26 Best & Fun Things to Do in Silver Spring (MD)

Silver Spring is a borough in Montgomery County in the southeastern region just close to Ellicott City, Maryland, United States.

This is an incorporated city with a population of about eighty-one thousand, fifteen people, according to the census held in 2020.

Silver Spring is a city that holds so much significance in the historical sites and tales, putting efforts into collecting and preserving its history.

There are quite some fun things to do in Silver Spring, MD. Popular places to visit are AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Gateway to NOAA, Downtown Silver Spring, Grace Episcopal Church, the American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Northwest Park Golf Course, and more.

The city doesn’t just offer you fun and excitement but a chance for you to learn new things, discover hidden secrets and participate in various cultural activities.

Are you planning a vacation in Silver Spring? Here are the top things to do in Silver Spring, MD.

Things to Do in Silver Spring, MD

1. Wheaton Regional Park

Wheaton Regional Park
Credits: Mohamed Nizam / Flickr
Wheaton Regional Park

One of the fun things to do in Silver Spring, MD is visiting the Wheaton Regional Park with your family and friends.

Wheaton Regional Park was founded in 1990 and is open to everyone, both tourists and locals, for 24 hours throughout the year.

The park spans over five hundred acres and offers different activities that are equally educative and exciting.

Wheaton Regional Park offers lots of outdoor activities, including ice skating, horseback riding, and hiking, with an environment filled with natural resources.

The Park features several picnic areas perfect for a private or intimate picnicking with your family m, friends, and spouses.

Wheaton Regional Park consists of numerous nature centers offering educational programs and exhibits, including the brookside gardens.

Address: 2000 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902, United States

2. Downtown Silver Spring

Downtown Silver Spring
Credits: M. / Flickr
Downtown Silver Spring

Of course, your list of things to do wouldn’t be complete without walking through the downtown Silver Spring.

Downtown Silver Spring is an energetic and vibrant region in the city, offering a welcoming atmosphere to everyone, both strangers.

The buzz and bustling in the Downtown Silver Spring is a place you will love to visit and see first hand how life goes on in the area.

Downtown Silver Spring is packed with several establishments and attractions offering a wide range of entertainment, shopping, and dining options.

There are a good number of restaurants offering delectable meals, with stores and plazas offering unique and quality products.

Downtown Silver Spring features Tragara Ristorante, El Golfo Restaurant, water fountain, American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, and more.

3. Ellsworth Urban Park

Ellsworth Urban Park
Credits: Suti Stock Photo / Shutterstock

When you feel like relaxing, add a visit to Ellsworth Urban Park to your bucket list of things to do in Silver Spring, MD.

The Ellsworth Urban Park is a 3.6 acre park with many fun amenities perfect for all ages and open to everyone.

The park features a gigantic playground with lots of play equipment with a space perfect for the smaller children to explore.

The Ellsworth Urban Park features tennis courts and a dog park, where you get to have fun and play around with your pet.

There is a picnic pavilion where you can spend time with your family and friends while enjoying a meal together.

The dog park also features trash cans, a large green lawn, water fountains, benches, hose bibs, and many others.

Address: 621 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

4. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station
Credits: Preservation Maryland / Flickr
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station is a historic Silver Spring site listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

The railroad station is a one-time train station site from the twentieth century, built in 1945 for transportation of passengers in Montgomery County.

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station was built on a site used for an ancient railroad station built in 1878 in a Victorian style.

The previous train station was known for its distinct colonial revival style with fan-light dormers and windows made with granite.

Its waiting area was refurbished with lovely fluorescent lighting, metal chairs, a banquette coated with vinyl, and luggage shelves.

The railroad station was preserved and overseen by both the Silver Spring Historical Society and the Montgomery Preservation Society.

Dating from its construction, the railroad was actively working until 2000; it was mostly used by people who loved the little crowd and lesser noise, including Harry S. Truman, a president.

Address: 8100 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United station

5. The Acorn Urban Park

The Acorn Urban Park
Credits: bri hefele / Flickr
The Acorn Urban Park

The Acorn Urban Park is one of the best parks in the city and a great place to hang out with your family for an incredible experience.

The park is filled with several matured trees that serve as shades, under which you could sit and relax to read a book or listen to music.

The Acorn Urban Park features a 19th-century historic Acorn gazebo constructed in 1850 on the foundation of Francis Preston Blair’s plantation.

This ancient gazebo was built in honor of Blair to mark the oak tree where he engaged his wife in 1812.

The Acorn Urban Park consists of a man-made cave, a spring grotto that was once used for storing milk and ice many decades ago.

Address: 8075 Newell St, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

6. AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
Credits: Elvert Barnes / Flickr
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

A place that offers you a tremendous entertainment opportunity is the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, and it ought to be included in your list of fun things to do in Silver Spring, MD.

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is a state-of-the-art center established by the state’s citizens to facilitate the entertainment sector.

The major aim of its establishment was to create a space for hundreds of educators and artists from different categories around the world.

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, in partnership with the American Film Institute of the Country, organizes a wide variety of film and video programming.

The center is also a venue for numerous panels, cultural events, interviews, music concerts, seminars, talk shows, and more.

Address: 8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

7. The National Park College

National Park College
Credits: CLHendu [CC BY-SA 4.0], Wikimedia Commons
National Park College
The National Park College was once known as the National Park Seminary, nestled close to the Sligo Creek Parkway in Silver Spring.

The onetime seminary was established in 1890 but was transformed into a girls only school from 1894 to 1942.

The National Park College is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is a historic landmark housed in a former Forest Inn building built in 1887.

This college was founded to offer women a chance to advance and become whatever they want to be through first-class education.

The National Park College’s campus is adequately maintained, and its unique & elegant architectural designs make it stand out.

Tours of the property and the structures are available by the save seminary group; once a month, you can sign up for a tour and access the buildings.

Address: 9615 Dewitt Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

8. Silver Spring Library

Silver Spring Library
Credits: Farragutful [CC BY-SA 4.0], Wikimedia Commons
Silver Spring Library
For the open heart and curious minds, add a visit to Silver Spring Library to your list of best things to do in Silver Spring, MD.

Silver Spring Library officially opened its doors in 2015 as a non-profit organization, with a building structure of 3000-square feet.

The library features a good number of facilities and amenities, including an office space belonging to the county, and a post office.

Silver Spring Library is well stocked with a vast collection of audio books, magazines, CDs, newspapers, books, and more to encourage research.

The library features meeting rooms, studios for artists, and a lovely cafe serving various snacks and drinks.

Silver Spring Library also features a children’s play area on the fifth floor and a free parking garage just across the street.

Address: 900 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

9. Gateway to NOAA

Gateway to NOAA
Credits: NOAA’s National Ocean Service / Flickr
Gateway to NOAA

Amongst the fun things to do in Silver Spring, MD is visiting Gateway to NOAA for a more innovative and educational experience.

Gateway to NOAA was built by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a permanent exhibit.

The organization consists of scientific and historical instruments and many other devices and relics dating back to two hundred years ago.

Gateway to NOAA search and bring together essential information about our surroundings like sky, land, and sea.

The center collects and showcases interpretative and interactive exhibits in the News department, which gives visitors an opportunity to explore their world of ocean.

Gateway to NOAA enlightens the people on deep sea exploration, protection & management of the ocean & coastal resources, as well as safe navigation.

Address: 1325 E W Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910 United States

10. St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral

St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
Credits: Bohemian Baltimore [CC BY-SA 4.0], Wikimedia Commons
St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
 Inarguably, churches also play a vital role in the community, including being part of the major historical data of the area.

St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral was inaugurated in 1949, just before the World War II, in Silver Spring Community.

The parish was built during the era when immigrants began to depart Ukraine into America; the church began with about Sixty-five families.

The members of the parish held praise and worship services at various locations before a building was acquired.

St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral’s building was completed in 1987, the following year after the land was acquired in 1986.

In 1988, the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral was commissioned on April 24th, exactly the day when Rus-Ukraine marked its 1 000th year anniversary of being a Christian state.

Address: 15100 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905, United States

11. Northwest Park Golf Course

Northwest Park Golf Course
Credits: pisitnamtasaeng / Shutterstock

Northwest Park Golf Course is a top class golfing course for golf players who want to have great fun playing in Silver Spring.

This is a 27-hole course founded in 1964, and it was designed by Ault & Clark, consisting of four tees sets ideal for beginners and experts.

Northwest Park Golf Course spreads to nearly 7, 400 yards of championship golf tees and Montgomery County’s longest tees.

There is a driving range and a well stocked pro shop with different types of quality golfing equipment and apparel.

Northwest Park Golf Course features a lovely snack bar serving delicious food and beverages with an outdoor terrace overlooking the golf course.

The experienced instructors offer many golf lessons all year round, suitable for private and cooperate outings.

Address: 15711 Layhill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906, United States

12. Matthew Henson State Park

Matthew Henson State Park
Credits: TrailVoice [CC BY-SA 2.0], Wikimedia Commons
Matthew Henson State Park
Are you an adventure-seeker? Visiting Matthew Henson State Park is one of the best things to do in Silver Spring, MD.

Matthew Henson State Park is a park that offers lots of outdoor recreational activities as well as the Turkey branch, which is a part of the Rock Creek of Montgomery County.

One of the major attractions of this state park is the Matthew Henson Trail, named after the park and stretches to 4.5 miles.

Matthew Henson Trail is about 8-feet broad making it perfect for biking and hiking with your friends around the park.

The trail is completed to the actual 4.5 miles with 0.6 miles of wooden boardwalk, and it goes across the beautiful Rock Creek and then to Alderton Road.

Address: Silver Spring, MD 20906, United States

13. The General Getty Neighborhood Park

General Getty Neighborhood Park
Credits: Stock-Asso / Shutterstock

Are you in the mood to get outdoor for fun? Visiting the General Getty Neighborhood Park is one of the top things to do in Silver Spring, MD.

The General Getty Neighborhood Park is an incredibly beautiful park established in 1998, largely decorated with garden beds.

There are well paved trails excellent for biking, running, and walking, with playgrounds for little children to have fun.

The General Getty Neighborhood Park offers an outdoor game-table spot with checkers, chess, and many other fun games.

The park comprises tennis courts, a picnic area, and a gazebo making it a fantastic place to hang out and have fun with your loved ones.

The General Getty Neighborhood Park also consists of climbing structures for the big and small kids of all skill levels.

Address: 10000 Woodland Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20902, United States

14. Jewel of India

 Jewel of India
Credits: Jewel of India / Facebook
Jewel of India

Jewel of India is a wonderful restaurant in Silver Spring established by Anand Poojary to serve the community with healthy North Indian cuisine.

The restaurant’s main objective is to bring delicious and quality Indian cuisine to the doorstep of the people in the city of Silver Spring.

Jewel of India offers the best of traditional Indian cuisines from the south and North Indian regions in one space.

Its beautiful interior decor is decorated with authentic artwork and vintage designs to give the restaurant a classic and homey feeling.

Jewel of India Chicken Tikka Masala, Tandoori Chicken, butter chicken, Malai Kofta, Palak Curry Chicken Kabab Rice Noodles, Masala Chicken, Paneer Makhani, Pav Bhaji, Chicken Manchurian, Vegetable Biriyani, and more.

This is a restaurant for the entire family as well, the staff is ready to take your orders and serve, providing a lively environment for feasting.

Address: 10151 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20903, United States

15. The American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
Credits: Kate Mereand [CC BY-SA 2.0], Wikimedia Commons
American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
Here is something for the film buffs, the American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring is a must-visit.

The American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is located in downtown Silver Spring which offers you a nice movie moment.

This theatre features three large screens showing a wide array of national and international films as well as independent and classic films.

The American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center also shows remarkable movies produced by emerging filmmakers, thereby providing a platform for new film producers.

The theatre features the AFI Docs film festival relating to documentary films and other special events. The American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center guarantees you an incredible experience.

Address: 8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

To the north of Maryland is Pennsylvania, do not miss our list of places to visit in Bedfordplaces to visit in Johnstown, and places to visit in West Chester.

16. The Fillmore Silver Spring

Fillmore Silver Spring
Credits: Elvert Barnes / Flickr
Fillmore Silver Spring

The Fillmore Silver Spring was founded in October, 2011 and has continuously offered music fans a fabulous music experience.

This center has been offering the public nothing but great entertainment through the presentation of first-class music for over ten years.

The Fillmore Silver Spring can accommodate up to two thousand spectators while also serving them with diverse musical performances.

This entertainment center is characterized by its gorgeous hardwood floors, dazing crystal chandeliers, plus the authentic murals used in decorating the center.

The Fillmore Silver Spring consists of a VIP section, and an extensive admission floor with a large major lobby and bars.

Address: 8656 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

17. El Golfo Restaurant

 El Golfo Restaurant
Credits: El Golfo Restaurant / Facebook
El Golfo Restaurant

For a lovely dining experience, add a visit to El Golfo Restaurant to your list of things to do in Silver Spring, MD. A popular restaurant known for offering some of the best Mexican cuisines in the city.

El Golfo Restaurant serves deliciously prepared and quality Mexican fares made using locally grown farm produce and ingredients.

The restaurant offers a wide variety of options, such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options made with unique flavors.

El Golfo Restaurant serves meals like Veggie Chimichanga, Lomo Saltado, Garden Quesadilla, Tres Leches Cake, Guacamole, Mexican Jambalaya, Camarones Al Grilled Shrimp, Strip Steak with Mushrooms, Blackened Salmon, Queso Fundido Con Chorizo, and more.

The restaurant offers delightful drinks, including daily shots, domestic and imported beers, and drink specials such as mojito, Margarita, budweiser, Corona extra, and more.

Address: 8739 Flower Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901, United States

18. The Corner Pub

Corner Pub
Credits: The 4 Corners Pub / Facebook
Corner Pub

One of the fun things to do in Silver Spring, MD is visiting the Corner Pub, where you can have a chilled drink with your friends.

The Corner Pub provides indoor and outdoor seating, depending on your preference, you might decide to relax outside on a sunny day, just to enjoy the cool breeze.

The pub was established in 1967 by Freddie Howlin, which means it has been in existence for as long as a whopping fifty years.

The Corner Pub offers a wide variety of drinks through an extensive drink menu featuring cocktails, beers, and wines.

Some drinks offered include strawberry basil margarita, sunny daze, bloody mary, mimosa, loose cannon, budweiser, Miller lite, Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, Woodbridge Merlot, and more.

The Corner Pub also serves a small food menu offering pizzas with a variety of toppings, burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, soups, salads, and more.

Address: 10111 Sutherland Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20901, United States

19. St Camillus Church

St Camillus Church
Credits: Farragutful [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
St Camillus Church
The St Camillus Church is a historic church named after Saint Camillus, whose mother was sixty years old when she bore him.

Saint Camillus grew and committed a larger part of his life into showing care and kindness to the sick and dying individuals of the community.

He established up to eight hospitals and fifteen houses to his name as a way of giving back to the community and touching lives.

St Camillus Church presents traditional and gospel music with sermons usually delivered in Spanish, French, and English.

The church activities are managed by volunteers and staff linked to Catholic and Franciscan traditions to inculcate an ancient and accepted traditional history into the region.

Address: 1600 St Camillus Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20903, United States

20. Big Escape Rooms

Big Escape Rooms
Credits: HAKINMHAN / Shutterstock

For a new experience, add a visit to Big Escape Rooms to your list of best things to do in Silver Spring, MD with your friends and family.

Big Escape Rooms offers you an exhilarating fun time through its uniquely designed rooms requiring your team’s full participation.

Each room has its own theme, which requires a special style of play with a different goal, although they all involve solving riddles and searching for clues.

You’re are your teammates are given 60 minutes to find a means to escape the room before the time elapses. Winning the game involves working together as a team and thinking fast and logically.

Big Escape Rooms features four separate rooms such as clown, outbreak, pharaoh, and basketball, with different levels of challenges.

Address: 8505 Fenton St #210, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

21. Maryland Youth Ballet

Maryland Youth Ballet
Credits: Elvert Barnes / Flickr
Maryland Youth Ballet

Are you a ballet dancer, or you have dreams of being one? Add a visit to Maryland Youth Ballet to your list of fun things to do in Silver Spring, MD.

Maryland Youth Ballet was established in 1971 and has since served as a top-notch performing art center for ballet dancers.

The center offers young dancers in the performance industry opportunities to perform and showcase their talents.

Maryland Youth Ballet also offers a wide variety of classes open to ballet dancers of different skill levels, irrespective of their ages.

The ballet produces several quality and professional quality all year round aside from the series of dance lessons offered.

Maryland Youth Ballet produced the famed Nutcracker presented every holiday season together with The mini nut, the recent edition.

Address: 926 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

22. Silver Spring Civic

Silver Spring Civic
Credits: Adam Fagen / Flickr
Silver Spring Civic

Are you ready for some amazing entertainment? Add a visit to the Silver Spring Civic Building to your list of fun things to do in Silver Spring, MD.

Silver Spring Civic Building is an outstanding entertainment center located in downtown Silver Spring at Veterans Plaza.

This center provides an elegant setting with a contemporary style, although making it as natural as possible.

Silver Spring Civic Building provides spaces for different events like receptions, private parties, business meetings, wedding ceremonies, and more.

There is an amazing plaza with an outdoor space offering numerous exciting concerts, live performances, festivals, and many more

Address: 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

23. Grace Episcopal Church

Grace Episcopal Church
Credits: Grace Episcopal Church / Facebook
Grace Episcopal Church

The Grace Episcopal Church is an amazing place to worship in Silver Spring, and its members are composed of many nationalities.

The church is open to everyone regardless of their differences, and its congregation comprises people from various cultures.

The Grace Episcopal Church consists of a nice monument that was built in honor of the Confederate soldiers buried in the yard of the historic church.

You can take a tour around the church and visit the graves of the confederate soldiers as a way of paying your respects to the fallen heroes.

Address: 1607 Grace Church Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

24. Silver Spring Ice Skating Rink

Silver Spring Ice Skating Rink
Credits: Oleg Troino / Shutterstock

Why don’t you go for a glide at Silver Spring Ice Skating Rink? 

This well-loved wintertime destination, which opens in October, offers visitors as small as toddlers an opportunity to skate along smooth and frozen ice. 

The rink offers over 40 pairs of ice hockey and figure skaters ranging from kids size 7 to adults 14. 

Silver Spring, Ice Skating Rink, has a skating guide in the shape of a penguin for novice skaters to hold for balance instead of clinging to the wall in terror. 

Furthermore, the rink offers group lessons for adults and youth ages 5 to 15 on Saturday from 8 am to 10 am and one adult group lesson on Sunday from 9 am. 

Silver Spring, Ice Skating Rink, offers private lessons for groups depending on the instructor’s availability. 

Address: 8523 Fenton St, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

25. Denizens Brewing Company

Denizens Brewing Company
Credits: Viiviien / Shutterstock

 

Denizens Brewing Company is a local, independent, family-operated brewery established in 2014. 

The brewery opened to produce something for everybody, including crisp lager, barrel-aged stout, hoppy IPA, or hard seltzer. 

Denizens Brewing Company sources ingredients from around the world. It is constantly testing with yeast strains and new malt bills to bring fresh, tasty, award-winning beers in over 150 styles. 

Visit their taprooms and outdoor area for fresh craft beer, seasonal bites, hard seltzer, and a friendly environment. 

Denizens Brewing Company is open from Tuesday to Sunday for outdoor and indoor seating and offers to-go orders. 

If you have a pet, you can bring it along since they allow dogs in the outdoor area. 

Address: 1115 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States

26. Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park

Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park
Credits: takomabibelot/ Flickr
Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park

Sligo Creek System Valley Park is one of the most notable outdoor recreation destinations in Silver Spring. 

The Park, which goes back to the 1930s, follows Sligo Creek as it meanders towards the Anacostia River. 

Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park’s most used feature is the Sligo Creek Trail. It is a ten-mile paved path that supplies essential pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure for the community while conserving natural habitat space for native fauna and flora. 

You will also find playgrounds and picnic areas along the water’s edge and facilities for tennis, basketball, golf, and other recreational activities. 

Address: 15131 Anacostia Tributary Trail System, Silver Spring, MD 20901, United States

Check out more cities in Maryland, here is  a guide on things to do in Hagerstown and fun things to do Columbia for a fun time

Plan a Trip to Silver Spring

Silver Spring is blessed with many outstanding attractions that offer countless opportunities for tourists to explore.

One thing that makes the city of Silver Spring stands out is its commitment to ensuring that the history of the community is preserved and the cultures are promoted through arts and events.

This is the perfect location for history fans, art lovers, dancers, musicians, actors, outdoor enthusiasts, and more.