Unlike the Potomac River, which is the very distinctive border between Virginia and Washington DC, Silver Spring, Maryland and our nation’s capital are divided only by Eastern Avenue, which makes it Maryland’s closest city to DC, and a popular location for a wide variety of people to live because of it. A quick metro ride will have you in DC because of that, which makes for an easy work commute, or a weekend day trip. However, Silver Spring has no shortage of entertainment, activities, and dining options itself.
Silver Spring prides itself on being the cultural hub of Montgomery County in Maryland, due to its eclectic restaurants, entertainment options, and activities. A typical weekend day for someone visiting (or living in!) Silver Spring might begin with a trip to Zed’s Café, where you can jump start your Saturday with one of their specialty coffee beverages, as well as their homemade food options, such as a omelets, waffles, classic sandwiches, or salads! After that, take a stroll over to Loyalty Books, a small business founded by a Black and Queer Bookseller, who pride themselves on spotlighting local authors, as well as highlighting the diverse voices and creatives that they feature. If reading isn’t your thing, you can also head to Joe’s Record Paradise, which has a selection of both vintage and current records. Another popular afternoon activity takes place at Urban Winery, where you not only will find a selection of local wines, but you’d be able to make your own customized bottle of wine with their wine making classes, in which you choose your own grapes, design your own label, and watch the process of wine bottles being made. Astro Lab Brewing is another popular option among locals, as their have a small selection of rotating craft beers that are made onsite.
Should you be more interested in expanding your knowledge and cultural horizons, you may choose to explore one of Silver Springs many museums, such as the National Museum of Health and Medicine, whose mission is “To preserve, inspire, and inform the history, research, and advancement of military and civilian medicine through world-class collections, digital technology, and public engagement.” Other museums in the area include the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum, which is unique in its mission of not just spreading information that makes you think about the outside world, but also encouraging you to focus your attention and energy internally through various objects on display, and guided meditation sessions.
You might choose to spend your weekend evening in Silver Spring having a date night, spending time with friends, or on a night out with your family, and the area can accommodate all the above! Start your evening with dinner and drinks at McGinty’s Public House, which has a wide patio and features a wide selection of spirits (especially whiskey), or El Sapo Cuban Social Club, which serves authentic Latin and Cuban food, with a great happy hour, featuring fresh mojitos, and bright, upbeat music. After dinner, you may want to finish off the evening at the famous Fillmore for music from artists like Slash, Mayday Parade, JoJo, and more. You can also stop at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, where you can enjoy both box office hits, and small independent films.
Overall, whether your experience in Silver Spring, Maryland only lasts for a day, or you end up putting down roots there, you’ll be grateful for the diverse experience of activities, entertainment, and food, as well as the warm and welcoming people who live there.
“About Loyalty.” About Loyalty | Loyalty Bookstores, https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/aboutloyalty.
Midgette, Anne. “Perspective | Meditation Museum: Communing with the Divine in Silver Spring.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 19 Nov. 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/meditation-museum-communing-with-the-divine-in-silver-spring/2018/10/11/4bbeb196-c5fd-11e8-9b1c-a90f1daae309_story.html.
“The Fillmore Silver Spring.” The Fillmore Silver Spring | Downtown Silver Spring, https://silverspringdowntown.com/go/the-fillmore-silver-spring.
“The Fillmore Silver Spring – 2022 Show Schedule & Venue Information.” Live Nation, https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZA6tFlA/the-fillmore-silver-spring-events.
“Discover Silver Spring.” Downtown Silver Spring MD: Arts, Entertainment, Restaurants, and Events, https://silverspringdowntown.com/.
Marcolin, John. “Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.” Terrain.org, 10 Jan. 2013, https://www.terrain.org/2013/unsprawl/downtown-silver-spring/.
