Need a convenient getaway near Baltimore? Head to Glen Burnie! Located just south of Baltimore, Glen Burnie offers accessible suburban charm with parks, shopping, waterfront views, and proximity to Chesapeake Bay attractions. Whether you're passing through or planning a local stay, it's a low-key hub for dining, family fun, and outdoor relaxation.
Glen Burnie, MD Highlights:
- For Nature Lovers: Explore Sawmill Creek Park – Walk trails, spot wildlife, or enjoy a quiet picnic near the water.
- For Families: Play at North Arundel Aquatic Center – Indoor water park with slides, pools, and a family-friendly splash zone.
- For Shoppers: Visit Marley Station Mall – Shop popular stores and enjoy entertainment options in a relaxed indoor mall.
- For Couples: Dine and stroll along Glen Burnie Town Center – Enjoy live music, local restaurants, and community events in a cozy setting.
- For History Buffs: Tour the Benson-Hammond House – Learn about local heritage in this 19th-century farmhouse museum.
🌤 When I like to visit Glen Burnie, MD
The best time to visit Glen Burnie is in the spring and fall (April–June and September–October), when temperatures are comfortable for outdoor parks and waterfront visits. Summer brings pool season, while winter is quieter and great for indoor attractions and shopping.
🗺 My tips for getting to Glen Burnie, MD
- If you are traveling by car: Glen Burnie is located near I-97 and MD-100, about 20 minutes south of Baltimore and 40 minutes from Washington, D.C.
- By Train: The Baltimore Light RailLink stops in Glen Burnie, connecting you to BWI Airport and downtown Baltimore.
- By Air: Fly into Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), only 10–15 minutes away by car or light rail.
🏬 Where I like to stay in Glen Burnie, MD
- Recommended for Families: Hampton Inn Baltimore/Glen Burnie – Comfortable and central with free breakfast and easy access to local attractions.
- For Budget Travelers: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham – Affordable accommodations with modern amenities and a short drive to Baltimore.
- For Airport Proximity: BWI Airport Marriott – Full-service hotel just minutes from Glen Burnie and ideal for travelers flying in or out.
😍 Best Things to Do in Glen Burnie, MD
1. Watch Planes Soar and Explore Aviation Exhibits at BWI’s Observation Gallery
If you have some time waiting for your connecting flight at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport, stop by the BWI Marshall Airport Observation Gallery. Located on the upper level, next to the B/C security checkpoint, the Observation Gallery displays fascinating objects and exhibits, including a 28-foot tall sounding rocket donated by the NASA and a half-sized model of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory’s Solar Probe Plus spacecraft. A photo mural near the aircraft cockpit shows what a pilot sees when landing on Runway 33L at the Marshall Airport. Visitors can use binocular viewers to watch airport operations. The Observation Gallery also has kids’ play equipment and a Maryland Youth Art Gallery. There is also a model of Maryland One, the Southwest Airlines specialty aircraft. Sky Azure bistro offers small plates and a selection of local craft beers, international wines, and hand-crafted cocktails.
7050 Friendship Road, Adjacent to B/C Security Checkpoint, Glen Burnie, Maryland
2. Dive Into Water Slides, Splash Zones, and Family Fun at North Arundel Aquatic Center
The North Arundel Aquatic Center is a swimming location in Glen Burnie, Maryland. In its heart is an 8-lane 25 yard competition pool. There is also a leisure pool with zero depth entry, three 20-yard lap lanes and indoor water features. The water features consist of a 134-foot water slide, splash area, water buckets, vortex area, preschool water slide and poolside spa. The Center offers swimming lessons for kids of all ages. The Center has locker rooms with coin-operated lockers. Kids 12-years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult. The Center is open seven days a week.
7888 Crain Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, Phone: 410-222-0090
Where to Eat:
3. If Shopping Sprees and Easy Dining Tempt You, Visit Marley Station Mall
Marley Station Mall is an indoor shopping mall in Glen Burnie, Maryland opened in 1987, and expanded in 1994 and 1996. The mall’s four anchors are J.C. Penney, Macy's , Golds Gym and Sears. The two-story mall has 120 stores offering the latest fashions, gifts and services. . There is a range of family-style dining that includes Ruby Tuesdays and Sbarro's There is an eight-screen movie theatre Horizon Theaters/Marley Station Movies near the food court. Marley Station Mall is conveniently located on Governor Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie, with easy access to other communities such as Ferndale, Pasadena, Severna Park and Millersville.
7900 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
4. Savor Famous Crab Cakes and Game Day Vibes at Pappas Restaurant and Sports Bar
Established in 1972, Pappas is a family-owned regional chain of restaurants and sport bars in Maryland, known for its ‘world famous crab cakes.’ Pappas specializes in seafood and their crab cakes and steamed crabs are award-winning. Pappas is also famous for shipping anything from their menu country-wide, fresh, never frozen. Each dish is prepared just before being packaged and shipped by FedEx. Pappas Glen Burnie location is a cozy spot with pleasant family atmosphere, plenty of large screen TVs on the walls and a large menu of traditional pub grub, sandwiches, wraps and crabs in all shapes and forms.
6713 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, Phone: 410-766-3713
🎟 If you are interested in local events:
- For Families: Glen Burnie Carnival (Summer) – Classic rides, games, and food trucks at this popular local fair.
- For Car Fans: Custom Car and Truck Show (Spring/Summer) – Check out modified cars and family fun at Marley Station Mall events.
- For Holiday Cheer: Glen Burnie Christmas Tree Lighting (December) – Celebrate the season with music, lights, and community festivities.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Glen Burnie, MD:
- For History and Harbor Views: Baltimore, MD (20–25 min) – Tour the Inner Harbor, visit museums, and explore the National Aquarium.
- For Aviation Fans: BWI Observation Gallery (10–15 min) – Watch planes take off, explore exhibits, and enjoy airfield views.
- For Nature Lovers: Patapsco Valley State Park (30 min) – Hike, bike, or picnic along scenic trails and riverfront landscapes.
- For Boating and Dining: Annapolis, MD (25–30 min) – Tour historic streets, enjoy seafood, or sail the Chesapeake Bay.
- For Shopping and Entertainment: Arundel Mills (15–20 min) – Outlet mall with shopping, dining, casino, and live events at Live! Casino & Hotel.
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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Where is Glen Burnie located?
- Glen Burnie is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and a suburb of Baltimore.
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What airport is near Glen Burnie?
- The Baltimore–Washington International Airport is just to the west of Glen Burnie.
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What is a fun attraction at the airport?
- The airport Observation Gallery is a fun spot to visit while waiting at the airport and an opportunity to learn a bit about the history of aviation.
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Where can people go swimming in Glen Burnie?
- The North Arundel Aquatic Center is the place where locals and their kids cool off in the summer or do some swimming exercises any time of the year.
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Where can people go shopping in Glen Burnie?
- Glen Burnie has several large shopping malls including Marley Station Mall.
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What recreational activities are available at Sawmill Creek Park?
- Sawmill Creek Park is a large urban park with a skatepark, trail, several sports fields and courts, picnic areas, and creek fishing.
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