Greenbelt MarylandATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Greenbelt, Maryland.
1. Greenbelt Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION SANCTUARY
Greenbelt Park offers over 1,100 acres of forested trails, picnic areas, and campsites managed by the National Park Service. Visitors can hike along scenic trails, including the popular Perimeter Trail, which offers stunning views and opportunities for birdwatching. The park provides a peaceful escape from city life while still being close to Washington, D.C.
2. Greenbelt Museum
NEW DEAL ERA HISTORY
The Greenbelt Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the city's history as a planned community during the New Deal era. Housed in a historic home, the museum showcases artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that highlight the innovative design and social vision behind Greenbelt's creation. Throughout the year, the museum hosts special events, including walking tours and educational programs that bring history to life.
3. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center
SPACE EXPLORATION DISCOVERY
NASA GSFC Visitor Center provides an educational experience about space exploration and NASA's missions. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, see real spacecraft hardware, and learn about the latest discoveries in astronomy and Earth science. The center offers programs for all ages, making it an engaging destination for families and space enthusiasts alike.
4. Buddy Attick Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION AREA
Buddy Attick Park features a beautiful lake surrounded by walking paths and recreational facilities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, picnicking, and observing local wildlife in this serene natural setting. The park hosts community events throughout the year, making it a social hub for Greenbelt residents.
5. Old Greenbelt Theatre
HISTORIC SINGLE-SCREEN CINEMA
Old Greenbelt Theatre is a one-screen movie theatre located in the heart of Greenbelt, showing both contemporary films and diverse community-based programming. The theatre opened in 1938 with a screening of 'Little Miss Broadway' starring Shirley Temple and has remarkably survived economic challenges without being converted into a multiplex. It serves as both a reminder of cinema's golden age and a living institution embodying community service and collective responsibility.
6. New Deal Cafe
COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY GATHERING
The New Deal Cafe is a cooperative cafe located in historic Roosevelt Center featuring delicious desserts and quality coffee. The cafe offers captivating live entertainment, art exhibitions, and maintains an intimate community atmosphere. Visitors can catch up with neighbors while enjoying the unique cooperative spirit that defines this Greenbelt institution.
7. Greenbelt Labor Day Festival
ANNUAL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The Greenbelt Labor Day Festival is an annual celebration bringing together the community for a weekend of entertainment and activities. The festival features live music, carnival rides, food vendors, craft exhibitions, and a parade through the historic town center. This longstanding tradition showcases the strong community spirit that makes Greenbelt special.
8. Greenbelt Arts Center
COMMUNITY THEATER HUB
The Greenbelt Arts Center serves as a cultural hub offering theatrical performances, concerts, and art exhibitions throughout the year. Local actors and artists showcase their talents in productions ranging from classic plays to contemporary works. The center fosters creativity and provides entertainment options for residents and visitors alike.
9. Beltway Plaza Mall
SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Beltway Plaza Mall offers a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options in Greenbelt. Visitors can browse through retail stores, enjoy meals at diverse restaurants, or catch a movie at the cinema. The mall serves as a convenient one-stop destination for shopping needs and casual outings.
10. Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
SCENIC URBAN PATHWAY
The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail spans 21.5 miles from Bladensburg to the Navy Yard, passing near Greenbelt through forests, fields, marshes, and river ecosystems. This well-maintained pathway provides ideal conditions for walking, jogging, and biking while experiencing diverse natural settings. The trail connects communities while offering urban residents access to nature and recreational opportunities.
11. College Park Airport and Aviation Museum
HISTORIC AVIATION LANDMARK
College Park Airport, founded in 1909 as the Wright Brothers' military demonstration area, holds the distinction of being the world's oldest continuously operating airport. The adjacent Aviation Museum preserves and presents the rich history of flight through exhibits featuring historic aircraft and aviation artifacts. Visitors can learn about significant milestones in aviation while watching planes take off and land at this living museum.
12. National Capitol Columns at National Arboretum
MONUMENTAL HISTORIC DISPLAY
The National Capitol Columns at Washington's National Arboretum create a striking monument set amid the expansive 20-acre Ellipse Meadow. The 22 Corinthian columns were originally part of the U.S. Capitol building before being relocated to this peaceful setting. Visitors can walk among these architectural treasures while enjoying the surrounding gardens and natural beauty.
13. Baltimore-Washington Parkway
SCENIC HISTORIC HIGHWAY
The Baltimore-Washington Parkway is a scenic highway connecting the two major cities while passing through Greenbelt. The parkway, designed as part of the national parkway system, features lush greenery and forested areas that make travel visually appealing. Beyond transportation, it serves as a cultural corridor highlighting the region's natural beauty and connecting important destinations.
14. Kenilworth Park Aquatic Gardens
WETLAND BOTANICAL TREASURE
Kenilworth Park Aquatic Gardens features stunning collections of water lilies, lotus flowers, and other aquatic plants in a preserved wetland environment near Greenbelt. Visitors can explore boardwalks and trails that wind through ponds and marshes teeming with wildlife. The gardens are particularly spectacular in summer when the lotus flowers bloom, creating a breathtaking display of natural beauty.
15. Roosevelt Center
HISTORIC TOWN CENTER
Roosevelt Center serves as the historic heart of Greenbelt, designed as part of the original planned community during the New Deal era. The center features distinctive Art Deco architecture housing shops, restaurants, and community spaces in a pedestrian-friendly layout. Visitors can experience the unique character of Greenbelt while enjoying the community atmosphere that has defined this space since the 1930s.