Veterans Plaza

Long benches lining Veterans Plaza at the corner of Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive in downtown Silver Spring provide the perfect perch for taking in the hustle and bustle of one of the community’s most popular destinations for shopping and dining. On weekends, visitors of many ethnicities mingle among the stands of a farmers market, listen to a musical performance, check out the mating rituals of teenagers or grab a bite at the nearby eateries or from vendors who’ve set up along the sidewalks. From spring through fall, passersby gather to watch chess players intent on a game at tables on the ice rink. Late October provides a spooky surprise when people of all ages come decked out as ghouls and shuffle by the plaza during the annual Silver Spring Zombie Walk.

The ice rink opens around the same time for five months, drawing those brave enough to try out their skating skills—as well as bystanders who want to enjoy the action without the risk of taking a tumble.