A guide to Montgomery County senior centers

Montgomery County Recreation runs eight senior centers for adults 55 and older, most of them open weekdays from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seven are open now; the Damascus center is closed for renovation, with its programs running at a nearby recreation center. Many activities are free, some classes charge a fee, and lunch and rides to the centers are available with advance sign-up.

This guide covers what the county’s senior centers offer, where they are, and how to get started. Schedules and programs change often, so call the center before a first visit.

What a senior center offers

The county describes its senior centers as places for independent, active adults 55 and older. A typical week at a larger center includes:

Exercise and fitness: chair exercise, tai chi, dance, yoga and walking groups, plus fitness rooms at some centers.
Classes and lifelong learning: art, writing, languages, technology help and discussion groups.
Drop-in activities: cards, billiards, table tennis, pickleball, lectures and musical performances.
Lunch: a hot midday meal at most centers through the county’s senior nutrition program.
Trips and volunteering: day trips around the region and chances to help out.

For an older adult who no longer drives or who lives alone, a regular reason to leave the house and see the same faces each week can matter as much as the activity itself.

The eight county senior centers

Addresses, main phone numbers and weekday hours below come from Montgomery County Recreation’s senior center pages.

Center	Address	Phone	Hours
Holiday Park	3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring (Wheaton area)	240-777-4999	Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Long Branch	8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring	240-777-6975	Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Margaret Schweinhaut	1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring	240-777-8085	Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
North Potomac	13850 Travilah Road, Rockville	240-773-4805	Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Silver Spring	1319 Apple Ave., Silver Spring	240-777-6900	Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat–Sun 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
White Oak	1700 April Lane, Silver Spring	240-777-6944	Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Wheaton	11701 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton	240-773-4830	Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Damascus	9701 Main Street, Damascus	240-777-6930	Closed for renovation

Two notes from the county as of this check. Damascus Senior Center programming has moved to the Damascus Community Recreation Center at 25520 Oak Drive while the building is renovated, and no reopening date is posted. Holiday Park is under construction: its fall 2026 newsletter says the entrance has moved and that the exercise room, billiards, music room, table tennis and bocce court are closed until spring 2027.

The Silver Spring Senior Center, with evening and weekend hours, is the only one open seven days a week. North Potomac is the closest center for Potomac and much of Rockville. For towns in the Silver Spring and Rockville areas, see our Silver Spring and Rockville pages.

No senior center nearby? Try a neighborhood program

Bethesda, Chevy Chase and upcounty towns such as Germantown and Clarksburg do not have a dedicated county senior center. Instead, the county runs Senior Neighborhood Programs for adults 55 and older at 13 recreation centers, including the Jane E. Lawton center in Chevy Chase, Clara Barton in Cabin John, Potomac, Bauer Drive in Rockville, Germantown, Plum Gar, Longwood, Marilyn J. Praisner and Clarksburg. On program days, people meet for coffee, conversation and an activity. Days and times vary by location, so check the county’s program page or call the recreation center.

What it costs

Drop-in activities: many are free. Holiday Park’s fall 2026 newsletter, for example, lists free dance, exercise and technology sessions.
Classes: some charge a fee for a multi-week session. The same newsletter lists classes from about $25 to $140. Register at the center’s front desk or online through ActiveMONTGOMERY.
Lunch: for people 60 and older, a donation is requested; people under 60 pay the full price of the meal. The county asks you to reserve with the center at least one week ahead.
Trips: day trips usually have a fee, and some add an entrance charge paid on the day.

If cost is a concern, ask the center staff. Our guide to free help for seniors in Montgomery County lists other no-cost services.

Getting there

Getting to a center is often the hardest part. The county offers free senior center transportation for residents 55 and older who live within a center’s service area. The county lists this service for the Damascus, Holiday Park, Long Branch, North Potomac, Margaret Schweinhaut and White Oak centers. To sign up, fill out the transportation form and submit it to your local center, or call the Senior Programs Team at 240-777-4925.

Other options include Ride On buses, which have been fare-free since June 29, 2025, and Connect-A-Ride, a free county line that helps adults 50 and older and adults with disabilities find a ride.

Making the first visit easier

Walking into a room of strangers can feel hard at any age, especially after a loss or a long stretch at home. A few things help:

Pick up or download the center’s monthly newsletter together and circle one or two activities that match an old interest.
Call ahead to ask about the lunch reservation and the transportation form, so the first trip is easy.
Go with your parent the first time, or ask a friend from church or the neighborhood to come along.
Aim for the same day each week. A routine builds familiar faces faster than occasional visits.
Ask staff about volunteering. Some people prefer to help out rather than join an activity.

If a parent is not ready for a group setting, one-to-one companionship at home is another way to add regular conversation to the week. For a wider look at the choices, see our guide to home care options in Montgomery County.

Common questions

Who can go to a Montgomery County senior center?

Montgomery County Recreation describes its senior centers as serving independent adults 55 and older. Many drop-in activities are free, though some classes charge a fee.

How do I get lunch at a senior center?

Call the center where you want to eat at least one week ahead to reserve. Adults 60 and over are asked for a donation; people under 60 pay the full price of the meal.

Is there free transportation to senior centers?

Yes, for county residents 55 and over who live within a center’s service area. Fill in the transportation form at your local senior center, or call the Senior Programs Team at 240-777-4925.

Sources

This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Phone numbers and programs were checked on the date shown above; confirm details with the agency before you rely on them.