Randallstown, MD

The English brothers Thomas and Christopher Randall founded Randallstown in the 18th century. The tavern they built along Liberty Road served as a waypoint for travellers, attracting wealth and additional settlers to the area. Liberty Road maintains its place at Randallstown's center to this day.

If you're up for a bit of a drive, the arts and history scene in the greater Baltimore area provides afternoon entertainment. The Baltimore Museum of Art opens its doors to the public for free admission year-round. The museum collects over 90,000 pieces of international art spanning 19th-century, modern and contemporary works.

Held in August and September of each year, the Maryland State Festival in Lutherville-Timonium brings together the greater Baltimore area with a massive celebration combining live music, locally-grown food and an array of arts and crafts vendors.

The restaurants of Randallstown celebrate international cuisine with its eclectic mix of styles and cultures, though classic Baltimore food can be found in the mix. The suburban neighborhood's exuberant nightlife follows suit, bringing locals a variety of ways to spend their evenings out.

The staff of Colin's Seafood and Grill go out of their way to achieve the cozy and welcoming atmosphere of the classic Baltimore seafood establishment. Those interested in the city's brand of seafood should order the standard crab cake platter and steamed shrimp or mussels. The fresh lobster is flown in daily from Maine. Colin's Seafood and Grill includes a full bar and can be found within the Offutt Road shopping center.

Looking for food on the go or a tantalizing treat? Old World Deli & Bakery on Liberty Road serves a breakfast and lunch carry-out menu in addition to party platters, cakes, pies and other desserts. Order one of the Danish pastries for a early morning delight or the Mad Ludwig for a fantastic liverwurst sandwich. The deli makes its soup in-house each day, and it pairs with any of the dozens of sandwich options. Old World Deli & Bakery imports a wide variety of European meats, cheeses, groceries, wine and beer as well.

Great for a fancy date night, Akbar Palace Restaurant on Brenbrook Drive provides great service and food with high-quality ingredients. Not sure what to order? Get a side of garlic naan with the chicken tikka for a classic Indian dish. If the dinner menu seems a little out of your price range, the restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat buffet for lunch Tuesday through Sunday each week.

If you're in search of a rowdy night out with your friends, you can't go wrong with The 5ive Spot. Located on the corner of Liberty and Tiverton, this bar, nightclub and restaurant provides Randallstown with nightly entertainment in the form of live music, deejays, open mic events and karaoke. This spot has a $5 menu and nightly drink specials for locals looking to save a few bucks.

Route 26, known to locals as the historic Liberty Road, runs centrally through Randallstown, and Interstates 795 and 695 intersect east of the neighborhood, ensuring ease of travel throughout Randallstown and beyond. Baltimore taxi cab companies provide service to and from Randallstown, though finding a stray cab to hail in the neighborhood can prove difficult, so call ahead of time if you're planning to travel by taxi. The Uber and Lyft services both extend to the Randallstown area as well. The Maryland Transit Administration services Randallstown with Route 54, which begins in the Randallstown Loop and runs southeast into Baltimore.

Public parking can be found along Liberty Road for a small fee. The major roads of Randallstown lack biking lanes, and while hile Randallstown is decently walkable along Liberty Road, those living away from the bus line require a car to get around.

Found along Allenswood Road, the Scotts Level Park provides Randallstown locals with a peaceful place to escape the activity of Baltimore and breathe in the fresh air. The expansive green fields make Scotts Level Park a great choice for a family picnic or a place to play fetch with your dog. Kids can play on the playground, basketball court or baseball diamond, while parents rest nearby on the benches.

Around the beginning of September each year, the nearby neighborhood of Reisterstown celebrates the annual Reisterstown Festival in Hannah More Park, which makes for another great place to bring the whole family. The festival showcases local musical acts, while attendees patronize the food, produce and crafts vendors. A children's area is open throughout the celebration, and the festival hosts a parade, multiple automobile shows and many more events each year.

The cost of living in Randallstown averages out to about 16 percent higher than Baltimore, and typical one-bedroom apartments average around $850 for a month's rent. Those looking to travel into downtown Baltimore should expect to pay $3.50 for an MTA day pass, granting 24 hour unlimited access to local buses and the city metro. A pint at the local pubs costs around $5, and Randallstown gas prices hover around 3 percent above the national average.

The shopping district in Randallstown centers almost exclusively on Liberty Road, which runs through the center of the neighborhood. The Benbrook Plaza Shopping Center, on the corner of Benbrook Drive and Liberty Road, collects a number of shops and restaurants in one convenient place.

Locals who enjoy the hunt for unique clothing, shoes and accessories at bargain prices shop at Karis Boutique on Liberty Road between Church and McDonogh. The walls of the boutique are chock-full of fashionable, hip tops, bottoms and dresses focused on individual expression. Sales occur frequently, so be sure to check back from time to time to see if that piece you have your eye on gets discounted.

Searching for that dream dress for your upcoming big day? Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection is a neighborhood over in Reisterstown and well worth the trip. The staff loves to help and works with each customer by walk-in or appointment to ensure a perfect match of fabric, cut and style.

Walmart, Food Lion and ALDI comprise the major supermarkets servicing the local Randallstown area along Liberty Road. The Baltimore Farmers Market & Bazaar can be found in central Baltimore. It is quite a trip, but as the largest producers-only market in Maryland, the market should not be missed. The market runs from April through December each year.