Savage-Guilford - Jessup, MD Area Guide

The unincorporated communities of Savage and Guilford form Savage-Guilford. Skirting the Patuxent River, Savage Mill, the area’s most notable feature, functioned as a textile mill from 1822 until 1947. Following a brief stint as a Christmas Display Village, a private family purchased the mill and eventually converted it into its current form as a unique commercial center.

Other than the mill, residential neighborhoods make up the Savage-Guilford area. The nearest museum is the National Cryptological Museum at Fort Meade. The museum provides a fascinating view into the world of espionage, including intelligence gathering and code breaking.

Savage Mill hosts numerous artist studios. Resident artists display their work, and many studios offer interactive programs. Magic in the Mill hosts live magic performances every weekend.

Restaurants and nightlife in the Savage-Guilford area center around Savage Mill. A historic textile mill converted into shops and artist studios, this rambling complex also houses several restaurants.

The Ram's Head Tavern serves local fare in a casual and funky atmosphere. Try the crab dip bursting with locally caught crab or a pretzel dough brat made with locally made bratwurst wrapped in homemade pretzel dough. On pleasant days, enjoy one of the Tavern's signature beers while gazing out on the Patuxent River. After dinner, adjourn downstairs to the Rams Head Rathskeller bar to shoot some pool or play a game of darts.

For unbeatable pastries and coffee, visit Bonaparte Breads also in Savage Mill. This café provides authentic French fare in a cozy, charming environment. Try the quiche epinard followed by a latte and a scrumptious chocolate almond croissant, and then pick up a baguette to take home.

Walk a few blocks down the street from Savage Mill to visit Ma’s Kettle, a neighborhood institution. This simple restaurant, open only for lunch, specializes in American classics and comfort foods, such as meatloaf and barbecue sandwiches.

The relatively tame nightlife in the Savage-Guilford area is primarily focused around the Rams Head. Those searching for more excitement can make their way just a few miles north up Route 1 into Laurel or continue a few miles farther to College Park, home of the University of Maryland. For more adventure, drive to your choice of Baltimore, Annapolis or D.C. in less than an hour.

Savage-Guilford lures residents with its prime location between Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, DC. The area sits on Maryland Route 32 and the interchange to Route 95, the major interstate across Maryland. Savage-Guilford also runs along Route 1, which continues south to DC by way of College Park and north to Baltimore.

Getting around the Savage-Guilford area requires a car. Portions of the neighborhood are walkable with well-maintained sidewalks, but this suburban community stretches across 5 square miles. Maryland’s Regional Transportation Authority provides bus service stopping in Savage-Guilford on routes between Columbia, Laurel and Elkridge. You can call a cab in Savage-Guilford, but taxis do not cruise the area. You can also use the smartphone app to request an Uber, if required.

In this suburban neighborhood, public parking costs nothing. Public lots are free and there is ample parking available throughout the neighborhood. Commuters can take the MARC train from the Savage station north to Baltimore’s Camden Station or south to D.C.’s Union Station.

Recreational and trail bikers have numerous options in the Savage-Guilford area. Howard County provides numerous commuter routes for those using bikes as a form of transportation. For the most part, Savage-Guilford roadways remain calm enough that bikers ride safely even in sections without bike lanes.

Sports and nature enthusiasts find numerous outlets in the Savage-Guilford area. Both Savage and Guilford Parks provide outdoor options from ball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts to horseshoe pits and picnic areas. Pets must be kept on leashes at both parks, but anyone is welcome to use the park facilities for free. Terrapin Adventures draws great numbers of visitors to Savage-Guilford for its assortment of heart-pounding options, including a zipline, ropes course and climbing tower.

Living in the Savage-Guilford area costs about 2 percent than the overall Maryland average and quite a bit more than living in Baltimore. However, the cost of living in Savage-Guilford pales in comparison to the living in Washington, D.C.

You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in the Savage-Guilford area for $1,285 per month. Average gas prices loom about 9 percent higher than the national average. Residents or visitors can raise a beer at PW’s Sports Bar for $2.50 to $3.50 during happy hour or enjoy a draft beer at the Rams Head for $3.

For visitors to the Savage-Guilford area, shopping centers around historic Savage Mill. Boutiques and specialty stores create a distinctive ambiance that lures antique-lovers to shops such as ArtCraft. ArtCraft provides truly imaginative handmade furniture and whimsical odds and ends. Visit the Hands of Time Clocks for anything from chiming grandfather to cuckoo clocks. Also in Historic Savage Mill, Lucy and Ethel’s caters to the playful and feminine with its assortment of jewelry, furniture and home accessories.

Locals go to the nearby Towne Center at Laurel for discount shopping at stores such as Burlington Coat Factory and everyday essentials at stores such as Old Navy and Sports Authority. Less than 10 miles away, shoppers find all they could ever need at the Columbia Mall and or the Arundel Mills outlet stores.

Within the Savage-Guilford neighborhood, Weis Markets holds the key position for groceries. Higher-end grocery shoppers can find a Whole Foods, Harris Teeter and Wegman’s in nearby Columbia. Savage-Guilford does not host a farmers market within its borders, but those in search of fresh produce can satisfy their cravings by visiting markets in the nearby areas of Columbia, Ellicott City and Fulton.