Things to Do in Montgomery County, MD

The Agricultural Reserve is a nationally acclaimed land-use plan that was established in 1980 in response to the rapid disappearance of Montgomery County farms. The Agricultural Reserve is 93,000 acres of farmland that has been called “the country’s most successful farmland preservation program.”

Agricultural Reserve Website

Visit the F. Scott Fitzgerald Gravesite located at the historic Saint Mary’s Cemetery. While intervening years took Fitzgerald around the world, Maryland never left his
heart. People, places, and experiences in Rockville found their way into his writings. The author's life-long connection to Rockville was maintained through correspondence,
family ties and visits and, in 1940, as his final resting place.

F. Scott Fitzgerald Burial Site Website

The Josiah Henson Site (formerly called the "Riley Farm/Uncle Tom's Cabin") is a historic resource of local, state, national and international significance because of its association with Reverend Josiah Henson, whose 1849 autobiography inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's landmark novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Riley farm was where Henson lived and worked as a slave from 1795 to 1830. The existing frame building, possibly dating to the late 18th century, was the home of Isaac Riley.

Josiah Henson Historic Site (Uncle Tom’s Cabin) Website

Take a scenic ride along the Maryland Civil War Trails. The Lee Invades Maryland Trail begins with Robert E.Lee crossing the Potomac River into Maryland at White Ford. Stops along the route include Poolesville , Beallsville, Barnesville, Comus, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Monocacy Aqueduct. The trail then moves to site in Frederick and on the Antietam Battlefield.

Maryland Civil War Trails Website

The National Museum of Health and Medicine, founded during the Civil War as the Army Medical Museum, tells the story of military medicine. Artifacts include the bullet that killed President Abraham Lincoln, skeletal remains and wet tissue specimens, surgical kits and other medical tools, and more.

National Museum of Health and Medicine Website

The park, comprised of 6,300 acres, extends along 14 scenic miles of Seneca Creek, as it winds its way to the Potomac River. The Clopper Day-Use Area contains many scenic areas, including the 90-acre Clopper Lake, surrounded by forests and fields. Picnicking, boat rentals, trails and a tire playground are just some of its recreational opportunities. A restored 19th century cabin and a self-guided path interpret the history of the area. Nearby, the Schaeffer Farm Trail Area offers 12 miles of marked trails for hiking and mountain biking. For the more adventuresome hiker, the 16.5-mile Seneca Creek Greenway Trail follows the entire course of the river. During May, the Schwartz peony gardens and field plants are in bloom.

Seneca Creek State Park Website

The Silver Spring Heritage Trail was dedicated in 2010 and is Montgomery County's first trail dedicated to the exploration of a community's local history. The first six of twenty planned signs are located on a four block stretch of historic "Main Street" Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. Each sign relates unique stories of the men, women, and places that contributed to making Georgia Avenue a rare surviving example of an early to mid 20th century commercial street scape.

Download the Silver Spring Heritage Trail map

View "Montgomery County Hidden Treasures - On the Right Track: Silver Spring's Historic Train Station"

Silver Spring Heritage Trail Website

Sugarloaf Mountain has been designated a Registered Natural Landmark because of its geological interest and striking beauty.

Sugarloaf Mountain Website

The gold-spired Washington D.C. Temple is a well-known landmark along the Capitol Beltway in Kensington. The marble-clad, 288-foot high structure sits on a 57-acre wooded hilltop. The beauty of this edifice is enhanced by its award-winning gardens, reflecting pool and many specimen trees which are open to the public. Inside the Visitors' Center one can watch movies, view interactive kiosks, or receive explanations about the purpose of the well-known landmark.

Open every day of the year from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Visitors' Center hosts free musical concerts, cultural celebrations, exhibits, and lectures. In December, during the annual Festival of Lights, half a million lights illuminate the grounds; other attractions include crèches from many nations and cultures, decorated holiday trees, and nightly concerts. There is no charge for any of the events held at the Visitors' Center.

Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center Website