A Local's Guide: Things to Do in Rockville, Maryland 

To the untrained eye, Rockville, Maryland may look like just another suburb. Yes, it’s convenient to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, but Rockville is also Maryland’s third-largest city. And while residents are close enough to swing into either city for work or pleasure, there are lots of reasons to stay put. This city boasts its own natural and cosmopolitan charms, and locals know things to do in Rockville include excellent shopping and hiking, plus local beer and spirits.

Take a bookworm's pilgrimage

The spirits of celebrated authors F. Scott Fitzgerald, the literary giant who wrote The Great Gatsby, and his glamorous and talented wife Zelda Fitzgerald loom large in Rockville. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville’s Civic Center Park is home to Rockville Musical Theatre, Rockville Little Theatre, Rockville Civic Ballet and Victorian Lyric Opera Company. While you’re staying at a hotel in Rockville, catch a show—then head over to nearby Rockville Town Square, where you can grab a bite at one of the many, diverse restaurant options.

You’ll find more than a half-million books, including out-of-print and other rare books, at Second Story Books. Photo Credit: @oneyellowromancandle

If you’re up for a quiet afternoon stroll, visit the Fitzgeralds’ graves in St. Mary's Catholic Church's cemetery, where F. Scott Fitzgerald's final resting place bears the last line of his famous novel. Pro tip: a staggering wealth of out-of-print, used and rare books can be found at the enormous Second Story Books warehouse in Rockville. Look for vinyl records here, too.

Go ice skating

The spacious 7,200-square-foot ice rink at Rockville Town Square offers a great opportunity to rent a pair of skates—and take some lessons if your skills are a little rusty. The ice rink is open seasonally, but Rockville Town Square’s shops are fun to explore year-round. If you’re visiting in the summer, check the schedule for their Friday-night concert series.

Seek the city’s natural side

Spend a day outdoors immersing yourself in the 50 acres of Brookside Gardens.

Despite the overall urban nature of the D.C. Metro area, remarkable natural attractions remain in and near Rockville. At Meadowside Nature Center, wander down a raptor walkway where you can spot a bald eagle, two types of hawks and a handful of owls—or explore eight miles of nature trails. Brookside Gardens offers 50 acres of floral, aquatic and butterfly gardens, while the nearby Seneca Creek State Park is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, disc golfing and just relaxing. While you're there, you can rent a pedal boat, canoe, rowboat or kayak. Or sit back and take it all in from a pontoon boat tour, offered twice daily on the weekends.

Relax at the end of your day with a local beverage

Hop lovers and beer nerds rejoice—there are breweries in Rockville! Taste a variety of microbrewed beers, from IPAs and RyePAs (who knew?!) to lagers and stouts, plus a bold selection of seasonal rotating taps, at 7 Locks Brewing. Check their calendar before your visit, as local bands play the brewery fairly often.

Additionally, keep an eye on the Saints Row Brewing, where owners and Rockville natives Martin and Lacy Prebula use a three-barrel system to make small batches for local stores. Sample their brews in the intimate tasting area. And if you're a fan of the stronger stuff, Twin Valley Distillers' whiskeys and bourbon are distilled in Rockville, where you can go for a tasting. Cheers!