12:00-15:00,17:00-21:30; Fr 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:30; Sa...
PLANTA
Diner · American · 1.2 mi
4910 Elm Street, Bethesda
Mo-Th 11:30-21:30; Fr 11:30-22:00; Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:30
Passage to India
Restaurant · Indian · 1.1 mi
4931 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda
We-Mo 11:30-14:15, 17:00-21:15
Pines of Rome
Restaurant · Italian · 1.1 mi
4918 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda
Mo-Th 11:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:00; Su 12:00-21:30
193 more on the map.
History
Bethesda is located in the traditional territory of the indigenous Native Piscataway and Nacotchtank at the time of European colonization. Fur trader Henry Fleet became the first European to visit the area, reaching it by sailing up the Potomac River. He stayed with the Piscataway tribe from 1623 to 1627, either as a guest or prisoner (historical accounts differ). Fleet eventually secured funding for another expedition to the region and was later granted proprietary rights to 2,000 acres of land in the nascent colony and became a member of Maryland's colonial legislature. Raids from the Senecas and Susquehannock resulted in the creation of the Maryland division of Rangers in 1694 to patrol the frontier.
Most settlers in colonial Maryland were tenant farmers who paid their rent in tobacco, and colonists continued to expand farther north in search of fertile land. Henry Darnall (1645–1711) surveyed a 710-acre (290-hectare) area in 1694 which became the first land grant in Bethesda. Tobacco farming was the primary way of life in Bethesda throughout the 1700s. The city avoided seeing action during the Revolutionary War, although it became a supply region for the fledgling Continental Navy. The establishment of Washington, D.C., in 1790 deprived Montgomery County of its economic center at Georgetown, although the event had little effect on the small farmers throughout Bethesda.
From the History section of Bethesda, Maryland on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay15
The Bethesdan Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Motel and hotel · 1.2 mi
8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda
Embassy Suites by Hilton Bethesda Washington DC
Motel and hotel · 2.6 mi
6711 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Chevy Chase Pavilion
Motel and hotel · 2.6 mi
4300 Military Road Northwest, Washington
Hilton Garden Inn - Washington, D.C./ Bethesda
Motel and hotel · 1.5 mi
7301 Waverly Street, Bethesda
Churches and places of worship45
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 2.7 mi
7730 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda
Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George
Church · Greek Orthodox · 2.7 mi
7701 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda
Christian Science Society, Chevy Chase
Church · Christ Scientist · 2.3 mi
7901 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase
Shopping47
Gas and EV charging17
Schools, colleges and libraries98
Healthcare23
CARE - Clinics for Abortion & Reproductive Excellence
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.7 mi
10401 Old Georgetown Road (MDBR 187), Bethesda
Passport Health Bethesda Travel Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.7 mi
6903 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda
Map of Bethesda
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 26°F | 3.3 in | 2.9 in |
| Feb | 46°F | 27°F | 3.2 in | 1.4 in |
| Mar | 55°F | 34°F | 4.2 in | 0.7 in |
| Apr | 68°F | 44°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 76°F | 54°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 84°F | 63°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 88°F | 68°F | 5.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 86°F | 66°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 79°F | 59°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 68°F | 47°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 56°F | 36°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 47°F | 30°F | 3.8 in | 0.8 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Dalecarlia Rsvr (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Montgomery County has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2020-03-26: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2016-03-04: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2012-11-20: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
- 2012-10-28: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
College Park Airport (CGS) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 11 miles away.
- Washington 8 mi southeast, about 13 min by car
- Arlington 8 mi south, about 12 min by car
- Aspen Hill 8 mi north, about 12 min by car
- Adelphi 8 mi east, about 13 min by car
- Beltsville 11 mi east, about 18 min by car
- Alexandria 12 mi south, about 19 min by car
- Columbia 20 mi northeast, about 33 min by car
- Bowie 21 mi east, about 33 min by car
- Accokeek 22 mi south, about 36 min by car
- Arbutus 29 mi northeast, about 46 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Bethesda Montage, westroopnerd, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2016-10-19 17 33 06 View west along Maryland State Route 188 (Wilson Lane) at Maiden Lane in Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2020-06-12 15 14 17 View east along Maryland State Route 188 (Wilson Lane) at Aberdeen Road in Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Moreland, Bethesda 1, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Moreland, Bethesda 2, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Thomas W Pyle Middle School Bethesda MD MCPS parking lot 20210320 123149 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Thomas W Pyle Middle School Bethesda MD MCPS 20210320 122826 1 16x9, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Walt Whitman High School Bethesda MD MCPS 20210320 120822 1 16x9, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Walt Whitman High School Bethesda MD Jerome M Marco Stadium MCPS 20210320 120918 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Greenwich Neighborhood Park entrance Bethesda MD 20210422 080820 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Hillmead park Bethesda MD 2022-04-30 18-16-31 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Bradley Park Bethesda MD 20210416 084033 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad front Bethesda MD MCFRS 20210421 174911 1 crop, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bradley Hills Elementary School Bethesda MD MCPS 20210314 154511 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad building Bethesda MD MCFRS 20210421 174817 1 crop, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bethesda Trolley Trail at MD-187 Bethesda MD 20210430 072527 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Middlebrooke 5015 Battery Ln Bethesda MD 2021-11-28 12-05-40 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Suburban Hospital main entrance Bethesda MD 20210430 073615 1 crop, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Bethesda trolley trail at nih in bethesda md 20200913 152856 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 3.0
- Old Georgetown Office Park Bethesda MD 2021-12-03 08-28-39 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Smokey Haze in Bethesda MD 2023-06-08 07-46-18, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- Suburban Florist Bethesda MD 2021-12-03 08-29-04 1, G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0
- GlenEchoNeonEntrance, Mary Ann Daly, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Chevy Chase Theater, AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0
- SEYMOUR KRIEGER HOUSE, BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY COUNTY MD, JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bethesda Theater, Bethesda, MD, Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Union Arch Bridge MD 2008, Moreau1, Public domain
- R & LM Stone House DC, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Convent de Bon Secours, AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0
- GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY ON VIRGINIA, LOOKING NORTH TO KEY BRIDGE, Yoichi Okamoto, Public domain
- David Taylor Model Basin - exterior view, c. 1946, U.S. Navy, Public domain
- Wilson-high-dc, Slowking4, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fox Hall Village HD DC, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cumberland Basin looking North, Bonnachoven, CC0
- Eldbrooke UM Church DC, Smallbones, CC0
- Samuel and Harriet Burrows House, DC, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Dumblane, DC, AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0
- US Navy 030820-N-9593R-114 The entrance to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. Navy photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Seth Rossman., Public domain
- 2006 08 17 - 191@Bradmoor - EB 1, Andrew Bossi, CC BY-SA 2.5
- 2006 08 17 - 191@Bradmoor - SB, Andrew Bossi, CC BY-SA 2.5
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