Located in the United States, this census-designated place in Maryland has its small-town charm with numerous activities and adventures. Damascus is around 40 miles (64.37km) away from Baltimore, southeast of Washington DC. Presently, the area is more famous for its rural heritage, beautifully nestled in the suburban oasis. Alongside beautiful neighborhoods, the small town of Damascus boasts a lot of outdoor activities for its warm and pleasant climate. The outdoor activities range from exploring the Damascus recreational park to taking long walks along the trails of the Branch stream valley. The culinary scene is an absolute delight with a variety of restaurants serving diverse seafood and Asian delicacies. The rich cultural scene is witnessed through the different music and art festivals recognizing the handicrafts and craftsmanship of the local artisans. With numerous things to explore, this small town of Maryland will never fail to amuse you. Let’s have a rundown at the best things to do in Damascus, Maryland.
1. Learn about the town at Damascus Heritage Society Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Countless items showcasing Damascus’ rich heritage and history are exhibited at the Damascus Heritage Society Museum. Learn about the wonderful history and culture of this town as you go through the various exhibits that change every four months.
This museum features all that the town has to offer, including magnificent works of art, delicious dairy products, and even the local fire department. Since you’re exploring Damascus, why not stop by and learn all that you can about this fine little town in Virginia?
Damascus Heritage Society Museum
Address: 9701 Main St, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Damascus Heritage Society Museum
Opening hours: Wed: 12pm - 4pm; Sat: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Sun - Tue, Thu - Fri)
2. Take horseback riding lessons at Out of the Box Stables
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Out for a trail ride in the snow, Artie is a favorite to ride double bareback
Posted by Out of the Box Stables on Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Have you ever wanted to learn how to ride a horse? If so, Out of the Box Stables has you covered. This attraction offers a plethora of horseriding services including birthday celebrations. It also offers summer and holiday equestrian programs where children and their parents can bond together while riding or taking care of horses. There are also horseback riding lessons available for children ages five and below as well as weekly lesson programs and monthly lease programs for experienced riders.
Out of the Box Stables
Address: 8130 Damascus Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882, United States
Website: Out of the Box Stables
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 7pm (closed on Mon)
3. Indulge in a picnic at Damascus Recreational Park
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Spread over an area of 284 acres (114.93 hectares) this recreational park has several fields to indulge in different sports activities. The park boasts two tennis courts, one basketball court and one volleyball court for the general public. Moreover, baseball and soccer fields are also available for games and sports practices. The park also facilitates picnic shelters for rent to enjoy a picnic with friends and families and a portion of the park is allotted for a hiker-biker trail.
Damascus Recreational Park
Address: 23723 Kings Valley Rd, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Damascus Recreational Park
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
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4. Go hiking at Magruder Branch Trail
This hard surface trail stretches 4.2 miles (6.8 km) offering great views of the green forest upland and amazing birding opportunities. The natural surface trail heads south outside the recreational park down the Magruder Branch Stream Valley. This long trail is a perfect place for adventure lovers to indulge in hiking and biking, exploring nature’s beauty.
Magruder Branch Trail
Address: Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Magruder Branch Trail
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
5. Explore the beauty of nature at Oak Ridge Park
This county park in Oak Ridge is spread over an area of 90 acres (36.42 hectares). This place used to be a golf course that was converted into a park in 2009 and it is home to the historic Homestead farm. It is a perfect place to indulge in a lot of outdoor activities such as playing baseball in the field, taking a ride along the wooden equestrian trails. Moreover, the picnic pavilion in the park is a perfect place to have a relaxing time with your family and friends.
Oak Ridge Park
Address: 136 Oak Ridge Rd, Clark, NJ 07066, United States
Website: Oak Ridge Park
Opening hours: 8am - sunset (daily)
Price: 7 USD
6. Indulge in delicious local fare at Hornets Nest Grille
Located in the small town of Damascus this bar and grill restaurant has been a part of the Damascus community for 20 years and they take pride in holding up to its tradition. The restaurant emphasizes on serving quality food using fresh ingredients without leaving their small-town environment. The restaurant serves American cuisines, crafted wine and beer with a variety of homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and other popular entrees at a reasonable price.
Hornets Nest Grille
Address:9876 Main St, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Hornets Nest Grille
Opening hours: Fri & Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm
7. Enjoy sweet delights at Jimmie Cone
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Happy National Ice Cream Day! Come enjoy a cone, sundae, flurry or banana boat and celebrate with us! Both locations open at 2pm
Posted by Jimmie Cone on Sunday, July 19, 2020
This ice-cream shop in Damascus is known for serving a variety of chocolate and vanilla ice-cream with a twist. Alongside, you can explore the diverse flavors of black raspberry, strawberry and orange flavors that are rotated weekly. You can also check out the frozen yogurt available in both fat and fat-free, changing weekly.
Jimmie Cone
Address: 26420 Ridge Rd, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Jimmie Cone
Opening hours: Fri & Sat: 11am - 10.30pm; Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm
8. Go shopping at The Shops at Damascus Electric
This shopping mall in Damascus was opened in the year 2016 with a mission of bringing retail to the downtown people of Damascus. The Style Me sue Consignments, which is one of the original stores in the mall, has made its expansion throughout the building giving buyers the option of choosing from an array of new clothes to gently used items ranging from designer clothes, casual wear to evening wear and business attire at a third of the retail price. The remainder of the shops will also consist of another merchant named Bette’s Creations.
The Shops at Damascus Electric
Address: 9890 Main St, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: The Shops at Damascus Electric
Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm; Wed: 11am - 5pm; Thu: 11am - 7pm; Fri: 11am - 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
9. Buy scented candles at W Fleur Aroma
This candle store in Damascus is known for making handcrafted luxury soy candles with the purpose of enhancing the well-being of their customers. The candles are made using the finest natural ingredients including natural soy wax, therapeutic grade essential oils, natural wicks phthalate-free fragrances with zero use of mineral oils and animal products. The shop also offers personalization of products to make your gift look special.
W Fleur Aroma - Candles & Aromatherapy
Address: Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: W Fleur Aroma
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. Browse for souvenirs at Appleby's Antiques
Posted by Appleby's Antiques on Saturday, 9 July 2016
This antique store in Damascus has been trading since 1986. Over the years, the store has built a reputation among traders and collectors globally. The store deal with a large collection of Victorian copper kitchenware, early 19th century molds, French copper molds, Wedgewood majolica plate, Ornate bubble and squeak chopper, French crystal wine glasses and many more along with a large collection of antique furniture, sideboards, chairs and other collectibles.
Appleby's Antiques
Address: 24219 Ridge Rd, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Appleby’s Antiques
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
11. Hang out at Damascus Park
Posted by Damascus Park on Thursday, 4 July 2019
The neighborhood park in Damascus was set up by the NCPPC to create a playing area for the community youth. The park has a playground and basketball court allowing the kids of the community to indulge in recreational activities. Alongside, events and meetings are conducted from time to time to make this community strong.
Damascus Park
Address: 10030 Locust Dr, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Damascus Park
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free
12. Try out authenic Japanese food at Tokyo Fire
This Japanese restaurant in Damascus is known for serving lip-smacking and authentic Japanese cuisines at an affordable price. You can choose from the vast menu of items ranging from soups, appetizers, sushi, Teriyaki, tempura, hibachi and many other combo boxes for lunch and dinner. The restaurant has a very warm and friendly atmosphere with great customer service.
Tokyo Fire
Address: 9811 Main St #101, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Tokyo Fire
Opening hours:Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11.30am - 9.30pm; Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 11pm
13. Explore nature at Bennett Creek Conservation Park
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Posted by Montgomery Parks on Sunday, 12 November 2017
Owned by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), this conservation area is spread over 400 acres (161.87 hectares) of land with the purpose to protect the natural habitat of various flora and fauna. This plan was drafted in 2015 with the purpose of preserving the natural environment. However, for the future enjoyment of the neighboring areas in the vicinity, surface trails will be planned by the commission.
Bennett Creek Conservation Park
Address: Bellison Rd, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Bennett Creek Conservation Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
14. Enjoy good music and drinks at The Music Cafe
Tuesday, Friday, any day! An ice cold draft beer hits the spot! Music BINGO is tonight!
Posted by The Music Cafe on Tuesday, 27 August 2019
This Music cafe in Damascus is the perfect place to indulge in exclusively crafted sandwiches and custom made coffees while enjoying live music in a cozy and comfortable setting. The foods are prepared fresh with the best quality ingredients. You can choose from the large array of options ranging from sandwiches and pizzas to soups, salads and more. To top it up, you can explore the great selection of crafted domestic beer and wines to enhance your mood.
The Music Cafe
Address: 26528 Ridge Road, B, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: The Music cafe
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 8am - 9pm; Thu: 8am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 8am - 11pm (closed on Mon)
15. Take a walk in North Point Neighborhood Conservation Area
Conservation Montgomery's Big Tree Tour 2017 was held on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Joe Howard was our guide. We...
Posted by Conservation Montgomery on Sunday, 15 October 2017
Owned by the National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), this conservation area was mainly created to preserve the natural environment and not to indulge in any active development for recreational activities like any other neighborhood conservation. The park is spread over an area of 8.9 acres (3.60 hectares) and it works towards protecting the headwaters of the tributary of Bennett Creek and offers an open space to the neighboring Fox Ridge Estates.
North Point Neighborhood Conservation Area
Address: 10011 Moxley Rd, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
16. Sample the dishes at Smokehill BBQ
This barbeque restaurant is famous for making the best BBQ in Maryland. The exhaustive menu consists of Sandwiches, full rack ribs, meat, chicken and ribs platter with your choice of sides ranging from potato salad, baked beans, collard greens, french fries, onion rings, etc. Alongside, you can also explore the different in-house shakes made with ice-cream of different flavors. You can also order these delicious, lip-smacking dishes online and enjoy a great meal at home with your friends and family.
Smokehill BBQ
Address: 9870 Main St, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Smokehill BBQ
Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily)
17. Try out delicious pizzas at Maggi's Pizza and Deli
Formerly known as Pasquales Deli, this family-owned restaurant has a history dating back to the ’60s and ’70s. The restaurant is run by three brothers who managed many restaurants and cafes independently in Michigan and locally in Maryland and Virginia. For nearly 30 years, these brothers successfully ran many food establishments. In 2010, these three brothers decided to open the doors of Pasquales Deli in honor of their loving father. The restaurant is known for serving the most sought after pizzas, gourmet sandwiches, pastas, salads and amazing desserts.
Maggi's Pizza and Deli
Address: 1946, 26315 Ridge Rd, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Maggi’s Pizza and Deli
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 8pm (closed on Sun)
18. Try charboiled chicken at Peruvian Chicken & Grill
This chicken and grill restaurant in Damascus is known for serving the most authentic Peruvian style charbroiled chicken with a range of Med-pacific delights. The restaurant has been re-opened in Damascus with the purpose of offering the community a range of menus inspired by the Latin and European roots. The menu consists of sandwiches; salads with different sides including green beans, mashed potatoes, white rice, and corn, etc. You can have charbroiled whole chicken with your choice of sides and soft drinks.
Peruvian Chicken & Grill
Address: 26400 Ridge Rd, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Peruvian Chicken & Grill
Opening hours: 10.30am - 9pm (daily)
19. Catch a theater performance at Brad Watkins
The mill workers before the carnival. Both times I have pushed the choreographers to create a carousel with humans, not horses. Both times it was magical.
Posted by Brad Watkins - Theatre Work on Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Editor’s note: establishment is temporarily closed, please check before visiting
This performing arts theatre in Damascus is known by the name of Brad Watkins who is a coaching consultant responsible for directing, coaching and mentoring actors in their professional endeavors. He conducts coaching and workshop classes for evolving actors to help them discover their verbal and physical instrument, concentration and focus and offer insightful support with over 175 projects under his belt.
Brad Watkins
Address: 24032 Glade Valley Terrace, Damascus, MD 20872, United States
Website: Brad Watkins
Damascus: a small town wonder
The suburb of Damascus creates a rustic feeling for its small-town charm and rich rural heritage. Despite being a small town, Damascus is a perfect holiday destination to explore the cultural and culinary scene with a host of amazing things to do in this majestic town. To experience the wonderful range of things to do in Damascus, make sure you explore all the recommended places.
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