The Atlas Obscura Guide To Gaithersburg

5 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Gaithersburg, Maryland

Updated June 22, 2022

Unusual Attractions in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Nike Missile Site W-92

Three abandoned missile silos are hiding in plain sight behind a suburban development in Maryland.

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory

Tiny observatory made big contributions to the study of the Earth's motion.

NIST kilogram masses characteristic of the National Prototype Standard

Gaithersburg, Maryland

U.S. National Prototype Kilogram

This golfball sized platinum iridium cylinder is the official starting point for all national weight calibrations

Gaithersburg, Maryland

World's Largest Deadweight Machine

The U.S. government built the million-pound stack of steel during the Space Race.

Gaithersburg, Maryland

DeSellum Family Cemetery

This small cemetery remains hidden behind a recreation center.

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Germantown, Maryland

Ruins of Clopper Mill

The hidden ruins of a mill that is linked to an attempt to assassinate the vice president of the United States.

2 miles from Gaithersburg

Germantown, Maryland

Earthoid Water Tank

The whole world in one water tank.

3 miles from Gaithersburg

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

8 Historic Military Relics in Maryland

Maryland has the distinction of being one of the first states to officially join the Union in 1788—and as such, it’s played both big and small roles in various battles across the nation's history. Here are eight nods to its military past, ranging from a furnace that produced George Washington’s cannonballs to an unusual museum dedicated to the U.S.'s cryptographic history.

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