The Music Center at Strathmore is a cultural and entertainment hub in North Bethesda, Maryland. This concert hall hosts shows for a variety of events. It first opened in 2005 and it is not just a music venue but also provides education in music. With a wide range of musical concerts from jazz to rock, there is something for every music lover.
Thrumming with the dreamy sounds of jazzy tunes, Blues Alley is one of the best-known venues in Washington for jazz and blues performances. Tucked away in lower Georgetown, the club is near the C&O Canal. Several national acts have serenaded patrons at this beloved establishment, and the atmosphere is sleek and sophisticated. The place bills itself as a "Jazz Supper Club," and the food is almost as good as the music, much of which is inspired from Creole cuisine. Munch on savory bites such as Crab Cakes and Stuffed Mushroom as you sway to the music that envelops the lively space.
The Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens is the legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post, a famous socialite and founder of General Foods. Consisting of numerous rooms, this mansion dates back to the 1920s and houses an outstanding collection of art, jewelry and other decorative artifacts that belonged to her. View rare Faberge eggs, historic portraits, exquisite tapestries and priceless ceramics, among others, at this stunning museum. Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll through the landscaped estate, which notably features a French parterre garden, a rose garden, and even a cemetery that inters many of Post's pet dogs.
Escape a few miles north outside of the hectic district and beltway and relax at the stylish, trendy, and quaint Bethesda Row. Choose from a wide variety of over 30 international restaurants including Irish, Thai, American, Asian, Spanish, Mediterranean, and American for a nice outdoor lunch or dinner. Enjoy desserts at specialty shops such as Dolcezza Gelato or Sweetgreen. There are plenty of new boutiques and stores to please all types of shoppers. Bethesda Row also hosts several events such as Movie Nights and art fairs.
What once stood as the historic Bethesda Theater in 1938 has now been transformed into a suave live music supper club. Still carrying the glory of the yesteryear, Bethesda Blues and Jazz houses a small concert hall that serves brilliant continental fare. While 300 seats are ticketed as dinner seats, there are an additional 200 performance seats made available later. Come and enjoy this acoustically enhanced wonder on a fine evening.
Situated on over 100 acres of area is the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts which occupies the area of a national park. With a capacity of over 7,000 people, this place has hosted many artists and festivals. From May through October, Wolf Trap is home to a variety of performances - everything from classical music and jazz to rock 'n' roll, opera and theater. On warm summer evenings, it is popular to come early and bring a picnic. The park also includes The Barns at Wolf Trap - a year-round performance center and a Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods.
Washington Improv Theater, or WIT, is one of the only places in Washington DC to see long-form improv. For those not familiar with the term, long-form improv is a series of improvised scenes and games that the players act out based on an initial suggestion from an audience member. What this really means is that you will be non-stop laughing from when the show begins until when it ends. WIT's shows generally last between 70 to 90 minutes - that is a lot of laughing.
KO Distilling offers visitors a chance to learn about the tedious process of creating distilled spirits such as gin, white whiskey, bourbon, rye whiskey and others. The venue offers an informative guided tour through its state-of-the-art facility, educating patrons about what goes on behind the scenes. Along with tastings, visitors can also buy souvenirs at the merchandise shop to remind them of their time here. The distillery is also known to host events that feature live-music and food trucks.
Situated along Dunlop Mill Road in Lessburg, Zephaniah Farm Vineyard is known for its specially-crafted wines. Established in 2002, this family-owned winery produces a variety of rosé, white and red wines. This estate also features a house that was built back in the year 1819 and a wooden barn. They often host wine tasting sessions here for those who want to learn about the process of making delicious wines. Visitors can even buy a selection of specially-crafted wines here at the facility.
This movie theater and cultural center, partially housed within an historic 1930s-era movie house, has three massive auditoriums for your movie-viewing or festival-going pleasure. State-of-the-art projection equipment ensures a quality experience. Sit back and relax with traditional movie treats or more gourmet options from the theater's in-house cafe. Exhibitions are held in the exhibition space, and meetings can be held in the meeting space.