Situated one stop from the end of the Red Line, you may think Wheaton is too far out in the boonies to have a good time. But don’t sleep on it! This suburban enclave has a lot of food, culture, and natural beauty.
A Seismic Welcome
Arriving on the Red Line, you will immediately be greeted by the largest escalator in the Western Hemisphere! The Wheaton Metro’s escalator is 230 feet long and takes three and a half minutes to ride to civilization. You’ll have to go all the way to Hong Kong to find a longer one.
Wheaton Metro’s giant escalator. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
What to Eat
For breakfast, head over to Nick’s Diner. At this old school, no-frills spot, fill up on hash browns, scrapple, and pancakes. Be sure to get there early to get a spot at the counter. For lunch, hit Mi La Cay for banh mi on a budget — only $8.95 for a delicious pâté-filled baguette. If you’re a corn dog-hound, head over to Two Hands in the Westfield Mall, and get their delicious Korean-style dogs. Try the Spicy Dog covered in Hot Cheeto dust 😳
What to Do
Explore one of the few H Mart’s in the area for Asian specialties and snacks you won’t find anywhere else. Head over to the Unique Thrift off Veirs Mill Road to find some cheap swag. Musicians should check out Chuck Levin’s, the DMV’s largest music store that’s been around since 1958.
Make it a Bike Trip
If the weather’s nice, take a scenic bike ride. Bike the Metropolitan Bike and Sligo Creek trails to Wheaton Regional Park. You can stop for a pint at Dew Drop Inn. One way should take about an hour and a half. Then, recharge and get lost in Brookside Gardens, a beautiful 50-acre public display garden within the park. It’s completely free and open year-round.
