So, I'll be driving to the Baltimore area on Sunday afternoon and spending most, if not all of next week there.  If things go well, I should have a fair bit of free time.  

1. I know MD has unfortunate laws on handguns and semi-auto rifles, and its probably not even worth thinking about bringing handguns or ARs (my only preban style AR is a 13lb Service Rifle).  I was thinking about just bringing a take down ruger 10/22 and a couple high capacity magazines in case I had a chance to go shooting and not to be completely unarmed if something unusual happens.  

2. Any suggestions as to where to stay (up to ~$160/night) or what to do in the area?  Microbreweries and interesting food would be great.

Thanks!

It really isn't worth taking your guns. Not many public ranges to go to.
The only public ranges I know about is elk neck in western MD and Myrtle Grove in southern md. There are a few Simi public ranges but expensive to use. If you can find some with farm land to shoot with then you can take anything you want.

While in Damascus - a stop at Jimmie Cone is absolutely required.



Tell me when you'll be there and I might meet you there!

BTW - Damascus and Baltimore are a planet apart.  Damascus is as quiet, very small town homey and nicest people you can meet.



By the way - Damascus is ringed with speed cameras.  They are housed in big gray boxes on the ground.  Don't speed.

Are they marked on Waze?  The Red light cameras in Toledo, OH are all marked so they're easy to avoid.

Where would you recommend staying,Frederick or Germantown?  Germantown is slightly (~8 minutes per google maps) closer to where I'll be going for work,  but it kinda looked like there was more to do in Frederick?

I don't know because I don't use Waze there - its too small and no traffic.
The boxes are hard to spot in most cases.  Battleship gray in Damascus.  1-2 may be white boxes up on a 10' pole.







 

Stay in Germantown or Gaithersburg.



 

This.

There are many hotels in the vicinity of rio/washingtonian center.     Here is one: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wascg-courtyard-gaithersburg-washingtonian-center/

There is quite a bit to do there.  A short drive away is dogfish alehouse in gaithersburg which has a good beer selection.  There is also a world of beer location in downtown Rockville.  Also while in rockville, pay engage armament a visit.  They have a good selection of AR-15's and some interesting designs.

As for food if what you find in Washingtonian center (copper canyon grill is decent)  isn't enough, there is a place also in gaithersburg (behind lakeforest mall/by the harbor freight) called Tortacos.  Best mexican food you will find in MD.

If you are looking for an upscale place there is the stanford grill in rockville.  If you want an upscale diner, there is Ted's Bulletin in gaithersburg right across from washingtonian center.   They have some good milkshakes.

Links to the places I mentioned.

http://dogfishalehouse.com/locations/dfha-gaithersburg/

https://worldofbeer.com/Locations/Rockville

https://www.facebook.com/Engage-Armament-LLC-208573235868456/

https://ccgrill.com/

http://www.eattortacos.com/

http://www.thestanfordgrill.com/

http://www.tedsbulletin.com/locations/downtown-crown/

If you like tapas cuisine, you will like cava mezze in rockville (not cava grill in gaithersburg-kentlands)

http://www.cavamezze.com/

Thanks for all the great advice!  I'm staying in Gaithersburg as recommend.

If anyone in the area, especially those of you that helped wants to get a beer or ice cream send me a PM.

Mlik House Brewery is about a ~20 minute drive from Damascus (http://www.milkhousebrewery.com/) and there are plenty of good food options up in Frederick. The Win Kitchen is one of my favorite eats in the area and on the canal in downtown (http://www.thewinekitchen.com/frederick/). The Machine Gun Nest up in Frederick has lots of toys if you want to go shooting without having to bring your own (http://www.themachinegunnest.com/rentals/).

And as was mentioned, watch out for the speed cameras! They're everywhere in MoCo but luckily they're all well marked on Waze.

Shit I live in Gaithersburg!! Best bar around is Quincys Bar and Grille. I go there all the time. I sent you a PM and email