Things to Do in College Park and Hyattsville

The Aviation Museum preserves and promotes aviation innovations at the College Park Airport. It is located on the College Park Airfield, which is the oldest operating airfield in the world. Visit to learn more about unique aircraft and stories of the airport’s many flights.

Take a break at this 38-acre lake and aquatic gardens. Picnic on the fishing pier or take a walk on the more than two miles of trails. You may even spot some birds, such as finches, ibis and orioles.

Visitors can learn about the university and local community at the Visitor Center, by taking a walking tour of the campus or by cheering on the Maryland Terrapins. Spend a day on campus or stay overnight at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, which offers a luxury hotel experience alongside fantastic dining options including the Old Maryland Grill, The Lobby Bar, Potomac Pizza and Bagels n’ Grinds.

College Park and Hyattsbille are full of galleries and performing arts venues, including:

• Driskell Center for the Study of Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora.
• Kibel and Linear galleries for the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.
• Herman Maril Gallery for the University of Maryland Department of Art.
• Stamp Gallery for student exhibitions.
• University of Maryland Global Campus art and sculpture galleries.
• Gateway Arts District, an arts-based economic development initiative that showcases the partnerships between restaurants, coffee houses, local and regional theatres, galleries, and many arts-related businesses that share the community’s diverse culture.
• Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, which hosts theatrical and dance productions.
• Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, a non-profit contemporary art center located in a former church-turned-theatre that fosters the creative disciplines of papermaking, printmaking, and book arts within a collaborative community.
• Annelie & Soren Ebbeler Maryland Milestones Heritage Center, an exhibit space that tells the story of the communities within the region as well as showcases rotating art exhibits by local artists that speaks to the heritage of the area.

College Park is a great area to dig into research. You could visit the College Park Branch of the National Archives, the Special Collections in the Maryland Room at Hornbake Library, the National Agricultural Library, the Michelle Smith Library for Performing Arts, and the Center for Physics.

Downtown College Park features great dining options including The Original Ledo Restaurant and the Cornerstone Grill & Loft. Hyattsville’s downtown is easily accessible on Route 1. Some great places to shop include Tanglewood Works, My Dead Aunt’s Books, Arrow Bicycles, Green Owl Design, Will’s Decorating, and Whistle Stop Studio.

There are so many ways to play outside in College Park and Hyattsville. You could play disc golf at the Paint Branch Community Park, ice skate at the Herbert Wells Ice Rink, go for a swim at the Ellen Linson Splash Park, schedule a tee time at the University of Maryland Golf Course, or enroll your child in a class at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC). If you prefer to explore via bicycle, check out The Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail. This former streetcar line from Washington D.C., parallels US Route 1 between Hyattsville and College Park. The flat, easy-to-ride trail is a great way to explore the unique neighborhoods and retail options of Hyattsville. The Trail connects to other parts of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System.

This coffee shop partners with global coffee bean farmers and is housed in the former Model T garage. Vigilante often provides craft coffee classes on different topics.

For the last five years, the craft beverage scene in Hyattsville has been booming. Visit Streetcar 82 Brewing Company, Sangfroid Distilling, and Maryland Meadworks to see why. You’ll also want to check out Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery, and General Store. In the 1880s, this building served as a blacksmith and carriage shop. Now, it continues to serve the public as a restaurant, brewery, and general store. Franklin’s offers 11 beers on tap (or house-made root beer) and has won more than 70 medals at different beer competitions since 2007. After sipping some brews, browse through the beer, wine, gourmet groceries, candy, hot sauces, toys and tchotchkes available at the general store.

This art store has everything you need and more! There are a wide variety of products to fulfill your artist needs, as well as assortments of novelties. Stop by for one of the many free in-store events.