In Gotta Get Away, The Hatchet explores well-known or off-the-beaten track vacations spots – all within 50 miles of campus.

This post was written by Hatchet reporter Hayley Burgess.

The tall, boring office buildings that surround the metro station may scare away timid travelers, but don’t be fooled. That’s not Bethesda.

Take a right on Wisconsin, then a right on Elm, and then, after a couple of blocks, let the super-hip suburb that is Bethesda take you in.

The area on and around Elm Street is full of small, chic shops, and the hip, young, multicultural clientele to go with it. Grab a cupcake from Lisa’s or a cone of gelato and find a bench in Bethesda Row to watch the families and happy elderly couples trick you into thinking you’re back home for the day.

Where to Shop: Although Bethesda has more than its fair share of shopping centers and the like, try out Mustard Seed: a thrift store where you can find everything from limited edition 1983 USA Today trucker hats to ten-dollar aviators to stylish pea coats. And did I mention the college budget-friendly price tags?

Where to Eat: Mexican food goes along well with the back-home nostalgia, especially for those of us from Southern California. Luckily, Uncle Julio’s, as per the cashier at Mustard Seed’s suggestion, hit the spot, with delicious nachos and a friendly wait staff.

For dessert, try heading over to Dolcezza Gelato (located in Bethesda Row), where in addition to a wide variety of gelato flavors, you can find traditional Argentine desserts. Yeah, it’s as good as it sounds.

Four out of five stars