A great place to bring the kids in Gaithersburg is the Rio Washingtonian Center, a lakefront shopping, dining, and entertainment experience located just off I-270. There are many restaurants to choose from at a variety dining options if you want a break from cooking, or you could bring a picnic basket, choose a circle in the grass at the Picnic Scene to spread out a blanket, and enjoy the view of the beautiful murals, the lake, and the carousel while you eat.
The kids will really love Rio’s open-air playground, which has plenty of room to spread out and run around. The playground is covered and includes slides and built-in xylophones and chimes for kids to discover a hidden musical talent. They will also love a ride on the Americana-themed carousel, which features dancing horses, whimsical creatures, and two chariots. It allows child and adult passengers alike, and it’s even wheelchair accessible!
Take one of Rio’s paddle boats for a ride over the lake during your visit. You can choose from boats shaped like dragons, swans, or ducks, with or without a canopy. If your family prefers indoor fun, you can always enjoy some retail therapy in the shops and reserve a private watch party in the AMC theater. Choose a new release or one of the classics!
We love serving young patients in Gaithersburg and helping them get started on a lifetime of healthy smile goals. Whether that means essential preventive dentistry through regular cleaning and check-up appointments, something more advanced like interceptive orthodontics, or even emergency dental care in case of an injury, we look forward to being your partners in lifelong dental health. Check the map below for directions to our practice.
If you are unsure whether your child’s situation is considered a dental emergency, do not hesitate to contact us anyway. We quickly triage over the phone and determine the gravity of the problem, and will offer you an in-person visit according to your emergency needs. Sometimes life happens, and there are times when dental care is needed immediately. In these times, Shady Grove Pediatric Dentistry will gladly be your source of help and comfort.
Gaithersburg was first settled in 1765 by farmers, and it was known as Log Town. It would take nearly a hundred years after that to get a post office, and it wasn’t incorporated as a town until 1878 — and not as a city until 1968! Its first boom came from the B&O railroad station constructed in 1873, which was followed by churches, schools, grain elevators, a mill, stores, and hotels.
Since 1899, Gaithersburg has been home to one of six latitude observatories around the world that are used to measure the Earth’s wobble on its polar axis. The Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory is the only National History Landmark in the city.