Ferndale - Glen Burnie, MD

Ferndale's history is rooted in tobacco cultivation, which helped the towns of Anne Arundel County build a strong economy. The Revolutionary War brought new industry, and by the 1800s, the town's proximity to Baltimore and the coast made it a valuable location for railroad trade routes. In the 19th century, industrial companies started occupying remote tracts of land, while residential developers constructed suburban housing to attract middle-class families migrating from the city.

Ferndale's small-town vibe appeals to residents who value the feeling of being surrounded by familiar faces. The community comes together to celebrate town culture at events like Ferndale Day, a parade and festival. The Glen Burnie Carnival treats locals to amusement park rides, fried food, raffles and classic carnival games. Families buy wristbands for unlimited rides all evening.

Seafood restaurants, American-style diners and Asian takeout eateries dominate the culinary scene in Ferndale. Driving around Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Crain Highway or Ritchie Highway gives you a fair selection of fast-food staples, whether you're craving a cold-cut sandwich or a slice of pizza. Locals are so comfortable getting daily grub at Willy's Kitchen that they seat themselves and hang their own mugs from home on the mug wall. This diner follows a farm-to-table philosophy, serving up locally sourced food like cage-free eggs, grass-fed beef and other organic specialties. Bask in the flavors of fresh meat, produce and dairy goods as you dig into a crab explosion omelet with a side of biscuits and gravy. The restaurant accommodates gluten-free diets, so you don't have to skip out on the barbecue bacon meatloaf panini. Seaside restaurant and crab house takes advantage of the area's proximity to the coast by showcasing everything from lobster to rockfish. If you have a hard time narrowing down your menu choice, try the popular broiled seafood combo, a platter of scallops, clams casino, shrimp, orange roughy and a crab cake. Los Portales has the Tex-Mex market cornered, serving plates loaded with saucy enchiladas, rice, refried beans and sour cream. If you want an alternative to the tasty house salsa, locals suggest ordering a side of queso fundido for your tortilla chips. Make a meal - or two - of a giant California burrito stuffed with shredded meat, guacamole, pico de gallo and rice and beans. Ferndale's sparse nightlife may leave you wanting more, but locals head up to central Baltimore to hit the nightclubs or see concerts, while Glen Burnie has a small selection of laid-back sports bars where you can have a beer while watching the game. Drive to Cinemark Egyptian 24 and XD at Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover to enjoy movies in Egyptian-themed rooms. Expect a no-frills experience and low-cost beer at Ferndale Tavern, a popular community hangout since 1935. When you're not playing pool, order a basket of wings or a pepperoni pizza. Out-of-towners can score a free drink by showing their room key from a local hotel. For a more refined menu, visit the lounge at Romano's Restaurant to dine on lobster tail and porterhouse with your drink.

Since Ferndale directly borders BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, the MTA light-rail system provides fast public transportation for locals and tourists traveling between Ferndale and Baltimore. Drivers can travel on Interstate 97 in central Ferndale, which offers a direct route to Baltimore and converges with several other highways, including Interstate 695, Interstate 895 and Route 100.

Bikers are generally safe on the residential roads. Many Ferndale neighborhoods have long suburban-style streets that support free parking, but often require a car or bike to navigate in a timely manner. Cabs rarely make unrequested trips to this area, so lock in any travel plans by scheduling a pickup service, or use your smartphone to summon an Uber car.

Ferndale parks appeal to active locals, providing open fields for outdoor sports and wooded trails for walking and jogging. In addition to free recreation, parks in the area typically have spacious parking lots to keep your car close by. For summer entertainment, drive to nearby Glen Burnie Town Center to hear live music during the annual concert series at Corcoran Pavilion.

Locals use the field at Pleasantville Park to let leashed pets run in the fresh air and keep fit with a game of Frisbee or touch football. Tone up your legs by walking the park's paved trails, or test your shooting skills on the basketball courts. Just above Ferndale's north border, Arundel Hills Park houses a basketball court, a playground and a multipurpose field.

For well-rounded recreation, spend the day walking the paved and natural trails at North Glen Park or playing handball on the courts. The concession stands open seasonally, so you can enjoy a snack between games of basketball or baseball. The playground provides a safe place to keep younger children occupied for the afternoon.

Aspiring athletes get their start in extreme sports at the Sawmill Creek Park skate park, a kid-friendly space equipped with ramps and pipes. Locals stop by to fish at Sawmill Creek and play sports on the baseball fields, basketball courts and tennis courts.

Ferndale's residents have higher living costs than people in Baltimore's primarily urban neighborhoods. Housing prices make the area about 33 percent more expensive, and the median rent is around $908 for a one-bedroom residence. Gas prices are roughly 1.5 percent higher than the national average, while taking public transportation to central Baltimore only costs about $3.50. If you decide to make pit stops at local bars, expect to pay about $3 to $4 for a pint of beer.

Car dealerships and automotive-related businesses dominate Ferndale's main commercial strip, so shopping usually requires out-of-town trips. Drive a few minutes to Glen Burnie for your pick of high-value franchises like Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Office Depot and Sears. To the west, Arundel Mills in Hanover delivers a discount and high-end shopping experience under one roof. Maryland's largest mall houses more than 200 stores, so you can take home a new leather jacket from Andrew Marc, pick up a pair of kicks at the Nike Factory and track down the ultimate little black dress at Michael Kors before grabbing a bite at the food court. Ferndale's few specialty shops satisfy the needs of local hobbyists. The Knitting Boutique on Cromwell Park Drive goes beyond selling yarn and accessories. The store hosts regular classes and crafting events to teach the intricacies of knitting, weaving, spinning and crocheting in numerous styles. Professional authors and knitwear designers stop by to share their expertise, while the yarn club nets you shipments of hand-picked luxury products. Gamers go to Dropzone Games on Baymeadow Drive to launch fantasy battle campaigns with tabletop miniatures and connect with fellow role-playing-game enthusiasts. The space sells hobby accessories and provides tables where customers can assemble battle layouts and paint miniatures. Whether you like strategy board games or battle card games, go to Dropzone Games to duke it out in tournaments and share your thoughts at panel discussions. ShopRite, Food Lion and multiple Giant locations give flexible options for keeping your pantry full. To buy goods straight from local farmers, travel north to the Catonsville Farmers' Market at Bloomsbury Community Center. Make time on Wednesday mornings to stock up on organic bread, fresh eggs and high-quality produce.