College Park (Maryland)

Most visitors come to College Park for the University of Maryland, and all the associated sporting events, but aviation geeks should also take notice of the Aviation Museum.

By plane

• College Park Airportthe world's oldest continuously operated airport, is open only to private planes.

Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is a 30 minute drive from College Park. It is also accessible by taking Bus B30 to/from the Greenbelt Metrorail Station, near College Park.
Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a 30 minute drive from College Park and is accessible via the Metrorail.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a 45 minute drive from College Park but takes significantly longer using public transportation.

By car

From I-495 (Capital Beltway), take exits 24 (University Boulevard / MD 193) or 25 (US Route 1).

By train

Amtrak operates service to the New Carrollton station in Largo.
College Park is serviced by the Green Line of the Metrorail. The station is about a mile from the University of Maryland.

By bus

Metrobus J4 operates service between College Park and Bethesda via Takoma Park.

By car

The main north-south artery of College Park is Route 1 (also known as Baltimore Ave). Many destinations of interest (including the university) are along this road. An alternative, slightly to the east, is Rhode Island Ave. Major east-west roads include University Boulevard (Route 193) and Campus Drive/Paint Branch Parkway. Route 1 traffic can be horrendous at times. Avoid arriving or leaving College Park during evening rush house. There is no free parking in College Park, so make sure to check each meter's restrictions and rules.

By bus

Metrobus J4 operates service between the University of Maryland and the Metrorail Station.
Shuttle-UM operates an extensive bus network, although University of Maryland identification is required to ride for many routes.

By bicycle

Rhode Island Ave Trolley Trail runs north/south to the east of Route 1 and, north of Route 193, consists of bike lines on Rhode Island Ave. The Paint Branch Trail intersects it near Lake Artemesia and runs through campus, up to Cherry Hill Road near the Beltway. College Park has many residential streets that make for easy biking, but some of the major thoroughfares can be dicey.

• College Park Aviation Museum

  phone: +1 301 864-6029
  address: 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive
  At the College Park Airport, the world's oldest continually operating airport, this museum emphasizes early aviation.

• University of Maryland, College Park

  phone: +1 301 405-1000
  address: Campus Drive & US-1
  The flagship academic institution of the state of Maryland, founded in 1856, and centered around the McKeldin Mall quadrangle on Regents Drive.

• The Art Gallery

  phone: +1 301 405-2763
  address: 2202 Parren J. Mitchell Art Sociology Bldg. (3834 Campus Dr.)
  A rotating series of exhibitions. Closed summer and between exhibitions.

• Adele H. Stamp Student Union

  phone: +1-301-314-3375
  address: 3972 Campus Drive
  UMCP's campus center, containing several floors that house a food court, fast food chains, a restaurant, shops, the SORC (Student Organizational Resource Center), TerpZone (an entertainment facility with several televisions, a small bowling alley, pool tables, etc.), a movie theater, and more.

• McKeldin MallThe McKeldin Library is home to Testudo, the Fountain, the sundial, the Administration building, and several academic buildings. In addition, McKeldin Mall is the largest academic mall in the United States.

• Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

  phone: +1 301 405-ARTS
  address: Route 193 and Stadium Dr
  Catch a play, music performance, or other event at the University.

• Lake Artemesia Natural Area

  address: Parking at Branchview/Ballew Ave, Berwyn Heights
  On the border with neighboring Berwyn Heights, this man-made lake offers fishing and a pleasant walking/biking/rollerblading trail around the circumference.

• Paint Branch Golf Complex

  phone: +1 301 935-0330
  address: 4690 University Blvd
  Nine hole "executive" golf course, driving range and putting green.

• Terrapins University of Maryland Sporting Events

  phone: +1 301 314-7070
  address: 2740 Comcast Center
  With 27 different sports, the University of Maryland offers you a choice of everything from wrestling to lacrosse to softball. While the football team has had renewed success lately, basketball rules the roost the Lady Terps were national champions in 2006; the men in 2002.

• Herbert Wells Ice Rink

  phone: +1 301 277-3717
  address: 5211 Paint Branch Parkway

Parks

• Crystal Springs Playground

  address: 37th Avenue

• Duvall Field Playground

  address: 9119 Rhode Island Avenue

• Hollywood Playground

  address: 4812 Hollywood Road

• James Adams Park

  address: Berwyn House Road & Rhode Island Avenue

• Muskogee Playground

  address: 9723 Narragansett Parkway

• Old Town Playground

  address: 7504 Columbia Avenue

• The Mews Playground

  address: Catawba Street & 48th Place

• Calvert Road Community Park

  address: Old Calvert Road and Campus Drive

• Berwyn Neighborhood Park

  address: 8301 49th Avenue

• Calvert Neighborhood Park

  address: 4811 Drexel Road

• Cherry Hill Neighborhood Park

  address: 4605 Kiernan Road

• Lakeland Neighborhood Park

  address: 4901 Lakeland Road

• Hollywood Neighborhood Park

  address: 9699 53rd Avenue

• Sunnyside Skate Park

  address: 10110 Rhode Island Avenue

• College Park Woods Neighborhood Park

  address: 9119 St. Andrews Place

• Branchville Playground

  address: 4800 Branchville Road

• University of Maryland College Park Official Bookstore

  phone: +1 301 927-2510
  address: Stamp Student Union
  Get your Terrapin gear and dress like a local (or at least like a tuition-paying parent.)

College Park includes many fast-casual chain restaurants that cater to university students including: Potbelly's Sandwich Works, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Appleby's, Jimmy John's, and Cold Stone Creamery.

• Azteca Restaurant & Cantina

  phone: +1 301 474-8226
  address: 9505 Baltimore Ave
  Mexican food.

• Bagel Place

  phone: +1 301 779-3900
  address: 7423 Baltimore Ave
  Cross Route 1 from campus for your coffee or bagel fix.

• Eddie's Cafe

  phone: +1 301 345-1791
  address: 9823 Rhode Island Ave
  Chinese food & subs.

• Fishnet

  phone: +1 301 220-1070
  address: 5010 Berwyn Rd
  Turkish food, specializing in fish.

• Hanami Japanese Restaurant

  phone: +1 301 982-9899
  address: 8145 Baltimore Ave
  Strip mall location. Sushi, noodles, hibachi, and sake.

• Hard Times Cafe

  phone: +1 301 474-8880
  address: 4738 Cherry Hill Rd
  Chili, wings, and burgers.

• The Jerk Pit

  phone: +1 301 982-5375
  address: 9078 Baltimore Ave
  Jamaican jerk chicken, pork, seafood & tofu.

• Kiyoko

  phone: +1 240 764-8312
  address: 7313-H Baltimore Ave
  Hibachi grill and sushi. $4 for 8 pcs. Specialty rolls. Terrayaki Chicken, Shrimp, Steak for less than $10. Combination specials!

• Marathon Deli

  phone: +1 301 927-6717
  address: 4429 Lehigh Rd
  Greek deli.

• Rasoi Restaurant

  phone: +1 301 474-5951
  address: 8601 Baltimore Ave
  Indian food.

• Sakura Seafood Buffet

  phone: +1 301 982-3331
  address: 9031 Baltimore Ave
  All-you-can-eat buffet with a wide selection, including sushi, hibachi, Chinese and American food.

• Shen Yang Chinese Restaurant

  phone: +1 301 441-2250
  address: 9905 Rhode Island Ave
  All-you-can-eat buffet with a wide selection, including sushi, hibachi, Chinese and American food.

• Sir Walter Raleigh Inn

  phone: +1 301 474-6501
  address: 6323 Greenbelt Rd, Berwyn Heights
  A steak and seafood restaurant with an expansive salad bar. Travelers should note that the restaurant closes early and is only open for dinner service on the weekends.

• Unforgettable Flavors Cafe

  phone: +1 301 345-2089
  address: 9348 Cherry Hill Rd
  Jamaican food.

• Backyard Sports Grill

  phone: +1 301 277-8898
  address: 7313-A Baltimore Ave
  Cozy and relaxed atmosphere. But like everywhere else in College Park, you never no what you are going to get. Even this tiny space can get packed with crazy party-goers.

• Cornerstone Grill & Loft

  phone: +1 301 779-7044
  address: 7325 Baltimore Ave
  Tables and bars, downstairs and upstairs. This bar gets packed most Thursday through Saturday, enough that they have to clear the seating upstairs to accommodate a dance floor. There is sort-of dance floor serviced by a DJ booth overlooking it. Just a nice local bar that suddenly turns into a crazy college party scene at night. Sunday Big-Ass Draft is a popular special during football and basketball seasons.

• Kangnam BBQ Sports Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 240 345-5808
  address: 8503 Baltimore Ave
  This is an often overlooked spot to get a drink. The savvy few swear by this Korean restaurant as their favorite place for after-dinner drinks that turn into full-blown adventures. Sake bombs anyone?

• R. J. Bentley's

  phone: +1 301 277-8898
  address: 7323 Baltimore Ave
  Outdoor seating, several bars inside with more seating in an adjacent room. Part of a very lively bar scene at night with Cornerstone next door. Students frequently go back and forth between the two bars through out the night.

• Town Hall Liquors

  phone: +1 301 474-3322
  address: 8135 Baltimore Ave
  The quintessential dive bar. It's a bar AND a liquor store.

• College Park Grill

  phone: +1 301-474-4745
  address: 8321 Baltimore Avenue
  Nice upscale bar and restaurant with a pleasant and casual environment with live jazz music from 530 to 9PM daily. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with beer on tap and a selection of wine. Happy hour from 4PM to 7PM Monday to Saturday at the bar. A good alternative for those seeking a meal or drink in College Park in a more mature environment than the college student oriented bars in College Park. Located inside the Cambria Hotel with no cover.

• Best Western Plus College Park

  phone: +1 301 220-0505
  address: 8419 Baltimore Ave

• Clarion Inn & Fundome - College Park

  phone: +1 301 474-2800
  address: 8601 Baltimore Ave

• College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

  phone: +1 301 985-7300
  address: 3501 University Blvd E, Hyattsville
  Both luxurious and environmentally responsible. This Marriott was the country's first green hotel and conference center.

• Days Inn College Park

  phone: +1 301 345-4900
  address: 9113 Baltimore Blvd

• Hampton Inn College Park

  phone: +1 301 345-2200
  address: 9670 Baltimore Ave

• Howard Johnson Inn College Park

  phone: +1 301 513-0002
  address: 9113 Baltimore Ave

• Quality Inn and Suites College Park

  phone: +1 301 276-1000
  address: 7200 Baltimore Ave

• Super 8 College Park

  phone: +1 301 474-0894
  address: 9150 Baltimore Ave

• Holiday Inn Washington - College Park (I-95)

  phone: +1 301-345-6700
  address: 10000 Baltimore Ave

Avoid walking alone at night, especially around the College Park Metrorail station. You should be fine along Route 1, but reports of muggings (sometimes violent) on the otherwise upscale-looking side streets are perennials in the student newspaper. Petty theft can also be a problem, especially from vehicles and of bicycles.

• Washington, D.C. is a few miles away.
• Baltimore is about a 45-minute trip.
• Bethesda is good for night-life and is about a 30-minute drive, or 45-minute Metro ride.
• Silver Spring is about 20 minutes away.
• Takoma Park has many ethnic eateries and crunchy shops.
• Hyattsville is a hip area on Route 1 towards D.C.