Gaithersburg · Montgomery County, MD

Cheap things to do in Gaithersburg

Scout analyzed 67 Gaithersburg places and surfaced the ones that actually fit cheap day out.

Places analyzed

Matches

Typical spend

$50

Typical visit

1.3 hr

Scout-verified spots

Food & Drink

Black Lion Coffee & Café

This coffee shop is suitable for a quick stop for a coffee and pastry, a casual solo visit, or as a relaxed meeting spot. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for a visit of 30 minutes to an hour.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Barking Mad

Barking Mad is a bright cafe good for a New American brunch or dinner with cocktails, taking about 1-1.5 hours and costing roughly $25-55 per person. Reservations are recommended for weekend brunch.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$25–$55 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Family

Rio Playground

Rio Playground is good for a free family outing, allowing kids to play outdoors for about 1.5 to 2 hours. It can be paired with a visit to nearby shops or restaurants in the Rio Washingtonian Center.

OutdoorsRelaxedPlayful

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Arts & Culture

Amazing Art Studio

This art studio is suitable for a couple of hours of creative activity, potentially as a standalone outing or paired with a meal nearby. Expect to spend $25-$75 per person depending on the project.

ArtsRelaxedEducational

$25–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Neighbors Coffee Roasters

Neighbors Coffee Roasters is a good stop for a quick coffee and pastry, ideal for a solo outing or a brief meeting. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes and $5-$15 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Gardenia’s Cafe

Gardenia's Cafe is suitable for a relaxed solo or small group outing, ideal for breakfast or lunch. Expect to spend $10-$25 per person for about an hour-long visit.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$10–$25 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Café Sophie

Café Sophie offers a casual meal with views of an airpark, suitable for a relaxed family outing or solo visit. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $15-35 per person for a meal and drinks.

FoodViewsRelaxed

$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Kentlands

Java Nation

Java Nation is a good spot for a casual brunch or coffee stop. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $10-35 per person for a meal and drinks.

FoodShoppingCocktails

$10–$35 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Coastal Flats

Coastal Flats is a reliable option for a seafood dinner or special occasion, typically taking 1.5 hours and costing $35-75 per person. It's often busy, so reservations are recommended, especially for evening visits.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$35–$75 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Kentlands

Vasili's Kitchen

Vasili's Kitchen is a casual spot for Greek & Mediterranean food, suitable for a relaxed dinner or lunch. Expect to spend $20-$45 per person for a meal that lasts about an hour and a half.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$20–$45 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Kentlands

Burtons Grill & Bar

This is a good spot for a sit-down meal, suitable for an evening date or family dinner, typically lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. Expect to spend $35-$75 per person for food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$35–$75 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge

Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge is suitable for a relaxed meal of American fare and cocktails, lasting about 1.5 hours. Expect to spend $30-$70 per person for an entree and drink, with easy parking.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$30–$70 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

This is a solid choice for an upscale casual dinner or lunch, especially for celebrating a birthday or anniversary. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and around $30-$60 per person.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$30–$60 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Sixty Vines Gaithersburg

Sixty Vines is a good spot for a relaxed dinner or drinks, pairing well with a shopping trip or movie. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $35-75 per person.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$35–$75 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Boyds

Black Hill Regional Park

This park is suitable for a half-day family or solo outdoor adventure, offering trails, playgrounds, and lake activities like fishing or boat rentals. Expect a low cost unless renting equipment, and it pairs well with packing a picnic.

OutdoorsAnimalsSports

$0–$20 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

South House Garden

South House Garden is a casual spot for a Latin American meal. It's suitable for a relaxed lunch or dinner, costing around $15-30 per person and typically lasting about an hour.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$15–$30 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Laytonia Recreational Park

Laytonia Recreational Park is a free outdoor space ideal for a casual family outing or solo stroll. Plan for a 1.5-hour visit, perhaps paired with a picnic or a nearby coffee run.

OutdoorsSportsRelaxed

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Kentlands

Kentlands Market Square

Kentlands Market Square offers various shops and casual dining options, suitable for a 1-2 hour visit. It can be a low-cost stop or part of a larger shopping trip, with easy parking.

ShoppingRelaxed

$0–$50 typical1 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

MoCo's Founding Farmers

This farm-to-table American restaurant is a good option for a casual meal with family or friends, suitable for lunch or dinner. Expect a visit of about 1.5 hours, with an average spend of $30-70 per person.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$30–$70 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Arts & Culture

The Music Center at Strathmore

The Music Center at Strathmore is suitable for a sophisticated evening out, often paired with dinner nearby. Expect to spend a few hours and generally $50-200 per person on tickets.

Live musicArtsViews

$50–$200 typical2.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Seneca Creek State Park

Seneca Creek State Park offers a day of outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. It's a good primary destination for families or solo adventurers, typically costing minimal to moderate fees for entry, and you can spend several hours exploring.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$0–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Ted's Bulletin - Gaithersburg

Ted's Bulletin is a diner-style spot great for a casual meal with friends or family, especially for breakfast or brunch. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours and around $20-45 per person, plus a bit more for boozy milkshakes.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$20–$45 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Coffee Republic

Coffee Republic is a solid spot for a casual breakfast or lunch, offering sandwiches and coffee drinks. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes and $10-$25 per person for a meal.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$10–$25 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Rachel Carson Conservation Park

Rachel Carson Conservation Park is ideal for a few hours of hiking or nature exploration, costing nothing to enter. It pairs well with a picnic or a visit to a nearby small town for food afterward.

OutdoorsViewsAnimals

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking