Beltsville, MD

With a rich history that dates back to 1649, Beltsville has been part of the D.C. area since the community was given to Richard Snowden by Lord Baltimore of England. Then, the land was used primarily for tobacco farming. By the early 1700s, iron makers created the first real industry in Beltsville. The iron makers supplied the army with shot, cannon and wheels during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and made Beltsville an important area during those conflicts.

After the industrial influence during the wars helped Beltsville grow, the community developed into a residential haven for those living around Washington D.C. The industrial influence of the area shifted in the 1900s, with a new focus on creating aircraft. At the College Park Aviation Museum, residents of Beltsville can see a collection of historic planes from 1904 through the late-1940s along with information about the history of these aircraft.

Discover exotic cuisine from all over the globe in the Beltsville community, which features a large collection of locally owned establishments that serve a wide array of menu choices.

Fans of Peruvian cuisine visit Sardi's Pollo a La Braasa, where no-frills Peruvian cuisine is always on the menu. The real delicacy at this neighborhood establishment is the famed charbroiled chicken, which is slow cooked all day and made with a secret family recipe. This must-try dish serves as more than enough reason to visit this local treasure.

If you're in the mood for Mexican cuisine, head into Sierra's Grill and Taqueria, which lies right along the bustling Beltsville Drive. Here, authentic Mexican cuisine made using family-owned recipes arrives at your table piping hot, but the fresh-made guacamole is what keeps area residents coming back time and time again to this local establishment.

If Asian fusion is more your style, a selection of hand-crafted, high-quality Asian cuisine is made fresh daily at Mandarin Delight. Find Caribbean Delight II just down the street, an establishment that serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine from a large and diverse menu.

The nightlife scene in Beltsville consists mostly of locally owned watering-hole-style bars and pubs, and locals in search of fun often have Old Line on their destination lists. This upscale bar and bistro features supper happy hours on its fine wine and spirits as well as an extensive gourmet menu. Stop by for Sunday brunch to try the eggs Benedict with lump crab, or keep it simple with plantains, a fried egg or apple cider pancakes. If you prefer to spend the night at home, Old Line has a liquor store with all the craft beers, liquors and wines you need.

A car is usually necessary to get around the city of Beltsville, and Washington D.C. commuters can easily get to the heart of the city from the area using Interstate 95 or the Washington Beltway.

?The MV bus features stops in Beltsville, where residents can jump on and travel around the area and to nearby communities. The MARC train that connects downtown Washington D.C. and Baltimore also stops in Beltsville.??Taxi cabs aren't as common in Beltsville as they are in downtown Washington D.C., but most residents call local companies to schedule a pickup when service is needed. Residents can also organize Uber rides through the company’s smartphone app.

??While Beltsville is rather spread out and not necessarily walkable, it's more suited for cyclists. Several bike lanes run throughout the heart of Beltsville, and biking paths are available for those who choose this mode of transportation.

Beltsville offers a variety of parks for residents, particularly families, to enjoy. Most of the community parks such as the Beltsville Community Center offer playgrounds, picnic tables, hiking trails and plenty of green space for residents to enjoy. Parks like this also have athletic fields, tennis courts and baseball diamonds for community use and for local little leagues.

At Little Paint Branch Park, whole families, including pets, come to enjoy open green space, walking trails, a bubbling creek and plenty of benches and play equipment.

The area hosts several events in these parks such as community fundraisers, school events, charity 5Ks and events like the Annual Festival of Lights, The CMIT Annual Art Exhibit and local art festivals.

Life in Beltsville carries an average cost of living when compared to the rest of the state of Maryland, though costs run 15.7 percent higher than the national average. Renting an average one-bedroom apartment costs approximately $1,415 per month.

Getting around Beltsville and to the heart of Washington D.C. costs just $1.60 for a bus ride, while gas in the area settles in around 0.5% higher than the national average. A pint of your favorite domestic beer at the local pub runs around $4.

Trusted brands and modern conveniences make up the Beltsville shopping experience, but some locally owned boutiques operate throughout the community. At Nini K Boutique, casual women’s fashions for ladies of all ages sit alongside cutting-edge accessories and jewelry. Find great deals at the Renaissance Thrift Store Art and Clothing. This shop features designer and boutique-style clothing along with pre-owned pieces available for budgeted shoppers.

At the Beltway Plaza Mall, residents shop for all of their everyday items in one central location. Pick up home items and basic groceries at Target, and then head next door to Marshall’s or TJ Maxx for discounted designer fashions. On-trend women’s and juniors clothes and accessories are always available at Rainbow, or shoppers can head to The Sports Zone to pick up some new workout gear or try on a new pair of athletic shoes.

This plaza also hosts the area’s Giant Supermarket. This local chain provides all the everyday food essentials from cooking supplies to fresh produce. This grocer also carries fresh-made subs and hand-rolled sushi, making grabbing dinner on-the-go a breeze.

If fresh-grown produce is on the menu, visit the Spicknall’s Farm Market on Old Gunpowder Road. This family-owned Beltsville farmer’s market features a huge variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers and is open year-round. Pick up some local produce, handmade jams and jellies or fresh cut flowers all at this community market.