Central Rockville - Rockville, MD Area Guide

Once an agricultural spot for semi-nomadic Native Americans, the city of Rockville began as a small colonial town. The highly traversed Rock Creek Main Road, which would become Rockville Pike, ran through the town, eventually attracting more and more development..

Named the seat of Montgomery County in the late 1700s, with Montgomery Court House at the center, soon residential, commercial and government growth developed in bursts. It boomed during the mid-20th century, attracting large numbers of families and all types of workers. Rockville was named after the beautiful Rock Creek running through the area.

Learn about the area's involvement in the Civil War at the Beall-Dawson Historic House Museum, or tour Glenview Mansion for a picture of Rockville's historic past. Locals enjoy world class operas or plays at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, and many visit the annual Jewish Folklife Festival on Travilah Road for some cultural fun.

Central Rockville prides itself as a haven for international food lovers and those looking for fairly low-key night life. Restaurants and bars center along Rockville Pike and Town Square.

After catching the latest flick at the movie theater, head next door to CremCafe, and grab a pick-me-up espresso chocolate. If you're craving perfectly spiced polish food, order a kielbasa sausage with sauerkraut and homemade polish doughnuts from the Kielbasa Factory, a deli and neighborhood market on Rockville Pike.

Before heading out for a night on the town, take some friends to dinner at La Brasa Latin Cuisine on Parklawn Drive. Order the authentic carne asada followed by the tres leches to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Sports fans sometimes settle in for the evening to catch the game on one of the many televisions at Miller's Rockville Ale House on the Pike. Here you can choose from a huge craft beer list and play trivia on Tuesdays. You can get your vocal chords warmed up by venturing to Cafe 2020. Consume a strawberry soju before belting out your favorite karaoke tune. For dance clubs and live music, locals often take the Metro into Bethesda or Washington, D.C., where many options await.

Walking and biking in Rockville is more for recreation than a mode of transportation. Though certain streets prove pedestrian-friendly, most residents rely on a car or public transportation for errands and commuting. Drivers easily enter I-270 and I-495 toward Bethesda and D.C. to get where they need to go. It's also possible to take Rockville Pike through Bethesda and into the heart of D.C.

Commuters often grab the red line Metro rail from the Rockville station at Hungerford Drive and Park Road. From there they take the subway to Bethesda or into D.C., and they can go all the way to Metro Center without having to switch lines. Metro buses also provide great local transportation.

Car-share and ride-share programs are available in the city through companies such as Zipcar and Uber. While you won't have much luck finding a cab to hail, you can call a taxi service to schedule a ride ahead of time. Parking is a mixed bag with free street parking on quieter residential streets, metered parking up until evening time in busier areas near the Town Square and plenty of free lots at the strip malls along Rockville Pike.

When Rockville residents tire of busy shopping, dining and commuting, they head for one of the many beautifully kept parks to unwind and get a breath of fresh air.

Rock Creek Park stretches through the city with lengthy winding trails that are great for a jog or a hike. The park runs through a beautiful area referred to as Meadowside, which provides a nature center and shorter, kid-friendly trails, along with an authentic pioneer village where you can check out the insides of some old log houses. Those looking for a free spot to play baseball or tennis can head to Dogwood Park, which also provides wide open spaces for dogs to run around.

Croydon Creek Nature Center contains 120 acres of open fields, trees and a winding creek, all free and open to the public. It is perfect for nature lovers, bird watchers and hikers. Locals also take their kids and dogs to the Dawson Farm Park, truly a hidden gem with smaller crowds. It contains a well-kept playground, a little gazebo and picnic tables for summertime cookouts.

For outdoor events, visit the Town Square on Friday nights from May until September to listen to free live music while sipping on a glass of Merlot.

Inhabitants of Rockville pay a decent amount for the home-town feel combined with proximity to the nation's capital, paying about 7 percent above the average cost of living in Washington, D.C. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood costs about $1,452 per month.

Stopping by your local pub for a relaxing ale will run about $6 per pint, while heading into the heart of D.C. on the red line will cost $5.65 during peak hours and $3.60 for off-peak hours. The local Metro bus runs $1.75 for the regular and $4 for the express using a SmarTrip card or cash. Drivers here pay around 9 percent more than the national average price for gas.

Shoppers of Central Rockville frequent the strip malls along Rockville Pike though the nearby shops at the Rockville Town Square provide further options. Locals head to Target or Bed Bath & Beyond among numerous other chain stores for many everyday items.

Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring Boutique marks the spot if you seek a wedding gown on a shoestring budget. This shop keep costs low by staffing the store with volunteers and accepting gently-used dresses as donations. Cloud 9 Clothing in Potomac provides classy yet trendy one-of-a-kind women's fashion and stellar service.

Some may prefer the selection at Barnes & Noble on the Pike, but bargain book hunters flock to Parklawn Drive and browse the well-organized warehouse of shelves at Second Story Books & Antiques, which also has a sister store in D.C. This shop stocks an array of rare, used, new and collectible books to suit all tastes.

Locals get weekly groceries at the bigger stores like Safeway and Giant Foods, but head to more health-oriented stores such as Trader Joe's on the Pike and MOM's (My Organic Market), where you can always grab a free food sample while perusing the wide selection of organic food and products. Locals also enjoy the Pike Central Farm Market on Sundays and the smaller Hereford Farm Market held on select Saturdays.