Located in the north central part of Montgomery County, Maryland, Olney is slowly becoming a top destination in the DC-Maryland metropolitan area. The area is within touching distance of major Metro and MARC stations, as well as providing some historical and cultural destinations.

West of Ashton-Sandy Spring

Olney is roughly belted by Route 115 to the south, Batchellors Forest Road to the east, Brookeville Road to the north, and Norbeck Golf Course and Reedy Branch Park to the west. Brookeville and later Hawlings River Regional Park border the neighborhood to the north, Ashton-Sandy Spring is to the east, Aspen Hill to the south, and Redland to the west. Neighborhoods like Cloverly, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Laytonsville are all a short drive away while Washington, DC is roughly 20 miles away.

Named After the Town in England

The village which became known as Olney was established in 1800. The area was mostly farmland, but it soon began attracting artisans. Early residents include Sarah Brooke and Dr. Charles Farquhar who were devotees of the English poet William Cowper, and named their home after the poet’s hometown. The area was in turn named for their home, which still stands and is known as the Olney House. Now, Olney is the last suburban outpost in upper northeast Montgomery County, with many residents working as far away as DC, Baltimore, and even northern Virginia. Traffic fills the roads that were originally carved for farmers to haul produce to different markets.

Where the Traffic Flows

The nominal location of Olney is at the intersection of Route 97 and Route 108. The latter is a major east-west route that connects the community to towns like Ashton-Sandy Springs and Laytonsville. Route 97 is a north-south road that will take residents to Aspen Hill and Wheaton-Glenmont if they travel southbound. Wheaton-Glenmont is also home to the Glenmont Metro station which services the Red Line. Washington Grove MARC station is the closest MARC station to the community and is located in Gaithersburg. This line provides access to areas like Frederick, Brunswick, and Martinsburg, West Virginia. This station can be reached via Route 200 which runs along the southern end of Olney.

Mostly Detached Family Homes

The majority of housing stock in this community consists of single-family detached homes. However, there are townhomes, condominiums, and apartment buildings available as well. Many of these housing developments are newly constructed and reflect the rapid population growth within the area. There are many influences that are accountable for this resurgence, with many sourcing the area’s location and its housing affordability as reasons why many are deciding to move to Olney.

Restaurants & Bars Located in Olney

Many of the more popular restaurants and bars in Olney are located at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Olney Sandy Spring Road. Mannequin Pis Belgian Bistro is one of these restaurants. Off of Georgia Avenue, this Belgian restaurant offers some delicious dishes like mussels, pommes frites, and plenty of imported beer all served within this wood-paneled restaurant. For an American dining experience, travel down the road and you’ll find Olney Grille Restaurant. This American standby with Southern twists is a popular local fixture for American fare, including some Cajun-style dishes, served amid stone accents. GrillMarX is another terrific destination for fine-dining and is located at the Fair Hill Plaza. This contemporary chophouse and raw bar is known for their prime rib, served amid warm, brick-and-wood decor. Some favorite eats among the locals are the crab meat and the pan fried sweet potatoes.

Other restaurants and bars located at this intersection include Ricciuti’s Restaurant, The Green Turtle, Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, and Sakura Japanese Steak & Seafood House. For those looking to do some shopping, this crossroads also provides stores like Shoppers, CVS, Giant, T.J. Maxx, Harris Teeter, HomeGoods, and JoS. A. Bank to name a few.

Recreation and Cultural Activities

Although largely a residential area, Olney maintains ties to its cultural past. The historic, aforementioned Olney House continues to operate on the east edge of town and acts as a museum. Farther east lays the Sandy Spring Museum and Woodlawn Manor Living History Museum where visitors may learn about the area or visit the historic Woodlawn Manor circa 1800 for Tea & Tour. The Olney Theatre presents professional level dramatic and musical theatrical productions in its large and modern playhouse on the East edge of town. This popular spot draws in audiences from across the Maryland and DC metropolitan area.

Playgrounds, playing fields, and courts are all available throughout Olney and the surrounding area. Many of the parks are public and some belong to homeowners or other private associations. Public parks and other green spaces include Southeast Olney Park, Longwood Park, Cherrywood Park, Norbeck Golf Course, Bowie Mill Park, and Olney Manor Park which features the Olney Swim Center, a year-round indoor public pool, a baseball park, basketball court, handball and lighted tennis courts, a playground, a dog park, and a skate park for skateboarding and inline skating.

Ranked as one of the top Maryland communities and one of Maryland’s top-earning towns, it is no wonder why many are moving to Olney. The area is within close reach to some major Metro and MARC stations, while the community also provides a rich, historical and cultural background that is evident through its museums and wonderful recreational facilities.