Is Woodside Park safe?
Silver Spring, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Woodside Park as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Woodside Park
“Go. Woodside Park is a charming, affluent, and exceptionally safe historic neighborhood tucked just north of downtown Silver Spring. Visitors can comfortably explore its quiet, tree-lined residential streets with minimal safety concerns while enjoying convenient proximity to urban amenities.”
About the area
Woodside Park is a picturesque garden suburb founded in the 1920s, known for its expansive canopy of mature oak trees and stately architectural styles ranging from Tudor Revival to classic Colonials. It offers a calm, neighborhood atmosphere directly bordered by the energetic dining, arts, and transit hub of Downtown Silver Spring.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Affluent Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Tranquil Enclave
Walking and biking in Woodside Park
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 72/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are available along the border corridors, providing straightforward access to both the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the nearby Sligo Creek Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low rates of violent crime backed by an active, tight-knit civic association.
- Strong socioeconomic stability with median household incomes exceeding $180,000 and high rates of homeownership.
- Beautiful, historic residential setting with well-kept properties and expansive tree cover.
- Easy walking distance to regional rail, Metro, and diverse downtown dining.
Cons
- Isolated property crime, such as vehicle break-ins, mostly occurring near busy perimeter streets.
- Many interior residential streets lack sidewalks and street lighting, requiring caution at night.
- Heavy commuter cut-through traffic along edge corridors like Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent in the residential interior of Woodside Park. Any visible panhandling or unhoused individuals are typically confined to the commercial transit corridors of Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road.
What Woodside Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and welcoming, filled with dog walkers, runners, and residents walking toward transit.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with light local traffic and pleasant residential surroundings.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented, though pedestrians should wear reflective gear on streets lacking sidewalks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and dark with very little foot traffic; generally very safe, though standard situational awareness is advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
WMATA Metrobus and Montgomery County Ride On buses flank the neighborhood along Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue. The Silver Spring Transit Center (Red Line Metro and MARC commuter rail) is within a 10 to 15-minute walk.
Free on-street parking is readily available on most interior residential streets, though some blocks closest to downtown Silver Spring require Montgomery County residential parking permits during peak hours.
Things to do in Woodside Park
- Enjoy the playgrounds, skate spot, and landscaped garden paths at Woodside Urban Park.
- Take a relaxing architectural walking tour admiring preserved 1920s and 1930s homes.
- Walk to the neighboring Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District for indie screenings at AFI Silver Theatre.
Local favorites
- Zinnia · American Restaurant & Tavern · 4.4★ (650)An upscale eatery and lush beer garden set on the historic grounds of the former Mrs. K's Toll House.
- AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center · Independent Cinema · 4.8★ (2100)Historic Art Deco theater showcasing classic restorations, indie films, and major film festivals.
- Kefa Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.7★ (460)A cozy, long-standing neighborhood spot serving specialty espresso drinks and light bites.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.