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Tell Me About BETHESDA, Maryland BETHSDA, MARYLAND – Urban Living at Its Best!
Downtown Bethesda, a lively urban community, is part of the Greater Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Bethesda is well known for its many excellent restaurants – about 200 of them! – and for shopping, theaters, cinemas and some 20 art galleries.
Bethesda is located on the Metro (subway) line, which connects it to Rockville, Chevy Chase, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia suburbs. The Bethesda Metro station is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Bethesda. Another Metro stop, Medical Center, serves the campuses of the National institutes of Health (NIH) and Bethesda Naval Medical Center.
Residents of Bethesda have access to many excellent public and private schools, ranging from preschools to elementary, middle and high schools, and also to colleges and universities. The quality of healthcare available locally is very high, as Bethesda and the surrounding area contain many top-notch hospitals, medical, and research facilities.
THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO IN BETHESDA !
Bethesda hosts many exciting cultural activities year-round. Here are brief descriptions of only a few.
In the spring there is the Bethesda Literary Festival. This free event is held in downtown Bethesda’s bookstores, community centers and art galleries. There are writing contests, lectures, poetry slams, children’s book parties, and discussions with authors, journalists, poets and more.
Also in the spring is the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival. This free two-day festival features fine art and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, and food provided by Bethesda restaurants. Activities take place inside tents set up along two streets in downtown Bethesda.
Throughout the summer is the summer concert series. Each week there are free concerts featuring a wide variety of music – jazz, rock, blues, international and swing.
In the summer and fall is the Bethesda Artist Market. The work of local and regional artists is displayed in tents set up in downtown Bethesda.
In the fall is the annual Taste of Bethesda. This food and music festival features food from about 50 restaurants, plus multiple stages with live entertainment. Over 40,000 people attend the festival each year.
From May to October, Bethesda is host to the lively Bethesda Farmer’s Market, with its fresh produce and breads. Since 1932, Downtown Bethesda has also hosted the eclectic Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market, which sells fruits, furniture and more.
Every month, there is the Bethesda Art Walk. This free, self-guided gallery walk includes a variety of art galleries and studios. One can see painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, photography, and more. There are free refreshments along the walk.
For those who enjoy outdoor physical activities, the Capital Crescent Trail (see www.cctrail.org) passes through Bethesda on its way from Georgetown to Silver Spring, Maryland. Between Bethesda and Georgetown, the trail is smooth asphalt. It is enjoyed by walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and rollerbladers.
INDUSTRIES & OCCUPATIONS
The population of Bethesda is about 55,000 people. Estimated average household income is around $99,000 per year.
Over 75% of Bethesda residents who are employed work in professional, managerial, and related occupations. About 25% of employees are government workers. Bethesda is also home to many research facilities, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Over 78% of Bethesda’s population has a bachelor’s degree or higher. Almost half of its residents have a graduate or professional college degree.
GETTING AROUND THE METRO AREA
VIA METRO LINE: Bethesda has two stops on the Metro (subway) line. The Bethesda metro station is located in the heart of Downtown Bethesda. The Medical Center metro station is located on Route 355 (Wisconsin Avenue), conveniently located near the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Bethesda Naval Medical Center.
VIA AIRLINE: Besides its excellent Metro system, the Greater Washington, DC Area is served by three major airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC; Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, DC; and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) in Baltimore.
WEATHER AND PRECIPITATION
Average temperatures for Bethesda range from a low of about 25 degrees Fahrenheit in January to a high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Average precipitation is just over 40 inches per year, including about 21 inches of snow between late November and early April.
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