Bethesda
Discover Bethesda
Bethesda is in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1½ miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Wealthy and well-educated, Bethesda is best known for its numerous restaurants and as the headquarters of the National Institutes of Health. Bethesda was a quiet suburb until 1984, when the Red Line of the Metrorail was extended. This brought an explosion of growth, and many high rise office and apartment buildings were built. Bethesda became the major suburban destination in Maryland for wining and dining, and is much more family-friendly than anywhere in D.C. Bethesda is one of the richest and most educated areas in the U.S.
Taste of Bethesda...
Bethesda is known throughout the Washington D.C. area for its nearly 200 restaurants. Bethesda, like most of the county, is very safe. This being an urban area, it wouldn't hurt to be watchful of your belongings, though.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Bethesda.
Bethesda is known throughout the Washington D.C. area for its nearly 200 restaurants. Bethesda, like most of the county, is very safe. This being an urban area, it wouldn't hurt to be watchful of your belongings, though.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBaltimore-Washington International (BWI), Dulles International (IAD), and Washington Reagan National (DCA) airports are more or less equidistant by taxi from downtown Bethesda, usually taking about 30-45 minutes, without traffic. Budget an extra 30 minutes during rush hour. For information on getting from the airports to Bethesda, see Washington, D.C.#Get_in Bethesda is served by WMATA trains via its Red Line; travel time from central Washington, D.C. is just over 20 minutes. 38.984664-77.0945981 Bethesda Station is located at the intersection of Wisconsin Ave and Old Georgetown Road. Eventually, the Purple Line will be built, giving easy access to Silver Spring and the campus of the University of Maryland. Ride-on-Bus and MetroBus operate service between downtown Bethesda and other locations in Montgomery County, including Rockville, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. Wisconsin Ave (Route 355) and Connecticut Avenue run from Downtown Washington DC to Bethesda....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Bethesda Circulator operates free bus service within downtown Bethesda. It runs every 10 minutes M-Th 7AM-11PM, F 7AM-midnight, Sa 10AM-2AM, Su no service. Ride-on-Bus and MetroBus operate service between downtown Bethesda and other locations in Bethesda, including Montgomery Mall and the National Institutes of Health. You can walk around downtown Bethesda — it's not so big. Parking is usually only available in the public garages, which have rates between $1.50 and $2.00 per hour. Parking meters cost $2.25 per hour. Parking enforcement is aggressive and fines start at $45 for an expired meter. Bethesda is not known for its sights; it's known for its restaurants and bars. Nonetheless, you might be interested to see: Bethesda Urban Partnership sponsors many events including free concerts, movie showings, and art exhibitions, all of which are posted on the website. Bethesda is known throughout the Washington D.C. area for its nearly 200 restaurants.
Where to Stay
Bethesda, like most of the county, is very safe. This being an urban area, it wouldn't hurt to be watchful of your belongings, though.
Money & Budget
Bethesda is known throughout the Washington D.C. area for its nearly 200 restaurants. Bethesda, like most of the county, is very safe. This being an urban area, it wouldn't hurt to be watchful of your belongings, though.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Bethesda, like most of the county, is very safe. This being an urban area, it wouldn't hurt to be watchful of your belongings, though.