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INSIDER’S GUIDE Where to eat, shop and play in Montgomery County
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BETHESDA MAGAZINE
North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose
Insider’s Guide 2026-2027
6
Music at Hank Dietle’s Tavern
Contents Arts venues, indoor and outdoor fun, and farmers markets
18 Eat & Drink
Dining mainstays and newbies, breweries and wineries, and Best of Bethesda picks
30 Kids & Schools Playgrounds, local schools, and Best of Bethesda picks
Major communities in Montgomery County, Best of Bethesda picks and home sales highlights 37 Bethesda 38 Cabin John & Glen Echo 39 Chevy Chase 40 Gaithersburg & North Potomac 42 Kensington & Garrett Park 43 Rockville & North Bethesda 44 Potomac 45 Silver Spring
50 Health & Wellness
93 Essentials
All the info you need on local government and frequently used services
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
65
Local Leading Professionals
Gyms, hospitals, Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors, Top Dentists and more
FROM LEFT: PHOTO BY ALAN KRESSE PHOTOGRAPHY; PHOTO COURTESY FEDERAL REALTY
6 37 Things to Do Neighborhoods
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Discover downtown Bethesda, just minutes from Washington D.C.
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The Inheritance Parts One and Two at Round House Theatre in Bethesda
THINGS TO DO
Catch a Show Adventure Theatre MTC
This theater in Glen Echo Park presents professional productions for children and offers training for young actors. The most popular show of the 2025-2026 season was Frosty the Snow Man, which the company will reprise in November 2026 for Adventure Theatre’s 75th anniversary season. Plan for an approximately seven-minute walk from the parking lot to the theater. If you see the Glen Echo Park neon entrance sign, you’re in the wrong parking lot (that small one is only for accessible parking and permit holders). 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, 301-634-2270, adventuretheatre-mtc.org
Arts Barn
The horse stable-turned-visual and performing arts center offers a stage for community performances of all types
and classes for children and adults. Magic, comedy and improv shows, concerts, musical theater and dramas have all been presented here. During the 2025-2026 season, the most popular events included Science Comedy Night with Kasha Patel, the play The Reluctant Resurrection of Sherlock Holmes, classical Indian musician Vinay Desai, jazz group Jack Gruber Trio, and the Gaithersburg Film Festival. There are lots of restaurants near the Kentlands venue, including Brews & Barrels, open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays for a post-show snack. 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, 301-258-6394, gaithersburgmd.gov
Bethesda Theater
Formerly an art deco movie palace, the venue was home to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club until July 2023, when it rebranded to reflect the variety of genres that are featured there. The
blues and jazz haven’t gone away, but now there are also Motown, R&B, rock and comedy acts. Chanté Moore, Peabo Bryson, actress Lisa Ann Walter from Abbott Elementary, and Broadway star Avery Wilson have performed there. Parking in the Cheltenham garage, located in the same building as the club, is free on Sundays. 7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 240-330-4500, bethesdatheater.com
BlackRock Center for the Arts
Established in 2002 as a home for performing and visual arts, the venue presents concerts by regional, national and international talent plus contemporary theatrical shows and its own professional productions. Performances in the 2025-2026 season included theatrical productions, DJ dance nights, jazz ensembles and drag shows. On-site parking is free, and the center is in the heart of Germantown,
PHOTO BY MARGOT SCHULMAN; ILLUSTRATION COURTESY ADVENTURE THEATRE
At performance venues throughout Montgomery County, find the curtains rising over beloved musicals, national debuts, famous singers, and creative shows for kids B Y S T E P H A N I E S I E G E L B U R K E
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where you can find restaurants within a short walk or drive. 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, 301-528-2260, blackrockcenter.org
The Fillmore Silver Spring
A spin-off of the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco, the 2,000-capacity venue honors its rock ’n’ roll heritage with vintage posters on the walls and large chandeliers hanging over the dance floor, a nod to the original. In 2025 and 2026, some of the most popular shows included Hayley Williams, Stephen Wilson Jr., Good Kid, Slaugher to Prevail, Boys Like Girls, Ruel and The Wonder Years. The club is a short walk from the Silver Spring Metro station and two public parking garages. 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, 301-960-9999, fillmoresilverspring.com
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
Closed in December 2024 for renovations to expand ADA compliance and
improve sound, the theater reopened in September 2025. It is the home stage for community groups including Rockville Musical Theatre, Rockville Little Theatre, Victorian Lyric Opera Co., Rockville Chorus and Rockville Civic Ballet, whose annual performances of The Nutcracker often sell out. National touring groups also perform there occasionally. The theater has free parking and is a short drive to many dining options in downtown Rockville. 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, 240-314-8690, rockvillemd.gov/382/ f-scott-fitzgerald-theatre
Hank Dietle’s Tavern
First opened in 1950, Hank Dietle’s Tavern is an intimate venue presenting live music seven days a week. Some of the most popular bands to play regularly include rockabilly band The Rock-A-Sonics, power pop trio Airport 77s, country rockers Ruthie and The Wranglers,
blues band The Nighthawks and zydeco group Corey Arceneaux and The Zydeco Hot Peppers. Since the venue is small, it fills up quickly. Subscribe to the weekly email list for notifications of new shows, special events and advanced ticket links. 11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 240-512-3077, hankdietles.net
Imagination Stage
Imagination Stage offers year-round professional theater for young audiences, as well as classes in acting, musical theater and dance for ages 1-18. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show and The Snowman and The Snowdog were the biggest hits in the 2025-2026 season. The theater is next to a Montgomery County parking garage, which is free on Sundays, and it’s close to several family-friendly restaurants and cafes. 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, 301-961-6060, imaginationstage.org
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THINGS TO DO
Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center
The complex includes a 500-seat theater and concert hall, and a lecture hall and lab theater space. See future professionals perfect their craft in student productions or catch a regional or national touring act. During the 2025-2026 season, shows included Wizard of Oz on Ice, global music concerts and immersive dance performances. Parking is free and the center offers concessions featuring Maryland craft beer and wine. 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, 240-5675775, mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu/cac
Olney Theatre Center
The Puppet Co. Playhouse
The 250-seat theater in Glen Echo Park presents professional puppetry productions based on fairy tales and classic children’s literature, plus a variety of Tiny Tots performances designed for children 18 months to 4 years old. Its most popular show is the annual Nutcracker production. Arrive early and burn off some energy at the playground in Glen Echo Park and plan to stay for a photo with a puppet after the show. (See the Adventure Theatre MTC listing for parking info.) 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, 301-634-5380, thepuppetco.org
Live music at Hank Dietle’s Tavern in Rockville
Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center
On the Rockville campus of Montgomery College, the venue hosts concerts, dance and theatrical productions by student, community and touring groups. The 2025-2026 season included performances by actresses Marlee Matlin and Christine Baranski and violin duo Sons of Mystro. 51 Mannakee St., Rockville, 240-567-5301, mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu/reppac
Round House Theatre
Round House Theatre presents a sixshow season of new plays, modern classics and musicals, including many world and regional premieres. The 2025-2026 season included Rules for Living, Nothing Up My Sleeve and Helen Hayes Award-winning play The Inheritance Parts One and Two. The theater
offers discounts for certain show dates, including Pay-What-You-Can performances and 2-for-1 tickets on Tuesdays. Students (age 13 through college students) can get free tickets through Round House’s Free Play program. 4545 East West Highway, Bethesda, 240-644-1100, roundhousetheatre.org
Silver Spring Black Box Theatre
The intimate space is home to the Theatre Consortium of Silver Spring, which includes resident companies. The theater hosts everything from magic, improv and stand-up comedy shows to plays, concerts, dance shows and youth performances. County parking garages and the Silver Spring Metro station are a few blocks away. The theater is surrounded by downtown Silver Spring restaurants, including Dave & Buster’s, All Set Restaurant & Bar, Miss Toya’s
PHOTO BY ALAN KRESSE PHOTOGRAPHY
A professional regional theater, Olney Theatre Center offers productions year-round. The 2025-2026 season included the Helen Hayes Awardwinning U.S. premiere of Red Pitch; two world premieres, the musical Little Miss Perfect and I and You; and Carla Hall—Please Underestimate Me, a sell-out one-woman show by the celebrity chef. Its outdoor summer season features cabaret, comedy, drag shows, concerts and more. Olney’s First Time Free program provides four free tickets for a preview performance to people who have never been to a show at the theater. Parking is available on-site. 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, 301-924-3400, olneytheatre.org
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Creole House and Ghar-E-Kabab. 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, 301-588-8279, silverspringblackbox.com
PHOTO COURTESY STRATHMORE
Silver Spring Stage
Silver Spring Stage is a community theater with a mission to present contemporary plays. The 2025-2026 season featured three productions: Coriolanus, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Manin-the-Moon Marigolds and The Colored Museum. Free parking is available behind Woodmoor Shopping Center, where the theater is located. Grab a drink at nearby 4 Corners Pub after a show. 10145 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, 301-593-6036, ssstage.org
Strathmore
The Music Center presents folk, blues, pop, R&B, jazz, show tunes, world and classical music artists. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the National
Philharmonic also perform there. In the 2025-2026 season there were more than 20 sell-out shows, including John Cleese, Joss Stone, Disney’s Moana, Ben Folds, David Sedaris and Herbie Hancock. The center is a short walk from the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station; Strathmore covers the cost of parking in the garage for some events. Community Access tickets for less than $30 are available for Strathmore-presented shows. 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, strathmore.org The Mansion, built in 1899, consists of the 100-seat Dorothy M. and Maurice C. Shapiro Music Room, a tearoom, The Shop at Strathmore and art galleries. 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, strathmore.org
Performers at Strathmore include Gravity & Other Myths, a contemporary circus company.
At Strathmore, the arts are for all of us. All to create. All to enjoy. All to share. All to cherish.
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A winter bird-watching program at Wheaton Regional Park’s Brookside Nature Center
THINGS TO DO
Mark Your Calendar
With an indoor and outdoor option for fun in every month, our handy guide highlights Montgomery County’s robust offerings B Y W I L L I A M A R M S T E A D
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
Escape the cold at Kid Museum in Bethesda, which provides an interactive and educational environment for ages 4-14. Open play on Sundays offers coding, woodworking, engineering design and hands-on maker learning. Classes, camps and workshops throughout the year feature hands-on, project-based activities such as robotics and 3D design. kid-museum.org
Spend a chilly afternoon bowling at Pinstripes in North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose development or at the Lucky Strike locations in Bethesda, Gaithersburg and Rockville. White Oak Bowling in Silver Spring offers duckpin bowling with smaller pins and balls.
Feel like you’re in nature without dealing with the elements at Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda, Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton, or Croydon Creek Nature Center and Meadowside Nature Center, both in Rockville. Find interactive exhibits, live animals and educational displays. montgomeryparks.org/parks-trails/ nature-centers; rockvillemd.gov/places/ croydon-creek-nature-center
Outdoor—Go Ice Skating
Stay active in the cold weather at the skating rinks in downtown Silver Spring or Rockville. The outdoor rinks accommodate everyone, from beginners taking their first lap on double-blade skates to experienced skaters. Lots of shops and restaurants are nearby. silverspringdowntown.com/do/silver-springoutdoor-ice-skating-rink; rockvilleiceskating.com
Indoor—Go Bowling
Outdoor—Look for Winter Wildlife
Spot birds and other wildlife at local parks, including Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, RedGate Park in Rockville and Wheaton Regional Park. Leafless trees make it easier to observe deer, rabbits and birds (look for blue jays, cardinals, woodpeckers and doves).
Indoor—Visit a Nature Center
Outdoor—Hike Billy Goat Trail
March is the prime time to visit Billy Goat Trail in Potomac. Spring wildflowers are just beginning to bloom, the Potomac River’s rapids are at their most powerful, and cool temperatures make the rocky adventure more comfortable. nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/ billy-goat-trail.htm
TOP PHOTO BY ED WONDOLOSKI; PHOTO BY MARILYN STONE/MONTGOMERY PARKS, MNCPPC
Indoor—Visit Kid Museum
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APRIL
Indoor—Explore Glenstone Museum
Glenstone’s galleries and their postWorld War II and contemporary artworks include paintings, sculptures and large-scale installations. The Potomac museum’s outdoor sculptures, walking trails, ponds and landscaped gardens, which hit peak vibrancy in the spring, also contribute to the experience. glenstone.org
Outdoor—Bike the Capital Crescent Trail
In warmer weather, go for a ride along the Capital Crescent Trail. The paved trail stretches from Bethesda to Georgetown, featuring wooded scenery, parks and neighborhoods. Cyclists can enjoy a short casual ride or challenge themselves with the full route, though portions north of Bethesda connecting to Silver Spring remain closed due to Purple Line construction. montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/ capital-crescent-georgetown-branch-trails
MAY
TOP PHOTOS COURTESY GLENSTONE MUSEUM; PHOTO COURTESY RIO
Indoor—Dance at Glen Echo Park Glen Echo Park welcomes experienced dancers as well as those who are just learning. It offers social dances and beginner-friendly lessons in styles ranging from swing and salsa to ballroom and contra dance. For more indoor experiences at this arts destination, you can pop into galleries, working artists’ spaces and a small aquarium, or catch a show at two children’s theaters. glenechopark.org
Outdoor—Rent a Paddleboat
Spend a spring afternoon on the water by renting a paddleboat at Rio in Gaithersburg. The boats typically open for the season in early May. Enjoy views of the waterfront restaurants and boardwalk. Afterward, take a walk around the lake, grab something to eat or explore nearby shops. washingtonianpaddleboats.com
JUNE
Indoor—Visit Your Local Library
Beat the heat with a visit to a branch of Montgomery County Public Libraries. Along with lending books, the libraries host author talks, workshops and technology and craft classes for all ages. In addition, mid-June marks the start of the annual Summer Reading Challenge for people of all ages. montgomerycountymd.gov/montgomerycounty-public-libraries
Outdoor—Ride a Miniature Train
All aboard the miniature trains at two regional parks—Wheaton and Bethesda’s Cabin John—for scenic rides through the woods. The rides offer a fun experience for young children while giving parents a chance to explore two of the county’s most popular parks. montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/ wheaton-regional-park/wheaton-miniaturetrain; montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/ cabin-john-regional-park/miniature-train
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Strathmore features a range of music genres in its summer Live from the Lawn series.
THINGS TO DO
JULY
Indoor—Cool Off at a Trampoline Park
Keep cool with a visit to the indoor trampoline parks at Sky Zone in Gaithersburg or ZavaZone in Rockville. Visitors can jump on trampolines freely, dunk basketballs, play dodge ball, take on obstacle courses, test their strength on ninja-style challenges and jump into foam pits. skyzone.com/gaithersburg; zavazone.com
Outdoor—Attend a Free Summer Concert
Bring lawn chairs and blankets to attend one of Montgomery County’s free outdoor concerts on warm summer evenings. Live performances pop up throughout July at venues including Strathmore, Brookside Gardens, Rio, Glen Echo Park and town centers in Bethesda, Rockville and Silver Spring.
Indoor—Paint Your Own Pottery
Indoor—Challenge Yourself in an Escape Room
SEPTEMBER
Outdoor—Spend the Day at a Park
Outdoor—Go Apple Picking
Put your teamwork and problemsolving skills to the test with friends and family at an escape room such as Escapology in North Bethesda, Encrypted in Bethesda, Red Door in Gaithersburg and Big Escape in Silver Spring. Groups combine their minds to solve puzzles and figure out clues before time expires. With a variety of storylines, themes and difficulty levels, escape rooms offer an air-conditioned mind game for everyone.
Cool off at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm in Gaithersburg, home to a seasonal water park featuring slides, a lazy river, splash areas and a pool. The fun continues with miniature golf or a stroll through the park. gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/parksfields/bohrer-park-at-summit-hall-farm
Indoor—Take a Dip in a Pool
When temperatures become more unpredictable and outdoor pools begin their closures, go for an indoor swim at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Indoor Swim Center in Silver Spring, Gaithersburg Aquatic Center, Germantown Indoor Swim Center or Rockville Swim and Fitness Center. (The Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center in North Bethesda was slated to reopen in the fall of 2026 following renovations.)
Celebrate the arrival of fall with an apple-picking trip to Homestead Farm in Poolesville or Butler’s Orchard in Germantown while also enjoying the scenery. September is prime time for pick-your-own apple season. Return in October for pumpkin picking and other fall festivities. homestead-farm.net; butlersorchard.com
Get creative at Amazing Art Studio in Gaithersburg and Silver Spring. Paint and glaze mugs, plates, bowls and seasonal decorations. After customization, the pottery is put into a kiln and can be picked up a few days later. amazingartstudio.com
Outdoor—Walk Through a Haunted Forest
Ensure a spooky Halloween experience with a trip in the dark to Markoff’s Haunted Forest in Dickerson. Visitors age 12 and older trek along wooded trails flooded with costumed actors and special effects to raise the fear factor. markoffshauntedforest.com
TOP PHOTO COURTESY STRATHMORE; BOTTOM PHOTO BY MARLAYNA PHOTOGRAPHY
AUGUST
OCTOBER
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THINGS TO DO
NOVEMBER
Indoor—Explore Montgomery County’s History
PHOTO BY ED WONDOLOSKI
Learn more about Montgomery County’s past by visiting local museums, including Josiah Henson Museum and Park in North Bethesda, Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring, Gaithersburg Community Museum, and Sandy Spring Museum. The county’s story is told through exhibits, artifacts and interactive displays, each highlighting a different chapter.
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PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK; PHOTO COURTESY MONTGOMERY PARKS, M-NCPPC
Outdoor—Hike Sugarloaf Mountain
Enjoy the color changes of fall at Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson. Trails lead to high places for beautiful views of Montgomery County and the countryside. Sugarloaf is busiest in October, making November one of the best times to enjoy the mountain’s charm. sugarloafmd.com
DECEMBER
Indoor—Catch a Holiday Performance
Kick off the holiday season with a performance at Strathmore in North Bethesda. Audiences can enjoy shows such as The Nutcracker throughout December. Additionally, orchestras, choirs and contemporary artists are featured in seasonal concerts. strathmore.org
Outdoor—See Holiday Lights
Bundle up to experience the Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, where thousands of lights are set up to create a colorful winter wonderland-themed garden. Pathways lead visitors on an evening stroll past illuminated trees, light-decorated animal and lively displays, creating one of Montgomery County’s most popular holiday traditions for all age groups. montgomeryparks.org/ parks-and-trails/brooksidegardens/special-events/ garden-of-lights
SUMMER CAMP
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THINGS TO DO
Farmers Markets
Whether you’re craving heirloom tomatoes or you just want to stroll and browse, here’s a sampling of the markets in our area BY STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE
Bethesda Central Farm Market Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (January through March) and 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (April through December). Bethesda Elementary School parking lot, 7600 Arlington Road, Bethesda, centralfarmmarkets.com/bethesda Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (July through November). Outside the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market, 7155 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, centralfarmmarkets.com/ bethesda-midweek
Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (year-round). 10010 Fernwood Drive, Bethesda, twinspringsfruitfarm.com/market-schedule
Brookmont Farm Market Wednesdays, 4-7:30 p.m. (year-round). Brookmont Village Green, intersection of Broad Street and Maryland Avenue, Bethesda, brookmontmarket.com
Cabin John Village Farmers Market Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (May 10-Oct. 4, 2026). 7919 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, cjvillage.com/series/weekly-farmers-market
Casey Farmers Market Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (May 7 through Nov. 19, 2026) and monthly third
Thursdays (December through April). Casey Community Center, 810 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/ farmers-markets/casey-farmers-market
Chicano Sol Farm Market
Concord St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (year-round). 5910 Goldsboro Road, Bethesda, csachurch.com
Crossroads Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (April through December) and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (January through March). In front of Penn Place, 4600 Waverly Ave., Garrett Park, garrettparkmd.gov/residents/ penn_place/farmers_market.php
Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (April 22-Nov. 25, 2026). Anne Street at University Boulevard East, Takoma Park, crossroadscommunityfoodnetwork.org
Clarksburg Farmers Market
Derwood Farmers Market
Thursdays, 4:30-7:30 p.m. (May 7-Sept. 10, 2026). The Clarksburg Yard, 22820 Frederick Road, Clarksburg, theclarksburgyard.com/ farmers-market
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (May 2-Oct. 10, 2026). Neighborhood Church, 16501 Redland Road, Rockville, milkladymarkets.org
TOP LEFT PHOTO BY ALFONSO REVILLA; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY KENSINGTON FARMERS MARKET
Bethesda United Church of Christ Farmers Market
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Forest Estates Farmers Market Two Sundays per month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (May 10 -Nov. 22, 2026). General Getty Park, 10000 Woodland Dr., Silver Spring, forestestates.org/events
Freshfarm Downtown Silver Spring Market Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Jan. 3-Dec. 26, 2026) and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (January through March 2027). Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, freshfarm.org/markets/downtownsilver-spring
Friendship Heights Farmers Market Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (year-round). Outside the Village of Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, friendshipheightsmd.gov/services/ farmers-market
Kensington Farmers Market Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (year-round). Kensington Historic Train Station, 3701 Howard Ave., Kensington, explorekensington. com/about-the-farmers-market
Main Street Farmers Market Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (year-round). Kentlands Main Street Park and Pavilion, 301 Main St., Gaithersburg, gaithersburgmd.gov/ recreation/farmers-markets/main-streetfarmers-market
Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market Indoor market Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (year-round except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). Produce and flowers 7 a.m.-3 p.m., most others 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Outdoor market Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays 7 a.m.-5 p.m. (weather permitting). 7155 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, facebook.com/mfwcm
Montgomery Village Farmers’ Market
Pike Central Farm Market Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (April 25-Nov. 21, 2026). Parking lot, 935 Prose St. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda, pike.centralfarmmarkets.com
Potomac Farmers Market Thursdays, 3-6:30 p.m. (May 7-Nov. 26, 2026). Potomac United Methodist Church, 9908 S. Glen Road, Potomac, potomacumc.org/ potomac-village-farmers-market
Rockville Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (June 6-Oct. 31, 2026). Holiday market Nov. 21, 2026. Christ the Servant Lutheran Church parking lot, 9801 Centerway Road, Montgomery Village, mvfarmersmarket.com
New Morning Farm Market Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (May through November) and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (December through March). Taylor Street at Brookeville Road, Chevy Chase, newmorningfarm.net/markets
Norman’s Farm Market Hours and days vary. Stands in Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac, normansfarmmarket.com
Olney Farmers & Artists Market Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (year-round). MedStar Montgomery Thrift Shop grounds, 2801 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, olneyfarmersmarket.com
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (May 16-Nov. 21, 2026). Jury parking lot, corner of Route 28 and Monroe Street, Rockville, rockvillemd.gov/farmers
Shady Grove Farmers Market Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (May 13Oct. 28, 2026). National Cancer Institute campus rear parking lot, 9605 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, milkladymarkets.org
Takoma Park Farmers Market Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (year-round). Behind the shops on Laurel Avenue, entrance next to Truist Bank, 6931 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park, takomaparkmarket.com
Wheaton Market Thursdays, 2-6 p.m. (May 21-Oct. 29, 2026). Evans Neighborhood Park, 2001 Evans Parkway, Wheaton, milkladymarkets.org
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The Old and the New Montgomery County’s restaurant scene is filled with mainstays and newbies. Here are 10 places to check out. BY TODD KLIMAN
NEWER SPOTS Aventino
Kema by Kenaki
A small, tranquil spot, tucked away in a tiny shopping plaza in Potomac, Kema by Kenaki doesn’t draw the media attention of newer spots, nor find its way onto roundups devoted to longer-tenured vets. A pity, because it happens to be one of the best sushi restaurants in the D.C. region. Its most attractive quality is that it knows what
it is, and (more crucially) what it isn’t. You don’t come to Kema by Kenaki for a long and sprawling menu of teriyaki, donburi and ramen, and this isn’t the place to look for clever creations that mash up East and West, either. This is a purist’s den. The rice is prepared with care and never clumps, and the fish is delicately carved and apportioned. Translation: The nigiri are on the small side, and all the better for it, with nothing out of balance. It’s a measure of the reverence with which ingredients are handled that even a simple roll of, say, salmon or yellowtail feels special. 11325 Seven Locks Road (Cabin John Village), Potomac, 240-907-2194, kemasushi.com
Lime & Cilantro
When a chef attempts to upscale a cuisine that he or she grew up on, the cooking sometimes loses its way as it ascends the ladder of ambition. Not at Lime & Cilantro. Danny Chavez, who is both chef and co-owner, turns out a plate of short ribs that’s as refined as refinement gets—braising the meat in two kinds of chilies, ringing it with two sauces to up the degree of difficulty for him (and pleasure for you), and crowning it with microgreens—but what’s best about it is that it retains its soul. He can do simpler, as well, cooking up tamales with elegance and finesse. Dinner is the showcase of his talents, but we love lunch, too, a simpler affair at which you can eat tacos and appreciate the quality of his rice and beans. As for brunch, it’s one of the best around, with warm service, good coffee and a
TOP LEFT PHOTO BY MARJ SUAREZ; PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY
Aventino chef Michael Friedman runs some of D.C.’s most-loved Italian spots (including The Red Hen, All-Purpose Pizza Shaw and AP Pizza Shop), and he possesses a keen understanding of the cultural moment, a time when people are looking for superior sourcing, dynamic but simple preparations, and a setting that soothes more than it wows. Aventino delivers on all of those counts, and for that reason has endeared itself to locals almost from the moment it opened. As at The Red Hen, pastas are the thing to zero in on; the tonnarelli, a version of cacio e pepe, is textbook, a dish that looks no frills but tastes like luxury. The great thing about the more tricked-out pastas is that, for all the ways they surprise and enlighten, they also satisfy on a level that is deeply, wonderfully primal. 4747 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-961-6450, aventinocucina.com
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Dishes at Six Ways to Sunday are a mashup of Thai and Chinese.
The bar at Aventino is a stylish spot for the restaurant’s pasta dishes and cocktails.
mix of sweet and savory that will set your weekend right. 1909 Seminary Road, Silver Spring, 443-288-1234, limencilantro.com
Melina
Cava, the fast-casual chain, is approaching 500 locations around the country, but what many people don’t know is that the team that launched it started out in fine dining. Melina is their link back to that past, and if it sounds like a stretch to imagine, it shouldn’t be. Cava made its name on its sourcing and its precision, and both are on ample display at this sleekly designed but warmly appointed restaurant. If you never ventured past the lineup of dips and appetizers and breads—and there are those who never do, finding them to be ideal building blocks for a lingering night with friends—you would have a lot to
smile about, especially if you should pair any of them with one of the crisp and minerally Greek white wines. The main courses are just as worthy, and offer up something rare in fine, or finer, dining: the deep, soulful pleasure of stick-toyour-ribs cooking. 905 Rose Ave. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda, 301-818-9090, melinagreek.com
Six Ways to Sunday
One of the most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026—the debut of which was expected in 2024, then 2025—Six Ways to Sunday is a resounding triumph, and in a restaurant scene that seemingly has it all, it possesses a wondrous curiosity. It offers a mashup of Thai and Chi-
nese that feels thrilling and new, served in a space that honors the past (wainscoting, wallpaper, wooden cabinets) and with prices that also harken to yesteryear. No other restaurant in the area is putting out anything like these dishes, the handiwork of co-chefs and partners Satang Ruangsangwatana and Lekki Limvatana. Two to look for: the Beef Chu Chee, three crusty shanks of braised meat atop a curry whose vivid vermilion color isn’t the most electric thing about it, and the Shrimp Kari, which turns a traditional yellow curry into a kind of crumble and finds something fresh to say in a familiar preparation. 8003 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda, 240-858-6952, sixwaystosundaymd.com
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EAT & DRINK
Classic dishes from the Clyde’s restaurant group are on the menu at Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge.
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A seafood platter at Clyde’s
TRIED & TRUES Bob’s Shanghai 66
D.C.’s Chinatown essentially migrated to Rockville a generation ago as the sons and daughters of the first generation transported family operations north or opened their own places. Today, you can find nearly every region or subregion of China (and seemingly every specialty) in Rockville. But Bob’s Shanghai 66—a quick-serve spot owned and operated by Bob Liu, a former journalist (and first opened in 2003 as Bob’s Noodle 66)—remains one of the best and most dependably rewarding of the bunch, a restaurant that is a rightful leader in the region. The kitchen’s mastery is wide, ranging from an array of dumplings and noodle dishes to roasted meats (chicken, duck) splashed with soy sauce to stir-fries carried off with conviction. 305 N. Washington St., Rockville, 301-251-6652, bobsshanghai66.com
PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY
Clyde’s and Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge
In a region marked by perpetual transience, the Clyde’s group of restaurants is an astonishment, having celebrated its 63rd anniversary in August 2026. Its secret is no secret at all—an almost unerring consistency, both on the floor and in the kitchen. The crabcake platter you ate five years ago is going to be exactly the same as the one you eat tomorrow, or five years from now: a generous portion of regionally sourced crab that’s pan-seared to a light and golden crisp and flanked with perfect fries and creamy, crunchy slaw. But there are hits up and down the menu of these two MoCo branches of the regional mainstay—expertly shucked oysters on the half shell; the unchangeable (and long may it stay) chili with grated sharp cheddar and diced onions; and a bacon cheeseburger that, like everything else here, rewards with its beautiful predictability. Clyde’s, 5441 Wisconsin Ave. (The Collection at Chevy Chase), Chevy Chase, 301-951-9600, Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge, 2 Preserve Parkway, Rockville, 301-294-0200, clydes.com
La Limeña Grill
When Emma Perez launched La Limeña, a small Peruvian cafe, she served her cuisine on black plastic plates. But even then, the food had the appeal, and the elan, of a white tablecloth establishment. Over the years, the cuisine of her homeland has become a star on the D.C. scene, with James Beard Award-winning chefs (at other restaurants) and a handful of splashy concepts. But Perez’s current place, La Limeña Grill, and her fare remain irresistible to us and to a legion of fans, most of all for the deft handling of fish and seafood, including the mustorder aji amarillo (a colorful, petal-like presentation of lightly cooked white fish fanned out atop a sea of canary-yellow pepper sauce). The potato is also ennobled here, with a small roster of preparations, from the causa (which uses tender-cooked spuds to sandwich a creamy spread of tuna) to a crispy papa rellena (which turns the English shepherd’s pie into something irresistible and nugget-like). 1093 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301-417-4922
Parkway Deli & Restaurant
The D.C. area has never really been a deli culture, and even when, every so often, a place comes along that nails the food, it tends to forget about what makes a deli great: the deli zest, that mix of old-school (sometimes crusty, sometimes lovable, sometimes lovably crusty) servers, lived-in booths and nicked tables, and humble homeyness that in Yiddish is known as heimishness. Well, Parkway Deli has the zest down, to the point that you could come just to spend an hour soaking up the atmosphere and studying the characters in the room. Fortunately, you’ve also got a very good pickle bar (with sours, half sours and dills) and the classic sandwiches on rye (pastrami, corned beef) that all satisfy in a way that more celebrated, chef-driven versions sometimes don’t. 8317 Grubb Road, Silver Spring, 301-587-1427, theparkwaydeli.com
Ruan Thai
Ruan Thai remains one of the quintessential Thai restaurant experiences in the area, with many food fans viewing it fondly as the place that exposed them to the range and depth of southern and central Thai cooking. It’s still as vital as it was a generation ago, and the marvel of dining here is that you could stick to one section of the menu and be guaranteed a great time. The Yum Watercress Salad is a can’t-miss, a crispy, crunchy pileup of fried watercress, shrimp and onions that is so much more than the sum of its parts. But you’d be missing out if you left without the mooh phing (tender hunks of pork char-grilled and served with a savory coconut sauce) or the duck red curry with basil, which many couples opt to split, invariably (and delightfully) leading to fights at the table. 11407 Amherst Ave., Wheaton, 301-942-0075, ruanthaiwheaton.com
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EAT & DRINK
Clear Skies Meadery in Rockville
Super Sips BREWERIES 7 Locks Brewing
Since 2015, this 7,200-square-foot taproom and brewery in Rockville has been crafting beloved beers that have become staples in the region’s restaurants and grocery stores. Enjoy a flight of five 5-ounce pours ($15) or three 5-ounce pours ($10), which might include award winners such as Devil’s Alley IPA and Redland Lager. Feel free to bring something to eat or have food delivered, though food trucks are often on-site Thursday through Saturday from 4-8 p.m. Most Saturday evenings feature live music, and there’s almost always a game on one of the widescreen TVs in the taproom. Kids and leashed pets are welcome anytime. 12227 Wilkins Ave., Rockville, 301-841-7123, 7locksbrewing.com
BabyCat Brewery
Opened in 2022 by founders Terry Redmond and Sam Mussomeli, the Kensington brewery’s taproom offers an industrial sensibility punctuated by poppy beer label artwork. There’s room inside for 100 guests, with space for another 150 on the patio and deck. Its sleek Bethesda location opened in October 2025 and features a generous patio filled with high-tops and Adirondack chairs. Both locations offer food. In Kensington, the on-site food trailer, Cattie Shack, is open Wednesday through Sunday. Bethesda’s kitchen serves up wraps, wings and giant Bavarian pretzels. Feel free to bring pets and kiddos. 10241 Kensington Parkway, Kensington, 301-302-8892; 4850 Rugby Ave., Bethesda, 301-686-8211; babycatbrewery.com
The Brookeville Beer Farm
There’s a holistic mindset to this working farm in Brookeville. The land is planted with everything from hops and shiitake mushrooms to raspberries and
blackberries, which are often used as ingredients for its beers. In turn, the spent grain from the brewing process is put to work as compost to enrich the soil. Welcoming to children and leashed pets, the brewery has a large taproom and a sprawling outdoor area dotted with picnic tables. Taste any four beers for $16. If lines are long or the beer farm is busy, flights may not be available. If you’re feeling noshy, you can purchase pizzas, appetizers and salads (no outside food is permitted, except cakes for celebrations). 20315 A Georgia Ave., Brookeville, 301-260-1000, brookevillebeerfarm.com
Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Co. Popular beers at this Gaithersburg farm brewery include its ever-changing IPAs and pilsners. Try a tasting flight of three or four 4-ounce samples (prices vary). Well-behaved pets and children are welcome, but must be carefully supervised. The brewery’s food truck is open Thursday through Sunday serving sea-
TOP PHOTO BY MATTHEW MADDOCK MAD DOCK MEDIA; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY 7 LOCKS BREWING
Our guide to breweries, distilleries and wineries in Montgomery County, plus a cidery and a meadery
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sonal appetizers, flatbreads, handhelds and salads. Head to the rustic 45-seat tasting room or settle in outside at one of the tables. Saturdays from spring through the fall, the brewery hosts live music outside at its Forest Floor Stage. 4200 Sundown Road, Gaithersburg, 301-377-9906, elderpine.com
brewery regularly hosts events, including trivia nights, and in the fall it goes all out for Oktoberfest, with live music, games, a German-style menu and an abundance of gemütlichkeit (a feeling of coziness and good cheer). 8401 Colesville Road, #150, Silver Spring, 301-288-1112, silverbranchbrewing.com
Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co.
Stone Silo Brewery
Nearly 29 acres of picture-perfect farmland are planted with barley, hops, berries and hay, and are home to fields, gurgling streams and a pond. Sit in the taproom, on the patio, or at a picnic table on a first-come, first-served basis. Or reserve specialty seating in increments of one hour 45 minutes: a large tent ($159), or the outdoor Corral space which features picnic tables and a firepit for groups of 20 to 40 people. Pricing is $180-$230 depending on if you’d like a private server. A 20% gratuity is added to all of these reservation purchases. Dogs and children are welcome; there’s a sizable playground. Tasting flights offer a range of the brewery’s offerings ($16.50 for five 5-ounce pours). Its sister operation, Fallen Oak Distilling, features a cocktail bar offering craft drinks in a more sophisticated setting. 5000 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney, 240-261-4967, loneoakbrewingco.com
Mayan Monkey Brewing Co.
Fresh Mexican food, fine housemade brews, flamenco nights—there’s a lot to love at one of Gaithersburg’s hotspots, which opened in 2024. Sip a Chula, a lager brewed with corn, or an El Mateo, a pale ale redolent with citrus and stonefruit notes. For those more in a cocktail mood, there’s an extensive list of tequilas. Food includes bar bites such as wings and cheese curds as well as pepitatopped guacamole and pastor tacos. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights ranges from classic rock to ska to blues. 227 E. Diamond St., Gaithersburg, 240-690-4845, mayanmonkeybrewingco.com
Silver Branch Brewing Co.
Founded by Christian Layke and Brett Robison in 2019, this brewery with a taproom and biergarten for 275 guests is next to the Silver Spring Metro station. Complement your suds with sandwiches, wings, salads, tacos and appetizers. The
Standing tall and proud, this farm’s picture-worthy stone silo, built in 1931, inspired the moniker of this agrarian brewery by Don and Susan Katzenberger. In keeping with the rustic aesthetic of this 70-acre property, the taproom is located in the onetime milk house. Beers include rotating seasonal flavors along with permanent customer favorites; there are also hard seltzers, seltzer slushies and nonalcoholic options. Leashed dogs are allowed, but only outside. Kids can come, too, but they must always be attended. Bring your own food, with the exception of pizza, or avail yourself of one of the food trucks on-site Thursday through Sunday. 28800 Kemptown Road, Damascus, 301-256-3118, stonesilobrewery.com
Third Hill Brewing Co.
After home-brewing beer for years, Jason Sliter jumped at the opportunity to open a brewery in June 2023 in the former location of Astro Lab Brewing in downtown Silver Spring. Third Hill Brewing Co. has 16 taps and offers a variety of craft brews ranging from pale ales to porters along with craft seltzer and sour offerings. The bar offers a happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. with discounted draft beers and appetizers. 8216 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, 301-755-2090, thirdhillbrewing.com
Waredaca Brewing Co.
Montgomery County’s first farm brewery is surrounded by paddocks full of horses, offering great photo ops during your visit (no petting allowed). Survey the agrarian operation’s sudsy offerings with a flight of five 5-ounce tasters ($16), which might include popular brews such as Waredaca Premium Lager, Shiloh Belgian Blonde and Winslow NE Pale Ale, or the popular all-natural sparkling hard lemonade. Complement drinks with bites such as warm pretzels, charcuterie,
cheese, popcorn and Detroit-style pizza available from food trucks Friday-Sunday. There’s space for up to 70 guests in the taproom, as well as a couple hundred more outdoors. An outside pavilion space called The Barn is available for private events and gatherings. Children and pets are welcome. 4017 Damascus Road, Laytonsville, 301-774-2337, waredacabrewing.com
CIDERY
Doc Waters Cidery
Since opening in 2018, the first cidery in the county has been racking up awards for its apple-powered creations, including those that are hopped and oak-aged. Try a quartet of them in their natural state or as refreshing slushies. The outdoor-only cidery offers plenty of shaded seating in the warm-weather months, while igloos and firepits are available to rent once it gets chilly (prices vary). Stop in for trivia on Friday nights, live music on Saturday and Sunday, and food trucks from Friday through Sunday (you also can bring your own food and nonalcoholic beverages). In September and October, pick a variety of apples in the orchard, including Crimson Crisps, Hudson Golden Gems and Pink Ladies. 22529 Wildcat Road, Germantown, 301-972-1814, docwaterscidery.com
DISTILLERIES
Fallen Oak Distilling
Depending on your mood (and maybe the weather), pick from one of two distinct seating areas at Fallen Oak, a distillery opened in 2024 by Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co. on its property. Visitors age 21 and older can kick back on the lawn, patio or tasting room area, or venture into Whispering Spirit, a speakeasy. Scoop up crab dip made with Lone Oak’s Olney Amber Lager, or go for a plate of sliders (maple bourbon brisket or honey chicken). Fallen Oak makes bourbon, maple bourbon, rye, gin and vodka in small batches. 5000 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney, 240-477-4173, loneoakbrewingco.com/ fallen-oak-distilling
Song Dog
Fancy a taste of Maryland? Head to Song Dog, which prides itself on producing bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka,
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EAT & DRINK bring a picnic, though the vineyard sells upscale snacks (charcuterie boards, hummus and olives), regularly hosts food trucks, and several local restaurants will deliver there. Children and leashed pets are welcome outside, but not in the tasting room. 28712 Kemptown Road, Damascus, 301-253-2832, 61vineyard.com
Burnt Hill
gin and seasonal liqueurs. Founders Megan Draheim and David Harris say their spirits highlight the agriculture and flavors of the Old Line State. Enjoy a cocktail and a bite in the tasting room, take a seat on the front porch or spread out on the lawn. Grab snacks from local food trucks or bring your own picnic (no outside alcohol). Well-behaved kids and dogs are welcome. Reservations are available online. Check the events page for activities such as terra cotta painting or cocktails and collage. 18100 Bucklodge Road, Boyds, 301-513-9500, songdogdistilling.com
MEADERY
Clear Skies Meadery
Made with fermented honey, water and yeast, mead is often referred to as honey wine. The vision of meadmaker Yancy Bodestein and business operations guru Manisha Eigner, this boutique meadery gives longtime lovers and first-timers alike a taste of the hive with flights of 2-ounce pours ($16.50 for four, $20 for five), which might include the award-winning Friending Fenrir, a dry
mead that tastes like a dry prosecco blossoming with floral notes. You can pair drinks with packaged foods—such as chips, cheese and charcuterie. The meadery sometimes hosts food trucks on weekends if there is an event—check the website. Wednesdays are board game nights, while trivia happens every Thursday evening in the tasting room with space for 60 guests. Feel free to bring tykes and leashed pets. 15201 Display Court, Rockville, 301-867-8965, clearskiesmeadery.com
WINERIES 61 Vineyard
To sample a range of the efforts from vineyard owners Mark and Pam Giganti, order a five-wine tasting flight that features a pair of reds, two whites and a rosé. Enjoy it in the well-appointed tasting room with 25 seats; there are another 50 seats out on the enclosed patio and 100 more scattered across the scenic 47-acre farm striped with 19 acres of vines and an Instagram-worthy view of Sugarloaf Mountain (all seating is first come, first served). You can
The Crossvines
The Crossvines is a wine production facility with a restaurant, The Farmhouse Bistro, where visitors can enjoy wines produced on-site. The Crossvines also works with clients looking to start their own wine brands, connecting them with grape growers and providing the facilities and equipment to produce and bottle their wine. Visitors don’t have to participate in the winemaking program to enjoy the property; wine tastings are available at The Farmhouse Bistro and walk-ins are welcome. The Crossvines wines—sparkling, white, rosé and red—range from $14 to $15 by the glass and $30 to $48 by the bottle; a flight of three 3-ounce pours is $25. The Crossvines also makes hard cider. The Farmhouse Bistro offers indoor and patio seating and serves burgers, seafood, salads and other entrees. Children
LEFT PHOTO BY ASHLI JOHNSON; RIGHT PHOTO BY TERRAGOLD PHOTO
Burnt Hill in Clarksburg
Venture to rural Clarksburg for an elevated wine and culinary experience at Burnt Hill Farm. Sleek and modern, the restaurant boasts huge windows overlooking sheep grazing in the fields and dramatic sunsets. Oldworld grapes—cabernet franc, gamay and syrah—as well as American varieties grow on their vines. Tastings feature three wines (3 ounce pours each) of estate wines or wines from its sister farm, Old Westminster Winery, and range from $30 to $55. Nonalcoholic beverages are available. Designed to complement the wines, a la carte seasonal plates feature produce from the farm and region. Note: Burnt Hill is adults-only (21 and older) and reservations are required to visit and to purchase wine. Each reservation is for three hours. 25001 Burnt Hill Road, Clarksburg, 667-788-8636, burnthill.com
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and service animals are allowed. The property has a golf course. 16601 West Willard Road, Poolesville, 240-771-0738, crossvines.com
Rocklands Farm Winery
You know you’ve reached this rural vineyard when you pull up to the big red barn. Seating is first come, first served inside and outside on the sprawling lawn. Wet your whistle by enjoying a guided three-wine flight ($18). No matter what, make sure to savor Anna’s Rosé, a dry low-alcohol easy drinker that is a bestseller. Kids are welcome; dogs are not. Bring your own nibbles to nosh on, patronize one of the rotating local food vendors, or pick up small bites in the market, such as cheese, charcuterie, dips, chips and sweets. 14531 Montevideo Road, Poolesville, 301-825-8075, rocklandsfarmmd.com
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
Nestled at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain, this bucolic estate features 22 acres of vines spread out around a
cozy tasting room, sizable patio and extensive grassy seating areas. Get a free tour of the operation by emailing in advance (info@smvwinery.com). Indulge in the full range of offerings at the bar or try a four-wine flight at a table (prices vary). The vineyard is dog-friendly and kid-ready. There’s also live music Friday through Sunday so the good vibes stay strong. On the food front, there is a small selection of cheese and charcuterie available for purchase, and food trucks are on-site most weekends. 18125 Comus Road, Dickerson, 301-605-0130, smvwinery.com
The Urban Winery of Silver Spring
Located in downtown Silver Spring, this vino hangout offers a variety of tasting flights ($15-$20) so you can dive deep into its cellar’s offerings. Want to learn how wine is made and craft a small batch of your own? Sign up for the twosession Wine Making Experience ($550$750), which yields bespoke bottles
varying from sweet whites to robust dark reds. For food, you can build your own board with a variety of cheeses and charcuterie, savor mezze—such as rice dolmades, Old Bay-dusted chicken wings and Greek meatballs—or enjoy desserts, including red velvet cake and triple chocolate cake. 2315 Stewart Ave., Silver Spring, 301-585-4100, theurbanwinery.com
Windridge Vineyards
The tasting room and outdoor seating at this picturesque property look out over 10 acres of vines (another 20 acres’ worth are under cultivation at other sites). Settle in to sip on the latest vintage of Windridge’s refreshing sparkling rosé or its summery albariño. Can’t decide? Try a flight of three signature wines ($24). Note that Windridge is 21-andover, except at booked private events. You can bring your own food, though the vineyard also sells charcuterie, local cheeses, crackers, snacks and sweets. 15700 Darnestown Road, Darnestown, 301-750-9463, windridge.wine
OPEN HOUSE October 9 November 11
Please register at dechantal.org/admissions
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BEST OF BETHESDA
EAT & DRINK
2026 Readers’ Picks
FOOD & DRINK
More than 8,400 people voted in our online readers’ poll. The winners and finalists are listed in order of the number of votes they received with ties indicated.
BREWERY
Winner: Bethesda Bagels Finalists: Call Your Mother Ize’s Deli & Bagelry Georgetown Bagelry
Winner: BabyCat Brewery Finalists: Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co. 7 Locks Brewing (tie) Silver Branch Brewing Co. (tie)
BAKERY
BRUNCH
Winner: Fresh Baguette Finalists: Tatte Bakery & Café Breads Unlimited Tout de Sweet Pastry Shop
Winner: Silver Finalists: MoCo’s Founding Farmers Java Nation Mon Ami Gabi
BURGER
Winner: Five Guys Finalists: Duke’s Grocery Caddies on Cordell Clyde’s
BUSINESS LUNCH SPOT
BAR/RESTAURANT TO WATCH A GAME Winner: Caddies on Cordell Finalists: Tommy Joe’s Bar + Grill Quincy’s Bar and Grille BT’s Bethesda Bar & Grill
Winner: MoCo’s Founding Farmers Finalists: Mon Ami Gabi Black’s Bar & Kitchen Duke’s Grocery
CARIBBEAN/CUBAN RESTAURANT
BEER SELECTION
Winner: Cubano’s Finalists: Cuba de Ayer Negril
BREAKFAST
Winner: House of Foong Lin Finalists: Meiwah Restaurant Q by Peter Chang Far East Restaurant
Winner: World of Beer Finalists: Caddies on Cordell Barrel and Crow (tie) Dog Haus (tie)
Winner: Silver Diner Finalists: Tastee Diner Tatte Bakery & Café First Watch (tie) The Original Pancake House (tie)
CHINESE RESTAURANT
COCKTAILS AND ZERO-PROOF DRINKS Winner: Hip Flask Rooftop Bar Finalists: MoCo’s Founding Farmers
Caddies on Cordell (tie) No Regrets Pizza Co. (tie)
COFFEE SHOP (LOCALLY OWNED)
Winner: Java Nation Finalists: Quartermaine Coffee Roasters Neighbors Coffee Grace Street Coffee
DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT Winner: Mon Ami Gabi Finalists: Aventino Melina Barrel and Crow
DESSERT MENU
Winner: MoCo’s Founding Farmers Finalists: Mon Ami Gabi Barrel and Crow (tie) Seasons 52 (tie)
DOG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT/BAR
Winner: Caddies on Cordell Finalists: Barrel and Crow Java Nation (tie) Silver (tie)
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT Winner: Silver Diner Finalists: Silver Caddies on Cordell (tie) Uncle Julio’s (tie)
FARMERS MARKET
Winner: Bethesda Central Farm Market Finalists: Norman’s Farm Market Freshfarm Downtown Silver Spring Market (tie) Kensington Farmers’ Market (tie)
LEFT PHOTO COURTESY FRESH BAGUETTE; RIGHT PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCABE
BAGEL
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ITALIAN RESTAURANT Winner: Olazzo Finalists: Aventino Gregorio’s Trattoria Il Pizzico
JAPANESE/SUSHI RESTAURANT Winner: Raku Finalists: Kusshi Sushi Sushiko Rakugaki
KOSHER RESTAURANT FOOD TRUCK
Winner: Silver and Sons Barbecue Finalists: Money Muscle BBQ Pita on the Plaza
HAPPY HOUR
Winner: Caddies on Cordell (tie) Winner: King Street Oyster Bar (tie) Finalists: Barrel and Crow Black’s Bar & Kitchen (tie) Gringos & Mariachis (tie)
ICE CREAM SHOP
Winner: Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream Finalists: Max’s Best Ice Cream Carmen’s Italian Ice (tie) Jeni’s Ice Creams (tie)
INDIAN RESTAURANT Winner: Kadhai Finalists: Commonwealth Indian Passage to India Tikka Masala
Winner: Al Ha’esh Finalists: Oh Mama Grill Siena’s Restaurant
LATIN RESTAURANT Winner: Pisco y Nazca Finalists: Guardado’s La Limeña Grill
MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT Winner: Ala
FIND THE RIGHT CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR YOU Open House Schedule Available on Our Website
Tuition Assistance Available & Application Opens in October
ENROLLING FOR
2027-2028
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Finalists: Bacchus of Lebanon Melina Moby Dick’s House of Kabob
MEXICAN RESTAURANT Winner: Guapo’s Finalists: Gringos & Mariachis Uncle Julio’s Fish Taco
NEW RESTAURANT
Winner: Pisco y Nazca Finalists: Duke’s Grocery Bouboulina Silver and Sons Barbecue
OUTDOOR DINING Winner: Mon Ami Gabi Finalists: Old Angler’s Inn Caddies on Cordell Java Nation
OVERALL RESTAURANT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY/ UPPER NW D.C. Winner: Mon Ami Gabi Finalists: Il Pizzico Aventino (tie) Barrel and Crow (tie)
PIZZA
Winner: No Regrets Pizza Co. Finalists: Andy’s Pizza Ledo Pizza Frankly...Pizza!
PRIVATE DINING SPACE Winner: Seasons 52 Finalists: All Set Restaurant & Bar Mon Ami Gabi Barrel and Crow (tie) Lia’s Restaurant (tie)
RESTAURANT IN BETHESDA Winner: Mon Ami Gabi Finalists: Aventino Olazzo
Barrel and Crow
RESTAURANT IN CHEVY CHASE Winner: Clyde’s Finalists: La Ferme Restaurant Lia’s Restaurant The Capital Grille
RESTAURANT IN GAITHERSBURG/ NORTH POTOMAC Winner: Coastal Flats Finalists: Vasili’s Kitchen Sin & Grin Il Porto
RESTAURANT IN GARRETT PARK/KENSINGTON Winner: Black Market Bistro Finalists: Frankly...Pizza! The Dish & Dram Knowles Station Wine & Co.
RESTAURANT IN NORTH BETHESDA/ROCKVILLE Winner: Julii Finalists: Melina (tie) No Regrets Pizza Co. (tie) Summer House Santa Monica
RESTAURANT IN OLNEY/ SANDY SPRING
Winner: Salt & Vine Trattoria Finalists: GrillMarX Steakhouse & Raw Bar Mannequin Pis Sisters Sandwiches & Such
RESTAURANT IN POTOMAC Winner: Hunter’s Bar and Grill Finalists: Duke’s Grocery MoCo’s Founding Farmers Old Angler’s Inn
RESTAURANT IN SILVER SPRING Winner: Zinnia Finalists: All Set Restaurant & Bar Parkway Deli J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse
RESTAURANT IN UPPER NW D.C. Winner: Millie’s Finalists: Opal
Et Voila! La Piquette
SANDWICH SHOP
Winner: Jetties Finalists: Bradley Food & Beverage Sisters Sandwiches & Such Capo Deli
SPECIAL OCCASION RESTAURANT Winner: Mon Ami Gabi Finalists: Bistro Provence (tie 2nd) The Capital Grille (tie 2nd) Aventino (tie 3rd) Il Pizzico (tie 3rd)
SPECIALTY MARKET
Winner: The Market at River Falls Finalists: Balducci’s The Organic Butcher of Bethesda Grosvenor Market
STEAKHOUSE
Winner: The Capital Grille Finalists: Medium Rare Morton’s The Steakhouse (tie) Ruth’s Chris Steak House (tie)
THAI RESTAURANT
Winner: Sisters Thai Finalists: Kiin Imm Thai Restaurant Sala Thai Ruan Thai
VEGETARIAN DISHES
Winner: Planta Finalists: Rooted3 True Food Kitchen St.Veg
VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT Winner: Pho Nom Nom Finalists: Pho Viet USA Pho 75 Mi La Cay
WINE LIST
Winner: Olazzo Finalists: Cooper’s Hawk (tie) The Crossvines (tie) Mon Ami Gabi (tie)
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: COURTESY NO REGRETS PIZZA CO.; PHOTO COURTESY JETTIES; PHOTO BY JULIAN COUSINS
EAT & DRINK
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KIDS & SCHOOLS
5 Fun Playgrounds Where to splash in a fountain, ride on a paved trike track and feed a talking pig trash can BY STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE
Cabin John Regional Park Adventure Playground This shady playground has been a favorite of Montgomery County families for generations. Parents and even grandparents may remember features such as the miniature train, which began operating in 1970 and chugs passengers through the surrounding woods on a 2-mile track, and Porky the talking trash receptacle pig, a remnant from the early days of the park in the 1960s. The expansive play area features equipment for young children and older kids, including swings, tall and short slides, and various climbing structures. Car, train and tractor play equipment are perennial draws for young vehicle enthusiasts. There are also picnic tables and restrooms on-site. 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda, montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/ cabin-john-regional-park
Constitution Gardens Park This peaceful playground only covers half an acre, but it’s full of elements that reflect Gaithersburg’s history and the region’s natural features. You won’t find colorful jungle gyms here. Instead, kids can dig in sand, splash in a fountain, sway on bench swings, and play pretend in log houses. There are two pairs of slides, one for little kids and another for those ready to brave steeper slopes. A circle of wooden benches, a giant wooden storyteller’s chair and a Little Free Library commemorate the Gaithersburg Library, which stood on the site until a fire in 1981. A concrete “stream bed” winds through the shady back end of the park; crank a hand-operated water pump and open a dam to watch water flow through it. There are no public restrooms. 112 Brookes Ave., Gaithersburg, gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/parks-fields/ constitution-gardens-park
PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY
P
laygrounds aren’t just for burning energy, although they’re fantastic for that. They’re places where kids can use their imaginations, practice their social skills, and, let’s be honest, give their caregivers a bit of a breather. So, grab the snacks and sunscreen and embark on a playground expedition. Here are a few top choices.
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Cabin John Regional Park’s sprawling playground features climbing equipment, slides and more.
Dewey Local Park
Hadley’s Playground
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park
Young thrill seekers and aspiring ninja warriors can scramble through an obstacle course, cross a rope bridge and ascend a turf-covered hill at this playground with many uncommon features. There are also swings, slides and spinners. A paved trike track with traffic signs and painted lane lines surrounds the play area, which is split into sections for older and younger children. A covered pavilion with picnic tables offers shade. Beyond the playground, the park also includes outdoor fitness equipment, an inline skating rink and a dog park. Portable toilets are available April 1 through Nov. 30. 11720 Dewey Road, Silver Spring, montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/ dewey-local-park
This playground in Falls Road Local Park is designed with thoughtful features that allow children of all abilities to play together. The three main play structures—a castle, a pirate ship and a frontier village—are built with accessible ramps. There are various slides, monkey bars, climbing equipment, a tire swing and standard swings. The play area is covered in a smooth rubbery surface so wheelchairs and walkers, as well as bikes and scooters, can glide easily. The park also includes accessible picnic tables under a large covered pavilion, as well as accessible baseball and soccer fields, pickleball courts and outdoor exercise equipment. Three portable restrooms, accessible to people with disabilities, are available year-round. 12600 Falls Road, Potomac, montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/ falls-road-local-park
There are plenty of opportunities for imaginative play at this park in Rockville’s King Farm neighborhood. A large plastic Loch Ness Monster-type creature “swims” in a mulch “lake” along with other whimsical animal figures at the center of the playground, which also includes swings, slides and equipment with ladders, stairs, bridges and tunnels. Paved pathways offer routes for kids on bikes or scooters to spin their wheels. There are lots of benches, several picnic tables and even an outdoor ping-pong table (BYO balls and paddles). The park also includes tennis and basketball courts, a soccer/ football field, a dog park and Mattie’s Peace Garden, which features a bronze statue of the child for whom the park is named with his service dog, and several stone tables for chess and checkers. Restroom facilities are only open to the public during athletic events. 1800 Piccard Drive, Rockville, rockvillemd.gov/facilities/facility/details/ mattie-jt-stepanek-park-37
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KIDS & SCHOOLS
MoCo Schools 101 How to navigate Maryland’s largest school system
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
The Board of Education
is one of the key reasons families choose to call this county home. The school district saw an 88.8% graduation rate in 2025, according to the state education department—more than two percentage points higher than the Maryland average. This was a slight decrease from the 91.9% graduation rate the year before, which prompted the school system to implement the board of education’s five-year roadmap to guide student success, the Future Ready Strategic Plan. The plan’s goals include academic achievement, good post-secondary outcomes for students, a welcome and inclusive learning environment, and staff support and investment.
Superintendent Thomas Taylor
Leading MCPS is Superintendent of Schools Thomas Taylor, who took over the role in July 2024, overseeing the state’s largest school district with more than 150,000 students. Taylor is an alumnus of the school system, having spent his K-12 years in county schools. He previously served as superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools in Virginia. He has more than 25 years of experience in education, including six as superintendent. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Batten University (formerly known as Virginia Wesleyan), a master’s in educational leadership and a doctorate in PK-12 education policy from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Business Administration degree from William & Mary. Thomas’ office can be reached via email at thomas_w_ taylor@mcpsmd.org or by phone at 240-740-3020.
158,191
Montgomery County Budget FY 2027 Total Budget $7.9 billion
6.6% Debt Service
STUDENTS IN MCPS SCHOOLS FOR 2025-2026
7.2% Health & Human Services
10.7% Public Safety
Source: apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/ basisoperating/common/budgetsnapshot.aspx
25
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Holding Thomas and the school district accountable to serving the student population fairly and effectively is the county’s Board of Education. Its eight elected officials represent five districts, two atlarge seats and, with a student member, the student population. The seven adult members are seated for fouryear terms, with elections held every two years. The student board member is elected by secondary school students and serves for one year. The board regularly reviews school policies, procedures and priorities to ensure that they align with the school district’s vision and values. The board meets twice monthly, except for August and December and months when it holds capital and operating budget hearings. Any community member can sign up to present testimony to the school board to voice their thoughts or concerns on a schoolrelated topic. Board meetings— always available via livestream on the MCPS YouTube channel—are a great chance for families to check the pulse of the school district and hear more about new initia46.7% tives and opportunities across the Public Schools county. Residents can also watch recordings of past meetings on the MCPS YouTube channel. The school board can be reached via email at boe@mcpsmd.org or by phone at 240-740-3030.
MCPS HIGH SCHOOLS
40
For insider scoops, deep dives and updates on all things MCPS, readers can sign up to receive Bethesda Today’s free weekly School Notes newsletter by visiting BethesdaMagazine.com/ newsletters.
MCPS MIDDLE SCHOOLS
136
MCPS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
PHOTO BY ELIA GRIFFIN
9/9/26 12:45 PM
Our High Schools Montgomery County has 25 conventional high schools, plus the Thomas Edison High School of Technology, where students from other county schools attend half-day programs in curricula such as automotive, construction, hospitality and cybersecurity. Here’s what you need to know about local public schools.
Total Enrollment as of Sept 30, 2025
AP/IB Tests, ’24-’25 school year*
Years of Experience of Professional Personnel: % with more than 15 years, ’23-’24
SAT Test Takers Meeting College and Career Readiness (%), ’23-’24 school year **
Original Construction Date
Year Renovated
85.3
1,917
46.6
46.5
78
1962
1997
Bethesda-Chevy Chase 1159
94.1
2,288
64.7
49.7
88.5
1934
2001
Clarksburg
1027
93.6
2,218
40.8
64.3
80.3
1995
2006
Col. Zadok Magruder
982
90.3
1,602
38.8
51.9
80.3
1970
n/a
Damascus
1015
93.1
1,451
35.7
75.5
81.1
1950
1978
Gaithersburg
892
78.6
2,343
24.4
48.5
69.8
1951
2013
James Hubert Blake
941
88.7
1,924
36.8
57
80
1998
n/a
John F. Kennedy
878
73
1,788
25.7
48
68.5
1964
1999
Montgomery Blair
1110
85.5
3,196
50.5
58.6
82.9
1998
n/a
Northwest
1034
95.2
2,208
48.3
61
83.3
1998
n/a
Northwood
906
85.1
1,538
27.5
46
77.1
1956
ongoing
Paint Branch
932
85.8
2,025
33.4
57.5
80.4
1969
2012
Poolesville
1298
98.8
1,377
75.6
76.1
≥95
1953
2024
Quince Orchard
1024
90.3
1,985
51.7
48.4
84.8
1988
n/a
Richard Montgomery
1199
90.6
2,384
62.8
58.6
84
1942
2007
Rockville
977
88.4
1,536
50.5
56
79
1968
2004
Seneca Valley
954
86.8
2,373
42.6
46.1
74.7
1974
2020
Sherwood
1061
93.8
1,678
49.4
68.3
87.6
1950
1991
Springbrook
971
86.2
1,794
39.3
47.6
76.9
1960
1994
Thomas S. Wootton
1239
96.5
1,821
70.9
69.8
87.8
1970
n/a
Walt Whitman
1299
94.9
2,002
81.5
57.4
92.4
1962
1992
Walter Johnson
1195
93.6
3,011
67.2
55.4
83.7
1956
2009
Watkins Mill
890
82.5
1,551
30.2
43
67.6
1989
n/a
Wheaton
984
83.2
2,689
39.9
46.6
82.2
1954
2016
Winston Churchill
1256
96.1
2,165
73.7
54.7
90.1
1964
2001
School
Average SAT Scores for 2024 Graduates
Graduation Percentage Rate for ’24-’25
Albert Einstein
986
*% of graduates scoring 3 or higher on AP test or scoring 4 or higher on IB test, ’24-’25 school year **Attainment of college or career readiness benchmarks set by the College Board for SAT evidence-based reading and writing (480 points) and mathematics (530 points) sections Source: Montgomery County Public Schools
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KIDS & SCHOOLS
Top Private Schools Here’s what you need to know about some of Montgomery County’s private high schools and how they rank in Maryland according to Niche.com, a website that uses data and reviews to grade schools on factors such as academics, diversity and sports. The data is from the “2026 Best Private High Schools in Maryland” list. RANK IN MD
SCHOOL NAME
LOCATION
GRADES
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
RELIGION
BOYS/ GIRLS/COED
STUDENTTEACHER RATIO
YEARLY TUITION*
4
Rochambeau The French International School
Bethesda
PK, K-12
1,308
n/a
coed
9:1
$33,930
5
Holton-Arms School
Bethesda
3-12
665
n/a
girls
6:1
$60,535
6
Georgetown Preparatory School
North Bethesda
9-12
496
Catholic
boys
8:1
$47,450
7
Landon School
Bethesda
3-12
710
n/a
boys
7:1
$55,750
9
Washington Waldorf School
Bethesda
PK, K-12
258
n/a
coed
5:1
$34,230
10
Bullis School
Potomac
K-12
1,069
n/a
coed
6:1
$57,575
13
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Bethesda
PK, K-12
758
Catholic
girls
6:1
$51,700
15
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
Potomac
PK, K-12
735
Episcopal
coed
7:1
$57,920
18
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Olney
9-12
1,267
Catholic
coed
8:1
$34,710
20
Barrie School
Silver Spring
PK, K-12
364
n/a
coed
7:1
$34,210
22
Oneness-Family School
Kensington
PK, K-12
119
n/a
coed
4:1
$43,500
29
Connelly School of the Holy Child
Potomac
6-12
367
Catholic
girls
7:1
$46,400
*Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year.
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BEST OF BETHESDA 2026 Readers’ Picks
KIDS & SCHOOLS
More than 8,400 people voted in our online readers’ poll. The winners and finalists are listed in order of the number of votes they received with ties indicated. ART CLASSES
INDOOR PLAY SPACE
MUSIC CLASSES
CHILDREN’S THEATER
KIDS SWIM LESSONS
PLACE FOR KIDS PARTIES
Winner: Glen Echo Park Finalists Red Panda Art Studio District DabbleLab VisArts Winner: Imagination Stage Finalists Adventure Theatre MTC The Puppet Co.
DANCE STUDIO
Winner: Bethesda Conservatory of Dance Finalists Dawn Crafton Dance Connection C-Unit Dance Studio Bethesda Dance Center
Winner: My Gym Potomac Finalists Play Street Museum Hyper Kidz The Little Towns Children’s Museum Winner: Fins Swimming Finalists Goldfish Swim School YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase Tollefson Swimming
Winner: International School of Music Finalists Bach to Rock Washington Conservatory of Music Levine Music Winner: Glen Echo Park Finalists My Gym Potomac District DabbleLab Encrypted Escape
MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL Winner: Groundworks BJJ Finalists East West Tae Kwon Do (tie) Flying Kick Fitness Center (tie) Kicks Karate (tie)
Geneva Day School
11931 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854
See the rest of the Best of Bethesda Kids & Schools Readers’ Picks at BethesdaMagazine.com/ best-of-bethesda.
Ages 2 through Kindergarten
Encouraging a lifelong love of learning genevadayschool.org 301-340-7704
Often recognized as the region’s “Best Preschool” Enriching curriculum. . . Geneva Method Join us as a two. . . We will grow with you
Maryland Green School
Readers ' Pick Best Pres cho 2024, 202 ol 2, 2018, 201 2020, 6, 2014 & 2012 Finalist 2026, 2025, 202 3
YOUR
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Bethesda Row’s Elm Street
NEIGHBORHOODS
Bethesda
TOP PHOTO COURTESY FEDERAL REALTY; COURTESY PHOTO
S
omeone once referred to Bethesda as “big city, small town.” It’s an apt description. Bethesda, which is actually unincorporated, has many attributes of a big city—a bustling downtown, an educated and sophisticated populace and a striking number and variety of restaurants. (The flip side is that it also has bad traffic, limited parking and expensive housing.) In recent years, Marriott International and Fox 5 DC both debuted stunning new headquarters in high-rise buildings in the heart of downtown. Many new shops and eateries have opened, adding to the area’s vitality. And high-end housing, upscale condos and apartment buildings try to fill the demand for convenient living and easy access to shops, dining and mass transportation. Construction of the Purple Line, a 16-mile light rail service, is progressing. Once complete, it will extend from downtown Bethesda to Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton, connecting to Metro, rail and local bus lines. But in many ways, Bethesda still feels like a small town: People recognize each other on the street, and there are dozens of leafy neighborhoods and a strong sense of community.
POPULATION 68,056
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 98% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 87%
INCOME Median household income: $192,237
#2
Best Places to Live in Maryland in 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report
#4
Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. in 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $1,169,900
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 27.7 minutes
“When we moved here from the Midwest 20 years ago, we found our way to Bethesda and lucked into our closeknit neighborhood, where our kids walked to elementary school and we made lifetime friends. Many people who live in Bethesda aren’t from Bethesda, so there is a conscious commitment to creating community. We seek out people with similar interests and build our village. I can’t imagine a world without the Bethesda farmers market, The Irish Inn [at Glen Echo], or walking to friends’ homes to celebrate birthdays and graduations.” —Sonja Trainor, education lawyer
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
ILLUSTRATOR NAME TK
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NEIGHBORHOODS
CABIN JOHN POPULATION 2,459
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 99%
INCOME Median household income: $250,000
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $1,312,900
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 31.4 minutes
Cabin John
C
ross the single-lane stone bridge to Cabin John, which is bordered by the C&O Canal National Historical Park and the beltway, and you feel like you’ve traveled through time as well as space. Its housing stock of around 700 homes includes everything from 1900s Sears catalog houses to modern mansions. It’s not uncommon to see kids riding their bikes to the nearby C&O Canal or residents launching canoes and kayaks on the Potomac River. There’s a community pool, and the Clara Barton Neighborhood Recreation Center offers exercise classes, sports and activities for all ages. There is also a civic association that organizes special events, community outreach and volunteer opportunities.
#12
Best Places to Live in Montgomery County Niche 2026
#16
S
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 96.3%
INCOME Median household income: $213,750
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
tarted in 1889, Glen Echo is a chartered town with its own mayor and ZIP code that’s located along the west side of MacArthur Boulevard. Glen Echo is bordered by the C&O Canal, Glen Echo Park and the Clara Barton House, named for the founder of the American Red Cross who called Glen Echo home from 1897 until her death in 1912. Streets are named after universities in the United States, such as Princeton and Harvard avenues, and many of the homes date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Glen Echo Park provides many opportunities for fun, including a puppet theater and Adventure Theatre MTC, which produces children’s plays. There’s a renovated 1921 Dentzel Carousel and the Spanish Ballroom, which offers dance classes and holds dances year-round. The park is also home to an aquarium and several art studios, many of which offer classes.
POPULATION 279
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 82%
Best Places to Live in Maryland Niche 2026
Glen Echo
GLEN ECHO
A+
Overall Grade Niche 2026
A+ Good for Families Niche 2026
PHOTO BY ANNABELLE GORDON
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 87.1%
Cabin John offers access to outdoor adventures.
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $1,163,500
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 28.1 minutes Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Census Reporter
38 INSIDER’S GUIDE 2026-2027 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
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Many of Chevy Chase’s neighborhoods feature grand homes.
Chevy Chase
TOP PHOTO BY CRAIG WESTERMAN; COURTESY PHOTO
D
espite its heavy concentration of high-profile inhabitants— politicians, journalists, authors, lawyers and Supreme Court justices call the place home—Chevy Chase somehow manages to seem bucolic and old-fashioned, a place that time forgot. Chevy Chase isn’t a single entity, but rather a collection of neighborhoods, small towns and villages, including the Town of Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase Village, Chevy Chase Section 3, Chevy Chase Section 5, Martin’s Additions and North Chevy Chase. Together they make up an affluent enclave of pricey homes, manicured lawns and hushed streets, as well as top-notch public schools—although many families choose private schools. Residents praise Chevy Chase for its familyfriendliness and charm—as well as its proximity to the nation’s capital—and enjoy the convenience of having three Metro stops close by. The new mixed-use community of Chevy Chase Lake brings fresh residential and retail development to the area, while opulent older stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Bloomingdale’s continue to make the region a destination for high-end shopping.
POPULATION 10,176
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 95.2% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.8%
INCOME Median household income: $211,765
#3
Best Places to Retire in Maryland Niche 2026
#14
Cities Where People Have Best Money Management Skills WalletHub 2026
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $1,245,000
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 27.5 minutes
“I like being in the middle of everything. It’s easy to get to D.C., my work, my parents’ house or out on the [Capital Crescent] Trail. I wanted to live in a place where I could ask my neighbors for a few eggs or a cup of sugar, and it’s normal. I have that kind of community in Chevy Chase. We have lots of groups— for pets, gardeners. I’ve popped over to someone’s house and picked up a plant they left for me on the front porch. I love my community.” —Tiffany Nesfield, owner of Nesfield Performance
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
ILLUSTRATOR NAME TK
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NEIGHBORHOODS
The Lake House at Copper Canyon offers waterside dining at Rio in Gaithersburg.
F
rom the historic central business district known as “Olde Towne” to the newer planned neighborhoods that emphasize pedestrian-friendliness and community closeness, to the retail and restaurants at the Rio shopping center, Gaithersburg has a lot to offer. It’s a diverse community that provides an affordable alternative to Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac. Neighborhoods such as Downtown Crown and Kentlands are designed to offer a variety of housing and recreation within walking distance of bustling shops, restaurants and businesses. Gaithersburg is home to the National Institute of Standards and Technology and nearly two dozen biotech companies. Nearby, the Universities at Shady Grove in North Potomac is a draw for students and professionals. Over the past 50 years, North Potomac has transformed from farmland to a quiet suburban community.
#6
Best Places to Live in Maryland Niche 2026
#10
Best Places to Raise a Family in Maryland Niche 2026
TOP PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY; RIGHT COURTESY PHOTO
Gaithersburg/ North Potomac
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GAITHERSBURG POPULATION 69,657
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 87% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 52.5%
#2
Most Diverse Cities in America WalletHub 2026
#9
Best Places to Retire in Maryland in 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report
INCOME Median household income: $112,467
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $496,500
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 29.4 minutes
NORTH POTOMAC
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
POPULATION 23,790
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 96.1% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 77.2%
INCOME Median household income: $186,514
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $826,200
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 31.5 minutes
“Kentlands feels like the set of a Hallmark movie. Growing up here made me sensitive to the invisible threads connecting people, and taught me that impact doesn’t always begin in big rooms. It can begin in libraries, grocery stores, on front porches. When I started For Love & Buttercup in 2017, I used a neighborhood app and asked for book donations to give to kids with cancer. I woke up the next morning and almost all my neighbors had responded. We drove house to house and met all of them.” —Emily Bhatnagar, founder of For Love & Buttercup, a nonprofit that collects children’s books to share with hospitals and clinics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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NEIGHBORHOODS
KENSINGTON POPULATION 2,369
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 98%
Kensington’s historic houses include Sunnycrest, once the home of a noted doctor.
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 75.7%
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $943,500
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 28.8 minutes
Kensington
GARRETT PARK
W
ith historic Victorian homes, tree-lined streets and shady parks, Kensington doesn’t feel all that removed from its late 19th-century roots, when it was created as a haven from the summer heat in Washington, D.C. The Town of Kensington, which dates to 1894, is home to antiques shops, art studios, galleries, restaurants, a farmers market and a unique children’s library, which is currently under renovation. Greater Kensington stretches out toward Wheaton, Chevy Chase and Bethesda.
#1
Best Places to Raise a Family in Maryland Niche 2026
#1
Best Places to Live in Maryland Niche 2026
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 99.4% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 88.3%
INCOME Median household income: $250,001
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Garrett Park
A+
G
A+
arrett Park, an incorporated town located west of Kensington, offers impeccably preserved Victorian homes and “Chevy houses” of the mid-1920s. The entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. Hallmarks include the towering trees and manicured gardens that led the town to designate itself as an arboretum in 1977. One quirky tradition is the lack of home mail delivery, which means that residents must pick up their mail—and interact with their neighbors—at the town post office. In 1982 it became the first nuclear weapons-free zone in the United States after a town vote.
POPULATION 996
PHOTO BY DANIEL RAD
INCOME Median household income: $152,284
Overall Grade Niche 2026
Good for Families Niche 2026
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $1,005,700
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 34.2 minutes Source: U.S. Census Bureau
42 INSIDER’S GUIDE 2026-2027 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
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North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose development
NORTH BETHESDA POPULATION 50,094
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 94.4% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 75.1%
North Bethesda/ Rockville
INCOME Median household income: $129,092
ROCKVILLE
PHOTO COURTESY FEDERAL REALTY
O
ne of the county’s oldest towns—it was established in 1801 and named for its proximity to Rock Creek—Rockville is nonetheless a quintessentially 21st century American suburb: From busy Rockville Pike with its big-box stores and shopping centers to its comfortable homes and quiet cul-de-sacs, Rockville is a study in contrasts. It somehow manages to be both a fitting setting for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s burial site (at St. Mary’s Catholic Church) and an attractive magnet for vibrant new immigrant communities. It boasts an impressive number of restaurants, shops and grocery stores offering authentic international cuisine. It’s also the site of Montgomery College’s main campus, as well as where the county government and courthouse are located. In next-door North Bethesda, Pike & Rose, a multiuse development with restaurants, stores, entertainment venues and housing, provides a modern vibe to the area at the corner of Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road. Just down Rockville Pike, The Music Center at Strathmore is a world-class concert hall featuring classical, jazz, pop and world music as well as dance and other cultural performances.
POPULATION 67,117
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 92.7% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 72%
INCOME Median household income: $128,649
#3
Best Places to Live in Maryland Niche 2026
#4
Best Suburbs for Young Professionals in Maryland Niche 2026
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COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 29.6 minutes Source: U.S. Census Bureau
#6
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $682,300
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 30.7 minutes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
ILLUSTRATOR NAME TK
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $731,800
Best Places to Retire in Maryland U.S. News & World Report
#19
Most Diverse Cities in America WalletHub, 2026
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Potomac’s estates include this one previously owned by former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder.
NEIGHBORHOODS
Potomac
POPULATION 47,018
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 97.5% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 84.9%
INCOME Median household income: $236,675
#1
Places With Best Public Schools in Maryland Niche 2026
#16
Cities Where People Have Best Money Management Skills WalletHub 2026
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $1,157,000
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 29.7 minutes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
“River Falls [in Potomac] is very family-friendly. It’s got a great proximity to the Potomac River. It’s close to Great Falls, where I can kayak as well as rock climb. I can walk ... to [Old] Angler’s Inn with my kayak and be in the river in about 10 minutes. I also rock climb, and there are big walls on both sides, perfect for top roping. It’s pretty cool that we’re located between farmlands and D.C.” —Gregory Mitchell, captain at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad and satellite engineer
TOP PHOTO BY DEREK & VEE PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY PHOTO
T
he Bravo TV show The Real Housewives of Potomac may have put the place on the map for some, but locals know the real deal. True, Potomac is one of the area’s most affluent communities, characterized by large homes, sprawling lots, rolling fields and the genteel, outdoorsy feel of horse country, but when it comes to nightlife hot spots and juicy drama—not so much. It is a community with top-notch schools and abundant parks and preserves, close to the C&O Canal, Potomac River and Great Falls. The Glenstone museum draws visitors to its collection of modern and contemporary art as well as its stunning grounds. The Potomac Village Shopping Center, a cluster of stores and restaurants at the intersection of Falls and River roads, has long been at the heart of the community, while mixed-use developments at Park Potomac and Cabin John Village offer a variety of shops and well-regarded restaurants.
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The Silver Spring Jazz Festival
PHOTO BY REMSBERG/SILVER SPRING URBAN DISTRICT; COURTESY PHOTO
Silver Spring
O
nce known for its tranquil neighborhoods filled with brick colonials and pedestrian-friendly streets, Silver Spring is growing into an increasingly urban center with a rich diversity of dining, shopping, entertainment and recreation, as well as tall office buildings, residential high-rises and public transit. The downtown area is a lively scene with shops and restaurants near Veterans Plaza, where there’s likely to be something going on, whether it’s a cultural festival in the summer or outdoor ice-skating in the winter. Arts venues such as The Fillmore Silver Spring and AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, as well as large businesses, governmental agencies and the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center contribute to making Silver Spring a cultural and economic hub.
POPULATION 81,015
EDUCATION High school graduate or higher: 87.6% Bachelor’s degree or higher: 61,6%
INCOME Median household income: $115,126
#1
Most Diverse Cities in America WalletHub 2026
#10
Best Places to Retire in Maryland in 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report
HOUSING Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $643,300
COMMUTE Mean travel time to work: 34 minutes
“It’s the sense of community and shared values in Silver Spring that I find so comforting. Those values are reflected through mutual aid efforts, neighborhood block parties, businesses supporting civic causes, musical events like the jazz and blues festivals, and, of course, the Thanksgiving parade. I really believe in the ‘it takes a village’ mantra. That is tangible here and uniquely international. This feeling very much nourishes me.” —Doug Weisburger, senior planning specialist, sustainability programs, for Montgomery County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
ILLUSTRATOR NAME TK
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NEIGHBORHOODS
BEST OF BETHESDA
2026 Readers’ Picks
HOME & GARDEN
More than 8,400 people voted in our online readers’ poll. The winners and finalists are listed in order of the number of votes they received with ties indicated.
ARCHITECT FOR CUSTOM HOMES
CUSTOM DRAPERIES/ WINDOW TREATMENTS
ARCHITECT FOR HOME RENOVATION
ELECTRICIAN
Winner: GTM Architects Finalists: Anthony Wilder Design/Build (tie) Ileana Schinder (tie) Claude C. Lapp Architects
Winner: GTM Architects Finalists: Case Architects & Remodelers Anthony Wilder Design/Build BOWA
BUILDER FOR CUSTOM HOMES
Subscribe to our
NEWSLETTERS
BethesdaMagazine.com/ newsletters
Winner: Sandy Spring Builders Finalists: Douglas Construction Group Structure. Anthony Wilder Design/Build
BUILDER FOR HOME RENOVATION
Winner: Pinehurst Design Build by Tom Gilday Finalists: Boss Design Center Structure. Monarch Prime
CONTRACTOR FOR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES Winner: Fine Earth Landscape Finalists: Anthony Wilder Design/Build Monarch Prime Logan Design & Build
Winner: Rockville Interiors Finalists: Budget Blinds of Bethesda and Silver Spring (tie) Yi’s Upholstery Interiors (tie) The Shade Store Winner: Silco Electric Finalists: C & T Contracting Steel City Electric New Age Lighting
FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Hardwood Artisans Finalists: Urban Country West Elm Arhaus
GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY
Winner: American Plant Finalists: Good Earth Garden Market Johnson’s Florist & Garden Centers Potomac Garden Center
HOME STAGING FIRM
Winner: Wowed Home Staging Finalists: JS Home Design Town & Country Sub Urban Staging + Design
See the rest of the Best of Bethesda Home & Garden Readers’ Picks at BethesdaMagazine.com/best-of-bethesda.
46 INSIDER’S GUIDE 2026-2027 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
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Close to home,
FA R FRO M O RD INARY.
THE MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE FOUNDING PARTNER Since the Music Center at Strathmore opened in 2005, listeners like you have made weekly BSO concerts part of the rhythm of life here. Come hear internationally renowned artists, experience the full power of the orchestra, and share unforgettable nights with your community, just minutes from where you live.
• Free pre-concert lectures before Classical series concerts • On-site dining options • Free parking in the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Garage • Located on the Metro Red Line
10% OFF when you download the BSO app!
BSO SEASON HIGHLIGHTS AT STRATHMORE: OCT 17 Alsop Conducts Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique DEC 11 Cirque Nutcracker JAN 2 Beethoven’s Ninth: New Year’s Celebration FEB 12 The Planets – An HD Odyssey FEB 28 Beethoven’s Complete Piano Concertos with Yeol Eum Son MAR 19 Amadeus LIVE JUN 13 Heyward Conducts Verdi’s Requiem
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Founding Partner of The Music Center at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852 | 877.276.1444 Learn more and see our entire season at BSOmusic.org
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NEIGHBORHOODS
Home Sales
HIGHLIGHTS
A snapshot of the housing market in our area from January 2026 through June 2026 NEIGHBORHOODS: WHERE HOUSES SOLD THE FASTEST
NEIGHBORHOODS: HIGHEST MEDIAN SALE PRICE # OF SALES
MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET
# OF SALES
Edgemoor
Bethesda
$3,725,000
6
Brookhaven
Rockville
3
3
Kenwood
Chevy Chase
$3,350,000
4
Wood Acres
Bethesda
4
7
Avenel
Bethesda
$2,150,000
5
Burning Tree Estates
Bethesda
5
3
Oakwood Knolls
Bethesda
$2,082,500
4
Glen Mar Park
Bethesda
5
3
Bradley Hills Grove
Bethesda
$2,043,000
7
Parkwood
Bethesda
6
4
Sumner
Potomac
$1,916,332
16
Sumner
Bethesda
6
16
Westmoreland Hills
Bethesda
$1,897,500
10
Bedfordshire
Potomac
6
12
Avenel
Potomac
$1,775,000
12
Lakeside Terrace
Bethesda
8
3
Somerset Heights
Chevy Chase
$1,893,000
6
Westmoreland Hills
Bethesda
8
10
McAuley Park
Potomac
$1,766,450
4
Inverness Forest
Potomac
8
14
English Village
Bethesda
$1,755,000
7
Woodhaven
Bethesda
10
4
Bradley Hills
Bethesda
$1,687,500
6
North Bethesda Grove
Bethesda
11
3
River Falls
Potomac
$1,590,000
14
Potomac Crest
Potomac
14
3
Bannockburn
Bethesda
15
5
Bradley Hills
Bethesda
18
6
Ashburton
Bethesda
19
12
Piney Glen Village
Potomac
24
6
ZIP CODES: HIGHEST MEDIAN SALE PRICE # OF SALES
20816
Bethesda
$1,426,000
117
20817
Bethesda
$1,425,000
264
ZIP CODES: WHERE HOMES SOLD THE FASTEST
20015
Upper NW D.C.
$1,425,000
102
20815
Chevy Chase
$1,250,000
217
20854
Potomac
$1,250,000
328
20816
20016
Upper NW D.C.
$1,200,000
218
MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET
# OF SALES
Bethesda
6
117
20896
Garrett Park
6
5
Potomac
7
328
20896
Garrett Park
$1,182,000
5
20854
20814
Bethesda
$979,000
169
20015
Upper NW D.C.
7
102
Bethesda
8
264
20895
Kensington
$942,500
130
20817
20818
Cabin John
$797,000
8
20895
Kensington
8
130
Silver Spring
8
156
20878
Gaithersburg/North Potomac
$740,000
328
20902
20850
Rockville
$714,560
261
20878
Gaithersburg/North Potomac
10
328
Rockville
11
256
20910
Silver Spring
$650,000
129
20852
20852
Rockville
$635,000
256
20818
Cabin John
12
8
20902
Silver Spring
$575,000
156
20850
Rockville
12
261
20910
Silver Spring
13
129
20815
Chevy Chase
14
217
20016
Upper NW D.C.
15
218
20814
Bethesda
16
169
Data provided by Data courtesy of Bright MLS as of Aug. 31, 2026. Data is for detached homes only from Jan. 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026. Neighborhoods and ZIP codes where fewer than three houses sold are not listed. Some numbers have been rounded.
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HEALTH & WELLNESSS
Workout Wonders
Here are 16 spots for getting in shape, from upscale mega gyms to specialized studios B Y K E L LY K E N D A L L
Barre3
Embrace strength, cardio and mindfulness all at once with a session at this Bethesda studio. As anyone who’s done barre can attest, those subtle movements inspired by ballet training look deceptively easy but deliver major results. The workouts take you through low-impact isometric moves, bursts of cardio, and breath work that’s meant to center your mind. Everyone, from beginner to expert, is welcome at Barre3, which is known locally for its popular classes, with about a dozen offered per day. 4829 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 240-858-6101, barre3.com
Chevy Chase Athletic Club
City and County Recreation Centers
Want to work out on the cheap or even for free? Montgomery County has 22 recreation centers with workshops, clinics, drop-in programs, sports, open gym and special events. A fitness center pass is free with proof of county residency and gets
you access to gym equipment, open gym and more. Some classes, ranging from yoga to pickleball, are available for a fee, and a pass to the county’s four indoor pools and seven outdoor pools costs $400 per year for county residents. There are also city rec centers for a small fee in Gaithersburg and in Rockville, where the Rockville Swim & Fitness Center offers day passes and membership packages for residents and nonresidents. Montgomery County: montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/ recreationcenters Gaithersburg: gaithersburgmd.gov/ recreation Rockville: rockvillemd.gov/398/ swim-fitness-center
CrossFit Bethesda
If the idea of walking into a huge gym— where you don’t really know how to work the machines or, well, do much of anything—fills you with dread, consider a more personalized workout routine at CrossFit Bethesda. Coaches and classmates quickly get to know your name as you all run through barbell squats and kettlebell swings together. Variety is the name of the game here, so if boredom with the same old, same old is what’s killing your desire to work out, CrossFit might be a good fit—the highintensity fitness approach combines elements of weightlifting, cardio and even gymnastics. 4848 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 301-381-5855, crossfitbethesda.com
PHOTO BY JACLYN DUCHARTEAU PHOTOGRAPHY
This 20,000-square-foot club sprawls across the 18th floor of the Barlow Building in Friendship Heights, offering penthouse views of downtown D.C. as you lift, spin or power walk. Its squash program is the biggest in the area, including private and group classes, clinics, tournaments and more. Various personal training options zero in on youth sports, seniors’ balance and flexibility, and all-around fitness. 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, 301-656-8834, myccac.com
50 INSIDER’S GUIDE 2026-2027 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
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Equinox Bethesda
One of more than 100 Equinox clubs around the globe, this is a posh place for getting fit, equipped with such luxuries as a saltwater pool and a spa for facials and massages. Group classes, which are unlimited for members, include cycling, barre, Pilates and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Equinox also prides itself on a topnotch personal training program. 4905 Elm St., Bethesda, 301-652-1078, equinox.com
ExtendYoga
You can do your sun salutations and asanas at this studio, or from the comfort of your home in virtual classes, as teachers lead you through sessions with an emphasis on the vinyasa flow style. Choose from about six classes per day. As part of its mission to make yoga welcoming to all, Extend offers
Repped, an “inclusive yoga series” aimed at underserved groups; past months have been devoted to Muslim and Asian American Pacific Islander communities. 12106 Wilkins Ave., North Bethesda, 301-881-3330, extendyoga.com
Hotworx Bethesda
Eight small saunas that can accommodate up to three people each make up this boutique fitness studio, part of a national chain. Classes— taught by instructors via TV screens in the saunas—combine heat, infrared energy and exercise with the goal of maximizing the calories burned in shorter bursts of time. Choose from sessions such as 30-minute hot yoga or hot Pilates, or 15-minute HIIT workouts such as cycling. The studio is open 24/7 to accommodate busy schedules. 4830 Rugby Ave., Bethesda, 301-966-3924, hotworx.net
Life Time
Billed as “Potomac’s first athletic country club,” that Life Time location is all about breaking a sweat in style. Locker rooms decked out in wood and marble, and accented with flowers, feel reminiscent of a highend hotel bathroom (they also have steam rooms, saunas and a whirlpool). Tend to your whole body, head to toe, at the spa, and recharge at the cafe with a seasonally changing menu. The Gaithersburg location (billed as “Gaithersburg’s only athletic country club”) offers swanky spa services, too, and also boasts two indoor and two outdoor pools. At both Life Time spots, children ages 3 months through 11 years can hang in the Kids Academy while you get your workout in. 1151 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 240-314-7022; 10121 Washingtonian Blvd., Gaithersburg, 301-569-5100; lifetime.life
Check out our Open House and Tour Dates!
mcleanschool.org/visit
McLean Sees Gifts. Help Your Child Discover Their Strengths. McLean School transforms lives. Our small classes and Abilities Model® prepare bright students K-12 including those with dyslexia, ADHD, and organizational challenges for college success. Potomac, Maryland 240.395.0698 admission@mcleanschool.org
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HEALTH & WELLNESSS
Hotworx Bethesda offers fitness classes in its eight saunas.
Onelife Fitness
Orangetheory Fitness
Newbies and seasoned athletes alike are welcome here—Orangetheory workouts are for all fitness levels. This popular chain takes you through instructor-led classes that differ from traditional HIIT classes because of their adaptability—you can raise or lower your intensity based on your fitness level and goals for the day. That’s aided by a system that tracks your body in real time, showing you your heart rate at all times and helping you adjust accordingly. The cardio part of the workout includes treadmills, rowers and other equipment. 7955 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, 301-565-0366 622 Center Point Way, Gaithersburg, 301-250-1060 18205 Hillcrest Ave., Olney, 443-221-6700 1601 Rockville Pike (Congressional Plaza), Rockville, 240-380-3311 12435 Park Potomac Ave., Potomac, 301-265-5050
8455 Fenton St., Silver Spring, 301-798-7433 22750 Newcut Road, Clarksburg, 443-927-9100; orangetheory.com
Pink Moon
Moms are the raison d’être for this wellness center that opened in Bethesda in May 2025. Pilates and total-body toning classes are the main draws, as are yoga sessions—some of which even incorporate your little ones, from babies through preschoolers. Child care is also offered for kids ages 6 months to 6 years from 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on weekdays. If you’re new to working out or easing back into it postpartum, don’t worry— they’re all about inclusivity here. 7610 Old Georgetown Road, Plaza Level, Bethesda, 240-222-1146, pinkmoonmoms.com
is to build camaraderie, too—Soldierfit encourages you to think of its trainers as your “friendly drill sergeants.” There’s also cardio and other workout equipment if you prefer to go it alone. 12241 Nebel St., Rockville, 240-669-8298; 1 E. Diamond Ave., Gaithersburg, 301-407-1800 12210 Plum Orchard Drive, Suite 206, Silver Spring, 301-751-3163 22600 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, 240-702-0908; soldierfit.com
Soldierfit
Atten-hut! Boot camp classes are the centerpiece here; the Rockville location reserves half of its 10,000 square feet for those sessions, aimed to strengthen you both physically and mentally. The 50-minute workouts are structured military-style, but the idea
COURTESY PHOTOS
The basketball courts are a major draw at some of the Onelife gyms; you can play pickup, just shoot around, or join one of the camps, classes, leagues or organized games. (Note: The Pike & Rose, Germantown and Olney locations don’t have courts.) Cutting-edge equipment, a wide range of group fitness classes, and amenities such as pools, whirlpools and saunas at several locations are good reasons to work out here. Overdid it just a bit? Many locations offer red light therapy (which reduces pain and inflammation), HydroMassage (for loosening tight muscles and alleviating pain) or compression therapy (to decrease muscle soreness and inflammation) on-site. 4400 Montgomery Ave., Bethesda, 301-656-9570 20500 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown, 240-686-4500 17821 Georgia Ave., Olney, 301-358-6698 11594 Old Georgetown Road (Pike & Rose), Rockville, 301-245-3908 1407 Research Blvd., Rockville, 240-599-8383; onelifefitness.com
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SoulCycle
Cyclists, you may just find your community at the Bethesda outpost of this popular chain of spin studios. High-energy music—maybe Taylor Swift, ’90s throwbacks or hip-hop, depending on the class—pumps from the speakers as instructors lead you through the choreography. Hooked? You can buy your own SoulCycle bike for at-home workouts and pedal along with classes you stream live. 4931 Elm St., Bethesda, 301-803-7685, soul-cycle.com
The St. James Performance Club
Grapevine your way to better health in the step aerobics class, challenge yourself to a boot camp-style routine in the pool, or sculpt your body on the gym equipment at this offshoot of The St. James’ mega sports complex in
experience levels are welcome, and some boxing classes are for kids only. 4834 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 301-656-2186, urbanboxingbethesda.com
YMCA
Dink and lob at the Y, which has a happening pickleball program—you can play, take classes or sign up for clinics. Spice up your fitness routine with a new class, from belly dancing to yoga to Zumba. Or dive into the indoor or outdoor pool (swimming classes are offered for kids, teens and adults). Bonus: Cooking classes with an emphasis on nutrition are offered for kids, adults, seniors and families. Nutrition counseling is also available for members. YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 9401 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, 301-530-3725 YMCA Silver Spring, 9800 Hastings Drive, Silver Spring, 301-585-2120; ymcadc.org
Virginia. Whatever your workout, refuel afterward with a tropical acai bowl or a pineapple-mango smoothie at Vim & Victor, a chef-curated wellness bar. 6828 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 240-507-5366, thestjames.com
Urban Boxing Bethesda
Some days you just want to slam a fist into something. Do that here and get a full-body workout at the same time. The plethora of classes offered in this gritty but well-equipped studio include boxing of course—but also kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiujitsu, mixed martial arts, sparring and yoga. All
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Sibley Memorial Hospital
The Scoop on Hospitals Learn about local medical centers and find out how they stack up Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center 9901 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, 240-826-6000, adventistsgmc.com Affiliation: Adventist HealthCare Medicare Care Compare ratings: Overall: two stars out of five; patient survey: three stars Leapfrog Group safety rating: Grade A Notable: America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery Award (2026) from HealthGrades. Awarded the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Fivestar rating in bariatric surgery, cranial neurosurgery, hip fracture treatment, hip replacement and C-section delivery from HealthGrades. Details: Focus areas include childbirth, heart and stroke care, joint replacement, neonatal intensive care and specialized surgeries. The hospital includes the freestanding Aquilino Cancer Center. In June 2026, the six-story Horizon Tower addition opened with a 38-bay emergency department, dedicated X-ray and CT equipment, state-of-the-art intensive care unit, enhanced rooms for stroke patients and a rooftop helipad. Shady Grove is the state’s second-largest provider of mental health services, including at the Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness. The hospital houses a Forensic Medical Unit unique to Montgomery County, with specially trained nurses caring for those who have suffered abuse or assault. The Birth Center welcomes 4,500 babies a year, has a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and earned the 2024 Minogue
Award for Patient Safety Innovation for its efforts to standardize the option of donor breastmilk for all babies. It is Maryland’s highest award from the Maryland Patient Safety Center.
Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center 11890 Healing Way, Silver Spring, 240-637-4000, adventistwhiteoak.com Founded: 1907 Beds: 228 Affiliation: Adventist HealthCare Medicare Care Compare ratings: Overall: three stars; patient survey: three stars Leapfrog Group safety rating: Grade A Notable: Deemed high performing in 202526 by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) for heart attack, aortic valve surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement and heart failure. Patient Safety Excellence Award from HealthGrades. Five-star rating in pancreatitis, gallbladder removal surgery and C-section delivery from HealthGrades. Details: Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center specializes in heart care, childbirth, orthopedics and surgery, and care for emergencies, stroke, cancer and women’s and infant services. It has 228 private rooms. White Oak is an American College of Cardiology Accredited Chest Pain Center. The Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services and Systems (MIEMSS) has designated the hospital as a Cardiac Interventional Center and Primary Stroke Center.
It also received the Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The campus also offers a wide range of outpatient services in its Medical Pavilion, including the White Oak Cancer Center.
Holy Cross Germantown Hospital 19801 Observation Drive, Germantown, 301-557-6000, holycrosshealth.org Founded: 2014 Beds: 78 Affiliation: Trinity Health Medicare Care Compare ratings: Overall: one star; patient survey: two stars Leapfrog Group safety rating: Grade C Notable: Five-star rating in diabetic emergencies, C-section delivery and vaginal delivery from HealthGrades. Details: The 237,000-square-foot facility features medical, surgical, emergency, birthing, intensive and diagnostic care, as well as a full-service emergency department. The radiology department offers MRI, CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, diagnostic and interventional radiology, EKG and echocardiogram. Patient rooms are private. Services include bariatric surgery, cancer treatment, dialysis, digestive health, gynecologic surgery, hernia surgery, imaging, joint repair, palliative care, physical rehabilitation and treatment for spine issues. Care for behavioral health patients is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hospital is designated as a Primary
PHOTO COURTESY SIBLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Founded: 1979 Beds: 355
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Stroke Center by MIEMSS. It is also part of the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College.
Holy Cross Hospital 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, 301-754-7000, holycrosshealth.org Founded: 1963 Beds: 449 Affiliation: Trinity Health Medicare Care Compare ratings: Overall: two stars; patient survey: three stars Leapfrog Group safety rating: Grade C Notable: Deemed high performing in 202526 by USNWR for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma; colon cancer surgery; and heart failure. Surgical Care Excellence Award and America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery Award (2026) from HealthGrades. Five-star rating in appendectomy, diabetic emergencies, colorectal surgeries, gynecological procedures, Csection and vaginal delivery, and hip fracture treatment from HealthGrades. Details: Holy Cross is one of the state’s largest hospitals, with 449 private rooms. It provides expertise in women’s and infant health, including gynecologic surgery, maternity, neonatal intensive care and urogynecology. Other services provided include bariatric surgery, cancer treatment, dialysis, treatment for epilepsy, joint repair, neurosurgery, pain management, cardiac and stroke care and sleep medicine. The Seniors Emergency Center, designed for older adults with non-life-threatening needs, was the first of its kind in the nation. The Holy Cross Health Cancer Institute treats more cancer inpatients annually than any other hospital or health system in the county. Holy Cross Hospital is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by MIEMSS and has been designated an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. A $25 million-plus renovation of the emergency department began in spring 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2028.
Medstar Montgomery Medical Center 18101 Prince Philip Drive, Olney, 301-7748882, medstarhealth.org/locations/medstarmontgomery-medical-center Founded: 1918 Beds: 104 Affiliation: MedStar Health
Medicare Care Compare ratings: Overall: three stars; patient survey: three stars Leapfrog Group safety rating: Grade B Notable: Five-star rating in bowel obstruction and stroke from HealthGrades. Earned certification as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. Details: MedStar Montgomery Medical Center is a nonprofit acute care medical center that offers a full range of services, including bariatric surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology, non-surgical weight loss, orthopedics and geriatrics. Founded in 1918, it was known as Montgomery General Hospital until it merged in 2008 with MedStar Health. The Center for Successful Aging specializes in geriatric syndromes such as cognitive impairment, mobility issues, depression, incontinence and psychosocial concerns. A $1.5 million cath lab treats more complex aneurysms, endovascular limb salvage and deep venous procedures than previously possible, while the 1,600-square-foot John D. Maylath, MD, Oncology Pavilion houses radiation oncology, infusion and medical oncology services.
Sibley Memorial Hospital 5255 Loughboro Road NW, Washington, D.C., 202-537-4000, sibley.org Founded: 1890 Beds: 288 Affiliation: Johns Hopkins Medicine Medicare Care Compare ratings: Overall: five stars; patient survey: three stars Leapfrog Group safety rating: Grade A Notable: Deemed high performing in heart failure, colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, kidney failure, hip fracture, hip replacement, knee replacement, back surgery (spinal fusion), pneumonia and leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma by USNWR. Ranked No. 5 hospital in the D.C. area for 2025-26 by USNWR. Five-star rating in sepsis, outpatient back and neck surgery and spinal fusion from HealthGrades. Details: Sibley offers medical, surgical, obstetric, psychiatric, oncological and orthopedic care, bariatric weight-loss surgery and an emergency department designated as a primary stroke center. The campus is also home to the Grand Oaks assisted-living facility and the Renaissance, which includes a skilled nursing care unit and rehabilitation program. Sibley features 15 operating rooms, private patient rooms and a large maternity center. The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
provides comprehensive cancer treatment. The on-site Johns Hopkins Proton Therapy Center is one of the largest in the country. The Center for Rehabilitation Medicine features nonsurgical orthopedic care such as physical therapy and a warm-water therapeutic pool. It also offers outpatient occupational and speech-language therapy.
Suburban Hospital 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, 301-896-3100, suburbanhospital.org Founded: 1943 Beds: 228 Affiliation: Johns Hopkins Medicine Medicare Care Compare ratings: Overall: four stars; patient survey: four stars Leapfrog Group safety rating: Grade B Notable: Deemed high performing in lung cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart arrhythmia, pacemaker implantation, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, stroke, hip fracture, hip replacement, knee replacement and pneumonia by USNWR. Ranked No. 3 hospital in Maryland for 2025-26 by USNWR. Ranked one of America’s 50 best hospitals for outpatient joint replacement in 2026 from HealthGrades. Five-star rating in heart attack, heart failure, sepsis, total knee replacement and pneumonia from HealthGrades. Details: Suburban Hospital specializes in cardiac care, orthopedics and joint replacement surgery, neurosciences and oncology. It is the state-designated level II adult trauma center for Montgomery County. Cardiac surgery, elective and emergency angioplasty as well as inpatient, diagnostic and rehabilitation services are available through Johns Hopkins Cardiothoracic Surgery at Suburban. The full-service emergency department treats more than 45,000 patients annually. The 300,000-square-foot North Building features private patient rooms, operating rooms with robotic technology and interventional cardiovascular labs. Suburban maintains a 24-hour stroke team and is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by MIEMSS. The hospital also provides comprehensive treatment for multiple brain and nervous system conditions such as brain tumors and movement disorders, as well as radiation and surgical oncology as part of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center for the National Capital Region.
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HEALTH & WELLNESSS
Find a Top Doctor
FROM CASTLE CONNOLLY With more than 30 years of experience researching, reviewing and selecting Top Doctors, Castle Connolly is a trusted and credible healthcare research and information company. Its mission is to help people find the best healthcare by connecting patients with best-in-class healthcare providers. Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Its online nomination process is open to all licensed physicians in the U.S., who may nominate physicians in any medical specialty and in any part of the country, as well as indicate whether each nominated physician is, in their opinion, among the best in their
FAMILY MEDICINE Christina Council Amazon One Medical North Bethesda; 888-663-6331 Joanna Delaney Amazon One Medical Chevy Chase; 888-663-6331 Anna Thuy Anh Ford MedStar Health Primary Care at Gaithersburg Gaithersburg; 301-926-3095 Seth Garber Amazon One Medical Chevy Chase; 888-663-6331 Kevin Gil MDVIP Rockville; 301-610-0500 Bradley Hunter MDVIP Rockville; 240-728-2378 Avni Jain Potomac Wellness Medical Center Rockville; 301-500-0261 Uma Jayaraman Amazon One Medical Chevy Chase; 888-663-6331 Adolph Johnson Jr. Associates in Family Practice Silver Spring; 301-368-0038
region in their medical specialty or among the best in the nation in their medical specialty. Then, Castle Connolly’s research team thoroughly vets each physician’s professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation, disciplinary history and if available, outcomes data. Additionally, a physician’s interpersonal skills, such as listening and communicating effectively, demonstrating empathy, and instilling trust and confidence, are also considered in the review process. The Castle Connolly Doctor Directory is the largest network of peernominated physicians in the nation. Physicians selected for inclusion in Bethesda Magazine’s “Top Doctors” feature may also appear online at castleconnolly.com,
Steven Schwartz Amazon One Medical Chevy Chase; 888-663-6331 Rosie Singh Montgomery Family Medicine Associates Silver Spring; 301-989-0193 Kahsu Tsehay First Medical Associates Silver Spring; 301-515-2901 Charles Umosella Cullen, Umosella, Cullen and Cullen Bethesda; 301-951-0420 Kimaya Vaidya First Medical Associates
or in conjunction with other Castle Connolly Top Doctors databases online and in print. Castle Connolly is part of Everyday Health Group, a recognized leader in patient and provider education, attracting an engaged audience of more than 82 million health consumers and more than 900,000 U.S. practicing physicians and clinicians to its premier health and wellness digital properties. Its mission is to drive better clinical and health outcomes through decision-making informed by highly relevant information, data and analytics. It empowers healthcare providers and consumers with trusted content and services delivered through Everyday Health Group’s world-class brands. For more information, please visit castleconnolly.com.
Melissa Blakeman Johns Hopkins Community Physicians Rockville; 240-314-7080 Dave Chen Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners Bethesda; 301-388-8858 Brent Cole Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners Bethesda; 301-388-8858 Collin Cullen MDVIP Washington, D.C.; 202-966-2828
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Dennis Cullen Cullen, Umosella, Cullen and Cullen Bethesda; 301-951-0420
Meena Andrew Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners Bethesda; 301-388-8858
John Dooley Foxhall Internists Washington, D.C.; 202-362-4467
Satish Angra Silver Spring; 301-593-3400
Julie Fox MDVIP Silver Spring; 301-681-3667
Susan Baruch Bethesda Medical Associates Bethesda; 301-493-8487 Brent Berger Bethesda Medical Associates Bethesda; 301-547-0560
Helene Freeman MDVIP Washington, D.C.; 202-686-0812 Rebecca Musher Gross Amazon One Medical Chevy Chase; 888-663-6331
David Hansen Foxhall Internists Washington, D.C.; 202-362-4467 Kweku Hayford PrimeDoc Primary Care Bethesda; 301-701-6060 John Hughes Sibley Memorial Hospital Washington, D.C.; 202-537-4400 Suvarnarekha Kammula Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners Bethesda; 301-388-8858 Andrea Karp Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners Bethesda; 301-388-8858 Daphne Keshishian Bethesda Medical Associates Bethesda; 301-493-9328 Robert Marshall MD2 Chevy Chase Chevy Chase; 301-507-9114 Lucy McBride Ackerly McBride Group Washington, D.C.; 202-953-0990 Wayne Meyer Adventist HealthCare Rockville; 301-251-9503
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HEALTH & WELLNESSS
Noelia Rodriguez CloseKnit Gaithersburg; 240-224-8374
Promise Ahlstrom Chevy Chase Pediatrics Bethesda; 202-363-0300
Leila Hall Next Generation Pediatrics Bethesda; 301-832-6049
Assil Saleh Foxhall Internists Washington, D.C.; 202-362-4467
Howard Bennett Chevy Chase Pediatrics Bethesda; 202-363-0300
Joseph Hsu THH Pediatrics Germantown; 301-540-0811
Brad Moore Complete Concierge Care Washington, D.C.; 202-244-9300
Lakshmi Sastry Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners Bethesda; 301-388-8858
Leah Brasch Friendship Pediatrics Chevy Chase; 301-656-2745
Nancy Kadowitz Capitol Medical Group Chevy Chase; 301-907-3960
Alan Morrison Morrison Membership Practice Washington, D.C.; 202-966-0622
Aimee Seidman Rockville Concierge Doctors Rockville; 301-545-1811
Virginia Cohen Pediatric Care Center Bethesda; 301-564-5880
Amy Kaplan Potomac Pediatrics Rockville; 301-279-6750
T. Lydel Newsome Adventist Medical Group Silver Spring; 240-637-7100
Rajshree Thaker Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners Bethesda; 301-388-8858
Dinea DeSouza Children’s National Pediatricians and Associates Gaithersburg; 301-926-3633
Bertha Koomson Capitol Medical Group Chevy Chase; 301-907-3960
Shama Mittal Adult & Pediatric Clinic Rockville; 240-453-0000
Ana Paunovic Complete Concierge Care Bethesda; 301-923-1338 David Plotkin MDVIP Olney; 301-570-7633
Andrew Umhau Foxhall Internists Washington, D.C.; 202-362-4467
PEDIATRICS
Karen Rabin Kaiser Permanente—Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Kensington; 800-777-7904
Victor Abdow Jr. Abdow Friendship Pediatrics Rockville; 301-468-6171
Daniel Finkelstein Capitol Medical Group Chevy Chase; 301-907-3960
Panayiota Koroulakis Kaiser Permanente—Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Kensington; 800-777-7904
Robert Gancayco Pediatric Health Partners Germantown; 301-515-5414
Giorgio Kulp Metropolitan Pediatrics North Bethesda; 301-230-2280
Alan Gober Silver Spring; 301-933-4210
Victoria Lee Olney Pediatrics Olney; 301-774-4100
Lush L Lu sh Landscapes Lan a dscap an a es Star ap Start a t Here ar Prun Pruning, uni un nin ing ng, g, Fe F Fertilization, rtititilililiz izat atition, and a d more! an Schedule Sch che ch hed edu dul ule le yo yyour our ou ur co cconsultation onsu on sul ultlta tat atitio ion on to ttoday day da ay 240.534.3511 | Washington, DC DAVEY.COM 58 INSIDER’S GUIDE 2026-2027 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
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Jessica Long Spring Valley Pediatrics Washington, D.C.; 202-966-5000
Reva Snow Capitol Medical Group Chevy Chase; 301-907-3960
Peter Warfield Spring Valley Pediatrics Washington, D.C.; 202-966-5000
Daniel Lieberman Daniel Z. Lieberman MD LLC Rockville; 240-259-3354
Mallory Lostumbo Johns Hopkins Community Physicians Rockville; 301-881-7995
J. Apple Sussmann Pediatric Care Center Bethesda; 301-564-5880
Gail Warner Growth & Wellness Pediatrics Bethesda; 240-630-8882
Melissa Monson The Ross Center Washington, D.C.; 202-363-1010
Amy Sweeney Foxhall Pediatrics Washington, D.C.; 202-537-1180
Paul Weiner Pediatric Care Center Bethesda; 301-564-5880
Guillermo Portillo Jr. Potomac Psychiatry Rockville; 301-984-9791
Nandini Thillairajah Coleman Pediatrics Rockville; 301-468-9225
PSYCHIATRY
Mary Salcedo The Ross Center Washington, D.C.; 202-363-1010
Robin Madden Discovery Pediatrics Silver Spring; 301-681-7020 Ana Markovic Capitol Medical Group Chevy Chase; 301-907-3960 Francis Palumbo Spring Valley Pediatrics Washington, D.C.; 202-966-5000
Jill Troilo Johns Hopkins Community Physicians Rockville; 301-881-7995
Katherine Saina Kaiser Permanente—Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Kensington; 800-777-7904
Elizabeth Valois Kaiser Permanente—Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Kensington; 800-777-7904
Melissa Schwartz Olney Pediatrics Olney; 301-774-4100
Caroline Van Vleck Spring Valley Pediatrics Washington, D.C.; 202-966-5000
Joanna Sexter Spring Valley Pediatrics Washington, D.C.; 202-966-5000
Monika Walters Bethesda Pediatrics Potomac; 301-299-8930
Sushila Chelliah Kaiser Permanente—Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Rockville; 800-777-7904 Marc Dalton Washington Interventional Psychiatry Washington, D.C.; 202-525-5123
Alexis Wesley Washington Center for Women’s & Children’s Wellness Bethesda; 301-881-9464
Joseph Dougherty The Ross Center Washington, D.C.; 202-363-1010 Bruce Kehr Potomac Psychiatry Rockville; 301-984-9791
Visit BethesdaMagazine.com/ business-category/top-doctors for the full directory of Bethesda Magazine's Top Doctors.
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HEALTH & WELLNESSS
Find a Top Dentist This list is compiled and provided by topDentists (Copyright 2010-2026 by topDentists, Augusta, Georgia) a database of dental professionals who have been selected as “tops” by vote of their peers. The complete database is available at usatopdentists.com. For information email help@usatopdentists.com or visit usatopdentists.com.
METHODOLOGY
From topDentists: “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” This is the question topDentists asked thousands of dentists to determine who makes its list. Dentists and specialists are asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies and, of course, physical results. The nomination pool consists of dentists listed online with the American Dental Association, as well as all dentists listed online with their local dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists may also nominate other dentists who they feel should be included in our list. Voters are
asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they are familiar with. Once the balloting is complete, the scores are compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies depending on the average for all the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases are given consideration by the editors. Past awards a dentist has received and status in various dental academies can factor into our decisions. Once the decisions have been finalized, the included dentists are checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they have an active license and are in good standing with the board.
GENERAL DENTISTRY
Cheryl Callahan
Charles Doring
George Gotsiridze
Erika Adachi
Valerie Cassis
Austin Drewyer
Brian Gray
Donna Afshar
Joseph Catanzano III
Douglas Drewyer
Bernard Greenbaum
Ali Aghaee
Ivonne Giuliana Centty
Dan Eisenberg
Priya Grewal
Shazaad Ally
Eric Chai
Ashley Emam
Scott Gritz
Harold Aniya
Kevin Chai
Emine Erkmen
Daniel Grosberg
Corey Anolik
Susan Chang
David Eskow
Anne Gunn
William August
Christina Cho
Christine Foster
Brian Handelman
Eduardo Avila
Arthur Choi
H. Brandt Foster
Shawna Hawk
Taylor Cole Ball
Shri Chopra
Norma Fox
Robert Herman
Marie Banzon
Andrew Cobb
Joseph Frew
Iris Hirschfeld
Alice Charland Bassford
Jason Cohen
Ronan Freyne
Susan Ho
Michael Bauer
John Conaghan
Jason George
Erick Hosaka
Jennifer Beitler
John Corrigan
Eugene Giannini
Sandra Hsieh
David Black
Patricia Cuervo
Keith Gilbert
Richard Hunsinger Jr.
Carol Blake
Ivelisse Cuevas
Elizabeth Gladnick
Mina Jassam
Ellen Brodsky
Shoba Daney
Thomas Gladnick
Steven Joe
Jane Brodsky
Zohra Darwish
Larry Goldbaum
Anett John
Charles Broring Jr.
Alan Dechter
Nahal Golpayegani
Archana Johnson
Sharon Brown
Peter DeMizio
Parvati Gopalan
George Joncas
David Bugden
Navneet Dhaliwal
David Gordon
Akanksha Joshi
Usa Bunnag
Robert Donahue
Leonard Gordon
Glen Kan
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Srotalina Khanna
Dennis O’Leary
Vadim Spivak
Susanna Yoon
Christine Lee Kim
Yutaka Okamoto
A. Mark St. George
Annie Yu
Randolph Kim
Catherine Palandjian
Dennis Stiles
Nadim Kodsi
Brian Park
Marie Tigani Stiles
Inna Kost
Stephen Park
Christine Sullivan
Emona Kraja
Clementina Perez-West
Richard Sun
Stacia Krantz
Jeffrey Perkins
Marcus Tappan
Saba Lakhani
Michael Pollack
Paymaan Christopher Tavakoli
Jason Lam
Michael Pollowitz
Dorienne Taylor-Bishop
Harold Landis Jr.
Catherine Pulse
Namita Thapar-Dua
David Lee
Ramy Radmanesh
Mellanie Thompson
Gloria Lee
Antoinette Ramdath
Robert Tilkin
Kristy Lee
Soheil Rashidchi
Jennifer Tipograph
Jonathan Leung
Venkat Reddy
Lev Tomashevsky
Jake Levine
Peter Rinaldi
Peter Tong
Arlyn Logan
Ronald Rosenberg
Vinh Trinh
Joshua Lomke
Philippe Rouchon
Mehr Tucker
Mitchell Lomke
Mehran Rouhanian
Viviana Urban
Philip Jay Magpantay
Marc Rubinstein
Shakila Usman
E. Denise Malcomson
Jay Samuels
Stephen Varney
Despina Markogiannakis
Ali Sarkarzadeh
Adam Vitelli
John Martin III
John Savukinas
Tamdan Vodinh
Pamela Martin
David Schlactus
Pamela Vranis
Jennifer Matelis
Adam Schneider
Ho Wang
Robert Mazziotta
Luke Schwartz
Todd Curtis Wasserman
Matthew Moy
Adam Sherman
Jessica Morgan Weber
Kate Nematollahi
Jay Siddiqui
Treva Willis
T. Anh Nguyen
L. Daniella Perez Simon
Rachel Wilson
T. Kim Nguyen
Amrita Singh
Alan Wolcott
Aaron Nicholas
Paul Singh
Edmond Woo
Jacob Nix
Johnathan Slate
Kenneth Woo
Bruce Nouri
Michelle Snyder
Maria Wood
Dmitry Nurminsky
Andrew Sorkin
Jay Yi
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Eric Armakan Bana Ball Reza Beheshti Karen Benitez Derek Blank Jessica Chorvinsky Claudia Conerly Charlie Coulter Liliana Cuervo Shailja Ensor Jena Fields Roma Gandhi Tiffany Gavin-Walker Andrew Horng Alan Kuwabara Lauren Lewis Thomas Orlando Roya Pilcher Tannaz Poursaeid Jessica Rubin Saba Sarraf Elizabeth Shin Heather Sholander Yuka Tanabe Yamagishi
Visit BethesdaMagazine.com/ business-category/top-dentists for the full directory with details on dentists in seven specialties including practice names, phone numbers, addresses and websites.
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BEST OF BETHESDA
HEALTH & WELLNESSS
2026 Readers’ Picks
HEALTH & WELLNESS More than 8,400 people voted in our online readers’ poll. The winners and finalists are listed in order of the number of votes they received with ties indicated.
AUDIOLOGY PRACTICE
Winner: Potomac Audiology Finalists: Feldman ENT The Family Hearing Center at The Treatment and Learning Centers (tie) Yu Audiology (tie)
CHIROPRACTOR Winner: Daniel Kraus Finalists: James Hook Michael Moskowitz Liza Moskowitz (tie) Ali Perez (tie) Joseph Pollack (tie)
CONCIERGE MEDICAL PRACTICE
Winner: Signature by MedStar Health Finalists: Capital Integrative Health One Medical Primary Care Clinic Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners
COSMETIC SURGEON Winner: Dr. Ronald Perlman Finalists: Dr. Philip Schoenfeld Dr. Joseph Michaels Dr. Douglas Forman (tie) Dr. Adam Singleton (tie)
DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE Winner: Capital Laser & Skin Care Finalists: Gerson Zatezalo Skin + Face Chevy Chase Dermatology Center Icon Dermatology & Aesthetics
GENERAL DENTISTRY PRACTICE
Winner: Jason A. Cohen, DDS Finalists: Smiley Dental Care Jay H. Samuels DDS PA EJL Dental
HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM Winner: Suburban Hospital Finalists: Sibley Memorial Hospital MedStar Montgomery Medical Center Holy Cross Hospital
HOSPITAL FOR BIRTHING
Winner: Sibley Memorial Hospital Finalists: Holy Cross Hospital Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST Winner: Leda Kaveh Finalists: Jen Fields Carissa Strohecker Hannum Jaime Fryburg
IN-HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE
NUTRITIONIST
Winner: Livleen Gill Finalists: Jen Silverman Lauren Eden Natalie Eatedali (tie) Daisy Miller (tie)
OB-GYN PRACTICE
Winner: Capital Women’s Care Finalists: Beckerman Women’s Health Rockville Gynecology Bloom OB/GYN (tie) Reiter, Hill & Johnson of Advantia (tie)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE
Winner: Milestones4Kids Finalists: The Point Occupational Therapy Canyon Kids Occupational Therapy The Treatment and Learning Centers
Winner: Synergy HomeCare Finalists: Family & Nursing Care CarePlus Home Health Advanced Nursing & Home Care
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
MARRIAGE/FAMILY THERAPY PRACTICE
OPTOMETRIST
MEDICAL AESTHETICS PRACTICE/PLACE
ORTHODONTICS PRACTICE
Winner: Alvord, Baker & Associates Finalists: The Counseling Center Group Bethesda Therapy Washington Psychological Wellness
Winner: Capital Laser & Skin Care Finalists: Jenny Luu Skin Care Renu by Dr. Schoenfeld Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington
Winner: Dr. Laurie Wenger Finalists: Dr. Charles Bahn Dr. James Heltzer Winner: Dr. Rachel Cohn Finalists: Dr. Jennifer Karmiol Dr. David Ephraim Dr. Gregory Katchuk (tie) Dr. Marcie Lerner (tie)
Winner: Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Finalists: Gerlein Orthodontics EJL Dental Dr. Jill Bruno Orthodontics (tie) Rad Orthodontics (tie)
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CREATIV CREATIVITY VITY CELEBRATION ELEBRATION & CE at at
ORTHOPEDIC PRACTICE
glenechopark.org glenechopark.o org
Winner: OrthoBethesda Finalists: Summit Orthopedics MedStar Health Orthopedics Washington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
WINNER! Best Art Classes
Best Place for Kids Parties Best Summer Arts Camp (Day) Best Place for a Wedding Reception & Best Place for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY PRACTICE Winner: BCC Pediatric Dentistry Finalists: Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics DC Pediatric Smiles EJL Dental
PEDIATRICIAN
Winner: Capitol Medical Group Finalists: The Pediatric Care Center (tie) Potomac Pediatrics (tie) Spring Valley Pediatrics
PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE Winner: ProAction Physical Therapy Finalists: Shira Racoosin Physical Therapy Elevated Strength Rehab MedStar Health Physical Therapy
FINALIST Best Live Music Venue
& Best Performing Arts/Theater Venue Mason Photography
PODIATRIST
Winner: DD Podiatry Finalists: Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic National Foot & Ankle Foxhall Podiatry (tie) Mark N. Levy, DPM (tie) Shady Grove Podiatry (tie)
I N N O VAT I V E C O M PA N I E S | W O M E N W H O I N S P I R E | Q & A W I T H C N N ’ S J O H N K I N G
B A C K YA R D P O O L S
|
D ATA C E N T E R D R A M A
|
THERAPY TO HELP YOU SLEEP
TOP DENTISTS
/ THE HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE /
TOP DOCTORS
SE EXTRAORDINARY TEENS | AN INTERVIEW WITH SINGER MAGGIE RO SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
AI IN OUR SCHOOLS
SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY Winner: Leisure World of Maryland Finalists: Maplewood Park Place Arbor Place Charles E. Smith Life Communities
GSANDWICHES REAT
MAY/JUNE 2026
MARCH/APRIL 2026
The Home Issue
Winner: Caroline Green Finalists: Leda Kaveh Kate Scharff Claire Weinberg
See the rest of the Best of Bethesda Health & Wellness Readers’ Picks at BethesdaMagazine.com/best-of-bethesda.
JULY/AUGUST 2026
Best Bay The
of the
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BEST OF BETHESDA
HEALTH & WELLNESSS
2026 Readers’ Picks
FITNESS & BEAUTY More than 8,400 people voted in our online readers’ poll. The winners and finalists are listed in order of the number of votes they received with ties indicated.
Winner: Barre3 Finalists: Pure Barre Hotworx
BOOT CAMP/CROSSFIT GYM Winner: Fitness Edge MD Finalists: Orangetheory Fitness Burn Boot Camp The St. James Performance Club
CYCLING STUDIO
Winner: SoulCycle Finalists: Hotworx The St. James Performance Club Pulse Fitness
DAY SPA
Winner: Woodhouse Spa Finalists: Ohana Wellness Blu Water Day Spa Red Bloom
GYM
Winner: Onelife Fitness Finalists: The St. James Performance Club Life Time Pulse Fitness
HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) STUDIO Winner: Hotworx Finalists: Orangetheory Fitness Fitness Edge MD Pulse Fitness
NAIL SALON
Winner: Nailsaloon Finalists: Sandy Nails Acqua Nails Blu Water Day Spa
PERSONAL TRAINER
Winner: Jennifer Blackburn Finalists: Kim Teri Debi Schenk Lisa Platnik
PILATES STUDIO Winner: RTR Pilates Finalists: Pulse Fitness Club Pilates Solidcore
PLACE FOR KIDS HAIRCUTS Winner: Salon de Colores Finalists: Cartoon Cuts Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids (tie) Tiny HeadQuarters (tie)
PLACE FOR MEN’S HAIRCUTS Winner: Jack the Clipper Finalists: 7 Locks Barber Denise Sharpe Style Framarini’s
SALON IN BETHESDA
Winner: Bella Bethesda Salon Finalists: Denise Sharpe Style Plane Jane Salon Salon Nader
SALON IN CHEVY CHASE Winner: Salon Roi Finalists: Gleaming Goddess Hair Lounge Dessange
SALON IN GAITHERSBURG/ NORTH POTOMAC Winner: O’Hair Salon Finalists: Aurelia Salon\Spa Rooted Hair Co Shear Reflections
SALON IN NORTH BETHESDA/ROCKVILLE
Winner: Progressions Salon Spa Store Finalists: Oasis Hair Salon Kindle & Boom Jenn Shin Studios (tie) New Wave Salon and Spa (tie)
SALON IN POTOMAC
Winner: Zohra (temporarily located in Rockville while relocating to a new space in Potomac) Finalists: Potomac Hair Design Bella Moda (tie) Salon Moses (tie)
SALON IN UPPER NW D.C. Winner: PR at Partners Finalists: Salon Familia Bare Hair Studio
YOGA STUDIO
Winner: PureFire Yoga Finalists: ExtendYoga SoulFire Collective Yoga CorePower Yoga
ZUMBA CLASSES
Winner: Z Sweat Dance and Fitness Finalists: The St. James Performance Club Onelife Fitness YMCA
TOP PHOTO BY JACLYN DU CHATEAU PHOTOGRAPHY; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY Z SWEAT DANCE AND FITNESS
BARRE STUDIO
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PR OF IL E S SPEC IAL ADV ERT IS I N G SECTI ON
Meet local experts and businesses in the fields of healthcare, home services, real estate and more
FIND LOCAL LEADING PROFESSIONALS Arbor Place Memory Care
RITA CHERFAN, RN & WALTER FANBURG, MD
2 0 2 6 B E S T O F B E T H E S D A R E A D E R S ’ P I C K F IN A L I S T F O R B E S T S E NI O R L I V IN G C O M M U NI T Y 4413 Muncaster Mill Road Rockville, MD 20853 (301) 924-0666 info@arborpl.com Arbor Place Memory Care, founded by geriatric psychiatrist Walter H. Fanburg, MD is a medically-focused residential memory community, purposefully-designed for 16 residents with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. CLINICAL OVERSIGHT On-site RN/LPN coverage across all shifts. Our proactive and engaged team knows each resident well, thoughtfully adapting to their changing needs and preferences throughout the day and over time. Private duty aides are not needed.
COURTESY PHOTO
SAFETY AND CONNECTION Our secured, sunlit, music-filled environment and outdoor garden support each resident’s safety and well-being. CONTINUUM OF CARE Residents are comfortable here from early to late stage, without disruptive transitions. Our long-tenured, dedicated team is led by our Director of Nursing/COO Rita Cherfan, RN, DN/CM, ALM, CDP. B E T H E S D A M A G A Z I N E . C O M | I N S I D E R ' S G U I D E 2 0 2 6 -2 0 2 7 6 5
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PR OF IL E S SSPEC P EC IA IAL AADDVVERTIS ERTISING IN G SSECTION ECTION
FACES 2026
THE FACE OF
Estate Planning Law SELZER GURVITCH business and tax planning, the team provides practical, strategic guidance tailored to each client’s values and long-term goals. Several attorneys hold advanced tax degrees and backgrounds as Certified Public Accountants, bringing added insight to sophisticated planning strategies. Selzer Gurvitch helps clients protect what they have built, care for those they love, and preserve their legacies for generations. Learn more at www.selzergurvitch.com.
301.986.9600 SelzerGurvitch.com
H I L A R Y S C H WA B
S
elzer Gurvitch is one of the region’s leading firms in trust and estate law, helping individuals, families, and business owners plan with purpose and peace of mind. The firm’s seasoned attorneys understand the complexities of modern families and businesses—from blended households and generational wealth transfers to the sale or succession of closely held companies. Drawing on deep experience in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and
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PR OF IL E S SSPEC PECIAL IAL AD ADV VERT ERTIS ISIING N G SSECTI ECT I ON ON
FACES 2026
THE FACE OF
Best Pediatric Dentist in Bethesda BCC PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY DR. ELIZABETH SHIN
H E AT H E R F U E N T E S
B
eing recognized as the face of the Best Pediatric Dentist is truly an honor, and something I receive with sincere gratitude. To me, titles only matter when they reflect the trust families place in us and how children feel when they walk through our doors. That trust is what has led families and peers to vote for me multiple times as a Top Pediatric Dentist by Washingtonian and Bethesda Magazine, and in 2026, to recognize our work as Best Pediatric Dental Office in Bethesda and a Top Pediatric Dental Business. Just as importantly, our entire team shares that same philosophy and is trained to be gentle, patient and genuinely caring with every child. We take the time to understand each child and create a calm, positive experience. We pair that with advanced care, including zirconia crowns, pediatric partial, in-office IV sedation, and a conservative approach to tongue tie release. We work with many insurance plans, and families travel from across the country, including Michigan and Texas, to seek our care.
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PR OF IL E S SSPEC P EC IA IN G SSECTION ECTION IA EE RTISING SPEC IALL AAADDDVVVERTIS RTISING SECTION
FACES 2026
THE FACE OF
Kitchen Design AIDAN DESIGN
301-320-8735 AidanDesign.com
COURTESY PHOTO
N
adia Subaran knows the look—that slight panic when a client starts worrying she hasn’t left them enough storage. After 24 years, the Aidan Design principal has seen it hundreds of times, and the answer is always the same: trust me. The best compliment, she says, comes later, when she revisits a finished project and those same clients can’t wait to show her what isn’t there— the empty drawer, proof that efficiency always beats quantity. From induction cooktops to steam ovens, smart ventilation to sustainability, every decision—for any space in the home—is guided by how people actually live, and how they’ll be living 25 years from now. “We love what we do,” Subaran says. “Design is a process. Our job is to do the heavy lifting so clients can enjoy the exploration.”
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SPEC S PECIAL IAL ADV AD VERT ERT IS ISIINNG G SECTI S ECT ION ON
Dentists
PR OF IL E S
FACES 2026
THE FACE OF
Pediatric Dentistry: Airway, Tongue-Tie & All Things Myo KAREN BENITEZ, DDS, QOM
W
H I L A R Y S C H WA B
e welcome you with palpable vibrancy because we love what we do! Our office design is inviting with serene calmness, transitioning to pops of color. The kids’ nook, interactive wall-toys, costume sunglasses and movies bring your littles closer to comfort. “These decisions help kids gain confidence,” says Dr. Karen. As an airway-focused pediatric dentist, Dr. Karen provides newborn, toddler and children's functional tongue-tie releases to optimize growth of the facial skeleton. We work collaboratively with orthodontists, pediatricians, ENTs, lactation counselors, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and chiropractors to support our patients from infancy. Oromyofunctional therapy surrounding tongue posture is critical for proper "face-forward" growth trajectories.
301-272-1246 ChevyChaseKids.dentist B E T H E S D A M A G A Z I N E . C O M | I N S I D E R ' S G U I D E 2 0 2 6 -2 0 2 7 6 9
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Dentists
Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics HE AT HER S HOL A NDER , DMD, M S M A DEL EINE G OODM A N , DMD Dr. Goodman is an orthodontist and past-president of the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists. Dr. Heather is a pediatric dentist and a Diplomat of the
S P EC IA L A D V ERTIS IN G S ECTION
Q What is unique about your practice? A Our focus on sustainability makes our practice unique. Plastic waste is a big issue in the medical field. We feel it is important to do our part in minimizing and offsetting our impact. In 2025, Dr. Goodman started the Tiny Changes Recycling Program, which enables dentists to recycle used office plastics, such as clear aligners, toothbrushes and more. More than 550 dental offices in the United States and Canada are currently participating in the program.
American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. They have been practicing together in the area for more than 15 years.
4818 Del Ray Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814 301-664-4220 smile@harmonybethesda.com HarmonyBethesda.com
Q How do you employ new technology to help your patients? A Innovative techniques: We are both board-certified specialists, which means we are required to participate in continuous education to renew our certification each year, and as a result, we are up to date on the latest dental technologies and techniques. We strive to create a standard of care by integrating technology, research and experience. At our practice, we have incorporated stateof-the-art technology, such as a digital scanner (no more yucky impressions) and virtual appointment options. Also Dr. Heather uses a dental laser which allows us to fill most cavities without anesthesia! LISA HELFERT
PR OF IL E S
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SPEC IAL ADV ERT IS I N G SECTI ON
Dentists
PR OF IL E S
Smiles of Chevy Chase DESPINA M MARKOGIANNAKIS, DDS SUZ ANNE MCSHANE, DDS LUIS BARR, DDS Whether patients want a healthier smile, a complete smile makeover, or relief from years of dental anxiety, Smiles of Chevy Chase provides expert cosmetic, implant, Invisalign, sedation and family dentistry in one trusted location. Led by Drs. Markogiannakis, McShane and Barr, the practice is known for personalized care, advanced technology and beautiful, confidence-boosting results. 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 810 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-652-0656 SmilesOfChevyChase.com
Q What makes Smiles of Chevy Chase a premier destination for dental care?
A We believe dentistry is about more than treating teeth—it should improve confidence, comfort and overall well-being. That’s why we’ve built a practice where patients feel genuinely cared for, fully informed and excited about their results. Drs. Markogiannakis, McShane and Barr lead an experienced team offering comprehensive care, including cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, Invisalign, TMJ Botox therapy, sedation dentistry, smile makeovers and advanced general dentistry, all under one roof. Patients appreciate having one trusted team they can rely on for everything, delivered with advanced technology and a deeply personalized touch.
Q How do you create an experience that patients actually look forward to?
A We’ve designed every part of the patient experience around comfort, trust and convenience. From our warm environment and private treatment rooms to flexible scheduling and a compassionate team, patients feel the difference the moment they walk in. For those with dental anxiety, we offer sedation dentistry to ensure complete comfort during treatment. Advanced technologies, like 3D imaging and digital scanning, provide more precise diagnoses, faster treatment and less discomfort—often reducing the need for multiple appointments.
MICHAEL VENTURA
Q What do you want people to know about dental implants? A Dental implants can truly change lives. Whether someone is missing one tooth or several, implants offer a permanent, natural-looking solution that restores your smile, your ability to eat comfortably and your confidence. At Smiles of Chevy Chase, we listen carefully to patients’ concerns and goals before creating a customized treatment plan to restore full function and achieve seamless, natural results that last.
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PR OF IL E S
Dentists
S P EC IA L A D V ERTIS IN G S ECTION
Annie Yu, DDS, MAGD AVA NT DENTIS TRY 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1035 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 240-743-4421 AvantDentistry.com
Q What drew you to dentistry? A I come from a family of physicians, so I always felt destined
Q What makes your patient experience unique? A I believe everyone deserves a dentist who truly knows them. New patients spend about two hours with me on their first visit—no rushing them through a revolving door. Investing in real, trusting relationships leads to better care and transformative smiles people are genuinely proud of.
MICHAEL VENTURA
for a career in healthcare. But while shadowing in a dental office, a quiet, timid young girl came in with a chipped tooth. After a quick bonding fix, she left beaming, excited to show off her smile at school. Something clicked—I immediately knew that was the kind of difference I wanted to make. Two decades later, creating those moments of unbridled joy still drives everything I do.
Dr. Jay H. Samuels R E S T O R AT I V E | C O S M E T I C | I M P L A N T D E N T I S T R Y C A R E E S T H E T I C S | N AT U R A L FA C I A L E S T H E T I C S 11140 Rockville Pike, Suite 510 North Bethesda, MD 20852 301-881-4200 DrJSamuels.com
Q What makes you different than other dentists? A I believe modern dentistry should be viewed not just as teeth, but as an important part of overall health and wellness. Our practice focuses on personalized care, oral-systemic health, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, airway and wellness-oriented care, regenerative approaches, and helping patients - from families to athletes - perform at their best. We combine advanced techniques with a patient-centered philosophy to support long-term health, function, confidence and natural aesthetics through comprehensive care.
tions and regenerative therapies to deliver precise, personalized care. Our DEKA CO2 laser supports minimally invasive facial esthetic, sleep apnea and oral surgical procedures. Through CARE Esthetics, we integrate natural facial esthetics with regenerative, wellness-based therapies to enhance outcomes and the overall patient experience.
H E AT H E R F U E N T E S
Q How do you employ new technology to help your patients? A We utilize advanced digital imaging, 3D diagnostics, airway evalua-
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SPEC IAL ADV ERT IS I N G SECTI ON
Physicians
PR OF IL E S
Ikon Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics I’m deeply committed to this community. I grew up in Bethesda, trained at Georgetown, practiced in the D.C. region my entire career and chose Chevy Chase specifically because it sits at the center of the patient population I’ve always served — Bethesda, McLean, Potomac, Georgetown and beyond. Opening here feels like coming home in the truest sense.
H I L A R Y S C H WA B
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 615 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-800-7762 IkonPlasticSurgery.com @dreconomides @ikon.plasticsurgery Ikon Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics was founded by board-certified plastic surgeon James M. Economides, MD, FACS, who has spent his entire career practicing in the Washington, D.C. region. The name “Ikon” comes from the Greek word eikon, meaning image or likeness, reflecting his philosophy of helping patients refine and restore their appearance rather than fundamentally change who they are. A Bethesda-native, Dr. Economides trained at Georgetown and built a strong surgical reputation in Arlington, Virginia, before opening his Chevy Chase practice. Every aspect of Ikon, from the space and technology to the team and patient experience, was intentionally designed to reflect the standard of care he would want as a patient himself. His approach is rooted in honesty and transparency, even when that means telling patients something they may not want to hear. He avoids overpromising or recommending procedures when someone is not an appropriate candidate and would rather decline surgery than risk a poor outcome or disappointment. Patients work directly with Dr. Economides throughout their entire journey—from consultation to surgery and followup—ensuring consistency, accountability and continuity. His practice is intentionally boutique, so each patient receives focused attention and time. His signature procedure is the deep plane facelift, which he describes as repositioning facial structure rather than simply tightening skin, producing natural and long-lasting results. He also performs breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, body contouring, abdominoplasty, mommy makeover and nonsurgical aesthetic treatments including neuromodulators and dermal fillers. At its core, Ikon is built on helping patients feel heard, supported and confident, with results that align their outer appearance with how they feel inside.
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Physicians
Center for Cosmetic and Clinical Dermatology 18310 Montgomery Village Ave., Suite 700 Gaithersburg, MD 20879 301-977-2070 CCCDerm.com
S P EC IA L A D V ERTIS IN G S ECTION
For 30 years, the Center for Cosmetic and Clinical Dermatology has helped patients throughout Montgomery County and the Washington, D.C. area care for their skin, improve their skin health, and feel confident in their appearance. What began three decades ago has grown into a trusted, physician-owned practice offering comprehensive medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology under one roof. Our patients receive more than just exceptional treatment. They benefit from continuity, and personal care that comes from serving generations of patients. The practice takes a thoughtful, individualized approach, listening carefully to each patient’s concerns, explaining treatment options, and creating personalized plans to meet their needs and goals. Our clinical expertise encompasses a broad range of skin, hair, and nail conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, rashes, moles, discoloration, and infections. Skin cancer
prevention, detection, and treatment are also important components of care, with thorough skin evaluations and appropriate surgical procedures when needed. For patients seeking aesthetic care, the practice offers advanced treatments designed to create refreshed, naturallooking results. Services include neurotoxins, dermal fillers, microneedling, radiofrequency microneedling, laser treatments, photorejuvenation, laser hair removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and other skinrejuvenation procedures. As dermatology has evolved, so has the practice, embracing advances in technology and treatment while preserving what has always been at its heart: enduring physicianpatient relationships, personalized attention, and exceptional care. After 30 years, the Center for Cosmetic and Clinical Dermatology’s reputation remains grounded in trust, thoughtful care, and a commitment to each patient’s skin health and confidence.
H I L A R Y S C H WA B
PR OF IL E S
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Physicians
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DR. MARIEL O. WATKINS, NEW ADDITION TO CCFPS (LEFT), DR. JENNIFER PARKER PORTER (MIDDLE), NURSE PRACTIONER MEGHAN FAY (RIGHT)
Jennifer Parker Porter, MD, FACS Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter is a Diplomate of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, and a Clinical Associate Professor at Georgetown University Medical Center. A Castle Connolly Top Doctor, she has been named Best Cosmetic Surgeon by Bethesda Magazine and contributes to medical
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textbooks and expert panels. 7201 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 515 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-652-8191 ChevyChaseFace.com
Patients travel from across the globe to Bethesda, Maryland, to sit across from double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter—not for a whole new face, but to look refreshed and to feel more comfortable in their own skin. For more than 27 years, she’s helped thousands of patients turn back the clock, delivering refined, natural results that enhance their inherent beauty. “My goal is to help patients look like the best version of themselves,” says Dr. Porter, who founded Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery (CCFPS) in 2003. “No drastic changes—just subtle, stunning results that enhance the natural harmony of your features while preserving the characteristics that make you, you.” For Dr. Porter, facial plastic surgery is the ideal intersection of art and science. Specializing exclusively in the face and neck, she brings a highly focused understanding of facial anatomy and aging—and the nuance required to achieve
results that feel authentic and balanced. Her expertise spans rhinoplasty, including revision rhinoplasty, face and neck lifts, blepharoplasty and nonsurgical enhancements. With meticulous attention to detail and a deeply personalized approach, Dr. Porter customizes every procedure to each patient’s unique facial structure, skin type and aesthetic goals. Specializing in nonsurgical treatments like injectables, lasers and Morpheus8 skin tightening, CCFPS aesthetic nurse practitioner Meghan Fay is recognized as a Top 1 Percent Morpheus8 Provider in Maryland—Top 10 percent in North America. Whether addressing visible signs of aging or getting ahead of future concerns, Dr. Porter’s philosophy stays the same: enhance what is already there, so patients can move through the world looking—and feeling—like their best selves.
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Physicians
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Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics MARYL AND ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALISTS DIVISION “Exceptional care begins with a simple but powerful belief: every patient deserves to be heard, understood and treated as an individual.” Maryland Orthopedic Specialists delivers concierge-level care covered by most major insurance plans. Patients benefit from 24/7 online scheduling at mdorthospecialists.com, with same-day or next-day appointments frequently available. This is expert orthopedic care without the wait and without the out-of-pocket cost of out-of-network services. Offices in Bethesda, Germantown and Rockville 301-515-0900 MDOrthospecialists.com
Patient’s individual goals are central to every decision at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics: Maryland Orthopedic Specialists Division, where exceptional care begins with a simple but powerful belief: every patient deserves to be heard, understood and treated as an individual. It is a philosophy captured in the practice’s hallmarks of expertise, access and trust. The practice brings together six board-certified physicians whose worldclass orthopedic expertise is a result of collective depth of training that spans the full spectrum of orthopedics and sports medicine. Dr. Christoforetti, a fellowshiptrained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation and sports medicine, is known for his ability to make even the most complex diagnoses feel approachable. Dr. Feldman has expertise in foot and ankle care. Patients of all ages appreciate his warm, reassuring manner. Dr. Fitzgibbons specializes in hand, wrist and upper extremity conditions, and takes time to ensure every patient fully understands their path to recovery. Dr. Gardiner, who focuses on sports medicine and orthopedic
surgery, has a gift for putting patients at ease from the very first conversation. Dr. Raffo is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon whose thoughtful, patientcentered approach transforms even anxious visits into confident ones. Dr. Brian McCormick is the most recent addition to the Maryland Orthopedic Specialists team. Returning to his hometown, Bethesda, Dr. McCormick is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacements. His desire to provide patient-centered, compassionate care parallels the well-established values at Maryland Orthopedic Specialists. What distinguishes Maryland Orthopedic Specialists is not just the clinical credentials behind each physician’s name, but the rare cohesion among them. These physicians are not simply colleagues; they are genuine friends whose relationships extend well beyond the walls of their practices. That personal bond translates directly into a collaborative, unified approach to care that patients can feel from the moment they walk through the door in any of the three locations.
BETH CALDWELL PHOTOGR APHY
DR. CHRISTOPHER RAFFO, MD; DR. BRIAN MCCORMICK, MD; DR. PETER FITZGIBBONS, MD; DR. JOHN CHRISTOFORETTI, MD; DR. JAMES GARDINER, MD; DR. GARY FELDMAN, DPM, FACFAS
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Physicians
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Capital Laser & Skin Care E L I Z A B E T H TA N Z I , M D ; G E E TA S H A H , M D ; TA N I A P E T E R S , M D Voted the "Best Dermatology Practice" and “Best Practice for Medical Aesthetics” by Bethesda Magazine readers every year since 2018, Capital Laser & Skin Care specializes in cosmetic and non-invasive treatments to enhance and maintain skin health and beauty. Drs. Geeta Shah, Tania Peters and Elizabeth Tanzi have been named Bethesda Magazine "Top
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Doctors" every year since 2019. 5471 C2 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 200 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-798-9699 CapitalSkinLaser.com
Capital Laser & Skin Care is a worldrenown center of excellence dedicated to delivering the most advanced, effective dermatologic treatments in a warm and welcoming environment. Board-certified dermatologists, Drs. Geeta Shah, Tania Peters and Elizabeth Tanzi use stateof-the-art technology and innovative techniques to truly customize each treatment plan, maximizing outcomes and patient satisfaction. Each dermatologist is fellowship-trained in dermatologic laser surgery and aesthetic procedures with years of experience treating patients. As an aesthetic dermatology research clinic and beauty industry liaison, the Capital Laser & Skin Care team has access to the most sophisticated, cutting-edge tools and routinely evaluates novel technology. Drs. Shah, Peters and Tanzi focus on noninvasive treatments to deliver naturally radiant and elegant results that emphasize and enhance personal features without creating an overdone look.
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With a patient-centered approach, the entire Capital Laser & Skin Care team is dedicated to providing exceptional patient care. Through comprehensive consultations, transparent and reliable communication, customized skin care recommendations and individualized treatment plans, Drs. Shah, Peters and Tanzi exceed patient expectations at every turn, from their first phone call through treatment follow-ups and beyond. With such exclusive patient benefits as complimentary skin cancer screenings, neurotoxin touch-ups and laser treatments for post-injectable bruising, Capital Laser & Skin Care goes the extra mile to ensure your experience with the practice is as pleasant as it is rewarding. Setting the bar for clinical excellence and attention to detail, Capital Laser & Skin Care stands out as the Washington metropolitan area’s premier aesthetic dermatology practice.
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Physicians
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Gayle Skinner, MD, FACOG C A P I TA L W O M E N ’ S C A R E 10801 Lockwood Drive, Suite 320 Silver Spring, MD 20901 19851 Observation Drive, Suite 345 Germantown, MD 20876
Dr. Gayle Skinner has been in practice for more than 18 years and enjoys the full scope of obstetrics and gynecology. Over the years, she has become particularly interested in the medical and surgical management of fibroids, minimally invasive surgery, hysteroscopic procedures and menopause care, for which she has received additional certification. “I believe in a comprehensive and individualized approach to care,” Skinner says, “and love to discuss general health and wellness with my patients.” At Capital Women’s Care, chosen Best OB/GYN Practice this year by Bethesda Magazine readers, each patient is engaged in a dialogue regarding the optimal treatment plan for her particular concerns.
SKIP BROWN
301-681-3400 OBGYNCapitalWomensCare.com
Wink Eyecare Boutique RACHEL COHN, OPTOMETRIST J E N NIF E R K A R MI O L , O P T O M E T R I S T
Stressed eyes need a caring touch. Amid the endless Zoom calls, screen strains, dryness and now summer allergies, too, award-winning Wink Eyecare Boutique in Potomac offers the relief you seek. With cutting-edge lens technology, unique eyewear and the latest dry eye and allergy treatments, Drs. Rachel Cohn and Jennifer Karmiol have helped hundreds of patients see, feel and look their best. Founded by Dr. Cohn in 2006 to provide a patient-centered, personalized approach to eyecare, Wink blends innovation with fashion and premium customer service. From comprehensive eye exams to chic handpicked frames that perfectly fit your face and prescription and match your style, visit Wink Eyecare for the care you—and your stressed eyes—deserve.
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1095 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854 301-545-1111 Wink.net
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Real Estate Agents
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Cara Pearlman & Megan Meekin P E A R L M A N M E E K I N & C O . O F C O M PA S S Led by Cara Pearlman & Megan Meekin, Pearlman Meekin & Co. draws upon their extensive knowledge of the local real estate market and more than 58 years of combined industry experience to counsel clients through buying or selling a home. Cara, Megan and the team are skilled negotiators, powerful advocates and always prioritize their clients’ best interests. 5471 Wisconsin Ave. #300 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 202-641-3008 | 240-388-0724 cara@compass.com | megan.meekin@compass.com Pearlmanmeekin.com
Q What sets Pearlman Meekin & Co. apart? A We’ve always shared a deep love for the Washington, D.C. area and a passion for helping people navigate one of life’s biggest decisions. Cara brings calm, strategic expertise and decades of market insight, while Megan thrives on hands-on details, creative solutions and clear communication. Together, with our team, we offer clients the best of both worlds: a boutique, highly personalized experience paired with the knowledge, connections and resources of two seasoned professionals backed by a dedicated team. More than anything, we’ve built a group that delivers exceptional results while making the process feel seamless, supportive and even enjoyable.
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Q What motivates and inspires your team? A We often hear people in sales say that getting referrals is the highest compliment. For us, however, it’s when clients update us on their lives. Our team loves getting baby announcements and invitations to birthday parties, pictures of kitchen renovations, or reorganized closets. We cherish the intimacy of real estate and the unique opportunity to help people choose the four walls within which their lives will unfold. Seeing the joy and excitement of our clients’ faces when they have found their home base is pretty amazing.
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Real Estate Agents
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PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE: INMA ALDAMIZ, MELISSA WAGAR, KCRYSTAL BOSCHMA, BRIAN MYLES, DANA RICE, ELIZABETH BROOKS, WHITNEY LEE JUDSON, SOL DAVILA GEHRING, NATALIE RENEBERG NOT PICTURED: JUDE TREACY & SARAH LAZARENKO
D A N A R I C E , R E A LT O R , EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT 5471 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 300 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 202-669-6908 dana.rice@compass.com DanaRiceGroup.com
Q How does a team benefit a buyer or seller? A With a team, buyers and sellers always have access to personal, hands-on support. My team has been together for seven years. We have different backgrounds that include expertise in architecture, interior design, marketing, sales and communication. We enjoy working with first-time buyers and those moving into the upper brackets.
Q What stands out about the current market? A My “hot take?” This is a much more nuanced market than the headlines might suggest. Buyers have more choices and are being selective, especially when it comes to price and condition, but the right home, in the right location, and priced strategically can still generate strong interest and even competition. The biggest takeaway is that this is no longer a one-size-fits-all market,
and having an experienced, savvy agent who understands the nuances of your specific market can make all the difference.
Q What is a challenge that you face? A Since the real estate market is dynamic, things have changed since clients last sold or bought a house and their previous experience may not be relevant today. That can be frustrating.
Q What sets you apart from most other agents?
A I don’t want clients to lift a finger. From the beginning, I’ve offered free staging. My warehouse is chock full of great furniture and accessories. Some people only need a few final touches. Others need a whole house transformation. To manage this process, we have a full-time, enthusiastic designer on the team because when a potential buyer walks through the door, that moment in time is very important. And it’s all free!
MALEK NA Z FREIDOUNI
Dana Rice Group of Compass
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Real Estate Agents
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Trent Heminger & Mary Noone L I C E N S E D I N D C | M D | VA T R E N T & C O . AT C O M PA S S R E A L E S TAT E With more than 90 years of combined expertise, Trent & Co. has earned the reputation as one of the DMV’s premier real estate teams. Led by award-winning duo Trent Heminger and Mary Noone—recognized as the No. 1 Producing Agent on a Team at Compass DMV—the team delivers strategic guidance, innovative marketing and exceptional service. 5471 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 300 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 O: 301-298-1001 | 240-461-3928 Trentandco.com
Q What should homeowners know about today’s market?
A If there’s even a small chance you’ve been thinking about moving into a larger home, this may be the time to make that dream a reality. Entry-level, suburban homes that feel truly move-in ready remain very hard to find—and young buyers are desperate to buy them. Your charming starter home could be a goldmine. Not only will it likely sell quickly, but if priced well, you could see multiple offers. Meanwhile, many “rightsizers” who’ve built up equity are finally ready for their next chapter, whether that’s one-floor living in vibrant condo communities or splitting time between two homes—one closer to family, one at their retirement destination. For years, homeowners stayed put to keep their low mortgage rates, but market gridlock is finally breaking. The resulting imbalance—larger homes sitting on the market longer— is creating an opportunity for negotiation that we haven’t seen in years. Whether you’re moving up or rightsizing, the key is to investigate your options. With condo supply up, prices are at an all-time low, while single-family homes are at their all-time high. In between, however, are real pockets of opportunity.
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Q What is the biggest mistake sellers are making? A Falling for the myth that “buyers will just renovate however they want.” Unless a home is significantly underpriced, that’s rarely true. Buyers today don’t have the time or energy for major renovations. They need boxes checked. Sellers should either clearly show the value of updating over time, or offer a true move-in-ready home worth stretching for.
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Real Estate Agents
The Banner Team The Banner Team is an award-winning real estate powerhouse with a national reputation. Specializing in luxury and upper-bracket properties across the DMV, their impressive track record dates back over three decades. Implementing a teamoriented approach to every transaction, The Banner Team's commitment to excellence ensures clients receive unparalleled dedication throughout their
Q So many people move to the DC area without knowing much about what it’s like to live here. What do you and your team do to give them insight? A We start by listening. Anyone relocating here usually has a commute, a school district or a lifestyle in mind. Our job is to translate that into an actual place. As we’re working with newcomers, we’re educating them about the specific market where they want to buy with information about how quickly homes are selling, the “must have” features they want and we offer insight into what they can expect if they move forward with a purchase offer.
buying or selling journey. 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-365-9090 Compass Office: 301.298.1001 info@BannerTeam.com BannerTeam.com
S P EC IA L A D V ERTIS IN G S ECTION
Q What’s your best advice for someone who has never lived in the DC area?
A Give yourself time to explore before you
commit to a neighborhood. Go to Open Houses, but go during the week, too. Consider what you’ll do when you aren’t behind your own closed doors. The DC region is a collection of distinct communities and the right fit isn’t necessarily the one that looks great online. Our team has deep roots in the area, and we live in Maryland, DC and Virginia. If you’re looking for answers, ask the locals and ask us. We’re always ready to show off the many ways you can make this beautiful part of the world home, too!
ALI KHALIGH
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Home Experts
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FROM LEFT: JIM NICOLSON, RESIDENTIAL VP, WILLIAMS ORELLANA, EDVIN CHINCHILLA, OPERATIONS, MIGUEL DELGADO, AND OSCAR DELGADO, CREW SUPERVISOR
Tech Painting Company
craftsmanship.
Q What sets Tech Painting Company apart from the field? A Since 1987, Tech Painting Company has built a reputation for high-quality work, clear communication and exceptional service. What truly sets the company apart is the team behind the results. Unlike many contractors, we employ our crews directly. That includes skilled painters, master carpenters, and wallcovering specialists, all trained to meet the company’s standards. Every project is led by an on-site supervisor and clients receive daily photo updates to stay informed from start to finish. That consistency allows us to deliver the quality, professionalism and reliability our customers deserve.
5150 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 22304 703-684-7702 Office@techpainting.com TechPainting.com
Q Why is your relationship with the community so important? A More than 90 percent of Tech Painting’s business comes from repeat
J I M N I C O L S O N , V P, R E S I D E N T I A L S E R V I C E S For nearly four decades, Tech Painting Company has been the trusted name for homes in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac and nearby communities. Known for exceptional service, fully employed crews, no reliance on subcontractors, and daily updates with an on-site supervisor, Tech Painting
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sets the standard for residential
clients and referrals. That loyalty is earned through consistent results and a strong local presence. We live where we work. We are invested in these communities, support local organizations and take pride in being part of the neighborhoods we serve.
Q What advice would you offer those planning a project on a budget? A All homeowners are on a budget. The key is starting with a clear number and working with your contractor to break the job into efficient phases. For example, if you need special equipment to reach upper trim, take care of everything at that level while it is set up. A good contractor will help you plan wisely. From interior painting to fine carpentry and wallcoverings, Tech Painting delivers lasting results with care and craftsmanship.
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Home Experts
S P EC IA L A D V ERTIS IN G S ECTION
Jack’s Roofing Company Jack’s Roofing has been serving the DMV since 1940. In 2025, Jack’s Roofing joined the Wagner Roofing Company, a 112-year-old specialty roofing contractor based in Hyattsville, Maryland. The two companies now combine nearly 200 years of local roofing service and installations specializing in slate, metal, tile, cedar, and luxury shingles. 2345 Montgomery St. Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-585-4985 JacksRoofing.com
Q How do I choose the right roofing contractor for my historic or luxury home?
A Effective, long-lasting roofing comes down to the details and most often, the intricate flashing points around penetrations and changes in structures such as large chimneys, dormers and valleys. The long-tenured team at Jack’s Roofing has career craftsmen and an in-house sheet metal shop to custom fabricate flashing components specific to your home.
Q Are there special considerations for slate, metal, tile or wood shingled roofs? A Premium roofs absolutely require an experienced set of eyes and specialized skills to ensure long life. Slate, metal and tile can sometimes outlast the original underlying waterproofing and exposed flashings. A trained service crew that specializes in these types of roofs will be able to anticipate or repair areas of concern.
A Over time, full exposure to Mother Nature takes a toll on your roof’s components, as does your home’s settling and movement through freeze-thaw cycles. Roof maintenance plans are designed to stay on top of issues before they become costly repairs on the exterior or, worse yet, in the interior of your home. Jack’s dedicated service department offers roof maintenance plans that include detailed reports with photo documentation of existing conditions, along with minor repairs and timely storm response. Our maintenance plans also include clearing of all of your gutters and roof drains on a schedule tailored to your home’s needs.
SKIP BROWN
Q What can I do to prolong the life of my current roof?
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Builders & Architects
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F R O N T ( L T O R ) : R I C K C O N R AT H , N C A R B ; G E O R G E M Y E R S , A I A , N C A R B ; J A M E S M Y E R S M I D D L E : R O L A N D O VA L D E Z ; ROSANA TORRES, AIA, NCARB; MARK K AUFMAN, AIA, LEED AP; TRACI WEEMS, AIA, LEED AP BD+C B A C K : D AV I D K O N A P E L S K Y, A I A , N C A R B ; J E F F W H I T M A N , R A ; L U K E O L S O N ; R O B I N M E N G E , L E E D A P ; S T E V E M U L H O L L A N D , A I A , L E E D A P ; M O L LY H E F F N E R , A I A , N C A R B ; M AT T H E W S H E L L E Y
GTM Architects GTM Architects is a nationally recognized, award-winning design firm specializing in architecture, planning, and interior design. With a collaborative, client-focused approach, the firm creates inspired, enduring designs across residential, commercial, and multifamily sectors.
7250 Woodmont Ave., Suite 200
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Bethesda, MD 20814 240-333-2012 ask@gtmarchitects.com GTMArchitects.com
Founded in 1989, GTM Architects is an award-winning, employee-owned design firm specializing in architecture, planning, and interior design. Known for blending creativity, precision, and functionality, GTM has shaped some of the region’s most familiar spaces, from vibrant restaurants and retail hubs to striking custom residential and commercial projects. Today, GTM is proud to call Bethesda Row home, with our newly designed office recently awarded the NAIOP DC|MD Award of Merit. With over 60 professionals in Bethesda, Washington, D.C., and Frederick, GTM operates through a collaborative studio model, ensuring tailored solutions aligned
with each client’s vision. This approach has led to the success of many wellregarded projects. Founder George Myers credits the firm’s success to strong client relationships and a philosophy rooted in integrity. “We treat people the way we would want to be treated,” he says, a mindset that has fueled GTM’s expansion beyond the DMV. Licensed in over 25 states, GTM has completed over 15,000 projects and earned more than 150 industry awards. From beautiful custom homes to multifamily and commercial spaces, GTM continues to push the boundaries of thoughtful design, creating places that inspire and endure.
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Home Showcase
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Chase Builders 9200 51st PL | College Park, MD 20740 301-588-4747 | ChaseBuilders.com | IG: @chasebuildersinc
BIO Chase Builders is a premier home builder, with more than two decades of industry excellence. Our skilled professionals create customized, luxury homes, ensuring perfection from concept to completion. Committed to quality, innovation and exceptional service, trust Chase Builders for your dream home investment.
Nestled in the prestigious Edgemoor neighborhood of Bethesda, this magnificent five-bedroom home epitomizes modern luxury and timeless elegance. Spanning three finished levels, the residence features a spacious family room, a breathtaking dining room complete with a walk-in wine cellar and a chef’s dream kitchen with an adjoining catering kitchen and fold-up pass-through window. Step outside to an entertainer’s paradise, featuring a generous porch with a cozy fireplace, a custom designed grilling haven, an expansive flagstone patio and a serene in-ground pool. Every detail has been meticulously crafted to ensure unparalleled sophistication. At the heart of our design philosophy is you—the homeowner. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional craftsmanship, from intricate tilework to designer lighting and premium finishes. This home is not just a residence; it’s a sanctuary where cherished memories are made. Elevate your lifestyle with luxury living by Chase Builders Inc.
RAS MEDIA – RACHEL A SALE
OUR WORK
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Home Showcase
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Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens 12223 Nebel St. | Rockville, MD, 20852 info@jackrosen.com | 301-984-9484 JackRosen.com
BIO As Bethesda Magazine’s only Five-Time Winner for Best Kitchen Design Firm, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc., continues to be one of the most renowned kitchen design firms in the Washington, D.C. area. Offering custom cabinetry for culinary, closets, entertainment and work-from-home spaces, with outstanding service for over 43 years.
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OUR WORK Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens is widely recognized for creating spaces with synergy - designed just for you. The photos shown are from a kitchen that reflects the woods that surround the house, making the space cozy and inviting. By bringing in metal details throughout the kitchen—from the mesh above the sink and the warm copper hood to the black metal legs on the island—we created a cohesive mix of finishes that adds warmth, contrast, and visual interest. Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens believes every space should be laid out to fit one's lifestyle and serve as the central hub for gathering, entertaining or working from home.
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Home Showcase
S P EC IA L A D V ERTIS IN G S ECTION
Moss Building & Design 108 Church St., NE | Vienna, VA 22180 | 301-284-0190 MossBuildingAndDesign.com
BIO: Founded in 2001, MOSS Building & Design is an awardwinning residential remodeler serving Maryland, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metro area. MOSS specializes in whole house remodeling and additions with an in-house team of architects, designers and craftsmen. MOSS completes approximately 100 highend projects annually, focused on clarity, craftsmanship, and client trust relationships.
This renovation was driven by a desire for better flow, functionality, and connection. While the homeowners enjoyed their home, the existing kitchen felt closed off and no longer supported the way they cooked, gathered, and entertained. MOSS reimagined the space by removing a load-bearing wall and installing a flush structural beam, opening the kitchen to the adjacent sunroom and creating a brighter, more connected living environment. The redesigned kitchen features a large gathering island, professional-grade appliances, custom cabinetry, and carefully layered lighting designed to enhance both everyday use and special occasions. Beyond the kitchen, the project included updates to the butler's pantry, laundry room, mudroom, and dining room, creating continuity throughout the main level. Thoughtful architectural details, refined finishes, and practical storage solutions bring the spaces together, resulting in a home that feels cohesive, welcoming, and tailored to the homeowners' lifestyle.
COURTESY PHOTOS
OUR WORK
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Home Showcase
SPEC IAL ADV ERT IS I N G SECTI ON
Pinehurst Design Build
Chase Builders is a premier home builder, with more than two decades of industry excellence. Our skilled professionals create customized, luxury homes, ensuring perfection from concept to completion. Committed to quality, innovation and exceptional service, trust Chase Builders for your dream home investment. Contact us today!
At Pinehurst Design Build, experience and trust are the bedrock of our company. Our mission is to help clients reimagine their homes and provide a seamless remodeling experience, resulting in a new, harmonious space you love coming home to.
RAS MEDIA – RACHEL A. SALE
Chase Builders
PR OF IL E S
301-588-4747 | ChaseBuilders.com Instagram: @chasebuildersinc
11716 Parklawn Drive | North Bethesda, MD 20852 301-383-1600 | PinehurstDB.com
Gilday Renovations
Michael P. Rouse, AIA NCARB Principal Architect
Led by Kevin Gilday, nationally recognized Gilday Renovations has spent 40 years fine-tuning a seamless design-build experience that combines the expertise of its architectural designers, interior designers and master craftsmen who are dedicated to delivering a transformational home renovation experience. 8820 Brookville Road | Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301-565-4600 | Gilday.com
James McDonald Associate Architects James McDonald Associate Architects bring their design excellence to the small additions and remodel’s as well as to the larger custom homes we design for our clients. It is about creating a space that fulfills our clients lifestyle and wishes. We work throughout the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia area. 10135 Colvin Run Road | Great Falls, Va. 22066 703-757-0036 | James@jamesmcdonaldarchitects.com JamesMcDonaldArchitects.com
We're an award-winning residential architecture firm that listens—to you, your home, and your budget. Specializing in custom renovations, additions, and new homes, we work closely with clients to design functional, beautiful spaces that honor your home. 1232 Hamilton Street, NW| Washington, DC 20011 202-450-3126 | mike@mprarchitecture.com MPRArchitecture.com
Sandy Spring Builders We are the premier custom homebuilder in the area with our integrated, full- service team. With over 40 years of experience and vast portfolio of well-built homes, our happy clients have made us Best of Bethesda every year since its inception. Our expertise is unmatched in the industry and we are proud to be our client’s “Builder for Life”. 301-913-5995 | SandySpringBuilders.com B E T H E S D A M A G A Z I N E . C O M | I N S I D E R ' S G U I D E 2 0 2 6 -2 0 2 7 8 9
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PR OF IL E S
Home Showcase
S P EC IA L A D V ERTIS IN G S ECTION
Chesapeake Kitchen Design
Monarch Prime
Since 1978, Chesapeake Kitchen Design has offered Design. Construction and project management services to our customers. We are known for our outstanding workmanship and professionalism. Contact us today for a free estimate.
We are a residential remodeling firm focused on a high-touch client experience. Through our construction-forward, design-build approach, we pair big-picture planning with precise execution. We deliver well-crafted and mindful homes shaped by careful coordination, technical expertise, and attention to detail.
8001 Wisconsin Ave Suite 102 | Bethesda MD, 20814 Office 301-652-7880 | Cell- 301-518-3009 | Chesakitdes.com
301-208-0348 | info@monarchprime.com MonarchPrime.com
Town & Country Movers
Wilets Architecture
Town & Country Movers is a family-owned company with nearly 50 years of experience, offering white-glove moving services, secure storage, professional home staging, and comprehensive move management — delivering a seamless relocation experience from start to finish for clients across the DMV.
Wilets Architecture creates custom residential and community buildings, crafting inspired spaces for people who live, work, and play within. Our architectural vision, construction knowledge, and collaborative process propel projects from concept to completion, improving lives and adding value to communities.
7650 Rickenbacker Drive | Gaithersburg, MD 20879 800-683-6683 | TownAndCountryMovers.com
Scott Wilets, AIA | Bethesda, MD 20817 | 301-980-4823 info@wiletsarchitecture.com | WiletsArchitecture.com
Ballard + Mensua Architecture
Cabin John Builders
Ballard + Mensua Architecture is a full-service architecture firm with a specialty in custom homes and renovations. Whether you are planning out an affordable home, crafting a dream house, considering an addition, or looking to thoughtfully preserve a historic property, our team can assess your needs and bring your project to life.
Cabin John Builders crafts exceptional renovations, additions, and custom homes for discerning homeowners in the Washington region. Our team pairs meticulous workmanship with an openbook, highly collaborative process—bringing clarity, confidence, and beautiful results to complex projects.
5185 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Ste 370| Washington, D.C. 20016 202-810-6555 | BallardMensua.com
301-637-3566 | josh@cabinjohnbuilders.com CabinJohnBuilders.com
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SPEC IAL ADV ERT IS I N G SECTI ON
Home Showcase
PR OF IL E S
Natelli Homes, LLC
Glickman Design Build
Natelli Homes – offering personalized and trusted design and building services for custom homes and renovations for nearly four decades. The quality brand known throughout the Washington, D.C. market now serves Bethany, Rehoboth and the Delaware beaches.
With over four decades of experience, Glickman Design Build specializes in wholehouse renovations, interior and accessible design, aging-in-place remodels, and additions. We deliver tailored, high-end solutions that blend style, comfort, and practicality.
301-938-5933 | NatelliHomes.com
15757 Crabbs Branch Way | Rockville, MD 20855| 301-444-4663 info@glickmandesignbuild.com | GlickmanDesignBuild.com
Logan Design & Build
structure.
Logan Design & Build specializes in high-end renovations and additions that reimagine how homes function and feel. Led by founder Jimmy Pomponio, LDB integrates design, engineering, permitting, and construction under roof; delivering an accountable, start-to-finish process defined by strategy, precision, and transparency.
Renovation specialists with a fresh take on home aesthetics and a soulful, creative approach to how home improvement is experienced. The STRUCTURE team has a reputation for high quality, highly customized projects that shine with undeniable style. This boutique renovation and home building firm provides the keys to a well-loved home.
Potomac, MD | info@logandb.com | LoganDB.com
Washington Marble & Granite Co. Washington Marble & Granite is a fullservice stone and quartz fabricator offering selection support, fabrication, and installation. Located north of the I-270 spur, WMG specializes in countertops, fireplaces, wall cladding, and tile, serving the Washington, DC area for 40 years. Owners Ron and Michael Ganassa have an aptitude for high-end quality work and exception customer service, with the ability to tackle just about any project. 10088 Tyler Ct, Ijamsville, MD 21754 301-831-1323 | info@washingtonmarble.com
4810 Creek Shore Drive | North Bethesda, MD 20852 240-994-1520 | info@structurecustomhomes.com StructureCustomHomes.com
Elie Ben Architecture An award-winning Architecture firm, designing custom & speculative homes to promote a timeless, intuitive living experience. Our goal is to cherish client's expectations and design a living space that is both inspiring and functional. Contact us for consultation about your project.
202-860-7050 | ElieBenArch.com B E T H E S D A M A G A Z I N E . C O M | I N S I D E R ' S G U I D E 2 0 2 6 -2 0 2 7 9 1
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PR OF IL E S
Home Showcase
Build & Design Construction inc.
S P EC IA L A D V ERTIS IN G S ECTION
Watercrafters
We build custom homes and commercial spaces and provide full architectural and engineering services across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Our team handles everything from your initial plans, building and trade permits, structural engineering, to final construction. Schedule your consultation today!
For over 40 years, Watercrafters has provided trusted expertise in pool care. From quality chemicals and equipment to professional maintenance, repairs, and renovations, our certified team delivers exceptional service and dependable workmanship to help you enjoy your pool with confidence.
5824 Hubbard Drive, Suite A | Rockville, MD 20852 240-669-7199 | BuildDesignInc.org
7914 Cessna Ave | Gaithersburg, MD 20879 | 301-948-8111 Watercrafters.com | info@watercrafters.com
Hopkins & Porter
New America Restoration
Since 1977, Hopkins & Porter has brought your remodeling visions to life through innovative solutions and exceptional craftsmanship. We prioritize communication, addressing your questions promptly and professionally. Experience the Hopkins & Porter difference. Built with integrity. Defined by care.
Restore your home's health with our expert mold remediation services! Say goodbye to harmful mold and enjoy a clean, safe environment. Trust our skilled team for effective solutions. Your home deserves the best care. Serving Montgomery County, MD. Call us today!
12944-C Travilah Road, Suite 204 | Potomac, MD 20854 301-840-9121 | HopkinsAndPorter.com
240-855-4225 | NewAmericaRestoration.com IICRC Certified Firm
Spectrum Design Build
Architessa
Spectrum Design Build excels in remodeling with unmatched care and standards. From innovative designs to custom craftsmanship, we collaborate closely with clients, bringing new life to homes. An award-winning company, our decades of experience ensure creative, sustainable building to realize your dream space.
Women-owned and familyoperated for more than 40 years, Architessa is known for its distinctive design perspective, trusted expertise, and commitment to quality and service. We are a thoughtfully curated tile, stone, and wood company that helps homeowners, designers, and architects find the perfect material for every space.
301-585-6630 | SpectrumDesignBuild.com Instagram: @spectrumdesignbuild
1-800-287-1742 | sales@architessa.com
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ESSENTIALS
On the Money The numbers behind business and work in Montgomery County
Top Employers Despite recent downsizing, federal agencies continue to be Montgomery County’s major employers, according to the Maryland Department of Commerce. That said, as many as 30,000 people are employed by the top 10 private sector companies in the county.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY’S TOP 10 PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS IN 2023-2024: (WITH ESTIMATED NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES LISTED) 4,354
Giant of Maryland
3,675
Adventist HealthCare
3,505 3,500
GEICO Marriott International
3,500
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
2,730
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Montgomery College
2,719
Holy Cross Hospital of Silver Spring
2,070 2,000
Infosys
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine 1,959 Source: Maryland Department of Commerce
$117.4 BILLION
$1.4 BILLION+
Montgomery County’s gross domestic product in 2023, making up 21.9% of Maryland’s GDP
Venture capital investments in fiscal 2025, representing more than 100 deals
$627,000 Median price of a home in fiscal 2025
Sources: Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors; Montgomery County Economic Development Corp.
What We’re Earning The average annual wage for all workers in Montgomery County was nearly $96,366 in fiscal year 2025, a 4.7% increase over 2023, county data shows. Federal government employees and those in professional, technical and scientific services saw the biggest increases, at 8.4% each. $153,186 (+8.4%)
Federal Government
$138,533 (+8.4%)
Professional, Technical and Scientific Services $91,574 (+4.4%)
Private, All Industries Construction Local Government
$89,059 (+5.6%) $80,033 (+7.8%)
Health Care and Social Assistance
$71,188 (+2.2%) $70,628 (+8.1%)
State Government Retail
$49,986 (+5.7%)
Accommodation and Food Services $36,055 (+5.2%) Source: Maryland Department of Labor
ILLUSTRATOR NAME TK
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ESSENTIALS
Inside MoCo
F
or the 1 million-plus residents of Montgomery County, issues such as real estate taxes, transportation projects, trash pickup and environmental stewardship can be key parts of their daily lives. The local government employs more
How county government than 10,000 people in more than 30 departments and agencies to operates—and how to reach provide the services that make the county run. Here’s a primer the services you need on who does what and how to get in touch with them.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE
County Executive Marc Elrich, a Democrat, will be finishing his second and final term in the office in 2026. Having been elected first in 2018, he is prohibited from seeking re-election by new term limits. Before he was a politician, Elrich was a teacher at Rolling Terrace Elementary School in Takoma Park, where he worked for 17 years. He started his political career on the Takoma Park City Council, where he served for 19 years before being elected to the Montgomery County Council in 2006. He was a councilmember for 12 years and three elected terms. The executive’s responsibilities include proposing a yearly budget, developing policies and introducing legislation to the county council, issuing executive orders and appointing boards and committees. November 2026 contest: Democrat Will Jawando, a member of the Montgomery County Council, and Republican Esther Wells, a CPA and corporate accountant, will go head-to-head to take Elrich’s place. The executive’s office can be contacted by visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/exec/contactcex.aspx.
Montgomery County Council The Montgomery County Council meets most Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. The meetings are streamed live on the council’s YouTube page: youtube.com/@mococouncilmd. Find meeting agendas and staff reports at montgomerycountymd.gov/council/ondemand. The 11-person council consists of representatives from seven districts plus four at-large members. The council is responsible for major county decisions, such as passing a yearly budget. It approved $7.9 billion for fiscal year 2027 that included funds for education, tax relief, affordable housing, transportation and health and human services. The council announces public hearings in advance, and community members can sign up to speak by visiting montgomerycountymd. gov/council/participate.html.
If you don’t know what district you’re in or who your councilmember is, you can enter your address in the county’s interactive map. Go to montgomerycountymd.gov/council and select “find my councilmember” under “about the council” at the bottom of the page.
• Laurie-Anne Sayles, D, At-large: 240777-7964, councilmember.sayles@ montgomerycountymd.gov
Councilmembers (through Dec. 7, 2026)
• Sidney Katz, D, District 3: 240-777-7906, councilmember.katz@montgomerycounty md.gov
• President: Natali Fani-González, D, District 6: 240-777-7870, councilmember.fani-gonzalez@ montgomerycountymd.gov • Vice President: Marilyn Balcombe, D, District 2: 240-777-7960, councilmember. balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov • Shebra Evans, D, At-large: 240-777-7959, councilmember.evans@montgomerycounty md.gov • Evan Glass, D, At-large: 240-777-7966, councilmember.glass@montgomerycounty md.gov
• Andrew Friedson, D, District 1: 240-777-7828, councilmember.friedson@montgomerycounty md.gov
• Kate Stewart, D, District 4: 240-777-7968, councilmember.stewart@montgomery countymd.gov • Kristin Mink, D, District 5: 240-777-7955, councilmember.mink@montgomerycounty md.gov • Dawn Luedtke, D, District 7: 240-777-7860, councilmember.luedtke@montgomerycounty md.gov
• Will Jawando, D, At-large: 240-777-7811, councilmember.jawando@montgomery countymd.gov
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NOVEMBER 2026 CONTESTS: At-large: Marc Elrich, D; Scott Evan Goldberg, D; Laurie-Anne Sayles, D; Karla Silvestre, D; Sherwin Wells, R will compete for the four seats. District 1: Julie Yang, D vs. Reardon “Sully” Sullivan, R District 2: Marilyn Balcombe, D (uncontested) District 3: Jud Ashman, D vs. Ricky Fai Mui, R District 4: Kate Stewart, D (uncontested) District 5: Kristin Mink, D vs. Josephine Salazar, R District 6: Natali Fani-González, D vs. Louella Tham, R District 7: Dawn Luedtke, D vs. Harold Maldonado, R
Voting The Montgomery County Board of Elections is located at 18753 N. Frederick Ave., Suite 210, Gaithersburg. Register to vote online and find more information about voting in the county by visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/ elections or calling 240-777-8500.
County Services To request bulk trash pickup, a recycling bin, tree removal, pothole repair or other county services, go to montgomerycountymd.gov/ mc311 or call 311 (or 240-777-0311 from outside the county).
Public Safety
OPPOSITE PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES; TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY BENJAMIN SKY BRANDT
For emergencies, dial 911. To reach agencies directly, use the contact information below. • Chevy Chase Village Police Department: 301-654-7300, chevychasevillagemd.gov/35/ police • Gaithersburg Police Department: 301-258-6400, gaithersburgmd.gov/services/ police-services
Montgomery County Council Back row (from left): Sidney Katz, Andrew Friedson, Will Jawando, Natali FaniGonzález, Kate Stewart, Laurie-Anne Sayles, Evan Glass; front row (from left): Shebra Evans, Marilyn Balcombe, Kristin Mink, Dawn Luedtke
Libraries For a full-service library card, visit any Montgomery County Public Libraries branch with a photo ID and proof of address. For a digital library card, apply at mcpl.aspendiscovery.org/apply.
Parks and Recreation Montgomery County has 22 rec centers that offer activities for children, teenagers, adults and seniors, including programs for individuals with disabilities. Offerings include classes, sports, crafts and special events. Social halls and meeting rooms are available by reservation. Find information on aquatic centers, ice skating rinks, nature centers, parks and other county venues on the Active Montgomery website at activemontgomery.org.
Transportation
• Rockville City Police Department: 240-314-8900, rockvillemd.gov/248/police
Bus: Metrobus offers more than 1,300 buses with more than 7,500 stops around the D.C. region wmata.com/service/bus. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Ride On bus system operates more than 80 routes, which serve much of the county. The service is free montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit.
• Takoma Park Police Department: 301-270-1100, takomaparkmd.gov/government/ police
Rail: The MARC commuter rail system’s Brunswick Line operates Monday through Friday, from Frederick and Martinsburg, West
• Montgomery County Department of Police: 301-279-8000, montgomerycountymd.gov/pol • Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service: 240-683-6520, montgomerycountymd.gov/ mcfrs
Virginia, through Montgomery County to D.C.’s Union Station mta.maryland.gov. The Metro’s Red Line connects Montgomery County to Washington, D.C. The line stretches from Shady Grove through Bethesda to the nation’s capital and back into the county, ending in Glenmont wmata.com/service/rail. The Purple Line, running east-west from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda, will provide a direct connection to the Metro’s red, green and orange lines; it is slated to open in December 2027 purplelinemd.com. Shuttle service: The Bethesda Circulator is a free bus that makes a 3.3-mile loop through downtown Bethesda every 10 to 15 minutes, Monday through Saturday. Its 20 stops include the Bethesda Metro station and Bethesda’s public garages bethesda.org/bethesda/ bethesda-circulator. Silver Spring VanGo is a free shuttle service circulating through downtown Silver Spring from the Silver Spring Metro station silverspringdowntown.com/go/ vango-free-downtown-shuttle. Bike rentals: Capital Bikeshare’s signature red bikes are available to rent from hundreds of stations in the region, including throughout Montgomery County, and can be returned to any station capitalbikeshare.com. Users can also find dockless bikes available from other bikeshare companies, as well as e-bikes and e-scooters.
BETHESDA TODAY POLITICS BRIEFING
For scoops, deep dives and updates on all things Montgomery County government and politics, community members can sign up to receive Bethesda Today’s free weekly Politics Briefing newsletter by visiting BethesdaMagazine.com/newsletters. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | INSIDER’S GUIDE 2026-2027 95
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MoCo by the
ESSENTIALS
NUMBERS
RACE AND ORIGIN* 57.5%
U.S. Census data on demographics, income and more
White
THE BIG PICTURE
1,074,582
INCOME AND POVERTY
$132,450
Median household income (in 2024 dollars), 2020-2024
Population of Montgomery County, the most populous county in Maryland (2024 U.S. Census Bureau estimate)
$67,571
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2024 dollars), 2020-2024
7.5%
AGE
Persons in poverty
5.6%
Children younger than 5 years
22.5%
Persons younger than 18 years
18%
Persons 65 years and older
39.6%
WORKING LIFE
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
69.3%
Percent of population age 16 and older in civilian labor force, 2020-2024
65.1%
Hispanic or Latino
31.9 minutes
Asian
POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS
33.6%
Foreign-born persons, 2020-2024
34,165
Veterans, 2020-2024
$2,068
Median gross rent, 2020-2024
65.3%
389,210
$2,929
Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, 2020-2024
16.4%
Mean travel time to work, workers age 16 and older, 2020-2024
3.9%
Two or more races
Housing units, July 1, 2025
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2020-2024
21.7%
Percent of female population age 16 and older in civilian labor force, 2020-2024
EDUCATION
1.1%
91.3%
Households, 2020-2024
2.72
Average persons per household, 2020-2024
American Indian and Alaska Native
High school graduate or higher, persons age 25 and older, 2020-2024
0.1%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
60.6%
*Percentages do not total 100% because Hispanics may be of any race.
Bachelor’s degree or higher, persons age 25 and older, 2020-2024
HOUSING 419,402
21%
Black or African American
RELIGION
88.1%
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1+, 2020-2024
43%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5+, 2020-2024
Christian
60%
Unaffiliated/No Religion
17.8%
9 to 9.3% Muslim 3 to 3.2% Buddhist 2.7 to 3% Hindu 2.7 to 3% Orthodox Christian 2% Unitarian Universalist 1 to 1.3% Jewish
Source: Public Religion Research Institute
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Enroll in our Free Birdie Bucks® Rewards, and Join our Flock! Now in Potomac Village!
Call for free delivery options! The Backyard Bird Feeder is the DMV’s premier locally owned bird feeding store—celebrating 40 years of sharing our expertise and love of birding with the community. From bird seed and squirrelproof feeders to poles, bird baths, bird houses and more, we have it all. Enjoy free shipping online for purchases of $100+, or use our free local delivery days service. See our website or call for details. Our squirrel-proof seed, Lava Mix , fills this bird feeder.
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