Bethesda - A Maryland Neighborhood Profile

About Bethesda

Bethesda is a bustling urban community located in Montgomery County, Maryland just north of the city boundary of Washington, DC. Downtown Bethesda is home to 20 art galleries, more than 200 ethnic restaurants, two live theatres, music and dance studios and numerous boutiques. The area is renowned for three of the world's leading biomedical research centers -- the National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine and the National Naval Medical Center.

According to the 2000 Census, the Bethesda community is the best-educated city in the nation with a population of 50,000 or more. 79% of residents 25 or older have bachelor's degrees and 49% have graduate or professional degrees. The median income for a household is $99,102, and the median income for a family was $130,160. The area attracts professionals because of its convenience to DC, its first rate schools and the numerous amenities within Downtown Bethesda.

Location

North of Washington, DC, West of Chevy Chase, and East of I-495.

The area commonly known as Downtown Bethesda is centered at the intersection of Wisconsin with Maryland Route 187, Old Georgetown Road, and Maryland Route 410, East-West Highway.
See a map.

Metro Stations Near Bethesda

Bethesda, Medical Center, Grosvenor and White Flint

Zipcodes

20814, 20815, 20817, 20852 and 20854

Points of Interest in Bethesda

• National Institutes of Health
  
• National Naval Medical Center
  
• National Library of Medicine
  
• Cabin John Park
  
• Strathmore Hall
  
• Writer’s Center
  
• Round House Theatre
  
• The Bethesda Theatre
  
• Imagination Stage
  
• Bethesda Farmer’s Market
  
• Bethesda Row Cinema

Free Bethesda 8 Trolley

The Bethesda 8 Trolley, a free trolley service makes it easy to get around town. The trolley makes 21 stops from Bethesda Avenue to Rugby Avenue. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m.-Midnight, Friday from 7 a.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday from 6 p.m.-2 a.m.

Outdoor Dining at Bethesda Restaurants

Bethesda has nearly 200 restaurants. It is especially nice to dine outdoors in good weather. See Bethesda Restaurants with outdoor seating.

Bethesda’s Neighborhood Festivals

• Bethesda Art Walk - monthly
  
• Bethesda Restaurant Week - February & August
  
• Dance Bethesda - March
  
• Bethesda Literary Festival - April
  
• Bethesda Fine Arts Festival - May
  
• Imagination Bethesda - June
  
• Bethesda Outdoor Movies - July/August
  
• Taste of Bethesda - October
  
• Bethesda Row Arts Festival - October
  
• Bethesda's Winter Wonderland - December