Walking distance, Bethesda metro station (Silver Spring, Rockville: theater, restaurants, buses)

[normie]

We're bored and thinking of having a little adventure... taking the red line metro and just getting off at a random stop somewhere near the end of the line to see what's there. A little field trip, you might say.

However, I don't know much about the stops in Maryland. Just taking a wild guess I'd say we should get off at Bethesda if we want to find some interesting things within walking distance of the metro station.

What do you think? Am I way off? Is there another red-line stop you'd recommend?

[Tim Rankin]

Normie, the red line has a buch of good stops. Bethesda is definitely walking distance to downtown Bethesda, but you could also do Dupont Circle, or Cleveland Park for some great eateries, Woodley for the zoo, etc. That whole corridor is pretty fun.

[CHIP72]

In Maryland on the Red Line, I'd suggest Friendship Heights (on the DC/MD line), Bethesda, and Rockville on the western branch and Silver Spring and perhaps Wheaton on the eastern branch. Out of those stops, I'd rank Bethesda first, Silver Spring second, and Rockville third (slightly ahead of Friendship Heights).

There are also some things to check out near White Flint, Twinbrook (both western branch), and a lesser degree Glenmont, though the development near all 3 stations tends to be commercial strip development. Both White Flint and Twinbrook (as well as Friendship Heights, Bethesda, and Rockville) are near Wisconsin Avenue/Rockville Pike (aka MD 355) and White Flint is near the eponymously named mall.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

Normie, the red line has a buch of good stops. Bethesda is definitely walking distance to downtown Bethesda, but you could also do Dupont Circle, or Cleveland Park for some great eateries, Woodley for the zoo, etc. That whole corridor is pretty fun.

Great--so what are some fun things to do in downtown Bethesda? Things that are no more than 1 mile from the metro (maybe two miles if it's really great).

[Marilyn Emery]

Great restaurants. If you get off at Grosevnor or White Flint you can walk to the Strathmore. I don't know what exhibits are there now but I am sure you can find out from their website.

Have fun

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by normie

Great--so what are some fun things to do in downtown Bethesda?

Probably like Marilyn said...eat. Lots of restaurants to pick from. We usually just walk around and see what strikes our fancy. I'm sure there's other entertainment too [eg. theater]. A while back we used to meet up with friends @ Rockbottom Brewery, although not so much anymore. They have a decent bar, and some pool tables upstairs, if you're into that kind of thing.

[Iaponte]

My favorite restaurant is in Bethesda - Houston's Restuarant. Just a couple of blocks from the metro. The hawaiin steak is the best!!! Also, try the traditional salad with butter milk garlic.

[Joykins]

There are some great restaurants there.

If you go to where the buses enter the station, turn left, and go south a few blocks on Woodmont you will hit a row of restaurants. If you turn right on Elm Street and go past the Baja Fresh you can visit the new pedestrian mall. Across the street is a park with playground and the library. If you continue on Woodmont without turning on Elm, you will end up near the Barnes and Noble--there are the Bethesda Row cinemas there and Giffords ice cream. There are also tons of restaurants there.

[CHIP72]

The following site should be helpful:

Downtown Bethesda website

The Metro station is located at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355), East West Highway, and Georgetown Road.