Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
25 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
25 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
25 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
25 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All the United States Maryland Bethesda

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Bethesda

10 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Bethesda, Maryland

Updated June 27, 2024

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Bethesda

Front gate of the park. (2020)

Bethesda, Maryland

Glen Echo Amusement Park

Once home to seven different roller coasters, Glen Echo has undergone many transformations since its founding in 1891.
Mushroom House

Bethesda, Maryland

Mushroom House of Bethesda

Surrounded by traditional homes, this Tolkien-esque dwelling stands out on a quiet street in suburban Maryland.
Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Bethesda, Maryland

Naval Surface Warfare Center

This massive swimming pool is the high tech home to the human-powered submarine races.
Congressional Country Club in 2011.

Bethesda, Maryland

Congressional Country Club

Proto-CIA agents trained with grenades in the sand traps and fired machine guns from the fairways.
The Madonna in Bethesda

Bethesda, Maryland

Madonna of the Trail

She stares out across six lanes of traffic, clutching a musket and infant with determination.
Porky The Litter Eater

Bethesda, Maryland

Porky The Litter Eater

This propitious plastic porcine has been petitioning park visitors to pick up after themselves for more than 50 years.
The hospital tower.

Bethesda, Maryland

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

FDR's Art Deco hospital tower was hopelessly inefficient.
Magruder’s Blacksmith Shop

Bethesda, Maryland

Magruder's Blacksmith Shop

One of the oldest standing structures in Montgomery County, Maryland.
See All 10 Things To Do in Bethesda
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

8 Historic Military Relics in Maryland

Maryland has the distinction of being one of the first states to officially join the Union in 1788—and as such, it’s played both big and small roles in various battles across the nation's history. Here are eight nods to its military past, ranging from a furnace that produced George Washington’s cannonballs to an unusual museum dedicated to the U.S.'s cryptographic history.

View Itinerary
These Civil War guns are located at Fort Washington in Maryland.

Explore Bethesda, Maryland

A
Architecture 3
Parks 2
Trees 2
Architectural Oddities 2
Design 2
History 2
Military 2
History & Culture 2

Bethesda Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. blimpcaptain
    4
  2. Elliot Carter
    3
  3. LeahC
    1
  4. Joshua Sack
    1
  5. bpeck
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Bethesda.

Places Edited

  1. blimpcaptain
    5
  2. Elliot Carter
    4
  3. Runawaydc
    3
  4. greensii
    2
  5. Collector of Experiences
    2

Places Visited

  1. A Bear
    10
  2. Kev Obie
    10
  3. blimpcaptain
    10
  4. frzell
    9
  5. OBellus Fun
    9
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Bethesda.

Recent Bethesda Activity

  • 2hdspringers

    wants to go to Mushroom House of Bethesda

    4 days ago
  • mfbornstad

    wants to go to Porky The Litter Eater

    3 days ago
  • zkinkade1

    wants to go to Porky The Litter Eater

    2 days ago
  • tlocke0221

    wants to go to Glen Echo Amusement Park

    2 days ago
  • Hotminicooperess

    has been to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

    1 day ago

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.