Guidebook for Bethesda
Food Scene
Nando's
4839 Bethesda AveKids eat for free with adult entree Monday and Tuesday nights.
Kids love to watch them making the tortillas. Great kid menu and margaritas for adults.
21 locals recommend
Uncle Julio's Mexican From Scratch
13920 Promenade Commons StKids love to watch them making the tortillas. Great kid menu and margaritas for adults.
This restaurant is fabulous. Great middle eastern tapas, small plates for kids. Also fun date-night spot.
Kapnos Kouzina
4900 Hampden LnThis restaurant is fabulous. Great middle eastern tapas, small plates for kids. Also fun date-night spot.
Hands down the best French pastry shop I have encountered in the DC area!
12 locals recommend
Fresh Baguette
4919 Bethesda AveHands down the best French pastry shop I have encountered in the DC area!
Great for dinner with friends or family. Don't miss Wow Cow ice cream next door for dessert!
62 locals recommend
Ledo Pizza
7435 Georgia Ave NWGreat for dinner with friends or family. Don't miss Wow Cow ice cream next door for dessert!
The best French brasserie food with a very cool scene. Fine for families for lunch or early evening. More lively adult time after 7 pm.
513 locals recommend
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWThe best French brasserie food with a very cool scene. Fine for families for lunch or early evening. More lively adult time after 7 pm.
Drinks & Nightlife
Vino Volo
7243-7247 Woodmont AvenueGreat place with lovely wine and small dishes.
Barcelona Wine Bar
1622 14th St NWAnother great spot for drinks and meal.
Parks & Nature
There is an antique carousel, playground, puppet theatre and Children's Theater in this national park. Great cafe on site for lunch as well. They often have concerts.
10 locals recommend
Clara Barton National Historic Site
5801 Oxford RdThere is an antique carousel, playground, puppet theatre and Children's Theater in this national park. Great cafe on site for lunch as well. They often have concerts.
Huge and always different because of the changing seasons!
253 locals recommend
United States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave SWHuge and always different because of the changing seasons!
This trail is so beautiful and section A is good for kids. Also, a flat trail along the canal is parallel to the Billy Goat Trail. Lovely outing with friends or family.
49 locals recommend
Billy Goat Trail Section C
Billy Goat Trail Section CThis trail is so beautiful and section A is good for kids. Also, a flat trail along the canal is parallel to the Billy Goat Trail. Lovely outing with friends or family.
Located 5 minutes from our house, this trail can take you Downtown Bethesda (2.7 miles) or all the way to Georgetown.
28 locals recommend
Capital Crescent Trail
Capital Crescent TrailLocated 5 minutes from our house, this trail can take you Downtown Bethesda (2.7 miles) or all the way to Georgetown.
Entertainment & Activities
We love to go to the Key Bridge boathouse to rent canoes (or paddleboards!) and spend some time on the water. They have all equipment necessary including life preservers for kids and adults.
75 locals recommend
Boating in DC at Key Bridge Boathouse
3500 Water St NWWe love to go to the Key Bridge boathouse to rent canoes (or paddleboards!) and spend some time on the water. They have all equipment necessary including life preservers for kids and adults.
Bowlero Bethesda
5353 Westbard AveGood for rainy days. Serve good food too! Weekend nights can be crowded.
Sightseeing
We can never get enough of the National Mall and surrounding Smithsonian Museums, Tidal Basin, etc. Make a day of it! The only carousel in Washington, DC is located across Jefferson Drive from the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. There is a popcorn wagon there too. Bring the frisbee!
1111 locals recommend
National Mall
We can never get enough of the National Mall and surrounding Smithsonian Museums, Tidal Basin, etc. Make a day of it! The only carousel in Washington, DC is located across Jefferson Drive from the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. There is a popcorn wagon there too. Bring the frisbee!
Arts & Culture
HUGE HUGE favorite for adults and kids alike! Our family has gone at least 4 times.
231 locals recommend
International Spy Museum
700 L'Enfant Plaza SWHUGE HUGE favorite for adults and kids alike! Our family has gone at least 4 times.
Shopping
Cathedral Commons
3401 Idaho Ave NWAmazing selection of active wear, bathing suits and cover ups.
From Old Navy, to J Crew to World Market and DSW. Mazza Galleria has everything you are looking for!
22 locals recommend
Mazza Gallerie
5300 Wisconsin Ave NWFrom Old Navy, to J Crew to World Market and DSW. Mazza Galleria has everything you are looking for!
Bethesda Row
4827 Bethesda AveGreat strip of stores, coffee houses and restaurants.