Bethesda Maryland is certainly not the most popular spot on the tourist circuit but it is one of the more charming and unique. It isn't brimming with hundreds of attractions like Baltimore or Annapolis and it doesn't offer as much of the great outdoors as the area surrounding Frederick, but it does offer plenty of things to do for a few days or so. Bethesda travel is likely for those who are heading to Washington D.C. as the two are less than a half hour apart by car rental and less than an hour on public transportation. One notable advantage of Bethesda travel is that is boasts the most restaurants and eateries per capita than any other city in the United States.

Bethesda Maryland is just shy of 60,000 residents, creating a very pleasant and friendly-feeling stop, especially for those who love small town ambience. If that's you, than a Bethesda vacation could be just the thing to recharge your batteries or a great stop during Maryland tours. It's part of the greater area of Washington and is a nice little escape out of the hectic city rush. When visiting Bethesda travel to Chevy Chase, Rockville and Silver Springs is easy as the area is boundary-less. The National Institutes of Health are located in the city. If you're taking a few days off in the city, the institute is the place to go for tours. They offer excellent and informative public tours of the area. The location is also home to the C&O Canal National Historic Park. The historic park is situated alongside the ambling Potomac River and the almost 200-mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Park Trail.

The Dennis & Phillip Ratner Museum is wonderful Bethesda attraction and is of particular interest to art lovers. Visitors can explore the museum on Sundays between 10am and 4;30pm, taking in the many drawings, paintings, graphics and sculptures that are displayed throughout. McCrillis Gardens and Gallery is another Bethesda attraction with an assortment of beautiful art and plant displays to soak in. It's one of the more relaxing places to visit and a nice way to start the day. The National Library of Medicine, the largest of its kind in the world, might also be an interesting place to visit during a Bethesda vacation. It has a large collection of medical texts including many rare books and a great reading room.

Maryland Map

For culinary enthusiasts perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Bethesda travel is a tour of "restaurant row", a stretch of eight city blocks chock full of upscale restaurants and ethnic eateries. This is a Bethesda attraction worth taking stock of. After a wonderful meal head to the road between Bethesda and Rockville where a wealth of captivating shops and specialty stores offer terrific shopping adventures. This area is called "Miracle Mile" and if full of fantastic souvenirs, gifts and a slew of other items. If you love shopping and are visiting Bethesda Maryland drive to nearby Chevy Chase where Wisconsin Avenue, also dubbed "Fifth Avenue" offers fine upscale shopping.

Maryland golfing at Kenwood Golf & Country Club and the Congressional Country Club is another way to spend a great day testing your swing and getting to know some regular Bethesda golfers. Most Bethesda hotels are located close to all the city attractions, another appealing factor about small town travel. If you're hoping for a spa day you're in luck. The Aveda Environmental Lifestyle Salon & Spa offers cleansing body polishes, hot stone therapy, purifying facials, manicures and pedicures and a large assortment of other wonderful treatments to recharge and re energize. With two live theaters, almost two hundred excellent restaurants a large assortment of art galleries, a Bethesda vacation offers a number of unexpected surprises ideal for a weekend getaway or a few days' stay.