While most visitors don’t give Germantown, MD a second look as they cruise up I-270 on their way from DC to Frederick, there are a few reasons you will want to give this D.C. suburb a glance.
Germantown is located in Montgomery County, Maryland just north of the United States capital of Washington, D.C. Slow down, grab some tacos and sushi, load up at the Lancaster Country Dutch Market and go pumpkin picking at Butler’s Orchard. Shopping and restaurants are the main attractions in Germantown, MD.
But most importantly, check out a performance or art exhibit at BlackRock Center for the Arts.
Where is Germantown, Maryland?
Germantown, Maryland is a city that many visitors don’t know or hear much about. It’s next to Gaithersburg and an easy drive from Boyds, Rockville, Bethesda, Potomac, Frederick and Montgomery Village, and only 25-30 miles from the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
You can easily hop on the MARC train at Union Station to get up to the Germantown train station on the MARC Brunswick Line if if you don’t feel like driving. However, most attractions, shops and restaurants are spread out, so you may want a car.
Germantown MD Hotels
This post was published by Keryn Means, a Washington DC travel expert, and the editor and publisher of DC Travel Magazine. Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of those links we will receive a small commission.
Who lives in Germantown, MD?
Germantown is a suburban area, filled families taking advantage of good public school system and the safeness of the area. It is also home to Montgomery College Germantown Campus, so you will see students, young professionals and seniors wandering around campus or rushing to classes.
If you feel that you have outgrown all the fun activities and restaurants in Germantown, have no fear. There is more to explore over in Gaithersburg right next door.
Parks and Farms in Germantown MD
Lancaster Country Dutch Market
- Address: 12613 Wisteria Dr, Germantown, MD
The Dutch Farmer’s Market is most people’s go-to spot for fresh produce, fresh meats, flowers for their gardens, and a little snack while shopping.
There is nothing like a taste of fresh cheese and freshly made pretzels to quench your taste buds while shopping for fresh vegetables and fruits during the weekend.
Do not skip the meet department at Dutch Market! We are talking premium cut steaks, good quality ribs, sausages, chicken and so much more.
The Dutch Market is one of those places you get excited to go to every weekend when the weather is nice because there is something there that you have never tried and are eager to try, but you probably wind up getting the same pretzel or cheese or meat.
You can’t help yourself, but that’s alright. We don’t judge.
Butler’s Orchard
- Address: 22200 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, MD
Butler’s Orchard is another family-owned farm located in Germantown that grows fresh fruits, vegetables, and amazing flowers.
Many families love going to Butler’s because they know the can grab berries (we love strawberry picking there!), potatoes, English peas, apples and anything else that is in season on the farm.
Holidays at Butler’s Orchard
Autumn brings pumpkin picking in Maryland and the Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival, while Christmas is when you want to pop over to cut your own Christmas Tree too. Welcome in spring with tulips and an Easter egg hunts in April.
Pick Your Own at Butler’s Orchard
The best part of Butler’s Orchard is being able to pick your own fruit on the farm, and even sunflowers. Definitely call ahead of time or visit their website to make sure that the fruits you are looking for are in season.
If you are looking for berries, make sure you ask for the specific berry you are looking for, as strawberries season in Maryland is mid-May through the end of June, and they do offer blueberry picking too.
So always make sure that you are looking for the right fruits and veggies at the right month or season.
Butler’s Orchard Farm Market
Before you head home from the field, pop into the farm market where Butler’s Orchard sells honey, maple syrup, spices, apple cider (when in season), apple cider donuts (a must!), jams, jellies and pre-cut produce.
Great Seneca Stream Valley Park
- Address: Watkins Mill Road, Germantown, MD 20876
Sometimes you just want to get away and indulge yourself in nature without cell phones and technology, and just enjoy what nature has to offer.
Smell the fresh air at Great Seneca Street Valley Park, wander through the trees, go for a hike, a jog, or bike ride and get that workout in.
You can even rent a canoe or paddleboat to get on the water.
The Greenway Trail connects with other trails all the way to Greenbelt. You will often see families enjoying a picnic in the park, friends playing a game of frisbee or splashing around in the water.
Sports in Germantown MD
Top Golf
- Address: 20101 Century Blvd, Germantown, MD 20874
TopGolf allows you to test your golf skills and pretend to be Tiger Woods for the day. You pick the game according to your golf skills.
They have games for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels.
When you get peckish, Top Golf has a great menu selection of food and drinks. So, plan a night out with friends or take the kids for a little one-on-one time with mom or dad and enjoy the links.
Tactical Laser Tag
- Address: 13017 Wisteria Drive #109, Germantown, MD 20874
Tactical Laser Tag brings laser tag to you! So if you are having a birthday party or getting together with friends, all you have to do is schedule ahead of time and they will meet you at the location given to them.
What’s included?
They will bring the equipment for however many people that are there and you all can have a ball.
Typically, you have to go there to a facility to enjoy laser tag. The though of driving a group of 10-year-old kids to go laser tagging for a birthday party can be downright stressful and noisy.
Hiring a company who can come to you, set up the equipment, and teach you how to use the equipment in the comfort of your home will make any party that much more fun.
Art in Germantown
BlackRock Center for the Arts
- Address: 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD 20874
BlackRock Center for the Arts is one of those places you have to check out when you visit Germantown, MD. In fact, it’s one of the best reasons to head to this part of Maryland.
BlackRock has a stage for performances and an art gallery, along with community education opportunities through art.
A few performances you can expect to see are jazz and classical concerts as well as dance and circus performances.
If you just want to tour the gallery to see the art on display, you are welcome to pop in. If you have a group visiting, please schedule ahead. Always visit the BlackRock website to purchase tickets for the shows in advance too.
Shopping in Germantown
Germantown has several shopping centers, which all have grocery stores, restaurants, nail salons, big chain stores and clothing stores you can wander through.
Germantown Shopping Centers
- Clopper Mill Village
- Germantown Commons Shopping Mall
- Neelsville Village Center
- The Shops at Seneca Meadows
Animal Encounters
Roos2u
- Address: 10022 Blue Banner Dr, Germantown, MD 20876
Want to meet a few kangaroos and wallabies? Head to Roos2u, where children and adults are able to interact with animals normally only seen in zoos across the USA and Australia.
Guests can bottle feed the kangaroos, take pictures, hold a kangaroo, and more. If you have any children or adults who are into kangaroos, this is the perfect spot to come to learn more about marsupials from down under.
Germantown Restaurants
Rainbow Sushi
- Address: 18076 Mateny Road, Germantown, MD 20874
Whenever you have a sushi craving, you need to feed that need. Pop over to Rainbow Sushi, filled with vibrant and colorful rolls.
No matter which type of roll you are craving, from maki, nigiri or sashimi, you can get yellowfin, tuna, salmon, mackerel, etc. For those who can’t stand the idea of raw fish, you can get plenty of veggie rolls, along with Singapore noodles, dumplings, lo mein, fried rice, hot and sour soup, and seaweed salad.
Rio Grande Grille Tex Mex and More
- Address: 13541 Clopper Rd, Germantown, MD
Rio Grande Grille Tex Mex and More offers a huge menu selection with everything from tacos, burritos, sopes, Reubens, crab dips, crab cakes, pasta, and the list goes on and on.
Due to their large menu selection, it’s easy to keep going back to try something new, especially since their specials are constantly changing.
They also have a large breakfast menu that includes breakfast burritos, pancakes, french toasts, and Eggs Benedict.
So if you don’t want to cook, you can literally go to Rio for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and never repeat a dish.
More Restaurants in Germantown MD
American Cuisine
- Dogfish Head Alehouse
- Provisions Cafe
- Brews and Barrels
- Dutch Family Restaurant
- Barking Mad Cafe (Gaithersburg)
Asian Restaurants
- Choong Man Chicken
- Hot Pot Hero
- New Village
- Sabai Sabai Simply Thai
- Spice Grill
Italian
- Mamma Lena Trattoria Napoletana
- Paisano’s
- Milano’s Pizza & Pasta
Mexican Restaurants
- Tortacos
- Ixtapalapa Taqueria
- Picca Pollo A La Brasa
- Badass Breakfast Burrito
- El Chilango Mexican Grill
Additional reporting by Louisa Amponsah
