Overview
Kensington is a suburb of Washington, D.C. in the Capital Region of Maryland with a population of about 2,100 people in 2020. The main reasons to visit are antique shopping at Antique Row, to see the enormous Mormon Temple, and one great pizza place. Aside from that, it's just a quiet suburban town with some odd quirks. Sections of the "Town of Kensington" are really beautiful, with big old Victorian homes set in a nice community by parks and Antique Row—looking much as it did when Kensington was a summer getaway from the big city.
1 sights · 3 things to do · 6 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kensington
Glen Echo Park
LDS Mormon Temple Visitor Center
The Mormon Temple is by far and away Kensington's most significant attraction. Most people only see it from the Beltway, where it rises high above the treeline, looking similar enough to the Emerald Palace in the Wizard …
Kensington Skatepark
Rock Creek Trail
The 14-mile trail is a paved multi-use path that runs along Rock Creek. It is often used by bicyclists, runners, walkers, pets, and baby strollers. Take the trail north from Kensinton to go to Lake Needwood Regional Park…
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.
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
The main arteries leading north from Washington, D.C. and the Beltway are Connecticut Ave and Wisconsin Ave. Connecticut Ave runs straight through the center of Kensington. Turn right at Strathmore/Knowles Ave and follow it to the end to get to Antique Row.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning LDS Mormon Temple Visitor Center, Kensington Skatepark
- Lunch Continental Pizza
- Afternoon Rock Creek Trail, Glen Echo Park
- Dinner Frankly Pizza
- Evening Knowles Station Wine & Co.
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
Kensington borders Bethesda to the southwest and Silver Spring to the east.
Usually a quiet little suburb, Kensington made national news in 2001 when the city council banned Santa Claus from the neighborhood, citing the separation of Church and State. How on earth can this be possible, you ask? Some of the townspeople objected to having the local fire department flying around the neighborhood with a religious figure in tow, tossing candy to kids, so the town council banned Santa Claus from his usual fire engine tour of the town. Following national media attention, there was an enormous Santa Claus protest, where dozens of Santa Clauses arrived on motorcycles to assure Kensington that St Nick would indeed be coming to town!
Get in
By car
The main arteries leading north from Washington, D.C. and the Beltway are Connecticut Ave and Wisconsin Ave. Connecticut Ave runs straight through the center of Kensington. Turn right at Strathmore/Knowles Ave and follow it to the end to get to Antique Row.
Despite being so easy to see from the Beltway, the Mormon Temple is somewhat difficult to find because there is no direct way to get there from a Beltway exit. The easiest and most navigable path is to take Connecticut Avenue to Beach Drive eastbound and, when it ends, make a left turn on Stoneybrook Drive.
By rideshare
Uber is a popular method of transport in Kensington for those without a car.
By train
MARC operates service to/from Union Station in Washington DC on the Brunswick Line. The train also stops in Frederick, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. The train station in Kensington is on Antique Row. Trains are not frequent and usually only run during rush hour.
By bus
The bus fares are $1.75 and can be paid using a SmarTrip card.
Ride On Bus #5 operates service from the Silver Spring Metrorail Station. The bus stops near the Mormon Temple and on Antique Row.
Ride On Bus #34 operates service from the Bethesda, Medical Center, and Wheaton Metrorail Stations.
Get around
The center part of Kensington is small and compact enough to be easily walkable. Other parts of Kensington are easiest to get around by card. RideOn Bus 4 has stops at Antique Row, the Mormon Temple, and the center part of Kensington. The National Park Seminary is not connected by public transportation.
See
See LDS Mormon Temple Visitor Center
The Mormon Temple is by far and away Kensington's most significant attraction. Most people only see it from the Beltway, where it rises high above the treeline, looking similar enough to the Emerald Palace in the Wizard of Oz. It inspired a local graffiti artist to paint "Surrender Dorothy" on the overpass on the Outer Loop. (The temple is actually white, though.) It's not possible to enter the Mormon Temple itself unless you are a Mormon and hold a church-issued permit known as a "Temple recommend". However, the grounds are pretty, and there is a Visitor Center open to all and they've done a nice job with it. It hosts regular events (see website for calendar) and movie screenings throughout the day every day of the year, in addition to a permanent multimedia display. The building itself and the grounds surrounding it are immaculate and pretty. The season to visit the Mormon Temple is around Christmas. The light display is truly spectacular, especially given that the grounds and temple are impressive enough to merit a visit without the display. The light display runs throughout Advent, and is absolutely worth seeking out if you are in the area. In addition to the light display, the Visitor Center shows its best face, with more than a dozen large, decorated Christmas trees, international nativity scenes, and a live outdoor nativity scene. It's a great place for all ages, and is certain to stir a little of the Christmas spirit.
Do
Do Kensington Skatepark
Do Rock Creek Trail
The 14-mile trail is a paved multi-use path that runs along Rock Creek. It is often used by bicyclists, runners, walkers, pets, and baby strollers. Take the trail north from Kensinton to go to Lake Needwood Regional Park, where a person can rent canoes during the summer. Take the trail south from Kensington to go to Beach Drive in Washington, D.C., which leads to the Smithsonial National Zoo and the National Mall. There are some signs on the trail, but not quite enough, and it can sometimes be a bit unclear how to stay on the trail.
Buy
Shop Kensington Antique Row
The largest and oldest antiquing center in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Items for sale include everything from furniture to books. On-street parking, as well as shop parking is usually no problem.
Eat
Eat China Gourmet
A run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant, which, while having nothing-special food, is a nicely furnished place to sit over a meal. There's a well-stocked bar in the back.
Eat Continental Pizza
Continental is a hole-in-the-wall, with a unique-style, delicious pizza on the cheap. People drive from way out of town to get it. The steak and cheese sub is likely the best in the metropolitan area, and the fries are thick and smothered with Maryland's famous Old Bay. Cash only.
Eat The Dish & Dram
Food made with fresh ingredients. Extensive whiskey menu.
Eat Frankly Pizza
Brick-oven pizza. Seating either indoors or on their outdoor patio.
Eat K-Town Bistro
Fine dining in a casual, comfortable restaurant. International menu.
Eat JennyCakes Bakery
Cupcakes, cookies, and other tasty treats.
Drink
Drink Java Nation
Coffee, beer, and sandwiches.
Drink Knowles Station Wine & Co.
Wine, snacks, appetizers, salads, sandwiches
Sleep
Kensington does not have any hotels. Look in adjacent Bethesda or Silver Spring, both of which have plenty of hotel options.
Go next
The two natural destinations coming from Kensington, aside from heading back into Washington, D.C., are the dining and nightlife scenes in Silver Spring and Bethesda.
- Silver Spring is easy to get to by car (via the Beltway to the Georgia Ave exit) or Ride On Bus #5
- Bethesda is easy to get to by car via Wisconsin Ave south, or by Ride On Bus #34
Nearby
Wheaton
City / town · 27 listings · 2 mi away
Bethesda
City / town · 53 listings · 3 mi away
Glenmont
City / town · 19 listings · 4 mi away
Silver Spring
City / town · 46 listings · 4 mi away
Takoma Park
City / town · 43 listings · 5 mi away
Colesville-Burtonsville
City / town · 22 listings · 5 mi away
Rockville
City / town · 64 listings · 5 mi away
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Park · 6 listings · 6 mi away
My experience
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