The Original Velatis: A Silver Spring Candy Shop

For more than a hundred years, people have been enjoying candies from the Original Velatis. Begun in Richmond and moving from Washington D.C. to its current location in downtown Silver Spring, the Original Velatis is more than just a candy store, it’s a local classic. When you come into the Velatis store, you’ll love the sugary smell of caramels still made according to Salvatore Velatis’s original recipe. Check out the 20 different varieties, everything from vanilla and chocolate to more varieties with different flavors and additions like almonds and cashews. Looking for something to make you ice cream better? You can also get great toppings to take home. This is the solution to satisfy your sweet tooth! Gift boxes can also be shipped anywhere. The Original Velatis is open Mondays through Saturdays.

The Original Velatis
8408 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 578-8612
http://www.velatis.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-original-velatis-silver-spring

Silver Spring Books: A Local Bookstore

Are you a devoted reader? Silver Spring Books is popular local shop for those who love books! Located downtown a few blocks from Bullis Park, Silver Spring Books is a top local spot for bibliophiles. A huge selection makes this the perfect spot for browsing through an array of titles. Here you’ll find new and used books of fiction and non-fiction, but you'll also be see rare and out of print books. Looking for something obscure and out of print? It's possible you'll find it here, and you're likely to find some new favorite volumes too. Silver Spring Books is open seven days a week. The Encore at Wheaton Station Apartments readers, take note!

Silver Spring Books
938 Bonifant Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-7484
http://silverspringbooks.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/silver-spring-books-silver-spring

Downtown Silver Spring: Shopping, Dining, and Fun

Downtown Silver Spring is a place for shopping, dining and entertainment for the whole family. Located across from Veteran’s Plaza, Downtown Silver Spring is an outdoor venue with much to do, not far from The Encore at Wheaton Station Apartments.

In the mood for shopping? Outfit yourself from head to toe for dress and casual wear. Special service stores can help you find the right cell phone, office products, hardware and other services. There’s even a ballet studio, a gym, and a spa! Everything from specialty shops to fast food joints and casual dining establishments are here (don’t miss out on the Saturday Farmer’s Market). For entertainment, try one of the three theaters, or, when it’s colder out, take the family to the ice skating rink! With so much to see and do, Downtown Silver Spring is a popular local spot.

Downtown Silver Spring
908 Ellsworth Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-0867
http://www.downtownsilverspring.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/downtown-silver-spring-silver-spring

White Oak Duckpin Lanes: Bowling Fun

If you love to bowl and have never played the sport of duckpin bowling, you can experience it for yourself at the White Oak Duckpin Lanes. What is duckpin? It’s bowling, with a twist: smaller pins plus smaller bowling balls add up to a lot of fun. Come to White Oak with your family, and see how much fun the kids will have. Come with friends and have a great night out — there's even Cosmic Bowling on Saturday nights. You can also join one of the leagues for seniors, youths, or adults. And don’t forget to hit the Spare Room snack bar for a snack or a meal. There’s a good selection of favorites, everything from burgers and pizzas to subs and sandwiches. With this much going on, you’ll may just get hooked on duckpin.

White Oak Duckpin Lanes
11207 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20904
(301) 593-3000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/white-oak-duckpin-lanes-silver-spring

Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center: Silver Spring Performing Arts

The Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center is a great place to go for great music, theater, and exhibits. Located in Silver Spring, the Cultural Arts Center promotes cultural literacy and diversity, in order to bridge the gap to understanding the diverse cultures that make up the community, and the world. Check out the musical presentations that focus on an eclectic mix of styles, everything from Mozart to Zydeco. On cultural arts nights you can see new art exhibits, and sometimes sit through a rehearsal with the Symphony of the Potomac orchestra, and it’s all free! Theater events include original shows for adults and children, and there’s always a terrific mix of dance programs throughout the year. Buying tickets is easy, with regular office hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and one hour before the show begins.

Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center
7995 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(240) 567-5000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/montgomery-college-cultural-arts-center-silver-spring-2

National Museum of Health and Medicine: A Fascinating History of Medicine

You don’t have to be a medical professional to be fascinated by the National Museum of Health and Medicine. Located in Silver Spring, The National Museum of Health and Medicine is a place of exhibits, but also research. Established during the Civil War, the museum was first utilized by Army surgeons, and has an extensive gallery of photographs which show techniques used to treat soldiers. You can find out more about the research at the museum, learning about the work done on discovering a cure for yellow fever, vaccinations and health care promotion. The virtual exhibits cover many subjects, such as the effects of canister shot in the Civil War, unlocking the cure for influenza and anatomical collections. Great new exhibits like the one currently on Abraham Lincoln are always showing something interesting. The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is free.

National Museum of Health and Medicine
2500 Linden Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 319-3300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/national-museum-of-health-and-medicine-silver-spring

Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail: Take a Hike

If you are looking for the ideal place to hike, bike, or even rollerblade, you have to try the Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail. Run as part of the Montgomery Park System, the Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail is, at 10.2 miles, it is an excellent place to experience the great outdoors. Start at the stone bridge at Park Valley Road in Wheaton and go south along the creek’s edge to Hyattsville. Sligo Creek is beautiful any time of the year, and the surrounding trees will give you a feeling of solitude and peace. Since you are in town, you will have to cross some streets, but the trail always brings you back to nature. With plenty of space to have a picnic and enjoy the wonders of nature in an urban setting, the trail’s surrounding area is a great place to go with friends or family.

Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail
Anacostia Tributary Trail System
Silver Spring, MD
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sligo-creek-park-silver-spring

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center: Community Arts

Visual arts is the name of the game at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center. Their primary focus is hand printmaking, digital arts, papermaking, and the art of the book. They’re located in the heart of the arts and entertainment district in downtown Silver Spring. A paper mill, print shop, letterpress studio, bindery, and cutting-edge digital studio are contained in their spacious complex. Beginning and intermediate classes are offered at the center in a variety of visual arts, including screen printing, paper making, and book binding. Residencies and apprenticeships are also offered to qualified students, and artists. Check out their community arts store, where you can buy the handiwork of local artists.

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center
924 Ellsworth Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Rock Creek Sports Club: Work It Out

Located at the intersection of Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, and D.C., the Rock Creek Sports Club is where locals go to tone the abs and build biceps. The club strives to be the kind of friendly neighborhood gym that makes locals happy. New equipment, a clean, spacious facility, and a knowledgeable staff are also part of the appeal. Check out their roster of classes for aerobics, pilates, yoga, kickboxing, and other fun ways to stay fit. Their free 3 day trial is a great way to check it out before you commit to a membership. They’ve also got personalized weight loss programs to help you shed pounds. C’mon, fitness can be fun, so drop off the kids at their low-cost babysitting area and get going!

Rock Creek Sports Club
8325 Grubb Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-4447

AFI Silver Theater: Silver Screen

Whether your taste runs to oldies like Casablanca or a recent art film, the AFI Silver Theatre is a cinephile’s dream. Housed in the historic 1938 Silver Theatre and an adjoining 32,000 square foot addition, it has three state of the art theatres, plus meeting and reception areas and an exhibition space. The theatre is in partnership with the American Film Institute, an organization dedicated to preserving the best that the silver screen has to offer. This is the place to go for a premier movie experience, no matter what your taste in film. Beer, wine, and snacks are available. Admission prices are $11 a ticket and well worth it.

AFI Silver Theater
8633 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 495-6700