Rockville

Rockville is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is characterized by rolling hills, historic towns, and high tech industries. Rockville is the second largest incorporated city in Maryland. Rockville is 12 miles northwest of Washington D.C. and is just south of Olney and Gaithersburg. The city serves as a major suburban center in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and technology companies.

Rockville features a revitalized downtown area with Rockville Town Square, offering shopping, dining, entertainment, and community events. The city has numerous parks and trails, including the Carl Henn Millennium Trail, a 10-mile loop bicycle trail around the city. The area is home to several technology companies and research institutions, contributing to its diverse and educated population.

The climate features four distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold winters. The city is particularly beautiful in spring and fall when the parks and trails are in full bloom or ablaze with autumn colors.

By Plane

Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI IATA) is a 45-minute drive from Rockville. It is also accessible via ICC Bus 201. Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA IATA) is a 30-minute drive from Rockville and is accessible via the Metrorail. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD IATA) is a 35-minute drive from Rockville but takes significantly longer using public transportation.

By Train

Rockville station, 307 S Stonestreet Ave. Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Routes stopping at Rockville: Capitol Limited operates daily between Chicago and Washington, D.C. including stops in Pittsburgh, Cumberland, Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry, and Rockville. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail Red Line stops at North Bethesda, Twinbrook, Rockville, and Shady Grove. MARC Train, Brunswick line, offers service to/from Union Station in Washington DC as well as service to/from Gaithersburg, Germantown, Frederick, and Harpers Ferry.

By Car / Road

Rockville is accessible via Interstate 270, which links I-70 with I-495, the Capital Beltway. Maryland Route 355, known as Hungerford Drive in the downtown area, Frederick Road to the north, and Rockville Pike to the south, is the most important north-south thoroughfare in Rockville. Downtown Rockville lies near the nexus of Route 355 with Maryland Route 28, called Montgomery Avenue to the west of the intersection.

A car is best used to get around the city. However, Ride-on-Bus, MetroBus, and the Metrorail can be used if traveling between popular destinations. Parking meters in Rockville are linked to the MobileNOW payment system and app. There are several bicycle trails in Rockville. Capital Bikeshare provides bike sharing throughout the Washington D.C. area.

• Beall-Dawson House — 103 West Montgomery Ave, ☏ +1 301-762-1492. Built in 1815, it is now a museum showcasing life in the early 19th century.

• Peerless Rockville — 29 Courthouse Square, Room 110, ☏ +1 301-762-0096. In the historic red brick courthouse, a mini-museum about the city's important heritage.

• St. Mary's School & Cemetery — 600 Veirs Mill Rd, ☏ +1 301-762-4179. Site of the grave of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

• VisArts — 155 Gibbs St, ☏ +1 301-315-8200. An arts center with public exhibitions and classes.

• Rockville Town Square — Community in downtown Rockville with stores, a movie theater, library, bars, an ice skating rink and community events located across the street from the Rockville metro station.

• Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure — 6129 Needwood Lake Dr, +1-800-971-8271.

• Lake Needwood Boats — 15700 Needwood Lake Cir. Rent kayaks, rowboats, canoes or pedal boats.

• Cabin John Regional Park — 7400 Tuckerman Lane, ☏ +1 301-299-0024. The nicest park in Montgomery County, featuring an ice-skating rink; indoor and outdoor tennis courts; and many picnic areas, trails and camp sites.

• Carl Henn Millennium Trail — A 10 mile loop bicycle trail around Rockville. Free.

• Dogwood Park — 1098 Monroe St. Includes tennis courts, baseball fields and other recreational facilities.

• Meadowside Nature Center — 5100 Meadowside Ln, ☏ +1 301-258-4030. 8 miles of trails.

• Croydon Creek Nature Center — 852 Avery Rd, ☏ +1 301-314-8770. Kid-friendly trails.

• RedGate Golf Course — 14500 Avery Rd, ☏ +1 240-406-1650.

• City of Rockville Farmers Market — Corner of Route 28 & Monroe St, Every Saturday May-Nov: 9AM-1PM.
• Second Story Books — 12160 Parklawn Drive, ☏ +1 301-770-0477, Su-W 10AM-8PM, Th-Sa 10AM-9PM. Very good and very large used book store with lots of used books, LPs, CDs, posters and antiques set in a warehouse. Free parking and about a 15-minute walk from Twinbrook metro station.
• Rockville Town Square — Various retail stores and shops in downtown Rockville.

• Washington, D.C. (30 min by Metro) — The nation's capital with world-class museums, monuments, and dining.
• Bethesda, MD (15 min drive east) — Upscale suburb with dining, shopping, and arts.
• Gaithersburg, MD (10 min drive north) — Growing city with parks, shopping, and community events.
• Frederick, MD (45 min drive north) — Historic city with antique shops, galleries, and Civil War history.
• Great Falls Park (20 min drive southwest) — National park with dramatic waterfalls and hiking trails.