25+ Amazing Things to Do in Silver Spring MD You’ll Love

From shopping to concerts, live ballet, public art, and more, Silver Spring, Maryland, has a lot to offer. Like many of the DC suburb areas, Silver Spring gets overlooked for the more exciting downtown DC or Baltimore areas, but don’t count it out—there are so many unique things to do in Silver Spring MD that make it a destination all its own.

A vibrant daytime view of the Regal Majestic 20 & IMAX in Downtown Silver Spring, MD. The building's exterior features a large, colorful mural of a person in motion. Below the mural are the entrances to the cinema and an H&M store. People are visible on the sidewalk, and colorful circular designs adorn the street. Going to the movies at the Regal Majestic is one of the entertaining things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Located in Montgomery County with over 80,000 residents, Silver Spring has something for nearly anyone. Its location just 25 minutes north of Washington DC makes it the perfect higher-end commuter city, but it’s a destination in its own right. From historical architecture and a thriving cultural center to seasonal favorites like outdoor ice skating, Silver Spring offers more than enough to fill your itinerary—and then some!

A daytime view of Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring, MD, a multi-level shopping center with stores like Burlington, Ross Dress for Less, Michaels, and Forever 21 visible on its facade. A pedestrian walkway connects different parts of the complex over a busy street with crosswalks and moving cars. People are seen walking in and around the shopping center. Shopping at Ellsworth Place is one of the popular things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Hang out downtown while you’re there!

Downtown Silver Spring Mall

If you’re already going to the Fillmore to see a show, hang out in downtown Silver Spring and check out the restaurants and go shopping. The Downtown Silver Spring Mall is an indoor/outdoor mall with shops like Loft, Ulta, and DSW. If you hang out on Ellsworth Dr and the surrounding blocks, you can get coffee, dinner, and a brand new outfit.

A daytime view of McGinty's Public House in Downtown Silver Spring, MD. The restaurant has a black sign with white lettering and an illustration of a Celtic harp. The storefront features large windows, a red door, and outdoor seating enclosed by wooden barriers. A person walks along the sidewalk in front of the establishment. Visiting local restaurants like McGinty's is one of the enjoyable things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Silver Spring Restaurants

McGinty’s Public House is a great Irish pub in Silver Spring with live music, a small but cozy patio, and a really impressive selection of spirits, especially whiskey. Copper Canyon Grill is a local chain with really fantastic rotisserie chicken, and El Sapo Cuban Social Club is a must if you want authentic Cuban or Latin food. Their happy hour is also pretty great!

A daytime view of the storefront for Sushi Jin in Downtown Silver Spring, MD. The restaurant has a red neon sign displaying its name. Japanese characters are visible on the signage and in the window. The entrance has an "OPEN" sign illuminated in blue. Dining at local restaurants like Sushi Jin is one of the diverse things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Sushi Jin Next Door has some of the best sushi in downtown Silver Spring, and Loyalty Books around the corner is a great stop to support local booksellers and authors. For excellent coffee, you’ll need to go two blocks to check out Zed’s Café, which has great espresso and an excellent vibe.

A daytime view of The Fillmore located in Downtown Silver Spring, a music venue with its name prominently displayed above the entrance. A marquee below the name advertises an upcoming show. People are seen near the entrance, and cars drive along the street in front of the venue. Attending a concert or event at The Fillmore is one of the exciting things to do in Silver Spring MD.

See Your Favorite Band at the Fillmore

By far one of my favorite parts of downtown Silver Spring is the Fillmore, a relatively small music venue downtown known for its incredible live music experiences.

My first metal concert was there 10 years ago, and I’ve always had a soft spot for the place. As more people feel comfortable going to packed venues like concerts, the Fillmore is going to be the spot, especially with nearby bars and restaurants offering happy hour deals to kick off the night.

A daytime view of a Thanksgiving parade in Downtown Silver Spring, MD. A festive float decorated with autumn leaves and colors carries individuals dressed in historical or seasonal costumes, including what appear to be Native American-inspired attire and a Pilgrim outfit. Marching band members in maroon and gold uniforms walk alongside the float. Spectators line the street, and trees with fall foliage are visible in the background. Attending community events like this parade is one of the celebratory things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Don’t Miss the Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade!

Okay, this one is pretty time-specific, but if you find yourself in Downtown Silver Spring around Thanksgiving, be sure to check out the parade. It’s the only Thanksgiving parade in the DC area, and takes place the Saturday before the holiday, usually. It runs all through downtown, and there are people in costumes, candy thrown, and music played.

Most years, Veterans Plaza is also done up with a corn maze, cast members in costumes for pictures with little ones, and more. It’s really a great day all around, and something everyone can enjoy.

Full Guide to the Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade

Check out every Silver Spring Brewery

Third Hill Brewing Co.

Third Hill Brewing Co. is located in downtown Silver Spring off Georgia Ave (one of the major arteries of the downtown area), and offers a great rotating selection of craft beers made onsite. Their menu is always changing, so there’s something for everyone – keep stopping back for new selections.

Opened in June 2023 in place of Astro Lab Brewery, Third Hill continues the tradition of offering a diverse range of craft beers brewed onsite. The brewery features a welcoming taproom with a rotating beer menu, ensuring there’s something new for every visit. Plus, don’t miss their happy hour from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday through Friday, where you can enjoy $2 off all appetizers and flatbreads and $1 off all full draft pours.

Silver Branch Brewing Company

Silver Branch Brewing Company is a few blocks northwest and has a huge on-tap selection with a good variety. Their IPAs are really excellent, and their menu is solid. The house-made tamales are my favorite, but their pretzels are a table must.

Denizens Brewing Co

Denizens Brewing Co is my third brewery recommendation, closer to the DC line than downtown itself. It’s a huge two-level taproom with a beer garden, and Denizens is one of those popular local brands that everyone knows and loves. Their menu is a little more extensive, with a good burger selection too.

Thirsty for craft beer around DC? Be sure to explore the top breweries in DC!

Urban Winery of Silver Spring

If you’re more into wine. The Urban Winery of Silver Spring is a must-stop. You don’t get a ton of wineries downtown Silver Spring like this, but this winery has a tasting room, their wine, plus a good selection of local wines, and an excellent, though small, menu. They also have classes, if you ever wanted to learn how to find the tasting notes of wine or how to pair wine with food properly. Speaking of classes…

Six ballet dancers, who appear to be young women, are practicing at a barre. They are wearing matching purple leotards, pink tights, and pointe shoes. Each dancer has one hand on the barre for balance and the other arm raised gracefully overhead. Their legs are extended in a coordinated ballet position. This could be a class or rehearsal at the Maryland Youth Ballet. Observing or participating in dance performances or classes might be among the things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Take a class!

Maryland Youth Ballet

Ever wondered if you could hack it in a ballet class? Maryland Youth Ballet has both children’s and adult classes, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon discovering you are not as flexible as you thought you were.

Montgomery County College

Audit a class, get your continuing education credits done, load up on college credits while in high school or earn another degree when you enroll in classes at Montgomery County College. There are courses for all ages, including visual arts, youth classes, and summer camps.

Or, see a show!

Black Box Theatre

While some of the local theaters have closed their doors (like Forum Theatre downtown, or the Highwood Theatre), Black Box Theatre on Colesville Road is still going strong. It’s a smaller local theatre with a really intimate feel, and has a variety of local performing troupes coming in and out.

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center has 3 screens, and plays a rotation of documentaries, foreign films, and just shows you’ll never see at your local Regal. There are so few movie theatres that host and produce these kinds of work, it can be a rare treat to see a foreign movie or documentary outside of your own living room.

A daytime view of the Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in Kensington, Maryland, near Silver Spring. The large, white marble temple features six spires, with the tallest one adorned with a golden Angel Moroni statue. A reflecting pool and colorful flowerbeds are in the foreground, along with a paved walkway and surrounding greenery. While visiting the temple grounds is typically for religious purposes, admiring its architecture and serene setting is one of the points of interest near Silver Spring, MD.

The Washington DC Temple is in Silver Spring

If you’ve ever driven up 495 and saw the tops of this iconic temple over the trees, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Did anyone else’s parents tell them it was Disney World? No?

The Washington DC Temple is a huge temple for the LDS, and has over 160,000 square feet, with the tallest spire reaching over 280 feet.

The visitors center might not be the typical thing someone does when visiting a new city, but it’s certainly an experience to see this giant building up close, especially if you constantly drive past it on the highway and marvel.

A daytime view of the National Museum Of Health And Medicine. Large trees with green foliage partially obscure the view of the building. A well-maintained green lawn extends in front of the museum. Visiting the National Museum Of Health And Medicine could be one of the educational things to do in Silver Spring MD, although the exact location needs to be verified.

Lots of Silver Spring museums to see

No surprise, being so close to Washington DC, Silver Spring offers plenty of museums and historical architecture to explore.

National Museum of Health and Medicine

The National Museum of Health and Medicine is a little odd, but if you’re interested in the history of modern medicine and seeing real-life medical specimens up close, I highly recommend spending an afternoon there. It’s a fascinating spot, offering a unique glimpse into both the historical architecture and medical history of Silver Spring.

National Capital Trolley Museum

The National Capital Trolley Museum is a relatively small but vibrant museum with classic streetcars from all around the world. They have a working trolley that offers 1-mile long rides so you (or the littles you bring along!) can experience what it was like to get around using public transportation before the metro came into Washington DC. The museum also showcases some impressive historical architecture, making it a great stop in Silver Spring for history enthusiasts.

Gateway to NOAA

The Gateway to NOAA is very much a hidden gem of a museum in Silver Spring, and I know a lot of locals that have never been. NOAA, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, runs this exhibit in the NOAA headquarters downtown. If you ever wanted to know about how NOAA came to be, or what goes into monitoring the world’s atmosphere (like hurricanes, tornados, and more), this is the place to stop.

Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum

If you want something totally unique, check out the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum, located on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. This one is certainly unique – the “museum” offers spaces for meditation, classes on mindfulness and meditation, and exhibits on the history and study of meditation. Even if you’re a doubter, it’s

A daytime view of a colorful playground at what might be Woodside Urban Park in Silver Spring, MD. The playground features a large blue spiral slide, other slides, climbing structures, and swings, all set on a mulch ground covering. Mature green trees surround the play area, casting dappled shade. Benches and picnic tables are visible in the background. Spending time at a local park like this is one of the recreational things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Plenty of green space, too

Don’t discount Silver Spring as a concrete suburb, there is plenty of vibrant greenery to see.

Woodside Urban Park

Just north of downtown, Woodside Urban Park in Silver Spring has a great playground, tennis court, basketball hoops, and a small skatepark.

A daytime view of Rock Creek Regional Parl in Silver Spring, MD. Tall, mature trees with dense foliage surround a spacious lawn with some shaded areas. A picnic table is visible in the lower left corner. Enjoying the natural beauty and open spaces of local parks is one of the relaxing things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Rock Creek Regional Park

Rock Creek Regional Park is over 1800 acres, and there are plenty of walking trails right in Silver Spring. The park itself stretches across several different cities.

Sligo Creek Trail

Sligo Creek Trail is a paved hiking and biking trail along Sligo Creek itself, and is really excellent for a low-key relaxing afternoon walking in Silver Spring. It’s also perfect for a short out-and-back if you don’t want to spend a lot of time hiking several miles, but need to be in the fresh air.

Ray’s Meadow Local Park

If you want something a little more interactive, Ray’s Meadow Local Park is just outside of Silver Spring itself and includes a baseball field, two soccer fields, and a huge playground.

Acorn Urban Park

Acorn Urban Park is a small urban park in downtown Silver Spring that has a unique, acorn-shaped gazebo and a small grotto, perfect for a quick stop with coffee or pastries.

A daytime view of the Silver Spring Civic Building in Silver Spring, MD. The modern building features a combination of dark metal and warm wood paneling on its exterior. Large windows reflect the bright sky. A grassy area slopes up to the building, with concrete steps and a metal railing leading to an entrance. Trees with green leaves frame the building. Attending events or visiting the Silver Spring Civic Building is one of the community-oriented things to do in Silver Spring MD.

Other must-try things?

Big Escape Room

Big Escape Room is probably the best local escape room in Silver Spring, and if you’re with friends, it’s even better.

Silver Spring Civic Center

The Silver Spring Civic Center regularly has concerts, shows, or other live events, plus it has a huge outdoor space and gardens in the Veterans Plaza.

Silver Spring Library

The Silver Spring Library is a huge, brand-new library building with a community center if you want to wander, read, or see the view from the top floor.

St John the Evangelist Church

St John the Evangelist Church is a huge mid-century church with an amazing piece of artwork out front. Even if you’re not religious, you can appreciate the time and effort that went into such a piece. Something worth checking out in Silver Spring.

White Oak Lanes

White Oak Lanes is great for a few hours of bowling in Silver Spring MD.

Heyser Farms

Stop into Heyser Farms, a specialty shop that has local fruit, vegetables, cheeses, butter, and more. It’s a small taste of the country in a big city that is very welcome.

What’s New in Silver Spring (2024–2025)

Silver Spring keeps growing with exciting changes. New trail expansions, including the Metropolitan Branch and Capital Crescent Trails, are improving walkability and bike access. Dining options like Solaire Social, Silver Wheel Cellars, and Money Muscle BBQ are gaining popularity. Cultural highlights include SenFest, the New African Film Festival, and fresh local theater productions.