Source: Wikimedia
If you’re looking for something a little less commercial and a lot more historical, you should check out President Lincoln’s Cottage. This gorgeous historic site sits on a 250-acre plot of land full of some of nature’s most gorgeous signs and sounds. For the history buffs, this cottage is where President Lincoln made some of his most significant decisions. If you’re looking for magnificent scenery and a historically relevant place, you can’t go wrong with somewhere like President Lincoln’s Cottage.
Source: Bethesda
Bethesda has no shortage of fantastic festivals and events for visitors to participate in all year round! Some of the most popular annual events include:
No matter what you’re into or when you’re visiting, there will likely be a festival in which you can participate!
Source: Bethesda Salt Cave
If you want to take your relaxation to the next level, we highly recommend that you check out the Bethesda Salt Cave & Spa. This natural spa is an excellent chance for visitors to kick back and relax while leaning back in their zero gravity recliners or on beautiful Guatemalan handmade pillows. Listening to soothing ambient music will ease your spirit and help guide you deeper into a meditative state of mind.
The first holistic wellness center in the state based on dry salt therapy, this spa is a can’t-miss experience for someone looking to take their relaxation to the next level. For a cannabis pro-tip, we recommend taking an edible beforehand to enhance that relaxation factor!
Source: Strathmore
If you’re spending some time in Bethesda, you need to carve out a portion of that time to go and see a show, concert, or performance at the Strathmore concert hall. The historic 2,000-seat venue is gorgeous on the inside, and it’s hosted world-class performances from some of the world’s best folk, blues, pop, jazz, show tunes, and classical music artists. The acoustics in the gorgeous theater is fantastic, perfect for taking in the performance after a lovely smoke session. The best part is that with only 2,000 seats, you won’t feel too crowded or cramped like other concert venues. This venue is a can’t-miss on any visit to Maryland.
Source: National Parks Service - Mount Vernon Trail
If you’re an active person and can’t get enough of exercising in the great outdoors in your spare time, then Bethesda has plenty to offer you. Biking and walking trails like the Mount Vernon Trail, the Rock Creek Trail, and the Washington and Old Dominion trail are great options for someone looking to get out in nature. After all, there are few things better than being high!
Source: National Parks Service
Glen Echo Park is a gorgeous, scenic park full of fun activities like a more than 100-year-old carousel, playgrounds and picnic areas for kids of all ages, and tours galore, but it’s also filled with art! The Park is home to 13 resident artists & organizations, a nature & aquatic life program for kids, a thriving social dance program, two award-winning children's theaters, a weekend drop-in art program for children, numerous art studios and galleries, and hundreds of classes in visual & performing arts, including ceramics, painting, photography, glass, music, dance, and more.
Source: Instagram
If you’re looking to do something that both scratches that historical itch and lets you enjoy your cannabis simultaneously, look no further than Elevated Tours. This cannabis-friendly van tour will drive around the D.C. area, stopping at landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, WWII memorial, Vietnam memorial, the White House, and more! It’s a safe and fun way to take in all of the iconic D.C. landmarks while staying slightly elevated in the process!
Source: Peak ReLeaf - Maryland
If you have a medical card of your own and are looking for a top-notch dispensary that delivers, you can’t go wrong with Peake ReLeaf. Based in Rockville, Maryland, only 20 minutes from Bethesda, and offering a massive menu filled with top-notch pre-rolls, edibles, cartridges and disposables, topical creams, and quality cannabis flower, they’re an excellent option for cannabis-lovers everywhere.
Source: Facebook
Another top-notch medical dispensary to keep in mind if you have a valid Maryland medical card is Waave. They offer a wide range of cannabis flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals, CBD options, and vapes, and they will help you get a card of your own if you don’t have one!
They will connect you with a certified cannabis doctor, verify that you have one of Maryland’s qualifying conditions, and do all the behind-the-scenes work you’ll need to get your card.
They’re an excellent option for both medical and soon-to-be medical patients.
Source: Capital City Care
f you’re looking for recreational dispensaries, you’ll need to make the 20 or so-minute drive to Washington, D.C., where cannabis is legal. Capital City Care is one of the finest dispensaries in the nation’s capital.
They offer high-quality cannabis, top-notch shatter, tasty and potent edibles, and all the necessary vaping accessories. It’s fair to say that Capital City Care is one of the best dispensaries you’ll have the pleasure of visiting while in Bethesda!
Source: Visit Montgomery
If you’re looking for more fabulous shopping and delicious restaurants in a gorgeous outdoor setting, you’ll want to take a trip to Bethesda Row. This place is a great mix of high-end fashion brands, home decor, boutique shops, and a wide array of incredible restaurants and cafes. Whether you’re on the hunt for food and drink, style and beauty, health and fitness, or life and culture, you can’t go wrong with stopping by Bethesda Row.
Source: Maryland State Arts Council
Once you’ve finished shopping, you should stop by Bethesda’s wonderful arts and entertainment district. The city’s A&E district is filled with inspiring artists and venues, giving visitors a list of fantastic galleries and public art to take in the right in the heart of downtown Bethesda. The area even has a theater to take in a show! There are few better combos than some quality weed and wonderfully crafted art, so we highly recommend this one for curious stoners looking to expand their mind.
Source: Visit Montgomery
If you’re looking for one of the hottest evening and weekend destinations in North Bethesda, look no further than Pike and Rose. This excellent shopping center, music venue, and eatery will have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to stock up on fresh, in-season foods from their farmers market every Saturday, enjoy their lush, 17,000-square-foot rooftop garden, or just cut loose and see a show or movie, Pike and Rose is the place to be.
Source: Original Pancake House
There’s a reason why people say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! If you want to start your day off right, maybe even with a wake-and-bake thrown into the mix, you can’t go wrong with a place like The Original Pancake House.
An affordable option that’s both vegetarian and vegan-friendly, this top-notch breakfast joint is a great way to get your day started with a big, heaping helping of tasty pancakes, hash browns, eggs, and other breakfast staples.
Source: Wikimedia
There are few things more quintessentially American than a diner. From their down-home approach to food, prices, or customer service, no matter where you go in this country, you can find a quality diner. Bethesda is no exception.
The Tastee Diner is a delicious, dirt-cheap, sit-down Americana-style diner that serves all the standard diner fare you’d ever need. Not only are they one of the best diners in the area, but they’re also one of the best restaurants in Bethesda.
They’re a can’t-miss option any time of the day, no matter what you’re looking for.
Source: Barrel and Crow
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale and unique, you should check out Barrel and Crow. Offering meals like duck fat fries, duck tostadas, and a massive array of seafood options, this restaurant is one where you’ll have to wear your elastic waistband to get the most out of it.
While it might be a bit pricier than some other food options on this list, it’s an experience worth checking out and enjoying!