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Day Trips

The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area is full of wonderful places to visit.

In This Section:
6 Key Destinations
Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
Sites Throughout The Area

6 Key Destinations

Looking for the best spots in Prince George’s County? Check out these top destinations of history and culture. 

1

Battle of Bladensburg Historic Site & Anacostia River

Start out with important links to American History at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD). From this starting point, pick the way you want to explore – by foot or by boat? On foot, tour what is left of the Bladensburg Battlefield from the War of 1812 and the Dueling Grounds with our walking tour. We also recommend a walk or drive through Fort Lincoln Cemetery for a view that Commodore Joshua Barney had in 1814 as well as some great sculpture and architecture. Also by foot, you can visit a few reminders of colonial life – “George Washington” House, Magruder House, Market Master, and Bostwick. However, these are all under renovation or in private hands as of Summer 2018. You may also wish to visit the new Battle of Bladensburg Monument, the WWI “Peace Cross” monument, and monuments to those that have fought in other wars.

If you choose to go by boat, rent a kayak, canoe, or take a boat tour to see the Anacostia River as it returns from a polluted river to a gem of the region. Plan on seeing wildlife like bald eagles, herons, turtles, and much more. If you take a kayak or canoe, we recommend visiting Dueling Creek or the Kenilworth wetlands. However, check the tide schedules to make sure you aren’t left high and dry!

Right in Bladensburg is Three Brothers Italian Restaurant. While known locally as a chain, this is the first restaurant and retains some of the great charm – and amazing food! Take a look through the Italian food store too. If Salvadoran is more your style, La Chiquita may fit the bill in Bladensburg. If you would like to stay nearby, Wyndham Garden Inn is located just next to the Baltimore/Washington Parkway.

2

Gateway Arts District Galleries and Studios

The Gateway Arts District stretches from the Washington, DC line to Hyattsville and includes a variety of hidden gems for artists of all types. We recommend you start in Hyattsville at Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center (4318 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD). This newest arts center is focused on paper and book arts. A rotating series of shows in the upstairs gallery meets the funky, cool industrial arts of the paper making. (Don’t forget the Maryland Milestones Heritage Center is located here too!)

You can spend several hours in Hyattsville with great arts experiences. Just across the street from Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center is Vigilante Coffee – a great local coffee shop inside a former Model T dealership. Next door is Tanglewood Works, an “upcycling” art shop; Fleisher’s Jewelry with a wide variety of jewelry; Three Little Birds sewing shop; and Arrow Bicycles. Then cross Baltimore Avenue to Franklin’s Brewery and Store. This long time staple of Hyattsville has a huge menu of brewpub classics, a range of beers made on site, and a funky shop filled with gifts, wines, and toys!

Further down the street (past the courts) is Artist and Craftsman with loads of shopping for the artist on your list. Next door, Streetcar 82 is busy building a new brewery and is scheduled for opening in mid/late 2018. On the next block is Art Works Now and Pizza Paradiso. Come for the amazing Neapolitan style pizzas and stay for the art. As of early 2018, the gallery and classrooms were still being finished, but the food and beer were amazing! Finally, just one block further – just before you leave Hyattsville – is Shortcake Bakery. This local bakery has loads of treats and caters to a big cyclist community on the weekend.

If you thought you were done with Gateway Arts District, you would be wrong. While you can spend a whole afternoon in Hyattsville, we recommend you head down US Route 1 (Rhode Island Avenue) toward North Brentwood. The Prince George’s African-American Museum and Cultural Center is located in the oldest African-American municipality in the United States.

Continuing south, the Gateway Arts Center/Brentwood Arts Exchange is a unique place to explore local artists work and see them in action. Rotating shows, programs, and workshops are always on. Finally, in Mount Rainier check Joe’s Movement Emporium’s schedule. With dance, theater, aerialists, and more always happening, you won’t be disappointed.

One Note

We have not listed all the local producing artists and collectives such as Washington Glass School, DC Glassworks, Otis Street Arts Project, Red Dirt Studio, and many more. Check in with Brentwood Arts Exchange or visit the Gateway Arts District website for many more details.

3

City of College Park - The University, Downtown, & Aviation Museum

Most visitors who know something about College Park know about the University of Maryland Terps. Basketball, football, even lacrosse have all been major parts of the UMD story. However, just outside the gates of the university, the City of College Park has been going through a transformation. With new and exciting shops and restaurants, this community is at the heart of our Heritage Area. Even with the great new projects, there is a long and big history for this small town.

Visitors may want to start at the College Park Aviation Museum (1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD). This family friendly museum is located on the grounds of the oldest airport in the world (opened by the Wright Brothers!) and includes a variety of exhibits and programs. In 2018, the museum is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Airmail with special fly-in events. The Museum is located near the WMATA Metro Station on the Green Line.

Back in town, you are spoiled for choices for restaurants. At The Hotel at UMD (a great option for overnight), Kapnos, Old Maryland Grill, Bagels and Grinds, and Potomac Pizza are all upscale choices for great food. We also recommend the Original Ledo’s Pizza, Jason’s Deli, and the Nando’s Peri-Peri. After lunch or dinner, take a walk through the Old Town neighborhood and visit some of the great architecture of College Park.

On campus, there are loads of places to visit – but we recommend starting at the Visitors Center on Baltimore Avenue to pick up a map and some directions. Bikes are available for borrowing if you choose to pedal to explore. We recommend seeing the Campus Farm and then heading to the Stamp Student Union for a bite of campus made ice cream (made from the milk of campus cows!). We think it’s the best ice cream in the state!

4

Historic Greenbelt

If historic architecture and planning is your interest, we highly recommend an afternoon of exploring Historic Greenbelt. Hidden away between modern development, this 1930’s era planned community is one of only three such communities in the United States. Built during the Great Depression as a “green town,” these communities were an attempt to relieve “slum” conditions in major cities. Greenbelt’s location was chosen because of existing government property (Beltsville Agricultural Research Center – which would eventually contribute land for the National Wildlife Visitors Center and Goddard Space Flight Center) as well as the location near Washington, DC.

When you come to visit, start at the Greenbelt Community Center (15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD). Before going in, be sure to see the great friezes on the front interpreting the preamble of the Constitution. Inside this 1930s era former school, be sure to visit the small museum gallery with a rotating exhibit. Currently the Greenbelt Museum (10A Crescent Road) is only open on Sundays from 1-5pm, but a new expansion is in the planning stages.

While at the Community Center, be sure to pick up a walking tour brochure. Take the walking tour toward Roosevelt Center and see some of the unique style of community making. We love the underpasses and playgrounds mixed into the small homes. Homes were designed so that the “front door” faced the internal paths while the “back door” faced the roads.

In Roosevelt Center, find the Old Greenbelt Theatre to watch a variety of first run, historic, and art house movies. This historic theater is the last of the big single screen movie houses in the region. Before catching that film, maybe grab something to eat at the vegan New Deal Cafe (which also has a strong rotating music program).

Also nearby is NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The visitor center offers unique science based activities and information about the work NASA and Goddard SFC perform. With a NASA themed gift shop and a “rocket garden” to eat lunch in, the Visitor Center is a great addition to a trip to Greenbelt.

Outside of Historic Greenbelt are several nearby chain options for food and lodging. We recommend Mission BBQ or Silver Diner. Greenbelt Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, and the Holiday Inn Greenbelt are all great lodging options.

5

Laurel’s Main Street & Patuxent River

Laurel’s Main Street is a unique feature of our region. Just on the edge of Prince George’s County, the city is unlike many of our other communities with its well-defined main street. We recommend starting at the far end of Main Street at the Laurel Historical Society and Museum (817 Main Street, Laurel, MD). Here you can find out more about the local history of the mills, take a walk to the Patuxent River, and pick up a walking tour brochure.

Check out the grand main street architecture before heading back toward the central portion of Main Street. As a former mill town, this was the hub of action. Just beyond the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Main Street is a great example of a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad station – and it still serves commuters today. 

Don’t miss the great options for entertainment. The Laurel Mill Playhouse and Venus Theater produce a range of programs in their small storefront theaters. The Venus Theater specializes in women’s written and produced shows.

Finally, get off Main Street and head down to the Patuxent River. Starting on B Street and wandering all the way back to the Laurel Historical Society, the Riverfront Trail is a great way to connect with nature by foot or on a bike.

6

Any of the Great Trails

• Anacostia Tributary Trail System
• Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail
• Washington, Baltimore, & Annapolis Trail

Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

The Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is a great way to experience the Chesapeake Campaign of 1814. This route leads from Benedict in Charles County into Prince George’s County at Upper Marlboro, coming through Washington D.C. and then into Anacostia Trails Heritage Area before heading to Baltimore. Please see many more details on the County or NPS websites.

The Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and Byway “connects the places, people and events that led to the birth of the National Anthem. The 290-mile trail stretches over beautiful rolling farmland, charming historic towns, and populated urban areas, following scenic rivers and the treasured Chesapeake bay in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. During the War of 1812, this region was a center of a desperate struggle between the young United States and the empire of Great Britain. Riverbanks where people now fish once echoed with the sounds of cannon fire. Today a trip along the Trail offers countless learning and recreation opportunities for Bay residents and visitors.”
- National Park Service Brochure

The Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and Byway “connects the places, people and events that led to the birth of the National Anthem. The 290-mile trail stretches over beautiful rolling farmland, charming historic towns, and populated urban areas, following scenic rivers and the treasured Chesapeake bay in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. During the War of 1812, this region was a center of a desperate struggle between the young United States and the empire of Great Britain. Riverbanks where people now fish once echoed with the sounds of cannon fire. Today a trip along the Trail offers countless learning and recreation opportunities for Bay residents and visitors.”
- National Park Service Brochure

Sites Throughout the Area

Port Town Area & Cheverly Sites

  • Cottage City Neighborhood Park & Carelton Mill Site

Central Area Sites

North Area Sites

  • St. Joseph’s Chapel (closed to public)

Bowie and Glenn Dale

More Sites