Glenn Dale, MD

While growing in the wake of a population boom in Washington D.C. that expanded in the late '60s and '70s, Glenn Dale has received an influx of Washington suburbanites. Due to this growth, Glenn Dale has been able to acquire the big city spirit and culture of Washington D.C. while still giving residents the natural feel of a small American town.

However, much of Glenn Dale's back story comes from the eerie and profound history of the Glenn Dale Hospital. Consisting of 23 buildings on over 210 acres, the Glenn Dale Hospital stood as one of the leading tuberculosis sanatoriums along the East Coast. This hospital began operations in 1934 to serve the deadly tuberculosis epidemic in the Washington D.C. area and then closed down in 1982 due to costly renovations and asbestos contamination. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hospital remains abandoned and serves as an urban exploration spot for thrill-seekers. Ghost stories continue to abound, and graffiti litters the walls from the morgue to children's areas with horror-inspiring messages.

For a more relaxed museum that showcases life in early decades of the 19th century, the Marietta House Museum focuses on Prince George's County history with special events including afternoon tea, historic re-enactments and children's storytelling. The Marietta House Museum is also home to the Marietta Wine Festival, where surrounding wineries bring the best of their crop for wine sampling and education.

Authentic local restaurants have been founded on the easy availability of freshly caught seafood, and the Glenn Dale gastronomy scene promotes quality ingredients and hometown atmospheres.

Outstanding Southern cooking often depends on familial recipes passed through the generations, which is a trait that Lambert's Restaurant and Carry-Out has been serving up for more than 25 years. Despite the sports bar atmosphere of this eclectic restaurant, you'll eat as if you were living in your grandmother's Southern fried kitchen along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. From speciality homemade hushpuppies and crab cakes to massive servings of fresh shrimp, it's impossible to leave this restaurant hungry.

However, when it comes to seafood cuisine and East Coast culinary traditions, Jerry's Seafood , known for its famous crab bomb, crab cakes and perfectly spiced fresh fish, has been a central feature of the greater Washington D.C. area for more than 25 years. Although many come for the crab bomb, the attentive, friendly wait staff and large portion sizes make this restaurant feel like your own seafood kitchen.

In terms of a nightlife, the close proximity to Washington D.C. allows limitless options for low-key cultural exploration as well as high-energy wild nights out. Combining Southern fried chicken and braised-beef short ribs with live jazz and classic R&B, the Half Note Lounge appeases both the mature and wild crowd of the Glenn Dale area. Whether you're drawn in by the inexpensive drinks, the romantic atmosphere, or the continual speciality events that include I Am Jazz Wednesdays and Sunday Brunch, the Half Note Lounge provides several reasons to visit this entertainment hub every night of the week.

Standing at the intersection of Greenbelt Road/Glenn Dale Boulevard and Lanham Severn Road, the scenic highways connecting Glenn Dale to both Washington D.C. and Baltimore feature expansive forests and towering oaks along with breathtaking views of the Maryland countryside and rural charm.

While traveling by car, you can find easy access to the Washington-Baltimore Parkway as well as the east-west John Hanson Highway that takes you straight to Annapolis. Connecting surrounding cities and schools, the B24, B26 and B27 metro buses also allow for cheap and comprehensive transportation in the immediate area.

Glenn Dale may not feature quick commuting times, averaging around 35 minutes if you work in the Washington D.C. area, but there are seven Amtrak stations within 30 miles. From Richmond, Virginia to Baltimore, the Amtrak network provides quick and easy access throughout the state.

If you need to travel a little farther, the three airports in the Washington D.C. area provide economical travel no matter the destination. Including the Washington National Airport, Dulles International Airport and the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, these airports offer various destinations to cover most travel plans.

Glenn Dale prides itself on an ability to provide residents with the beauty of the Maryland countryside combined with an extensive array of outdoors activities. For simple walks, picnics or afternoons in the sun, you can discover several well-maintained and safe parks in the immediate vicinity. Glenn Dale Park provides beautiful views of Folly Branch Lake with several amenities, including baseball fields, tennis courts and a handful of hiking trails.

On hot and humid summer days, the Glenn Dale Splash Park features a well-rounded experience for residents and visitors of all ages. Located adjacent to the community center, this swimming pool and recreational center provides much more than a pool to wade in. Kids can hop along the lily pads, or if brave enough, take a trip down the massive hillside water slide.

While the kids play and burn energy at the splash park, adults can unwind while shooting 18 holes at the Glenn Dale Golf Club. Built on a plot of land that was once a land grant from King George before the Revolutionary War, golfers will find renovated tees, enlarged lakes, and smooth and functional cart paths.

Cost of living has never been cheap in the Maryland state, where common goods such as groceries, housing and utilities remain higher than the national average. Despite its close proximity to Washington D.C., Glenn Dale provides an economic refuge for young professionals and families wishing to save some extra money.

With the cost of groceries, health care and services falling below national averages, Glenn Dale meets the basic needs of its residents while giving them a strong financial base to live well. However, most new homes cost near $300,000 or more with monthly payments hovering around $1,800 on average. The average cost of leasing an apartment rests between $900 to $2,000 a month.

Even with higher leasing prices for apartments, families can experience a median income of around $85,000 a year, which provides greater economic opportunities and allows individuals to live within their budgets.

Shopping in Glenn Dale focuses on giving residents a range of amenities and products that eliminate the need to take a trip to the central Washington D.C. area. Combining well-known brands within a variety of local shops, you can find everything from shoes to toys and books at the Eastgate Shopping Center. Although shopping may be a tiring endeavor, women can get their workout at Curves after a trip to the Giant supermarket in this shopping center.

Whether you need to repair a dishwasher or start your home project, Greenbelt Road cuts through the Glenn Dale strip with a range of local businesses on both sides of the road. Check out Swimwear Pro on Lanham Severn Road for high-quality swim gear, or shop at Offenbacher's on Aerospace Road to deck out your patio or apartment balcony with durable outdoor furniture.

Glenn Dale residents also have several options for fresh and quality groceries, including the Glenn Dale Mini-Mart and a nearby Costco, which provides high value for all your kitchen staples.

After a long day of shopping, check out the Estique waxing and skin care boutique, which stands as a prominent Glenn Dale business that draws customers from the entire Washington D.C. area. Whether you need a facial or eyebrow work, the friendly specialists at Estique emphasize clear and thorough assessments, high-value pricing and after care follow-ups.