Reistertown Station - Baltimore, MD

Although colonists defined and established the city of Baltimore in 1729, the land comprising Reisterstown Station remained rural through the end of the 19th century. Baltimore took advantage of such land during the Revolutionary War, when trade of resources boosted the city’s economy.

In the late 1800s, a construction boom and subsequent population increase swept the city, including the Reisterstown Station area, and steady growth continued throughout the 20th century. Sweeping change came to the neighborhood again in 1983, when the first section of the Baltimore Metro (colloquially known as the subway despite running above ground for much of its length) opened, transporting riders from the Reisterstown Plaza Station to downtown in 20 minutes. The Metro also provides access to some of the city’s finest cultural institutions, such as the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens near the Mondawmin Station.

Those who enjoy dining out find plenty to love in Reisterstown Station, including tasty take-out options. Almost all restaurants in the area lie along Reisterstown Road, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. A significant number of chains, such as Applebee’s and Panda Express, also line the road.

On Reisterstown Road near Labyrinth Road, El Gran Pollo serves traditional Peruvian cuisine in a clean and casual dining room. You can’t miss the rotisserie chicken, roasted to juicy perfection. Lighten it up with a side of rice and salad greens, or pile on more flavor with fried plantains.

Just a bit farther north near Seven Mile Lane, Mari Luna Mexican Grill transports diners south of the border with classic Mexican fare. Try the flautas or chimichangas, served on brightly-colored plates in a room adorned with tile and mosaics. For a special treat, go for the lamb shank, slow-cooked in banana leaves and bursting with sweet and savory flavor.

Looking to try something more unusual? Just past Slade Avenue on Reisterstown Road, Silk Road specializes in the culinary traditions of Uzbekistan. Spices make Uzbek cuisine sing, and the most well-known dish, Plov, has Silk Road regulars hooked. Served with lamb or beef and piled high with carrots and fragrant rice, Plov provides a flavor experience impossible to forget. Make sure you try the cold appetizers as well, including pickled vegetables and sliced beef tongue.

After dinner, stick to the main road but head south to nearby Woodmere, where The New Five Mile House keeps the party going into the wee hours. Equal parts restaurant, bar, lounge and dance club, this large night spot features live music, a dance floor, and unbeatable bar food. Order the fried chicken wings and macaroni and cheese when you need a pick-me-up, and consider visiting on a Monday, when drink specials help kick off the week on the right note.

The Baltimore Metro transformed Reisterstown Station in the 1980s and continues to dominate transportation options in the area. Trains run until midnight seven days a week, and depart every 8-10 minutes. The journey to downtown Baltimore takes just 20 minutes. The Maryland Transit Administration also operates a bus system, and four routes (27, 58, 59 and 60) provide service in various directions from the Metro.

Marylanders traveling within the boundaries of the neighborhood often turn to green alternatives, such as bicycles or their own two feet. Portions of Clarks Lane include signed bike routes. Residents who drive have little trouble finding street parking, and the Metro station includes hundreds of parking spaces for commuters. The drive to the city center typically takes 20 minutes. About a mile to the west, the Baltimore Beltway connects with the northwestern suburbs and greater metropolitan area. For quick trips, without having to drive, call a car service or reserve a ride via Uber.

Reisterstown Station lacks in green spaces within its borders. However, many individual streets provide a pleasant environment for exercise, which many joggers and dog-walkers make the most of on a daily basis.

Luckily, one of Baltimore’s premier parks lies just a short subway ride to the south, off of the Mondawmin Station Metro stop. Here, the expansive Druid Hill Park welcomes visitors at no charge to enjoy athletic fields, hiking trails and play areas for children. In one of summer’s best-loved events, the Caribbean Carnival Festival takes over a portion of the park for three days, attracting Marylanders with traditional food, music and dancing.

Given its distance from the city center but top-notch transportation and access to shopping, the cost of living in Reisterstown Station comes in on par with the Baltimore average. Renters can expect to pay landlords an average monthly rate of $835.

For everyday items and other essentials, neighborhood prices hover slightly above the national average. A beer at a Reisterstown Station bar costs around $4, and one-way bus and subway fares cost $1.60. Gas prices sit about 7 percent above the national average.

Shopping opportunities abound in Reisterstown Station, with much of the action along Reisterstown Road. The main drag features plenty of large chain stores, such as RadioShack and The Home Depot, but also smaller businesses selling more distinctive items.

Up near Slade Avenue, Brides and Grooms makes shopping for wedding attire efficient and stress-free. The sales staff know just how to dress any type of body, and they specialize in last-minute alterations that could otherwise throw a wrench into the wedding process. Make sure to keep the store in mind for other occasions as well. Their formal attire can work for galas, graduation parties and more.

When faced with home repair projects, head south to Hilltop Hardware, a family-owned hardware store fully stocked with home essentials. Ask the skilled and knowledgeable staff for help. They can point you in the direction of the parts you need, and give you a full breakdown of how to complete almost any project. The store’s hours of operation can vary, so call ahead to confirm.

Plentiful grocery stores also exist along Reisterstown Road, with larger businesses such as Save-A-Lot and Giant Food dominating the scene. Although outdoor farmers’ markets can be hard to come by here, locavores should travel north to nearby Pikesville, where Sun Fresh Produce sells locally grown produce at reasonable prices.