Rossville - Rosedale, MD

Rossville started as a small rural community in the 1800s. The Methodist congregation of Queen’s Chapel was formed in 1868 and served as a foundation for the people in the area. One of the area's first landowners, Augustus Ross, gave the town its name, and many of the early inhabitants of Rossville worked at the nearby Muirkirk Iron Furnace. Farming remains common throughout the area to this day, and Rossville continued to grow and establish itself as a rural residential district alongside surrounding towns and the city of Baltimore as they flourished in the 20th century.

Drive southeast of Rossville to visit the Martin State Airport's Glen L. Martin Aviation Museum. Collecting 12 aircraft and a number of historic documents and artifacts pertaining to the history of Maryland aviation, the Glen L. Martin Aviation Museum rotates a number of exhibits each season to make checking back often well worth it.

Those up for a short drive can treat themselves to the wide variety of local flavors and cuisines, including hip new establishments to unwind in after a long day and exotic dining spots transporting you across the globe with authentic international flavors.

Head west along Philadelphia Road into Rosedale to taste some of Baltimore's best Mexican food in Fiesta Mexicana. The hidden away hole-in-the-wall exterior belies the craft of the dishes served inside. Order the pambazo for a crispy potatoes and chorizo meal sure to fill even the hungriest patrons.

Specializing in the classic Maryland seafood style, Bill's Terrace Inn is a crab shack that brings locals back frequently for their succulent crab cakes and fresh-from-the-bay ingredients. The included seafood market makes a great local place to pick up crabs to eat at home, or even to test out your hand cooking your favorite dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Head northeast by the White Marsh Mall for a favorite local place to kick back and enjoy good drinks with a good crowd. The Red Brick Station Restaurant & Brew Pub serves a number of special in-house brews, including the rich spooner stout and the seasonal scotch ale. Bring along some friends to watch the latest Orioles game, and if you get a little peckish, the cheesesteak is sure to hit the spot.

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway runs through central Rossville and into Baltimore, making travel via automobile in and around Rossville a breeze for locals. In addition to services such as Uber and Lyft, a range of Baltimore cab companies provide service to and from the city. Head to Rossville Boulevard if you're looking to hail a cab but be prepared to call ahead.

Free public parking is available throughout the area in the residential districts, and parking lots can be found near most businesses. Most major roads lack designated biking lanes, and residents rely on the bus or an automobile to get around due to Rossville's residential nature. The MTA services Rossville with bus stops throughout the town, including along Philadelphia Road and Franklin Square.

Central to Rossville, Nottingham Park makes a great place to enjoy an afternoon in the sun with family or friends. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the public pavilion seating area while the kids run around on the playground or invite some friends to a pick up game on nearby ball fields. Bring your dog along for a scenic walk or a game of fetch on the over 35 available acres of expansive green space.

Open for just two days a year in the northern suburb of Baltimore, you don't want to miss out on Maryland's largest open-air festival. The Towson Town Spring Festival runs for the first weekend in May each year and attracts over 450 local vendors selling tasty food and local crafts. A wide variety of entertainment is available, including a carnival midway, a petting zoo for the kids and more than 40 live performances each year, including both local and international music acts.

The average cost of living in the Rossville area runs around 12 percent higher than in the city of Baltimore, and one month's rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs an average of $1,014 per month. A 24-hour pass for the MTA bus line to reach downtown Baltimore costs $3.50. A pint of beer at local bars in Rossville costs an average of $5, and gas prices in Rossville hover around 2 percent higher than the national gas average.

Head to south Rossville along Pulaski Highway to find the area's high-value shops, including the Golden Ring Mall Shopping Center which collects a variety of stores in one convenient location, including Marshalls, Giant, Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy and Office Depot. ALDI is the local grocery chain of choice. Stop by the Punjab Supermarket on Philadelphia Road to browse the imported-Indian products that can be hard to find anywhere else. Head over to White Marsh for IKEA and any big chain that you haven't found at Golden Ring Mall.

Located on Pulaski Highway, Holabird Sports makes for a great one-stop shop for all your athletic needs. Whether you're looking to get some exercise gear or searching for that specific tennis racket, Holabird Sports has you covered.

Rossville residents can head into the eastern edge of Baltimore to find a wealth of specialty shops, boutiques and brand name department stores. Stop by the Red Canoe along Harford Road in Beverly Hills to grab a bite to eat while you browse the latest works by your favorite authors. If you can't wait until you're home to start reading, order a cup of Zeke's coffee and curl up with your new book in an armchair by the fireplace.

Take Pulaski Highway northeast to pay a visit to Richardson Farms in White Marsh. The year-round producers-only family-run market sells a variety of locally grown, caught and raised foods. The attached restaurant serves only the freshest ingredients from the Richardson farm, making it a great place to stop by for a meal on your way out.