Washington has transformed itself culturally in the years since the building of the Kennedy Center—from a city where people came to work, into a vibrant capital with an exciting array of after-work activities. Happily, this same transformation has taken place in many of its suburbs. Nowhere is this truer than in Bethesda!

In the 2000 U.S. Census, Bethesda was named the Best Educated City in America. Yet, despite the reputation for academic credentials, few of its citizens actually know the history of their own community. Bethesda took shape along an ancient Indian trail that developed further in the early 19th century as a toll road for commerce between Northwest Washington’s Georgetown area and Frederick, Maryland. The community took its name from a Presbyterian Church built in 1820 called the Bethesda Meeting House.

Bethesda grew slowly until a post-World War II housing boom galvanized the community and changed it from a collection of scattered farms and weekend houses to denser housing developments. A passenger trolley line enabled residents to travel to D.C.’s downtown F Street corridor to shop at Garfinkels, Galt’s, and Woodies; and lunch at Reeve’s or the old Occidental. The 1970s brought the Metro subway system and its handy Bethesda station on the Red line to improve links with the rest of the region. No wonder today’s residents are increasingly working and spending their leisure time in Bethesda, whose downtown is as hip as any D.C. suburb.

Traces of old Bethesda remain, like the historic Madonna of the Trail Monument that still stands proudly, in front of the Bethesda Post Office at 7400 Wisconsin Avenue. Dedicated in 1929 by Harry S. Truman, the Madonna of the Trail is one of twelve monuments from Bethesda to California that honor the spirit of American pioneer women. The Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative, founded in 1932, still sells food, flowers and other items every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from their Depression-era building at 7155 Wisconsin Avenue.

But increasingly, the old is giving way to the new —or at least being adapted for more modern uses. The old B & O Railroad track, which carried freight for almost one hundred years, has become the beloved Capital Crescent Trail. Running 11 miles from Georgetown through Bethesda to Silver Spring, the Crescent trail is a paved hiker/biker path used for both recreation and as a commuter bike route.

Downtown Bethesda today is a hub of diverse activity. Shopping possibilities have exploded, and there are more than thirty clothing stores in the town center, ranging from secondhand consignment shops to exclusive designer boutiques. A new star in the shopping district is Bethesda Lane, a marvelous pedestrian walkway between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street that makes even window-shopping a treat!

Feel hungry?

No need to go all the way to Washington for dinner anymore. Many favorite restaurants have opened locations in Bethesda: Brasserie, Café, Trattoria, Thai, Tex-Mex or Tapas? Bethesda has it all.

Love Art?

Designated by the state of Marylandas an official Arts and Entertainment District, Bethesda has exploded onto the Washington art scene with the opening of numerous galleries and studios. The second Friday of every month, twelve Bethesda galleries stay open until 9:00 pm offering small cocktail receptions for passersby.

Craving a dose of theater, music or film?
You needn’t head to the Kennedy Center with its stratospheric ticket prices. The Round House Theater and the Imagination Stage offer wonderful alternatives. Head to beautiful Strathmore Hall, where you can hear Natalie Cole sing, attend a family concert, or stroll the beautiful 11-acre sculpture garden. See the latest French film at Landmark Bethesda Row.

Where to park?

To make things easier still, Bethesda participates in the Montgomery County “Cash Key” system. In the parking garage at 4720 Cheltenham Drive, just off Wisconsin Avenue, you can purchase a plastic key with however much money on it you choose. When you want to park, just slide it into the special hole in all Bethesda parking meters, and off you go...no quarters necessary!

Have doubts? Ask me…

Finally, if it all seems too overwhelming, Bethesda’s Ask Me Team is standing by to answer your questions and help resolve problems. They’re easy to spot – they are the ones wearing red shirts with “Ask Me” written on the back.

By Heidi Herrington