College Park, MD

College Park was developed in 1889 by real estate developers from Washington named John O. Johnson and Samuel Curriden. The area grew quickly and catered to residents who wanted to escape overpopulated Washington, D.C. Commercial development during the 1920s, combined with an increase in automobile traffic, spurred the expansion of the area and the UMD campus. College Park was incorporated in 1945 and continued to grow until 1959 when a municipal center was built. Since the 1960s, this area has grown as a result of UMD and has remained popular for a diverse collection of students, faculty and employees.

The Art Gallery at the University of Maryland, the College Park Aviation Museum and the National Museum of Language provide a strong art scene and museum culture in College Park. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center has more than 1,000 events each year that include music, dance, theatre and workshops.

Restaurants in College Park range from small cafes to niche diners. This area also has a diverse selection of eateries that include fast food options as well as authentic cuisine locations. The central location for restaurants and nightlife borders State Highway 1 throughout this area.

Fishnet has an unconventional ordering approach that many guests find quick yet interesting. The restaurant has a menu priced between $11 and $30 that includes seafood, sandwiches and a fish and chips combo. Fishnet allows customers to build a specialty sandwich that comes with a spicy aioli and fries. This popular menu item receives constant praise and comes highly recommended from many guests.

Another restaurant, The Board and Brew, combines live music, board games and appetizing food. This cafe has a casual ambiance and relaxed seating arrangement perfect for playing a popular board game or grabbing a quick bite to eat. Most guests commend the panini sandwiches and fried pickles. The Board and Brew cafe also has open mic nights and a coffee selection that guests find enjoyable.

Nightlife in College Park consists of sports bars, hookah bars, dive bars and music venues. Popular bars include Looney's Pub, Cafe Hookah Lounge and Cornerstone Grill & Loft. Looney's Pub provides a traditional sports bar environment with large televisions used to watch UMD games and amazing drink specials. This pub has an enjoyable yet inexpensive happy hour and appetizing finger foods. Cornerstone Grill & Loft has giant mugs of beer for less than $3 and happy hour specials that draw a large crowd. This bar provides a hangout for college students to grab a beer or socialize with friends. Cornerstone has a lively and socially charged atmosphere on most nights during the week.

College Park ranks as a moderately walkable neighborhood in the Hyattsville area. Although some errands can be accomplished on foot, the bike infrastructure incorporates several bike lanes that make biking an effective method of reaching a nearby destination. This area has good transit options and public transportation. College Park has the UM Shuttle, which provides transportation around the campus as well as to local shopping centers, grocery stores and libraries. The Metrorail has the College Park Station on the Green Line and the Metrobus line has four lines passing through the neighborhood.

Services such as RelayRides and Uber are available in the College Park area for residents without a personal vehicle. Local taxis also run regularly and have a call-in option for pick-up. For access to nearby locations, State Highway 1 and State Highway 193 are available.

This neighborhood has multiple free parks, and the Paint Branch Stream Valley and McKeldin Mall are the most widely used. Paint Branch Stream Valley provides a neighborhood park that incorporates a beautiful stream, a large playground for children and a baseball field. This park also has tennis courts and hiking trails that allow visitors to experience the beauty of nature. Paint Branch Stream Valley has a family-friendly vibe that creates an opportunity to enjoy picnics or other special events.

McKeldin Mall provides more than 16 acres of green space for students of UMD to gather or exercise. This popular park has walking paths and jogging trails that students use frequently. McKeldin Mall has beautiful greenery and a picturesque environment ideal for relaxing or enjoying nature. This large green space also features a stunning fountain and sundial.

Dog owners here frequent Hyattsville's Heurich Dog Park, where dogs can play off leash.

The cost of living in College Park sits at one percent higher than in Maryland. Metrorail and Metrobus public transportation options cost $1.75 for a one-way single fare. Although the average rental rate is approximately $1,250 in College Park, a one-bedroom apartment at Parkside Student Housing starts at only $450.

Gas in this neighborhood typically costs around 10 percent more than the national average, and residents can expect to pay close to $5 for a domestic beer at a local bar.

The shopping options in College Park include popular department stores and chain retailers such as Best Buy, CVS Pharmacy, The Home Depot and IKEA. There are other nearby stores that include Target, Giant Grocery and Hollywood Shopping Center. Most residents use stores and retailers that border State Highway 1. Shoppers Grocery has competitive prices, and this store carries a variety of products, including reasonably priced produce, meats and other household products.

The Downtown College Park Farmers Market provides locally grown produce and opens on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from April through November. Along with a variety of vendors, the market also features weekly events like education booths, chef demonstrations and children's events.

Although department stores provide the primary shopping options, this area has several specialty shops and boutiques. StyleSurrender has fun and fresh styles that young women enjoy. This boutique provides women's clothing items, shoes and accessories that are created using the highest quality standards and workmanship. The boutique carries a wide selection of items that includes handbags, belts, jewelry, crop tops, bottoms and dresses.

Another specialty store, Peg Leg Vintage, has antique furniture and vintage pieces that can accent a unique home decor. This specialty store has items that traditional stores such as IKEA would carry, as well as vintage items that have not been seen since the 1960s. Peg Leg Vintage has a broad inventory that ranges from tables to lamps to chairs. The condition of the items is impressive, and the prices are reasonable for the store's premium selection.