Arlington - Baltimore, MD Area Guide

Baltimore has a rich history dating back to the 10th millennium BC when Paleo-Indians first inhabited the region. In 1608, famed Captain John Smith arrived in the area and was granted permission to settle by the chief of the Piscataway tribe. Colonial times yielded abundant growth in the city; canals, bridges and eventually railroads were built. In the following centuries, Baltimore endured hardships during the Civil War, World War II the and civil rights movements in the 1930s and 1940s, but was revitalized in the 1970s when the Baltimore Trade Center, urban retailers and new restaurants opened.

Although Arlington lacks an arts scene, a short drive south to Woodberry or central Baltimore gives residents access to museums and galleries. The Anaranthine Museum features visually stunning exhibits from Baltimore native Les Harris. Its labyrinthine exhibit is the focal point of the museum; an intricate maze of over 200 pieces of Harris's artwork.

The easily walkable Parks Height Avenue serves as Arlington's central restaurant location. The strip features a diverse selection of American and ethnic cuisine, including Trinidadian, Chinese and Caribbean.

Judy's Island Grill specializes in Jamaican cuisine at an affordable price. Indulge in authentic dishes such as jerk tilapia. Huge portions and a spicy homemade meal await diners at Judy's. When you crave some authentic Caribbean cuisine, head to West Indian Flavour for large portions and affordable prices. The restaurant frequently receives rave reviews for its devilishly spicy jerk chicken, tender ox tail, fresh plantains and roti skins.

Because nightlife in Arlington remains scarce, residents travel to nearby Woodmere for entertainment. The New Five Mile House caters to the over-30 crowd and also serves American cuisine. The lounge boasts a happy hour with generous prices every weekday and hosts live music. While jamming to local talent, mosey over to Five Mile's pool table and enjoy a game of 8-ball. For stiff drinks and good food, head to Cc Lounge in Langston Hughes. While there, munch on Chesapeake Bay blue crabs while sipping on a potent Long Island iced tea.

The Metro subway runs north to Owing Mills and south to Baltimore, which you can board at Rogers Station on West Northern Parkway. The MTA bus also services the area. If you'd rather hail a cab, taxi and limousines are available throughout Arlington, as is Uber. However, the vast majority of the area features free and widely available parking.

On the outskirts of Arlington, West Belvedere Avenue provides the only dedicated bike lanes in the neighborhood. The rest of Arlington has bike-friendly areas sprinkled throughout, but no part of the neighborhood offers consistently friendly paths for cyclists. Walking, on the other hand, is a breeze. If you're commuting to Baltimore or another city, a quick 3.5 mile drive on West Northern Parkway will take you straight to Interstate 83.

Because Arlington is on the smaller side, options for parks and recreation are few and far between. However, if residents don't mind driving 15 to 20 minutes outside the neighborhood, other areas of Baltimore house some excellent parks that are well worth the drive.

Dog owners travel 15 minutes to the Robert E. Lee Park on Lakeside Drive, which provides gorgeous lake and forest views throughout the trails. The park also has a playground for little ones. To gain access to the dog playpens, you need to pay a $30 annual membership, but this ensures that the park stays well taken care of and all dogs are up to date on vaccinations.

During summer months, visit Sherwood Garden in Guilford. The park features over 80,000 tulips, along with dogwood, magnolia, wisteria and flowering cherries throughout the garden. It's the perfect spot for a picnic or romantic date.

Although Arlington doesn't have much in terms of annual events, Baltimore puts on dozens of festivals and events throughout the year. Don't miss the East Coast Jazz Festival in February, St. Patrick Parade in March, the Preakness in May or Maryland Oktoberfest in October.

Compared to Baltimore, the Arlington neighborhood enjoys a much lower cost of living. Rents for one-bedroom apartments average about $750 per month, while Baltimore rents for one-bedrooms hover near $1,000 per month. Beer at a local pub runs you around $4 and filling up your gas tank costs about 6 percent higher than the national average. Pay just $1.60 for a ride into Baltimore on the Metro subway or $3.50 for an all-day pass. If you're traveling on the MTA bus, you get the same friendly prices as the Metro for one-way rides and all-day passes.

For everyday items, the Rite Aid on Belvedere Avenue is a popular choice among Arlington residents. If you're in need of household groceries, find a nice selection at Murry's and E Z Grocery. Because Arlington has no farmer's market, locals drive over to Hampden for the Union Graze Farmer's Market. Vendors include cider makers, massage therapists and farmers that sell the likes of okra, shallots, strawberries and more.

If you're interested in specialty stores and boutiques, you have an excellent selection in nearby Hampden. Hunting Ground carries vintage clothing, shoes, and jewelry for both women and men. The consignment shop also sells murals, tapestries and other unique pieces of art that all capture an outdoor, woodsy theme.

Women of all shapes and sizes frequent 2 Chic Boutique, which offers stylish clothes for ladies from size 0 to 3X. Located on Washington Avenue, this trendy shop carries gently used dresses, jackets, suits, accessories and more from top brands that include Gucci, Fendi, Burbery, Prada and Trussardi.

Voted "Baltimore's Best Yarn Shop," Lovelyarns caters to crafty types and offers hand-spun and hand-dyed yarns from local "fiber artists." On top of carrying knitting supplies, the craft store sells knitting patterns for scarves and clothing, and offers knitting, crocheting and spinning classes to beginners and advanced crafters.