Gaithersburg, MD

Travel Guide

Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg
Bethesda, MD
Gaithersburg

Inspect the old locomotives at the railroad museum and retrace the steps of the Blair Witch in this community with many parks.

Gaithersburg is a pleasant and intriguing town that grew in the 19th century along with the historic B&O Railroad. It is known for its diverse shopping options and vast parks and as the site of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Snap photos of quaint townhouses and enjoy the town’s charming ambiance.

Browse the stores spread across two levels of the Lakeforest Mall. Enjoy meals in bars and restaurants or the mall’s food court. Bring your kids to the Adventure Kids Club at Lakeforest Mall. Other shopping centers in the town include the RIO Washingtonian Center and Gaithersburg Square. Wander down the lively commercial street of Downtown Crown for its shops, restaurants and small parks.

Understand the importance of the railroad to the town at Gaithersburg Community Museum, housed in the restored redbrick 1884 B&O Railroad Station. Use the interactive displays that showcase an old schoolroom and a bank. You can also see some of the trains that used these tracks, including a 1918 Buffalo Creek and a Gauley #14 Steam Locomotive.

Aside from those rainy day activities, Gaithersburg has a range of parks and lakes that are ideal for its hot and humid summers. Hike along the paths of the Lake Bernard Frank Trail and delight the family with a trip to the slides and pools of the Water Park at Bohrer Park. In the western suburbs, you’ll find the 6,300-acre (2,500-hectare) Seneca Creek State Park, where much of The Blair Witch Project was filmed. Rent canoes and paddle boats to take out on Clopper Lake.

The town is in the northwestern outskirts of Washington D.C. in the heart of Montgomery County. Drive northwest from the nation’s capital for 22 miles (35 kilometers) and get here in about 45 minutes. You can also arrive via a combination of the metro system and buses. Get around the main sights of the city by car.

Gaithersburg is a shopping haven with fascinating links to its railroad past.

Washington Plaza Hotel
Washington Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
The price is ¥15,634 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
¥15,634
¥18,128 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,404 reviews)
"Great place to stay"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is ¥16,064 per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
¥16,064
¥22,970 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,439 reviews)
"The hotel was closer to the White House than I expected, only a short walk. The staff was very helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
3.5 out of 5
900 S Orme St, Arlington, VA
The price is ¥14,200 per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
¥14,200
¥16,223 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Arlington. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free airport shuttle, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,309 reviews)
"Courteous and always-smiling reception desk staff. Well-designed lobby. Good-sized room and toilet. Hotel entrance from street is hard to identify (no sign & not well-lighted). There's one light switch (for the overhead wall light) that is very hard to identify (a small black button)."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Glover Park - Georgetown
Glover Park - Georgetown
4 out of 5
Washington
Stay at this aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,477 reviews)
"Great location if you like to walk... It is above Georgetown in a safe neighborhood. Worth paying up for a high floor with a view of the Washington monument."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Glover Park - Georgetown
The Churchill Hotel near Embassy Row
The Churchill Hotel near Embassy Row
4 out of 5
1914 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC
Stay at this 4-star luxury aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,788 reviews)
"Other than checkin. Where we didn’t get any information about the p"

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

The Churchill Hotel near Embassy Row
The River Inn
The River Inn
4 out of 5
924 25th St NW, Washington, DC
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,716 reviews)
"The property is in a lovely area. It’s only 25 min walk from the National Mall and 20 min from the White House. I liked the extra space in our room and the bunk beds for the kids."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

The River Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Gaithersburg

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
126
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
126
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
57
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
7
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Kb

It was okay needs more good food

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I would recommend it to any of my friend

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Didn’t go to sightsee. Was with friends in Germantown

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I went for a conference. But evening walks near the hotel, took us to an apartment complex and some malls nearby. We like the style of the buildings and layout.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Recommend Hershey’s Restaurant for good home cooked food. Casual and a local favorite.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It’s pleasant enough

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