About this Location

Facility Overview

Garage 35, widely known as the Woodmont-Rugby Garage, is a vital multi-level public parking structure managed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Situated at 8216 Woodmont Avenue in the heart of Bethesda’s lively Woodmont Triangle neighborhood, this facility provides dependable, sheltered off-street parking across several well-marked decks. The garage comfortably accommodates standard passenger vehicles, compact cars, minivans, and mid-sized crossovers. Because it is a covered structure with standard vertical clearance limits (posted at approximately 6 feet 8 inches), drivers of lifted 4x4s, oversized commercial trucks, and high-roof conversion vans should take note of clearance signage at the entrance before proceeding inside.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Serving as one of the primary parking anchors for the northern sector of downtown Bethesda, Garage 35 places visitors within immediate steps of the district’s premier culinary, entertainment, and commercial destinations:

Woodmont Triangle Dining & Retail: Immediate pedestrian access to dozens of award-winning bistros, cafes, bakeries, international eateries, and local boutiques lining Woodmont, Norfolk, and Cordell Avenues.
Imagination Stage & Bethesda Arts District: Located just a 5-minute stroll (0.2 miles) away, making it a favorite staging area for families attending theater productions or gallery walks.
Bethesda Row: A scenic 10-to-12-minute walk south along Woodmont Avenue leads directly to high-end shopping, cinema, and outdoor dining plazas.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) & Walter Reed: Situated approximately 0.7 miles north, convenient for visiting medical professionals, contractors, and daytime commuters.
Battery Lane Urban Park: Located just two blocks northwest, offering green space, playgrounds, and community courts.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Garage 35 offers straightforward ingress and egress via Woodmont Avenue and Rugby Avenue, keeping local traffic circulating smoothly even during peak evening dinner rushes. Drivers arriving from Interstate 495 (the Capital Beltway) or Interstate 270 can easily access the garage via Rockville Pike (MD-355) or Old Georgetown Road (MD-187). Transit riders benefit from exceptional regional connections: the Bethesda Metrorail Station (serving the WMATA Red Line) is less than a 10-minute walk south, while multiple Montgomery County Ride On bus routes and the free Bethesda Circulator shuttle stop directly adjacent to the facility for effortless localized transit.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Multi-story covered parking structure offering protection from weather elements.
Modern payment options via on-site multi-space pay stations and mobile integration through ParkMobile.
Designated ADA-accessible parking spaces located in close proximity to elevator cores and pedestrian stairwells.
Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations available on designated levels.
Bright LED lighting throughout driving lanes, stairwells, and parking bays.
Clear overhead directional signage, lane guidance, and clearance warnings.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with free parking available on Sundays and select county holidays.

Ideal For

Evening & Weekend Diners: Visitors heading to the buzzing restaurant scene along Woodmont, Norfolk, and Del Ray Avenues.
Local Employees & Commuters: Professionals working in nearby medical, legal, and financial offices throughout downtown Bethesda.
Theatergoers & Cultural Patrons: Families and arts enthusiasts visiting Imagination Stage, local studios, and community performance spaces.
Medical Campus Visitors: Drivers seeking alternative, budget-friendly parking within walking distance or a short bus connection to NIH facilities.

Visitor & Driver Tips

To ensure a seamless visit, remember your parking space number before leaving your car, as MCDOT pay stations utilize a pay-by-space or pay-by-plate system. Downloading the ParkMobile app ahead of arrival allows you to easily start and extend parking sessions directly from your phone without returning to your vehicle. While parking is enforced Monday through Saturday, parking is typically free on Sundays and official Montgomery County holidays. If visiting on Friday or Saturday evening during peak restaurant dining hours, consider parking on upper garage levels where available spaces are consistently plentiful.