Middle River, MD

From its beginnings as a train stop on the G.M. Hopkins & Company Baltimore County Map in 1877, Middle River quickly grew as a residential suburb of Baltimore. The roads were expanded and a post office added in 1898. The town experienced its greatest period of growth in the 1930s and 1940s when the Martin Aerospace Company brought in a wave of new workers. Since then, Middle River has flourished alongside Baltimore and the surrounding communities.

As Middle River played an important role in regional aviation, the Martin State Airport hosts the Glen L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum. The rotating exhibits include aircraft collected throughout the years, motion picture displays, photographs and much more. The museum documents aviation as it evolved through Middle River's history, making for a fun afternoon for the entire family.

Whether you're in the mood for a classic Maryland seafood experience, a meal with a view or a place to unwind with good company after a long day's work, Middle River's Eastern Boulevard has what you're looking for. Head south of the boulevard along Beech Drive to find Carson’s Creekside Restaurant, an upscale seafood diner situated along Chesapeake Bay. Order the Commodores Toast for a rich combination of succulent jumbo lump crabmeat, shrimps, scallops and tomatoes draped in a sherry cream sauce. If seafood isn't your thing, the chicken risotto ranks among the best Italian dishes in the area. Kids under 5 years old eat free, so bring the whole family along.

The spacious seating area and family-friendly atmosphere make By the Docks Restaurant & Lounge a great place to host a party or enjoy a meal with some friends. Stop by for lunch to save a little cash by taking advantage of the all-you-can-eat buffet. Order some of Baltimore's classic crab cakes for dinner to taste one of the best versions of the region's most famous menu item.

The Memphis Belle on Eastern Boulevard maintains a small-town vibe with quick and friendly service and outgoing bartenders in this small, casual sports bar. Order a plate of sliders to sample the many different burger toppings available, and don't miss the opportunity to try a new craft beer from an extensive drinks menu. Local sports are always on the televisions, making it the perfect place to catch an Orioles or Ravens game.

The nightlife in Middle River matches the town's low-key and relaxed ambiance, ensuring you'll always have a place to kick back and chat with the locals. Hidden away on the second floor of the Long Beach Restaurant, The Utter Bar on Bowleys Quarters Road provides patrons with an exquisite mix of complex cocktails and craft beers. It features a DJ spinning tunes on most nights plus live local acts. If you're looking for another option, Carson’s Creekside showcases live music three nights a week plus karaoke on Thursday's.

Routes 150, 587 and 700 run through the center Middle River. These roads connect Middle River to Interstate 695, which makes traveling into Baltimore and the surrounding area a breeze. In addition to ride share services such as Uber and Lyft, all of Baltimore's taxi cab companies are available to ferry passengers into and out of the city. Just head down to Eastern Boulevard if you're looking to hail a cab.

Parking can be found for free along the residential districts in northern Middle River. The area's major roads lack biking lanes, relegating cyclists to the side streets. Most Middle River residents rely on a motor vehicle or the MTA bus service to get around. Bus stops can be found at regular intervals along Martin Boulevard, Middle River Road and Eastern Boulevard. This way you'll never have to travel far to find one.

With an expansive open space and inspiring views of Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Regional Park provides Middle River residents with a great place to escape into Maryland's natural beauty. Bring your leashed dog along for a scenic jaunt along one of the paved nature paths, or let the kids run around on the playground while you enjoy a snack in the nearby picnic pavilion. The park includes a community center which hosts ongoing indoor community events run by the area recreation and parks councils.

On the first weekend of May each year, all of Maryland converges on Baltimore's northern suburbs in celebration at the Towson Town Spring Festival. The festival has something for everyone, with more than 40 local and internationally renowned live performances, over 450 vendors selling local food and crafts and a kid zone which includes a rock climbing wall, a basketball shoot out stand and a carnival midway.

Middle River's average cost of living runs 4 percent higher than that of Baltimore. One month's rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the area costs around $866. For those taking the MTA bus service to reach the city's center, expect to pay $3.50 for a 24-hour pass. A pint of beer at most local pubs generally costs $5, and gas prices hover around 2 percent lower than the national average.

Middle River residents head to the Martin Plaza Shopping Center along Martin Boulevard to take care of a variety of shopping errands in one place. The shopping center includes a number of high-value stores such as Kohl's, Dockers, Target and Starbucks. Local supermarket Geresbeck's attracts locals for its competitive seafood prices. Other supermarket options include Save-A-Lot, Mars Supermarkets, and Food Lion. These stores can be found in southwest Middle River along Eastern Boulevard.

Stop in north Middle River while you're taking your motorcycle down Pulaski Highway to check out the biker gear at Renegade Classics Baltimore. The knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect helmet to match your ride. The store carries its own unique brand of clothing along with a variety of popular brand names.

Tennis players and runners looking for a new pair of shoes for the coming season flock to Holabird Sports. Located along Pulaski Highway, this store stocks all of your favorite athletic shoe and clothing brands, as well as specialty gear for racquet sports including tennis, squash, racquetball and pickleball. Check out the website if you don't feel like making the drive, as Holabird Sports provides free shipping on all orders over $25.

Head northeast of Middle River into White Marsh for a local producers-only market. Richardson Farms on Ebenezer Road sells farm-fresh crops and ingredients all year round. The attached restaurant prepares meals using those ingredients, making a great place to stop for a bite to eat before heading back on your return trip.