14 Best Things to Do in College Park, Maryland

By VacationIdea Staff on August 20, 2022 - Updated

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Home to the University of Maryland, College Park is located in Prince George’s County, close to the border with Washington DC. The town is a vibrant residential center and home to over 35,000 college students. As you would imagine, sport is high on the agenda for visitors and you are invited to join the crowds of fans at the Xfinity Center and the Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium to enjoy the Maryland Terrapins play basketball, football and La Crosse. Add a dash of culture by watching a variety of performing arts at The Clarice (performing arts center). Budding astronomers will enjoy visiting the UMD Observatory for one of the Open Day tours and lectures. You can also visit the College Park Aviation Museum on the site of the oldest continually-operating airport in the world.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.College Park Aviation Museum

The whole family is bound to enjoy a visit to the excellent College Park Aviation Museum, which is affiliated to the Smithsonian Institute. Located on the site of the oldest continually-operating airport in the world, dating back to 1906 when Wilbur Wright came here to instruct the first military pilots, the museum boasts over 27,000 square feet of exhibition space. Filled with a brilliant collection of original and reproduction historic aircraft, the museum also features regular temporary exhibits and has many fun inter-active activities for junior aviation enthusiasts to experiment with. The on-site gift shop stocks aviation and science -related toys, children’s books and clothing.

College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 301-864-6029

2.Lake Artemesia Natural Area, College Park, MD

Located between Indian Creek and Paint Branch, Lake Artemesia is a man-made lake covering 38 acres. The surrounding land provides a large outdoor recreational area where you can spend some time communing with nature. There is an approximately 2-mile trail around the circumference of the lake which is suitable for hiking or biking and forms part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System. The lake offers great fishing and there is an accessible fishing pier. Other activities at Lake Artemesia include regular guided bird walks and a monthly ranger-guided kayak excursion. There is plenty of space for children to run around and you can bring a picnic to enjoy alongside the lake.

Lake Artemesia Natural Area, 8200 55th Ave, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 301-627-7755

3.Xfinity Center, College Park, MD

The Xfinity Center is the largest sports arena in Maryland, home to the University of Maryland Terrapins Men and Women’s basketball teams. Reputed to be one of the best places in the nation to watch your favorite teams in action, the Xfinity Center can accommodate almost 18,000 fans on any game night. As you make your way through the center you can spend a bit of time learning about sporting legends as you walk through the Terrapin Walk of Fame and History. Expect an extremely lively atmosphere as the fans cheer on their heroes. You can grab something to eat and drink from a variety of concessions and buy all your Terrapin gear at the Terrapin Team Store.

Xfinity Center, 885 S. Main Street, Mansfield, MA 02048, Phone: 301-405-1000

4.The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

The Clarice is the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Maryland, dedicated to bringing music and performing arts to wider audiences throughout Maryland. The center boasts 6 performance venues encompassing several different genres of the arts including the School of Music, the School of Theatre, Dance and Performance and Artist Partner Programs. The center offers a very busy schedule of performing arts events and, depending on how often you would like to attend a show, you can buy a selection of different season tickets known as an Arts Pass. Students at the University of Maryland can get free entry to all productions at The Clarice.

The Clarice, 8270 Alumni Dr, College Park, MD 20742, Phone: 301-405-2787

5.Capital One Field Maryland Stadium

What the Xfinity Center is to basketball, the Capital One Field at the Maryland Stadium is to football. Home of the University of Maryland Terrapins Football Team and the men’s and woman’s Lacrosse teams, the Capital One Field is an outdoor sports stadium on the campus of the University of Maryland. Built in 1950, the stadium has undergone several face-lifts and extensions over the years and can currently seat 54,000 avid fans. You can stock up on drinks and a snack at the concession stands which are available on all three levels of the stadium. The stadium is fully accessible, including accessible seats and toilets.

Capital One Field, 90 Stadium Drive, College Park, MD 20742, Phone: 301-304-7070

6.Cdepot, College Park, MD

Cdepot in College Park is a gem of a find for music and cinema geeks. Here movie lovers as well as music and gaming enthusiasts can satisfy all their cravings. Cdepot offers a cornucopia of thousands of new and used discs and DVD’s. This enormous 8,000 square foot space is packed to the brim with CD’s, DVD’s, video games, box-sets and more. If you ever have the urge to spend an entire weekend binging on and old favorite TV series, chances are you will find it here. Because much of the stock has been previously loved, prices are extremely competitive and many rare or out-of-print CD’s land up on their plentiful shelves.

Cdepot, 9039 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 301-982-3472

7.Cornerstone Grill and Loft, College Park, MD

The Cornerstone Grill and Loft has been a favorite meeting place for sport-loving students and alumni since it first opened its doors in 1997. The Cornerstone is a pub-style sports bar which offers no fewer than 14 HD TV’s so that everyone in the house has a perfect view of whatever game is on during your visit. You also get to choose from 16 different draft beers to quench your thirst. The menu features a variety of tasty burgers and sandwiches, flatbreads, baskets, salads and sides. The upstairs Loft has pool tables and video games and the venue hosts regular special events.

Cornerstone Grill and Loft, 7325 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 301-779-7044

8.UMD Observatory, College Park, MD

Astronomy enthusiasts should make a point of visiting College Park on the 5th or 20th of each month when the University of Maryland Observatory hosts their Open Days. The public is invited to visit during the Public Session when you will be treated to a presentation, followed by a tour of the facility and telescope observation of the brilliant night skies (subject to weather). Besides these regular public open days the observatory also hosts Impromptu Observation Sessions from time to time – if you live in the area and can visit at short notice you can sign up to be notified when these sessions occur.

UMD Observatory, 3255 Metzerott Rd, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 301-405-6555

9.Hard Times Cafe, College Park, Maryland

Striving to maintain a unique American culinary tradition by serving the best chili on the continent, Hard Times Café is an authentic American Chili Parlor. The name is derived from the Great Depression when, it is rumored, eating chili kept many bodies and souls together. Today the menu features just about all your favorite American staples besides the best chili in town. You can choose from a long list of chili-based dishes or select your favorite burger, wings or slider along with your choice of sides and toppings. While you are dining you can listen to their great collection of country and western music from the modern MP3 Jukebox.

Hard Times Café, 4738 Cherry Hill Rd, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 301-474-8880

10.Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza, College Park, Maryland

When only a delicious, flavor-packed pizza will do, Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza is the place to go in College Park. The name says it all – pizzas are carefully hand made from scratch (including the base), topped with exactly what your taste-buds demand and popped into a fired-up oven for just 180 seconds. The result is a mouth watering thin, crispy base with just the right amount of topping, served up in less time than it takes to order your drinks. Blaze Pizza also offers cauliflower and keto bases for those on low-carb or no-carb diets and all their toppings are home-made from fresh local produce wherever possible.

Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza, 7419 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 301-392-2324

11.Potomac Pizza, College Park, Maryland

Potomac Pizza has been pleasing Maryland palates since 1978 and certainly know their oats when it comes to making delicious pizzas. Because everyone is a little different and some people are following diets, Potomac pizzas can all be ordered with or without cheese for a lighter but still delicious feast. All the pizza bases and sauces are freshly made from scratch every day to ensure the best flavor. If you are not in the mood for pizza you can order chicken tenders, buffalo wings, cheese fries, salads, pastas or a variety of wonderful subs, sandwiches and wraps instead. If you are a regular you are invited to sign up for their loyalty program.

Potomac Pizza, 7777 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 240-582-5242

12.Bagels and Grinds, College Park, Maryland

If you find it hard to start the day without a good strong cup of coffee and a bite to eat, Bagels and Grinds on Baltimore Ave is the place to go. At Bagels and Grinds you will find a delicious range of genuine New York-style bagels, made to perfection and ready to be topped with one of 6 specialty spreads. The bagels are crispy on the outside and soft and soft and chewy on the inside, exactly like a genuine bagel needs to be. If you are not in the mood for a bagel you can find a wide variety of other excellent sweet and savory eats to accompany your favorite coffee.

Bagels and Grinds, 7777 Baltimore Ave, Suite A, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 240-582-5475

13.Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken, College Park, Maryland

The Nando’s brand originated in South Africa and is known and loved world-wide for its unique flavor. The peri-peri or bird’s eye chili originated in Mozambique and is grown throughout southern Africa. Once you taste this wonderful peri-peri marinated and flame-grilled chicken you will soon be back for more. The ground chilies are carefully blended with all-natural ingredients like lemon juice, garlic, onion, oil and vinegar to achieve a unique flavor profile which will transform ordinary chicken into a flame-grilled feast. Choose your cut of chicken (fresh – never frozen), your degree of chili heat and leave the rest to the Nando’s Peri-Peri team.

Nando’s Peri-Peri, 7400 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 240-582-8420

14.Bowlero College Park

Whether stopping by with family, friends, or on a date, be prepared for a genuinely good time at Bowlero College Park. Their alley offers dozens of bowling lanes equipped with comfortable lounge seats, large HD television walls, and a fun blacklight ambiance for evening bowling. If bowling isn’t for you, their arcade is filled with popular, modern video games alongside classics like Mario Kart and World’s Largest Pac-Man. Make your outing complete with their epic selection of classic comfort food and party-ready plates which can be served up right at your lane. Party bookings are available for birthdays, corporate events, and more.

9021 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 301-474-8282