TRAVEL/PHOTOGRAPHY/THIS HAPPENED TO ME

A Hidden Gem Among the Sprawl of DC Suburbia

A Photo Essay

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

I visit the Rio Washingtonian Center every time we visit family in the Washington metro area, so I thought it was worth doing a write-up on this shopping and dining destination.

The Rio Washingtonian Center is a high-end mixed-use development in Gaithersburg, Maryland that includes shopping, offices, restaurants, a movie theater, and a lake. It is essentially a one-stop shop for entertainment, shopping, dining, and strolling around a lake.

They have ample free parking in the garage as well as street parking.

Rio has a picturesque town center on a beautifully landscaped man-made lake with a lovely walking path, water fountains, and a walking bridge.

There are numerous activities for children, such as a kiddie train, a carousel, a playground, paddle boats, and the opportunity to feed the ducks, geese, and koi fish in the lake.

The Rio Center also has a variety of specialty shops and name-brand stores, from high-end clothing to books, sporting goods, foods, wines, home decorations and more. The theater complex is well maintained and has current films.

From national chains to local favorites, there is a wide range of food establishments for every budget and taste.

Our Experience

Last year, when we visited family in the Washington metro area for the winter holidays, we split up for lunch.

The men and the kids caught the latest Spiderman film at the newly-renovated Rio Cinemas before opting for Asian noodles at Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles. The ladies decided to hit up some shops in the plaza before grabbing lunch at Uncle Julio’s Mexican restaurant.

This time around, my sister and I did a quick Target run before exploring the shops in the rest of the plaza. Next, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the lakefront, pausing only to take photos of the area and selfies. We finished the lovely outing with a quick bite to eat at True Kitchen.

We enjoyed the unusually pleasant summer weather and atmosphere on that particular day. Spending the morning here with my sister was one of the highlights of my trip.

Please enjoy the photos of this outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.

Closing Thoughts

I highly recommend this hidden gem — an excellent entertainment venue, especially on good weather days and evenings. This is a great spot for both locals and tourists alike.

The Rio Lakefront is located at 9841 Washingtonian Blvd in Gaithersburg, MD.

What is your favorite shopping destination? Please share in the comments.

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