Bethesda is a bustling urban community located in Montgomery County, Maryland just north of the city boundary of Washington, DC. Downtown Bethesda is home to 20 art galleries, more than 200 ethnic restaurants, two live theatres, music and dance studios and numerous boutiques. The area is renowned for three of the world’s leading biomedical research centers — the National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine and the National Naval Medical Center.
According to the 2000 Census, the Bethesda community is the best-educated city in the nation with a population of 50,000 or more. 79% of residents 25 or older have bachelor’s degrees and 49% have graduate or professional degrees. The median income for a household is $99,102, and the median income for a family was $130,160. The area attracts professionals because of its convenience to DC, its first rate schools and the numerous amenities within Downtown Bethesda.
Location
North of Washington, DC, West of Chevy Chase, and East of I-495.
The area commonly known as Downtown Bethesda is centered at the intersection of Wisconsin with Maryland Route 187, Old Georgetown Road, and Maryland Route 410, East-West Highway.
Metro Stations Near Bethesda
Bethesda, Medical Center, Grosvenor and White Flint
Zipcodes
20814, 20815, 20817, 20852 and 20854
Points of Interest in Bethesda
National Institutes of Health
National Naval Medical Center
National Library of Medicine
Cabin John Park
Strathmore Hall
Writer’s Center
Round House Theatre
The Bethesda Theatre
Imagination Stage
Bethesda Farmer’s Market
Bethesda Row Cinema
Free Bethesda 8 Trolley
The Bethesda 8 Trolley, a free trolley service makes it easy to get around town. The trolley makes 21 stops from Bethesda Avenue to Rugby Avenue. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m.-Midnight, Friday from 7 a.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday from 6 p.m.-2 a.m.
Outdoor Dining at Bethesda Restaurants
Bethesda has nearly 200 restaurants. It is especially nice to dine outdoors in good weather. See Bethesda Restaurants with outdoor seating.
Bethesda’s Neighborhood Festivals
Bethesda Literary Festival
Dance Bethesda
Imagination Bethesda
Taste of Bethesda
Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
Bethesda Restaurant Week
Bethesda Art Walk
Bethesda Outdoor Movies
Bethesda Row Arts Festival
Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland