Three things you probably don’t know about Bethesda, MD: it takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House (which was named after Jerusalem’s pool of Bethesda) built in 1820. Second, in the not too distant past (like the 1930s-80s) there were dairy farms on Rockville Pike and Bethesda was farmland and small-town living, including an airplane hangar. Third, it doesn’t have any actual borders because it is unincorporated.
It blossomed very quickly into the metropolitan DC area, so now there is much more to do and see. Bethesda is known for being trendy, but what about family-friendly?
Parks
The Crescent Trail is beautiful for walking or biking and runs through Bethesda and goes to Silver Spring, MD, and Georgetown in DC. There is a great deal of shade from the tree cover and the areas in DC are peaceful. An easy ride on a bicycle or hiking. It is 13 miles of paved and crushed stone. Beautiful scenery. https://www.cctrail.org/
Cabin John Regional Park has tennis, an ice skating rink, a nature center, Tai Chi court, and a campground. Want more? For the furry ones there is a dog park. And a miniature train that children can ride goes through the park. Bring a lunch and eat at the picnic grounds equipped with tables, grills, pavilions and snack bars. Sports fields of all types plus hiking and biking trails are plentiful! https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/cabin-john-regional-park/
Kid-Friendly
Imagination Stage is created for anyone 18 and under. For those who want to exercise their creativity, this is the place to make it happen. There are classes and programs for acting and musical theatre, performance opportunities, dance, filmmaking and more. For just visiting, you can catch performances, check the calendar! https://imaginationstage.org/
KID Museum is a place for children to have fun and learn useful skills. They learn computer skills like programming, 3D printing, and critical thinking. Some examples are an invention studio, invent the future challenge and professional development. The museum also has cultural programs, and field trips on the calendar. If you call in advance, you can schedule birthday parties. https://kid-museum.org/
Kidville is for children with tons of energy. It is an environment where children 5 and under can safely learn and play. There are classes, activities, camps and even a preschool alternative. Kidville also provides a place for the parents to relax at the salon or shop at the boutique. https://kidville.com/bethesda/
There are amazing places to be a child in Bethesda – no matter what the age – and interests abound. From nature to computers and everything in between, there is something to absorb your child’s imagination.
