Maryland Around the Beltway - PLAY
Table of Contents
Story and photos by Cassandra and Joseph Ellis (unless otherwise indicated)
Cabin John: Union Arch Aqueduct Bridge
Construction occurred between 1857 and 1864 after a fire occurred in the US Capitol and they did not have enough water to fight it. Built by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and once one of the longest bridges of its kind in the world, the bridge was officially opened in 1862 and dedicated as the Union Arch Bridge. Informally known as the Cabin John Bridge because of its proximity to Cabin John, Maryland, the bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Cabin John Aqueduct Bridge.
7394 – 7398 MacArthur Boulevard, Cabin John, Maryland
Glen Echo Park
Designed and built as a Chautauqua retreat, Glen Echo Park was constructed in the 1890s as an adult getaway for learning and art. Now there are over 13 artists and galleries in residence and there is also a working Denzel Carousel with hand-painted horses and other animals, originally built in 1921.
The Park offers a weekend drop off art program for children, and hundreds of classes in visual and performing arts in dance, music, glass, and photography. Boasting two children’s theaters and a nature program, free concerts, festivals, and special events, there are over 350,000 visitors to Glen Echo Park each year.
7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, Maryland 20812
Second Story Knits
Located in the heart of Bethesda, Second Story Knits can help with all your knitting/crocheting needs. With a preference to the hand dyed and natural, they also offer luxury fibers and hearty basics. Come in for an individual or group class or just some tips and tricks or help with a tricky pattern. They offer a weekly group sit and are currently hosting a Sunday afternoon Zoom sit and knit. For the fiber enthusiast looking for a friendly atmosphere of like-minded knitters and hookers (those who like to crochet), you will find Second Story Knits a sanctuary within the Beltway.
4706 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
Silent films displayed with the proper frame rate, high definition, and broadcast quality, and live musical accompaniment, the AFI Silver offers a viewing experience for the ages. Here you will find classic film and live interviews, modern-day cinema wonders, and panels, interviews, and discussions, as well as musical performances and other events. The Montgomery County community took on this project and the public-private partnership was a large part of the redevelopment project in Silver Spring. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of cinema and live events in a historic landmark location. Take time to enjoy the café. Want to know what events will be hosted next, sign up for the silver rewards program to earn dollars towards AFI Silver purchases, from events to concessions and e-mails on what is happening.
8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Silver Spring's Filmore Theater
We were lucky enough to see Anne Wilson perform in this cozy theater. Up close and personal, feel part of the scene as you stand close to the stage and become enmeshed in the performance, looking right into the performer’s eyes.
Get the VIP treatment by upgrading to the Vertigo lounge, sitting high above the floor with a stunning view of the stage. The Vertigo allows early entry, coat check, private booth, and premium food offerings. Silver Spring’s Fillmore Theater has the old-style charm and heady atmosphere of the finest clubs in an intimate and cozy setting.
8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Acorn Park
Francis Preston Blair came across a glistening spring, shining with silvery splendor. The sparkling spring flowed with flecks of mica. This was the site that Blair would build his mansion home, a 20-room summer house. The mansion was constructed in 1840, on 250 acres, in what is currently downtown Silver Spring. Blair, one of the originators of the Republican Party, was instrumental in our nation’s development pre- and post-American Civil War and his Silver Spring mansion was visited multiple times by Abraham Lincoln. After the Blair mansion was razed in 1954 the US Post Office was built in 1957 and Acorn Park was created to protect the natural spring. Sitting in this small urban oasis, admiring the painted murals that are a reminder of the country’s past, from here plot your continued Beltway exploration.
8060 Newell Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Coastline Wave Pool
NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring has a sculpture known as “Coastline.” The waves that crash within the sculpture are wave measurements from the seacoast of Massachusetts, recreating the ocean waves along the Atlantic coast. Created by artist Jim Sanborn in 1993 it is connected remotely to a turbine underneath the sculpture and the movement is controlled by data transmitted from the tide gauge in the town of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The waves are a quarter of the size from the actual wave patterns. This is a great spot to have a touch of coffee, enjoy your lunch, or just people watch. There are benches and a garden but be prepared to walk to the sculpture as parking is limited and to get the full experience you must get out of the car.
1301 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Sligo Creek Trail
The oldest trail in Montgomery County, Sligo Creek Trail is approximately 10.2 miles long and eight feet wide. The portion of the trail that runs through Silver Spring is paved and available for use by hikers, bikers, and rollerblading. There are bathrooms and drinking fountains available but be aware that the trail crosses some busy intersections and goes through neighborhoods. Land acquisition began in the ‘30s and continued through the ‘70s. We have seen deer and bunnies, butterflies, and children on our many trips up and down the trail.
Prince George’s County Line to Orebaugh Avenue near Wheaton Regional Park
Burnt Mills Falls
There are records of one mill being burned up in a fire in the year 1788, which is how Burnt Mills got its name. The mill ran continuously until 1920, when the property was donated to the Boy Scouts of America. For a time, the meetings were held onsite in the old mill building. A water filtration plant was built in the 1930s and in use until the ‘60s. The dam is an Ambursen type with a hollow structure. The dam and the Georgian revival pump houses were acquired by the Maryland Park and Planning Commission and are on the Historic Register. Parking can be found on both sides of Highway 29 and it is a good starting point to hike the Northwest Branch Trail. The trail is a good hike for children to adults, and dogs are welcome, but make sure to wear sturdy shoes
10701 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901
Denizen’s Brewing Company
The first production brew company inside the Beltway, Maryland side, Denizen’s Brewing Company was established in 2014 after the founders fought local government to remove prohibition-era laws, paving the way to the future for spirits, wine, and brew. Independent and family-owned Denizen’s offers a great lineup of seasonal brew and creative food to complement and entice every palate. There truly is something for everyone. Additionally, they host yoga every weekend and showcase events throughout the year.
1115 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Lake Artemesia in Berwyn Heights
If you love to bird watch or fish or just need an easy stroll the aquatic gardens of Lake Artemesia offer a scenic vista to suit any mood. What used to be several natural ponds became what it is today when the Washington Area Transit Authority, in partnership with the Maryland Parks system, used thousands of cubic yards of gravel and soil to construct the base for the Metro green line. A detailed master plan was designed for the 33-acre lake and the 1.4-mile circuit. An important wetlands area and home to many waterfowl, amphibians, and insects the lake is awash in the sounds of birds and frogs. A wonderful place to exercise or just sit on one of the many benches and enjoy nature and soak up the beauty all around.
8326 55th Avenue, Berwyn Heights, Maryland 20740
Sangfroid Distillery in Hyattsville
In business as Sangfroid Distillery this is the first distillery to open in PG county since Prohibition and the only distillery in Hyattsville, located inside the Beltway. The owners, two brothers-in-law, make their own raw ale to produce gin and whiskey because their biggest concern is the quality and integrity of the final product. Their hands are on everything, including picking their own locally sourced fruit, even growing their own apples with varieties designed to create the best brandy. Friendly and knowledgeable, stop in and buy some of their hand-crafted creations. You will not be disappointed.
5130 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, Maryland 20781
Maryland Meadworks
Located in Hyattsville, a short distance down the road from the distillery, you can try a flight of mead at Maryland Meadworks. Owner Ken Carter learned the process for developing mead about 12 years ago and has been perfecting his technique ever since, studying first at UC Davis where he attended mead maker’s workshops and spending time at the second largest meadery in the nation where he learned best practices. Ken is producing traditional meads and inventing his own creations using locally grown fruits, herbs, and spices.
4700 Rhode Island Avenue, Suite B, Hyattsville, Maryland 20781
Anacostia River Trail
The Anacostia River Trail is part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, 1.2 miles in length and a relatively easy hike or bike ride. This trail connects with many other trails, including the Anacostia River Walk, and passes through the site of the Battle of Bladensburg, fought during the War of 1812.
3510 37th Avenue, Brentwood, Maryland 20722
Cassandra and Joseph Ellis are travelers, a court reporter and a videographer by trade, parents and grandparents who currently reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. They have traveled extensively across the United States and around the world, for both business and pleasure, experiencing a variety of cultures and foods from Asia, the UK, all over Europe, as well as the Isles of the Caribbean, and Canada. They are living their dreams of writing about and photographing the world around them and enjoying all of life’s opportunities. They are always looking ahead for their next big adventure.