Greater Landover - Landover, MD

Before the construction of FedEx Field, Greater Landover was known as the home of the Capital Centre, an indoor sports arena that housed the D.C. area's NBA, NHL and some college sports teams. The Capital Centre made its name as the first sports arena to have a video replay screen on its central scoreboard, luxury viewer boxes and electronic turnstiles. FedEx Field opened its doors in 1997 very close to the Capital Centre and continues to draw crowds to the Greater Landover area during football season.

The Greater Landover area does not have any museums or live theaters, but you can reach both the Smithsonian Institution and Washington’s most celebrated theaters, such as the National Theater or Ford’s Theater, in less than 10 miles. Annual events such as holiday parades and local festivals take place in the area’s neighborhoods, primarily at community centers such as Kentland.

Chain restaurants, fast food establishments and small, ethnic eateries dominate the culinary landscape in the Greater Landover area. However, you don’t have to travel far to find expertly prepared meals at affordable prices.

In nearby Hyattsville, Spice 6 Modern Indian serves unbeatable, build-your-own dishes made by Nepalese chef Upendra Thapaliya. While the decor is upscale, patrons compare Spice 6’s ordering style to Chipotle’s. First, you choose the type of dish you would like. Next, you pick the protein, and then you select from a vast assortment of toppings and sauces. For a perfect meal, try the naan pizza with tikka masala, lamb and bell peppers. Finish with a sweet serving of the classic Indian dessert gulab jamun.

If you have a sweet tooth, you will love Sweet & Natural in Mount Rainier. Everything made in this bakery/restaurant is natural and 100 percent vegan. The bakery serves incredible muffins and pastries made with healthy alternatives such as spelt flour. The restaurant features meatless versions of traditional comfort foods such as vegan turkey with gravy and stuffing. Locals rave about Sweet & Natural’s mac and cheese.

Just Jerk in Lanham serves authentic Caribbean fare that satisfies even the most discriminating palates. Seasoned to perfection, the jerk chicken stays moist and succulent while its skin remains crispy. Just Jerk’s side dishes also amaze. Order the perfectly fried plantains to cool your mouth during a spicy meal.

The nightlife in Greater Landover is relatively tame. Locals tend to patronize the bars attached to local chain restaurants or, for more stimulating options, they take advantage of Greater Landover’s dedicated Metro stop and convenient access to major highways to travel into D.C. or Annapolis.

In addition to the Redskins, FedEx Field occasionally hosts concerts by big-name performers such as Paul McCartney and Metallica. Otherwise, area residents head into Washington for live music and shows.

Residents of Greater Landover have numerous transportation options, including a dedicated stop on the Washington Metro. The Landover station on the Orange line takes passengers directly into Washington and into Virginia. Several bus lines also serve the area.

Greater Landover defies walking as a form of transportation due to its size and sprawl. Paths for recreational bikers are available, but a lack of bike lanes on roadways greatly limits commuting via bicycle. The Metro does provide bike racks and lockers. You cannot hail a cab in Greater Landover, but you can easily call for taxi or car services such as Uber. You can also participate in car sharing through Zipcar at the Landover Metro.

Shopping areas in Greater Landover do not charge for parking, and parking at the Metro station is available for a fee.

Greater Landover’s ease of access to major highways draws many residents to the area. With Greater Landover couched between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and the Capital Beltway, residents have no trouble getting around. Route 50 on Greater Landover’s northern edge heads east to Annapolis and continues across the Bay Bridge to Maryland’s Eastern Shore and southwest into Washington and Virginia.

About 6 miles from Greater Landover in Northeast D.C. sits the amazing National Arboretum. It has 446 spectacular acres filled with intricate landscaping, open fields and miles of pathways. You could not ask for a more perfect location for a quiet hike or romantic picnic.

Families love Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro. It has an enormous playground, a small zoo, a nature center, carousel and mini golf, as well as miles of hiking and biking paths. Watkins and the Arboretum are free and welcome leashed pets.

For sporting activities, visit the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex or Kentland Community Center. Both have spectacular outdoor recreation space with sports fields that are free of charge.

Living in Greater Landover costs considerably less than living in D.C. or elsewhere in Maryland, but it remains higher than the national average. A one-bedroom apartment rents for about $960 per month. Getting from Greater Landover to the center of D.C. via Metro costs $3.95 during peak hours and $3.10 off peak. Grab a beer during happy hour at TGI Fridays for $3 or nearby Busboys and Poets for $6. Gas prices in this area sit at about 9 percent higher than the national average.

Basic shopping poses no problem in the Greater Landover area. Similar to the area's restaurant situation, shopping options tend to be chain stores. You can find abundant discount shopping in almost any direction, with four big box stores just a few miles away that sell everything from housewares to clothing. The Boulevard at the Capital Centre also has many well-known chains options, including shoe stores and jewelry shops. A short drive away, Bowie Town Center provides a selection of stores from bookshops to department stores.

You will not find boutiques and specialty shops in Greater Landover, but in less than 10 miles you can visit an assortment of stores from Labyrinth Puzzles and Games to College Park's Smile Herb Shop. Shop for groceries at the Wegman's in Lanham or at Giant Food in District Heights. Pick up fresh produce and local wares at the Cheverly Community Market every other Saturday in season.