Coral Hills - Capitol Heights, MD Area Guide

When European settlers first came to this region, it was occupied by the Piscataway Indian Nation, two branches which continue to have their headquarters here. Today the neighborhood is located in Prince George's County which was founded on April 23, 1696 after land was taken from the counties of Calvert and Charles.

For the best museums, head to downtown D.C. where the Smithsonians are all free. Check out the National Museum of Natural History on Constitution Avenue and the National Air and Space Museum on Independence Avenue.

Coral Hills houses many restaurants that serve different cuisines. When you want to treat your body to some healthy food, go to Food For Life on Suitland Road. This restaurant uses only fresh ingredients with no preservatives such as MSG. This pescetarian restaurant serves a variety of seafood dishes along with subs, wraps and sandwiches. Vegetarians have plenty of choices too with the veggie wraps, veggie platter and creamy bean soup. Good customer service and affordable prices make this restaurant a favorite among locals.

To get a flavor of Jamaican cuisine, head to Pimento Grill on Bowen Road SE. This restaurant serves some of the spiciest dishes in this side of town. So, if you want to have watery eyes, order jerk dishes, while its jerk-que dishes are less spicy for those less-adventurous souls. All dishes have exotic spices that give an authentic Caribbean flavor. Its rasta pasta platters, curried seafood and cod fish platter are popular among its customers.

For a taste of Mexican food, eat at Silvestre Chicken on Silver Hill Road in Suitland. As the name suggests, this restaurant serves chicken in all forms and flavors such as chicken fajita, pollo entero, grilled chicken breast and chicken rotisserie. Try the plantain and fried yuca side for a taste to transport you down south to Mexico.

To enjoy the best nightlife in the area you'll want to head over to downtown D.C. One good choice for those looking to hang out with friends is Barrel on Pennsylvania Avenue SE. This place has good selection of dark spirits such as whiskey, bourbon, vodka and scotch. The drinks are displayed on a shelf, so you can ask what you want. Knowledgeable bartenders are always willing to entertain you with new cocktails based on your tastes. Tasty dishes such as fried chicken and sticky buns go well with these hot drinks.

Coral Hills has good public transport connectivity. Metro train and bus services help the residents of Coral Hills to commute to work with relative ease and at an affordable cost of $237 per month. Many people also prefer to use their car as Coral Hills sits just 4 miles east of I-295, although expect to pay for parking in this area. Locals walk or bike during summer months for short errands and to get some exercise as there are paved footpaths that connect this neighborhood with others.

Shell Park on Shell street has lots of open spaces for kids to run and a paved path for you to walk with your dog or to simply go for a run. Its tree cover and open grass makes it a good picnic spot as well. Brooks Road Recreation Center is another public park that has softball and baseball fields, and green spaces to play with your kids.

Coral Hills is affordable to most people as it sits almost 1 percent lower than the average national cost of living, making it one of the cheapest places around the D.C. metro area. This affordability spills into all walks of life, as a single bedroom apartment rents for an average of $972, while a pint of beer costs around $4 to $5 at the local pub. However, gas prices sit at 8 percent higher than the national average.

Shop at Coral Hills Shopping Center on Marlboro Pike. This place has many apparel and food stores that have a good selection of items. You can also drive down a few miles to Penn Station Shopping Center on Silver Hill Road. This popular outdoor mall features stores like Marshall's, Pizza Hut, and dd's Discount.

Find big chain stores such as Giant, Shoppers, and Safeway nearby, but plenty of convenience stores line the neighborhood. Stock up at the Express Food Market if you're in a rush.