The city of Rockville in Maryland is a fun, family-friendly city with plenty of things to see and do. The town is centered around Rockville Town Square, which is lined with shops, restaurants, cafés, and boutique stores and has a grassy lawn for relaxing in the summer and a seasonal ice-skating rink in the winter. Rockville has something for everyone, from swimming and fishing in the 75-acre Lake Needwood to exploring the nature and culture exhibits at the Meadowside Nature Center.
Lake Needwood
Fed by Rock Creek, Lake Needwood, is a 75-acre reservoir in Derwood in the eastern part of Montgomery County that was created by damming Rock Creek in 1965. Located east of Rockville, the lake offers a wide variety of outdoor and recreational activities such as fishing, boating, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, photography, and pedal boating. Fishing is permitted at both Lake Needwood and Lake Frank, and boat rentals and permits can be obtained from the Boat House. Visitors can take pontoon boat tours of the lake on the Needwood Queen, which operates on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day and provides the opportunity to see birds, turtles, and other wildlife on the lake.
Address: The Boat House: 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville, MD 20855, Phone: 301-563-7540
Glenview Mansion
Glenview Mansion is a historic home surrounded by 65 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds in Rockville. Resting at the heart of the Civic Center overlooking 28 acres of exquisite grounds with ornamental gardens, the Glenview Mansion is an elegant, Neo-Classical Revival home that was designed and built in 1926 by prominent Washington, D.C., architects Lochie and Porter and considered a local historic landmark. Listed on the National Registry for Historic Places, the mansion was a popular destination for Washington's socialites and boasts breathtaking interiors with marble floors, soaring ceilings, and a six-room art gallery overlooking manicured formal gardens with holding fountains.
Address: Glenview Mansion, 603 Edmonston Dr, Rockville, MD 20851, Phone: 240-314-8660
7 Locks Brewing
Located in the heart of Montgomery County, 7 Locks Brewing is a locally-owned and operated independent brewery and craft beer destination that produces delicious beer from regionally sourced ingredients. Housed in a 15-barrel brewhouse, 7 Locks Brewing produces traditional beers using well-balanced malt and hops with an added twist, along with some seasonal and limited edition styles, and a rotating selection of 10 craft beers on taps like the Redland Lager, the Blockhouse Point Stout, and the famous Surrender Dorothy RyePA.
Address: 7 Locks Brewing , 12227 Wilkins Ave, Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-841-7123
Croydon Creek Nature Center
Nestled on 120 acres of forests and meadow land, the Croydon Creek Nature Center is conveniently located just a short distance from downtown Rockville. At the heart of the preserve there is a winding creek which provides the perfect habitat for a wide variety of birds and wildlife. There are 3 miles of marked trails to explore on foot and the center hosts a selection of educational programs for both adults and children to encourage them to become more conscious of nature and conservation. The good news is that the center is open to anyone, free of charge. However, some of the guided activities do require payment.
Address: 852 Avery Rd, Rockville, MD 20851, Phone: 240 314 8770
Rockville B&O Railroad Station
Built in 1873, the Rockville B&O Railroad Station was once a simple country outpost along the route between Washington’s Union Station and Point of Rocks. Designed by Ephraim Francis Baldwin in the Victorian Gothic style with Eastlake detailing, the historic station still boasts the colored roof tiles and woodworking details at each gable that were characteristic of the era. Although the Rockville B&O Railroad Station contributed to Rockville’s early growth, the development of the modern railroad would later threaten its existence. The 400-ton station was relocated and refurbished to its former glory in 1981 and today houses the law firm of Gill and Sippel, who remain committed to preserving this significant building in Rockville’s history.
Address: Rockville B&O Railroad Station, 98 Church St, Rockville, MD 20850-4123
Historical Society of Montgomery County
The Historical Society of Montgomery County was established to preserve, interpret and encourage an interest in the rich history of Montgomery County. Founded in 1944 by Lilly Stone, the Historical Society of Montgomery County is located at the Beall-Dawson Historical Park in Rockville, which it manages and runs as a historic house museum that is open to the public. The Beall-Dawson grounds are also home to the Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine and the Sween Research Library and Special Collections, which act as a library and archival resource for genealogists and local historians, and an administrative complex for the Society.
The Beall-Dawson House
The Beall-Dawson House is a historic house museum and the headquarters of the Montgomery County Historical Society. Managed by the Society as an early 19th-century period historic house museum, the Beall–Dawson House is a beautifully preserved two-and-a-half-story Federal house built in 1815 with a Flemish bond brick front façade and several original outbuildings. The house features two rooms filled with rotating exhibits and indoor slave quarters, and other buildings on the property include the Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine with a variety of medical and pharmaceutical tools, furniture, and books from the 19th and 20th century on display. The Beall–Dawson House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Address: The Beall-Dawson House, 103 W Montgomery Ave, Rockville, MD 20850, Phone: 301-762-1492
Rock Creek Regional Park
Surrounding two beautiful lakes, the Rock Creek Regional Park covers 1,800 acres, packed with recreational facilities. Lake Needwood and Lake Frank offer good fishing and boating and visitors can hire canoes, kayaks and pontoons at the Lake Needwood Boat Shop. Hikers have 13 miles of scenic hiking trails to explore and there is also a multi-use paved hiking and biking trail for visitors to enjoy. Picnic shelters can be booked in advance. Other activities include the Go Ape Ropes Course, the Archery Range and the Needwood Golf Course. The Meadowside Nature Center is also worth a visit to see various nature exhibits or to join guided nature activities.
Address: 6700 Needwood Rd, Derwood, MD 20855, 301 495 2595
Rockville Ice Arena
The Rockville Ice Arena is the region’s premier hockey and ice skating facility with three full-size rinks on which figure skating, ice hockey, and community skating activities can be enjoyed. Rockville Ice Arena offers a variety of in-house programs, such as skating lessons to skaters of all levels and beginner hockey instruction through the Hockey Initiation Program. The arena is home to three hockey teams, namely the Bullis Bulldogs, St. John's Cadets, and the MAPHL champion Landon Bears, and hosts a variety of high caliber youth hockey programs. League and championship games are played on two of the three rinks, which have ample bleacher seating and twelve locker rooms. The Rockville Ice Arena has an onsite restaurant that serves delicious food and drinks and has a private dining area for birthday parties and other events.
Address: Rockville Ice Arena, 50 Southlawn Ct, Rockville, MD 20850, Phone: 301-315-5650
Rockville Little Theater
Located in the Rockville Civic Center, Rockville Little Theater (RLT) provides high-quality performances to the community throughout the year. Founded in 1948 to entertain, enlighten and educate the public to the joys of the performing arts, the theater is the oldest continuously operating live theatre in the Rockville area. The theater produces and hosts several performances throughout the year and hold monthly discussions for playwrights who have creative ideas for new plays.
Address: Rockville Little Theater, 603 Edmonston Dr, Rockville, MD 20851, Phone: 240-242-9735
Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine
The Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine is a unique one-room Gothic Revival doctor's office that was built for and used by Dr. Edward E. Stonestreet in the early 1900s. Established in 1852, the museum exhibits the life of a country doctor in the mid-1800s, showcasing 19th-century medical instruments, equipment, and pharmaceutical items. The Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine highlights the developments in medical science that occurred during his era and the fascinating changes that happened in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Address: Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine, 103 W Montgomery Ave, Rockville, MD 20850, Phone: 301-340-2825
Meadowside Nature Center
Located in the Rock Creek Regional Park, Meadowside Nature Center is a great spot to visit with the family. The nature center has several exhibits for you to admire, including educational, immersive and interactive exhibits to encourage visitors to learn more about the wonderful natural world which surrounds them. There are also several short hiking trails close to the center, a lovely habitat garden and a popular Raptor Deck which overlooks the raptor enclosure. Younger visitors are sure to enjoy spending time at the Nature Play Space and the Curiosity Corner, where they can enjoy puzzles and books and meet some live animal ambassadors.
Address: Meadowside Nature Center , 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855, Phone: 301 258 4030
La Limena
Located in the Ritchie Center, La Limena is a Peruvian restaurant serving traditional Peruvian and Cuban cuisine in a casual, laid-back atmosphere. The restaurant boasts bright and color, hacienda-like décor, and comfortable seating, and large windows that flood the interior with natural light. The menu boasts an array of freshly made from scratch dishes featuring grass-fed beef, chicken, fresh seafood, vegetarian options and desserts with signature dishes like Ceviche de Pescado, Papa Rellena, Ossobuco con Tacu Tacu de Pallares y Sarsa Criolla, Tallarin Verde con Bistek Apanado, and Arroz con Mariscos. The food is accompanied by a selection of fine wines from Italy and around the world, craft beers, and classic cocktails. La Limena is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Address: La Limena, 1093 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-424-8066
Yekta Kabob Restaurant & Market
Yekta Kabob Restaurant & Market is a traditional Persian restaurant and imported-food market that brings the tastes and flavors of the Middle East to Rockville. Established in 1979 as a small grocery store by Iranian-born Yadi Dadras, the market grew into the bustling restaurant it is today, serving authentic Iranian and Persian cuisine. Signature dishes on the menu include kabobs, chicken koobideh, vegetable pilaf, Chen Jeh, and specialties like Mahicheh (lamb shank braised in turmeric and tomato sauce), Karafs (vegetarian celery stew with herbs), and Ghormeh Sabzi (slow-cooked beef, kidney beans, and dried key lime stew). Yekta Kabobi Restaurant & Market is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Address: Yekta Kabob Restaurant & Market, 1488 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-984-0005
Sheba
Sheba is a small, family-owned eatery that serves traditional Ethiopian fare in a relaxed atmosphere. The ethnic restaurant has a warm and inviting dining space with comfortable seating and soft lighting and serves a menu with a strong emphasis on long-simmered flavorful dishes featuring authentic spices and imported ingredients. In true Ethiopian style, meals are prepared with the freshest ingredients, sourced locally where possible and accented with rich spices and herbs, with signature plates like Doro wot (Chicken Stew), Beef Tibs, Menchet Abesh (Beef), Yebeg Tibs (Lamb), Assa Goulash (Tilapia), and Bedergan (Eggplant Wot). Dessert options include Ethiopian honey wine, and the food can be enjoyed with a range of wines, including Ethiopian wine, craft beers, and soft drinks. Sheba is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Address: Sheba, 5071 Nicholson Ln, Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-881-8882
Robert. E. Parilla Performing Arts Center
Located on the Rockville Campus of Montgomery College, the Robert. E. Parilla Performing Arts Center is an important cultural hub. There is always something happening at the center including a full calendar of music, dance and drama shows as well as a long list of other activities for visitors to take advantage of. These include a Guest Artist Series, regular Saturday Morning Children’s Series and so much more. One of the most popular performances at the center is the free Montgomery College Music Department concerts which take place several times a year. You can see what’s on and book your tickets on the website.
Address: Robert. E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850, Phone: 240 567 5000
Twin Valley Distillers
The Twin Valley Distillers enjoy the distinction of being the first Montgomery County distillery to open since the prohibition. Twin Valley Distillery work with local grain producers to bring back the art of crafting artisan spirits to the area. They currently produce a good range of spirits for you to try including 3 bourbons and whiskeys, 2 flavored whiskeys, several flavored rums and other spirits including their own version of Limoncello and a delectable Black Joe Coffee Liquor. The Tasting Room is open daily (except for Mondays) and there is also a cocktail bar where you can enjoy a range of drinks using Twin Valley spirits.
Address: Twin Valley Distillers, 1029 E. Gude Dr, Rockville, MD 20850, Phone: 240 421 1115
A Game of Rooms
A Game of Rooms claims to be the top escape game venue in Montgomery County, so the best way to see if this is true would be to round up a team of friends or family and come and try their rooms for yourself. The facility has 2 carefully designed themed rooms for you to choose from, namely a school-themed Escape Detention game (great for beginners) and the snowstorm-themed Cabin Fever game which is a little more demanding. Both the rooms can accommodate up to 9 adults or 10 kids, making them ideal for a birthday party novelty. A Game of Rooms also offers special party packages to make your next birthday party easy.
Address: A Game of Rooms, 15742 Crabs Branch Way, Derwood, MD 20855, Phone: 240 408 4402
