Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA

Gaithersburg is a busy suburb of Washington D.C. in the center of Montgomery County, Maryland. There are two areas within the Gaithersburg city limits that we recommend for art, history, and ambience. The historic district, known as Olde Towne, is small, but has some nice features. The Kentlands area was developed around an old mansion. Gaithersburg is also near several additional QuaintPlaces in the county.

We also recommend Lancaster Market in nearby Germantown. Amish proprietors and their fresh goods are bused here from their farms and workshops in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, each Thursday through Saturday. Naturally, the best day to go is Thursday when everything is freshest.

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Location

About 20 miles northwest of Washington D.C.
On I-270

Map

Population

About 53,000

Features

Antique shops (in Olde Towne)
Art galleries (in Kentlands)
Cafes and restaurants (many)
Campgrounds and RV parks near Gaithersburg

Check Woodall's guide

Fine original crafts (in Kentlands)
Firehouse Museum (in Olde Towne)
Gaithersburg Arts Barn (galleries, theatre, in Kentlands)
Garden Centers (several near Kentlands)
Gift shops (several)

Artisans Gallery* (Kentlands area)

Gourmet coffee (Olde Towne, Kentlands, and elsewhere)
Historic structures (in Olde Towne)
Hotels and vacation rentals in this area

Advantage Rate

HotelDiscount

Family Vacation Rentals

Lancaster Market (in nearby Germantown) (Amish)

Bakery, restaurant, candy shop, furniture, produce, meat
Thursday 10:00 a.m.- Saturday 3:00 p.m.

Microbrewery (in Olde Towne)
Railroad Museum (in Olde Towne)
Seneca Creek State Park

www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/seneca.html

Hours

Most independent shops are open 7 days per week
Most are open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.
A few are closed on Sunday or Monday

Festivals

July:

Fireworks on the fourth

August:

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

September:

Olde Towne Day

October-December:

Crafts festivals at the fairground

December:

Winter Lights Festival (at Seneca Creek State Park)

Drive through. Admission charge (for charities)

Recommended stay

1-3 hours (including Kentlands area)

Tourist information

City government

www.ci.gaithersburg.md.us

Kentlands area

www.MontgomeryCountyMD.com/Kentlands

Seneca Creek State Park

www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/seneca.html

One-stop reservations (Airlines, hotels, resorts, car rentals, cruises, last-minute deals, etc.)

Car rentals

Budget

Enterprise

Thrifty

Maps, trip planning, driving directions, etc.

Printed travel maps or download
and print. Rand McNally and others.
Driving directions, wall maps,
globes, nautical charts, atlases

Download high-res hiking and mountain
biking trail maps, topographic maps,
guidebooks, etc. Free trial subscription

National Geographic travel
guides, maps, atlases, etc.

Amusement park tickets

Discount theme and water park tickets

Southern California theme parks

Orlando theme parks and many more

Discounts for U.S. veterans and active duty

Join Veterans Advantage and get discounts on Amtrak, Greyhound, hotels, car rentals, etc. Save up to 70%. Magazine. Many benefits.

Spas and other experiences

Spas, balloon rides, wine tasting, hang
gliding, rafting, adventures in and near
major US cities. Packages make good gifts.

Luggage and gear (Click buttons)

More travel accessories (Click to see separate page)

Maryland calendars, books, etc. (see ads in blue to the right)

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The information above may not be up-to-date.
Please check local sources for the latest official times, costs, availability, etc.
This page was last updated on 01/10/2006 .

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