It can be helpful to look through the paper and see what sorts of mid-week activities they offer. One will have a knitting bee while another will host an international speaker; one will have soaking services while another sends a group downtown to work at a soup kitchen.
All of these can exist in the same church of course, but it's a good reflection on what the church finds important. Go visit a few and catch the flavor of each.
Protestant Denominational
Presbyterian -- "Normal" traditional and may have some contemporary mixed in; doctrine includes some fatalism like predestination, which not all members will agree with. Pastors are voted in for terms, like presidents.
Methodist -- Similar, and some like Free M. have a tradition of rotating pastors and more ownership of the church by the people.
Lutheran -- may have more liturgy than others. Founded on a break from Catholicism, with determination that we are saved by faith.
Episcopal/Anglican -- Liturgical, with prayer books and robes. Otherwise, similar beliefs and good decent people.
Catholic -- a large range, since it is a major world religion. Usually liturgical but may include acoustic folk music...toned down and respectful contemporary. There will be more talk of saints, saying the rosary, and other "extras."
Assemblies of God /Pentecostal
There is a HUGE variation from one to another. You will find Holiness churches where women wear long skirts and refuse makeup... dynamic dancing and tongues... no visible demonstration of the spiritual gifts but a trust that they belong in our faith.
Some of these are denominational, so have a governing body that coordinates youth groups and standardizes doctrine.
Charismatic Spirit-filled
These are not one denomination, but a description that shows they are open to the expression of gifts of the Spirit during the worship services. Members might stand up to read Bible verses, or talk about what they feel God is saying to the church. Most churches that do this have a moderator in the front row who keeps things in order.
Non-denominational (Community, Fellowship often in the title)
These churches often form out of an exodus from another church, for various reasons. The pastor is usually selected from among the group who has proven trustworthiness and pastoral skill. They are not always educated in seminaries.
There can be great freedom and growth in these churches, but when there is a problem in what the pastor says, there is not much accountability because he does not answer to a denominational administration. He does not have a term expiration, so may tend to "own" the church or run it like his/her baby as opposed to his/her job.
Members also tend to feel this way, and invest a lot of energy in their church's ministries. (That can happen in any church, but members of a denomination know that the church will exist with or without them.)
There are many, many fringe denominations, some which mainstream Christians feel do not truly fit the definition of Christian. Some deny the deity of Christ, or his role as the lamb that takes away the sins of the world. Without the redemption, Christianity is just another ethical religion.
Others will add more...
I'm also new to christianity. I do own a bible and have been studying and reading it every day. 
