Wheaton, MD Road Trips

Wheaton, with a population of just under 50,000 people (2010), is known locally for its ethnic dining scene. Many ethnic restaurants in Wheaton have received awards for best-in-class food in the Washington D.C. area. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the area was settled by the Piscataway. Wheaton got its name from the Wheaton Post Office, which was named after Union General Frank Wheaton, who defended Washington, D.C., from invading forces during the Civil War in July 1864. Wheaton developed from a business district called Mitchell's Crossroads, named after Mitchell's Tavern. The business district developed at the junction of three roads, which are now called Georgia Avenue, Veirs Mill Road, and University Boulevard. Before 1947, only 29,000 people were living in Wheaton, mostly on farms and large estates. By 1960, the population had grown tremendously, which led to the widening of Georgia Ave, also known as the "Avenue of Progress". Since then, many businesses have opened including the Wheaton Plaza Shopping Center (now Westfield Wheaton), built in 1959. The massive Wheaton Regional Park (538 acres; 2.2 sq km) was established in 1958.

1 Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave (17 minute walk from the Glenmont Metrorail Station), ☏ +1 301 962-1448. Sunrise-sunset daily; conservatories and visitor center to 5PM. Beautiful and expansive botanic gardens. Visit the butterfly pavilion in the summer months—otherwise just take the opportunity for a romantic stroll. Gardens: free. 2 Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave. Established in 1958, this is a 538-acre regional park with a playground, picnic areas, miniature train rides, carousel rides, stocked lake for fishing, botanical gardens, nature center, hiking trails, riding stables, campground, ice skating (year-round), tennis courts, covered fields, and a dog park. Free. 3 Wheaton Veterans Urban Park, 11200 Amherst Avenue. Established in 1978, this park was created in remembrance and dedication to veterans. Taste of Wheaton, Grandview Avenue & Reedie Drive (Across from Wheaton Metrorail Station). Food samples from Wheaton's best restaurants as well as live entertainment. Family-friendly event with activities for all ages, including face painting and balloon sculptures for children while parents can enjoy the sultry music provided by the DJ and live bands ranging from hip hop to jazz to country. There are also performances from organizations in the area, such as the Wheaton Studio of Dance.

1 Ben Yehuda Cafe & Pizzeria, 1370 Lamberton Drive, ☏ +1 301 681-8900. Su-W 11AM-8PM, Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-2:30PM, Sa: 90 minutes after sunset until midnight. Kosher dairy restaurant with pizza and vegetarian mock meat. 2 Cam Ranh Bay Pho & Grill, 2646 University Blvd W, ☏ +1 301 933-1886. Vietnamese food. 3 El Pollo Rico, 2517 University Blvd W, ☏ +1 301 942-4419. 10:30AM-10PM daily. Universally acclaimed in local, national, and international food circles is Wheaton's El Pollo Rico, serving unbeatable pollo a la brasa—Peruvian chicken roasted over smoky wood charcoals to just the perfect point at which a slight crisp falls upon the skin, over succulent, moist white and dark meat, and the spice fiesta of salt 'n pepper, huacatay, aji, cumin, achiote, garlic, and lemon magically penetrates the meat straight into the bone. EPR for a long time ran out of a can't-see-your-hand smoky little take-out only shack, but that burned down, and it's now in a cheery little eatery with tables for the few who aren't taking the bird home to the family. Lines are long, but move fast. Placing your order is simple: yell whole, half, or quarter, and then enjoy the sound of the lady's meat cleaver hitting the counter through the meat. Chicken: $5.30-14.20. 4 Ertale Ethiopian Restaurant, 2310 Price Avenue, ☏ +1 240 221-3349. 5 Filippo's Italian Specialties, 11224 Triangle Lane, ☏ +1 301 949-4150. Popular Italian deli. 6 Full Key Restaurant, 2227 University Blvd, ☏ +1 301 933-8388. 11AM-2AM daily.

Most restaurants serve alcohol. Try the various exotic drinks at international restaurants and markets. The Asian markets usually carry great loose-leaf teas at bargain prices; Thai restaurants serve Thai iced coffee and tea; the Latino places have tasty tamarindo juice, horchata, and even delicious atoles, the fabled warm, thick corn drink of the Mayas; the Ethiopian restaurants have honey wine and great coffee; Middle Eastern markets have great Turkish and Iraqi pomegranate juice; etc. 1 Legends Billards, 11317 Elkin Street, ☏ +1 301 946-3243. M-W 11AM-10PM, Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa: 11AM-2AM, Su noon-11PM. A sports bar and pool hall. The bar offers specials on certain nights. Hosts parties for all sporting events year round such as March Madness, and Superbowl Sunday. 2 Limerick Pub, 11301 Elkin Street, ☏ +1 301 946-3232. M 4-11PM, Tu-Th 11AM-11PM, F 11AM-midnight, Sa 10:30AM-midnight, Su 10:30AM-11PM. Irish pub with live folk music and Irish food. 3 Kefa Cafe, 11701 Georgia Ave (inside Wheaton Recreation Center), ☏ +1 240 670-7424. M-Th 9AM–6PM, F-Sa 10AM–5PM, Su 10am–6PM. Delightful coffee shop with excellent coffee and a few snacks, run by two Ethiopian sisters. (updated Aug 2024)

Wheaton does not have any hotels. There are many hotels in downtown Silver Spring, just two stations away on Metrorail's Red Line.

Coming out of the 1 Wheaton Metro Station on the Red Line, admire that escalator—it's the longest in the Western Hemisphere, and takes almost 3 minutes to ascend! The main streets running through the downtown are Georgia Avenue, Veirs Mill Road, and University Boulevard. The area where they converge is the center of commercial activity and great inexpensive restaurants.

Downtown Wheaton is very compact and dense with shops and restaurants. It is easy to walk around from the Metrorail station. Metrobus and Ride-on-Bus operate service around Wheaton and to other points in Montgomery County.