Glen Burnie, MD Area Guide

The history of Glen Burnie dates back to 1812, when district attorney Elias Glenn established a county seat in the area, then known as “Glennsburne.” Over the time, the area changed names several times, until “Glenburnie” finally stuck. In 1854 when Elias Glenn’s grandson William Glenn came to the area and incorporated the Curtis Creek Mining company, it helped bring in a new industrial revolution to the area. Businesses began flourishing in the area during the 19th century and soon, due to its expansive growth, many families started settling in the area and developing residential communities throughout the town.

At the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, visitors can find out more about the detailed history of Glen Burnie and see a collection of artifacts and historical items from Maryland’s past. Stroll through the properties gardens or the Glen Burnie House to browse a carefully curated collection of local fine art.

In Glen Burnie, Maryland residents can enjoy an array of delicacies from established chains and locally owned establishments alike, and of course with its convenient location near the water, Glen Burnie always has fresh seafood. Most of the restaurants in the area can be found along Governor Ritchie Highway, one of the main entertainment destinations in the area.

At Pappas Seafood Company, diners can enjoy an expansive menu of locally caught seafood right from the nearby Chesapeake Bay. Here, diners can try the restaurant’s own take on the Baltimore favorite crab cake, or simply order a pot of fresh steamed crabs that are perfect for sharing. Residents who want to get the true Baltimore seafood experience visit for the fresh crabs and to learn about the crack-and-peel method of eating this local delicacy.

In the mood for Italian fare? Then locally owned Sunset Restaurant is just the place to go in Glen Burnie. The establishment has been part of the Glen Burnie neighborhood since 1960. This family-owned bistro is known for its Italian twist of seafood and its collection of house-made pastas. During its decades in the neighborhood, the restaurant has won accolades for its desserts, steak and appetizers. However, those looking for a real treat can test out the establishment’s cream of crab soup, which has won several awards for being the best in the area.

The nightlife scene in Glen Burnie consists mostly of local dive bars and watering holes that provide the perfect place for residents to come together over a drink. At Reckless Rics bar in Glen Burnie, patrons can step into a welcoming waterfront bar known for its friendly bartenders and drink specials. Open late all week long, this local bar has an extensive list of local and nationally known beers on tap.

Most Glen Burnie residents travel throughout the area by car. With close access to Interstate 97 and Interstate 695, travel by car is simple for those that call this area home.

The large expanse of Glen Burnie keeps it from being particularly walkable, but city bike racks and pathways make some areas of Glen Burnie bike-friendly. Cabs are prevalent in Glen Burnie and easy to come by, or residents can use the Uber ride-share service to travel around.

The MTA bus serves the greater Glen Burnie area, connecting the community to Baltimore and to neighboring cities such as Annapolis. Both Route 14 and Route 17 travel through the neighborhood.

Glen Burnie thrives thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and small-town feel, and the family-friendly parks in this community help foster this inviting vibe. The Glen Burnie Park provides residents with a large open green space and plenty of sports fields as well as community amenities that are available for free to the public. This park is dog- and kid-friendly and has its own baseball diamond, basketball court and tennis courts. This park is also home to the Glen Burnie Park Swim Club and community pool.

Down the street at Cedar Hill Park, residents can enjoy a kid-friendly playground and picnic area as well as softball and football fields as well as basketball and tennis courts. These fields are home to many local kids sports leagues, community events and school fundraisers.

Glen Burnie also hosts the Sawmill Creek Park on Dorsey Road. This kid- and dog-friendly park has miles of hiking and jogging trails as well as bike-designated paths. Baseball, softball, basketball and tennis courts can also be found throughout this park.

These area parks host community events such as the Glen Burnie Carnival and the annual Arts and Crafts Fair, which provide ample opportunities for neighborhood members to gather and help give Glen Burnie that charming tight-knit community feel.

Life in Glen Burnie carries an average to above-average cost of living compared to the overall cost of living in Annapolis. Apartments in the area are reasonable when compared to other nearby areas, with the average one-bedroom apartment costing $976 per month.

A MTA bus ride to the city center costs around $1.60, while gas prices settle in around only half a percent higher than the national average. At the local bars, a pint of beer costs around $5.00.

Modern conveniences characterize the shopping experience in Glen Burnie. Visit The Centre at Glen Burnie to take care of all of your everyday essentials. HHGregg and Target anchor the shopping center, or you can pick up supplies for work at Home Depot, or shop for the latest games and toys for the little ones in your life at Toys R Us. Interested in the latest fashion? Try on a new pair of shoes at Famous Footware or visit the local Dots to shop the latest women’s and juniors fashions.

While there aren’t many locally owned stores in Glen Burnie, if you look, you can find a boutique shopping experience along the streets of Glen Burnie. Residents can stop by The Knitting Boutique to find arts and crafts supplies and pre-knit specialty pieces. Along the tree-lined streets of Rose Avenue, residents can shop everyday women’s fashions, and eclectic jewelry at Kutio, a locally owned gem known for its unique collection of pieces.

Those in need of vitamins and supplements can browse the area’s largest selection of products at the local GNC. At the nearby Perfume Place, both men’s and women’s colognes and perfumes from today’s best-known brands are available for purchase. While high-end shopping typically can't be found in Glen Burnie, a short drive to nearby Towson allows residents to shop some of the hottest designer brands and luxury department stores.

Residents can buy their groceries at Giant Food right off Governor Ritchie Highway where plenty of cooking and baking essentials are available. On Hospital Drive in the center of Glen Burnie, you'll find the weekly farmer’s market featuring local, fresh-grown produce as well as homemade jams and jellies from area farmers. The market opens up on Saturday mornings letting residents shop the local selection or meet up with neighborhood friends to browse the weekly offerings.