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Gaithersburg is in Montgomery County, Maryland. The former small town and railroad stop has become a connected suburb of Washington, D.C. and a significant city in its own right. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) headquarters is in Gaithersburg.

Get in

As a suburb of a major city (Washington, D.C.) with another major city less than an hour away (Baltimore), getting into Gaithersburg is relatively easy. Flights into the region are plentiful, with three commercial airports to choose from: Reagan National (DCA), Dulles (IAD), and Marshall-Baltimore (BWI).

Inter-city bus and train service is harder to come by. The nearest Greyhound terminals are located in Frederick, Silver Spring, and Washington, some distance away. The nearest Amtrak station is in downtown Rockville, located to the south. Regionally, however, Gaithersburg fares better. The western terminus of WMATA's Metro Red Line is at Shady Grove, lies just over the city's southeastern boundary. Gaithersburg sees Brunswick Line service on the MARC commuter rail system at Washington Grove, Gaithersburg, and Metropolitan Grove. These stations, in turn, form the hubs for bus service throughout the city operated by Metro [1] and Montgomery County's Ride-On system.

But outside of Old Town and a few developments like the Lakelands or the Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg is easiest to get into and around by car. The city is convenient to Washington from Interstate 270 North, about 10 miles north of the Capital Beltway (I-495); use exits 8, 9, 10, or 11. Gaithersburg is also near the terminus of I-370 / MD-200, which locals know as the Inter-County Connector, a toll road which connects I-270 to U.S. Route 1 and points in between, including Interstate 95. Maryland 355, called Frederick Road or Frederick Avenue through most of the city, runs all the way from downtown Frederick, about 20 miles north, to the border with D.C., where it continues to the Potomac as Wisconsin Avenue NW.

Get around

The Montgomery County Ride On bus annd WMATA's Metrobus carve several routes through Gaithersburg, connecting its neighborhoods to Gaithersburg's rail stations and to other points in the region.

Bike Gaithersburg has mapped a number of bikeways through the city, representing a mix of surface streets, trails, and mixed-use pathways. Old Town Gaithersburg and some of the newer mixed-use developments also offer pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining options. But otherwise, a car will be a great help for getting around.

See

  • The Downtown Shopping District/Old Town Gaithersburg retains a number of early 20th century "Main Street" style buildings. The old rail station has been converted into a Firehouse Cue restaurant. Train museum (free) with historic displays and small model RR.
  • Kentlands a neighborhood in Gaithersburg and a neo-traditional model of new urbanism.
  • City Parks, Gaithersburg has 23 parks that include more than 522 acres.
  • Downtown Crown, 113 Ellington Blvd. Mixed used community with residential, restaurants, retail, bars and a summer concert from mid June to mid July on Thursdays from 6 to 8PM in a suburban setting. 

Derwood area

Do

  • The Montgomery County Fair, June and July features Maryland farm and livestock displays, rides and carnival attractions.
  • Seneca Creek State Park (main entrance on Clopper Road). A 6300-acre historic park featuring hiking/mountain biking trails, a lake where visitors can rent canoes or paddle boats and go fishing, picnic areas, and hunting for deer and other game. Scenes from The Blair Witch Project were filmed within the park boundaries.
  • Water Park at Bohrer Park, 512 S Frederick Ave, ☏ +1 301 258-6445. 
  • Gaithersburg Book Festival, Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue. Annual Book festival held in May that began in 2010 with free admission and (and free shuttle from Lakeforest Mall) on the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall in downtown Gaithersburg. The festival features more than 100 nationally known authors and includes authors signing books, writing workshops, cooking demonstrations, children's activities and food trucks selling food. (updated May 2015)
  • Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade, downtown Gaithersburg. Annual Labor Day parade held on Labor Day in downtown Gaithersburg since 1938 with fire trucks, bands, ethnic dance groups, antique cars and giant ballons, Free parking in the Olde Towne garage, located at corner of Olde Towne and South Summit Avenues and a free shuttle bus from Lakeforest Mall free. (updated Sep 2015)

Buy

  • Lakeforest Mall, 701 Russell Ave. Sears, Macy's, J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor, and more. 
  • Washingtonian Center, 9811 Washingtonian Boulevard. Target, Barnes & Noble, Pier 1, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, and more. 
  • Kentlands. Lowe's, Kmart, USPS, Bally Total Fitness, Whole Foods, Giant, Michael's, Kentlands Theater, and more. 
  • Wonderbook, 15976 Shady Grove Rd, ☏ +1 301 977-9166. Open Mon-Sun 10am-8pm. Good inexpensive used book store with used books, DVD's, video games and CD's for sale and special room of $1 books for sale. 

Eat

  • Roy's Place, 2 E Diamond Ave, ☏ +1 301 948-5548. A Gaithersburg institution. Over 200 unique sandwiches in a relaxed and quirky atmosphere. Few vegetarian choices. 
  • Famous Dave's Barbecue Restaurant, 917 Quince Orchard Rd, ☏ +1 240 683-0435. 
  • New Fortune, 16515 South Frederick Avenue (north of I-370, in the Walnut Hill shopping center), ☏ +1 301 548-8886. Su-Th 11AM-1AM; F-Sa 11AM-2AM; Dim Sum served daily 11AM-3PM. One of the best Chinese restaurants in the Washington area, serving Dim Sum along with delicacies like sea cucumber and abalone. 
  • Red, Hot & Blue, Corner of Crabbs Branch Way (16881) and Shady Grove Rd., ☏ +1 301 948-7333. Memphis Pit Barbecue. 
  • BoneFish Grill, 82 Market Street, ☏ +1 240 631 2401. A lively Seafood restaurant with amazing food and great service 
  • Buca di Beppo, 122 Kentlands Blvd, ☏ +1 301 947-7346. Italian, family style restaurant 
  • Pho Nam, 15942 Shady Grove Rd Gaithersburg, MD 20877, ☏ +1 240 632-9500. Mon-Sun. 11AM - 8PM. Small Vietnamese restaurant with excellent pho. under $10. 
  • Neal's Bagels, 12141 Darnestown Road Gaithersburg, MD 20878-2205, ☏ +1 301 216-0070. Excellent homemade bagels and all the other good stuff to go with them. 

Drink

  • Growler's. A delightful microbrewery located in the heart of Old Towne Gaithersburg. This pub features live entertainment, a dynamic menu and delicious seasonal beer. 
  • Dogfish Head Ale House, 800 West Diamond Ave., Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, ☏ +1 301 963-4847. Another jewel of Gaithersburg, this bar is popular with the happy hour crowd from the many local biotechnology companies. It features award-winning beer and a wide and varied menu. 

Sleep

  • Summerfield Suites, 200 Skidmore Blvd. (Located in the middle of the Maryland Technology Corridor along I-270), ☏ +1 301 527-6000, fax: +1 301 527-1800. $90-$400. 
  • Motel 6, I-270 South exit #11, North exit #10, 497 Quince Orchard Road, ☏ +1 301 977-3311, fax: +1 301 990-1053. 
  • Reynolds Bed & Breakfast. In the Derwood area.

Go next

Routes through Gaithersburg
Frederick ← Germantown ←  W  E  → Rockville → Washington, D.C.
END ←  N  S  → Rockville → East End, Washington
Martinsburg ← Germantown ←  NW  SE  → Rockville → Washington, D.C.


This city travel guide to Gaithersburg is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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