Overview
Gaithersburg is a city of 70,000 people (2020) in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C.
1 sights · 6 things to do · 16 places to eat · 7 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Gaithersburg
Seneca Creek State Park
A 6,300-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 movie The Blair…
Gaithersburg Community Museum
In the 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex.
Water Park at Bohrer Park
Features a 250-foot water slide.
Agricultural History Farm Park
The Montgomery County Fair
Features Maryland farm and livestock displays, rides, and carnival attractions.
Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade
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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is a 45-minute drive from Gaithersburg. It is also accessible via ICC Bus 201.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $76–$110 a night (typical $110), from 3 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$230.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Gaithersburg Community Museum, Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade, Gaithersburg Book Festival
- Lunch Barking Mad Cafe
- Afternoon Water Park at Bohrer Park, The Montgomery County Fair
- Dinner Coastal Flats
- Evening Dogfish Head Ale House
Day 2
- Morning Agricultural History Farm Park
- Lunch Copper Canyon Grill
- Dinner Neal's Bagels
- Evening Shishababa's House of Hookah
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Gaithersburg was settled in 1765 for agricultural purposes. It grew into a town after the opening of a stop on the B&O Railroad in 1872; however, the area remained predominately rural until the 1970s. It is now famous for being the site of the headquarters of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Get in
By plane
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is a 45-minute drive from Gaithersburg. It is also accessible via ICC Bus 201.
Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a 35-minute drive from Gaithersburg and is accessible via the Metrorail (though this takes more time than driving).
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a 40-minute drive from Gaithersburg but takes significantly longer using public transportation.
By train
MARC offers service to/from Union Station in Washington, D.C. as well as service to/from Rockville, Germantown, Frederick, and Harpers Ferry via its Brunswick line. The schedule is geared towards commuters with relatively few trains during midday and none on weekends. Gaithersburg station is located at 5 S Summit Ave and Metropolitan Grove station is also in Gaithersburg.
The end of Metrorail<nowiki/>'s Red Line, Shady Grove Station, is very close to Gaithersburg.
By bus
RideOn Bus operates service between Gaithersburg and other locations in Montgomery County, including Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton.
By car
From D.C. and the south or west take the Capital Beltway (I-495) to Interstate 270 North. Exits 8, 9, 10, and 11 serve Gaithersburg.
Get around
By car
A car is best used to get around the city. The local public bus system, RideOn Bus, can be used if traveling along major routes.
See
Do
Parks
Do Seneca Creek State Park
A 6,300-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 movie The Blair Witch Project were filmed within the park boundaries.
Festivals and events
Do Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade
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.
Buy
Shop Downtown Crown
Vibrant walkable downtown neighborhood in a suburban setting with numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and green space.
Eat
Eat Barking Mad Cafe
Hip all-day café/restaurant that feels more Adams Morgan than Gaithersburg. Extremely popular for brunch on weekends. Open kitchen.
Eat Coastal Flats
Steak, seafood & pasta.
Eat Copper Canyon Grill
Known for its rotisserie chicken.
Eat Neal's Bagels
Excellent homemade bagels and all the other good stuff to go with them.
Eat New Fortune
One of the best Chinese restaurants in the Washington area, serving Dim Sum along with delicacies like sea cucumber and abalone.
Eat Outta the Way Cafe
As the name would suggest, this is way out of the way from downtown Gaithersburg.
Eat Paladar
Latin eatery & rum bar.
Eat Pho Nam
Small Vietnamese restaurant with excellent pho.
Eat Red, Hot & Blue
Memphis pit barbecue. 22 locations nationwide.
Eat Sardi's
Peruvian chicken.
Eat Ted's Montana Grill
Known for its bison burgers.
Eat Thai Express Restaurant
Thai food.
Eat Tortacos
Family-owned taqueria.
Eat Vasilis Mediterranean Grill
Greek food made from scratch.
Eat Ziki Japanese Steakhouse
Hibachi tables and sushi.
Eat Yuraku Japanese Restaurant
Excellent sushi and Japanese cuisine
Drink
Drink Dogfish Head Ale House
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.
Drink iRock Karaoke Lounge
Private karaoke rooms. Beer, sake, and Asian food.
Drink Old Town Pour House
90+ craft brews.
Drink Peppers Taco & Wine Bar
More than 90 craft brews.
Drink Union Jack's British Pub
Billiards, darts, and live music.
Drink Greene Growlers
Restaurant, craft brewery and whiskey bar in Olde Town. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Sleep
Go next
- Rockville
- Frederick
- Germantown
- Washington, D.C. — About 25 minutes south via Interstate 270 or Metro.
Nearby
Germantown
City / town · 15 listings · 4 mi away
Rockville
City / town · 64 listings · 5 mi away
Potomac
City / town · 5 listings · 8 mi away
Olney
City / town · 18 listings · 9 mi away
Rural Montgomery County
Rural area · 17 listings · 9 mi away
Great Falls
City / town · 8 listings · 10 mi away
Glenmont
City / town · 19 listings · 10 mi away
Kensington
City / town · 13 listings · 11 mi away
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