College Park (Maryland)

College Park is in Prince George's County, Maryland. It is a suburb of Washington D.C.

Understand
Most visitors come to College Park for the University of Maryland, and all the associated sporting events, but aviation geeks should also take notice of the Aviation Museum at America's oldest airport.

By car
From I-495 (Capital Beltway), take exits 24 (University Boulevard / MD 193) or 25 (US Route 1).

By bus
Metrobus J4 operates service between College Park and Bethesda via Takoma Park.

By car
The main north-south artery of College Park is Route 1 (also known as Baltimore Ave). Many destinations of interest (including the university) are along this road. An alternative, slightly to the east, is Rhode Island Ave. Major east-west roads include University Boulevard (Route 193) and Campus Drive/Paint Branch Parkway. Route 1 traffic can be horrendous at times. Avoid arriving or leaving College Park during evening rush hours. There is no free parking in College Park, so make sure to check each meter's restrictions and rules.

By bus
Metrobus J4 operates service between the University of Maryland and the Metrorail Station.

Shuttle-UM operates an extensive bus network, although University of Maryland identification is required to ride for many routes.

By bicycle
Rhode Island Ave Trolley Trail runs north/south to the east of Route 1 and, north of Route 193, consists of bike lines on Rhode Island Ave. The Paint Branch Trail intersects it near Lake Artemesia and runs through campus, up to Cherry Hill Road near the Beltway. College Park has many residential streets that make for easy biking, but some of the major thoroughfares can be dicey.

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Eat
College Park includes many fast-casual chain restaurants that cater to university students including Potbelly's Sandwich Works, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Applebee's, Jimmy John's, and Cold Stone Creamery.



Stay safe
Avoid walking alone at night, especially around the College Park Metrorail station. You should be fine along Route 1, but reports of muggings (sometimes violent) on the otherwise upscale-looking side streets are perennials in the student newspaper. Petty theft can also be a problem, especially from vehicles and of bicycles.

Go next

 * Washington, D.C. is a few miles away.
 * Baltimore is about a 45-minute trip.
 * Bethesda is good for night-life and is about a 30-minute drive, or 45-minute Metro ride.
 * Silver Spring is about 20 minutes away.
 * Takoma Park has many ethnic eateries and crunchy shops.
 * Hyattsville is a hip area on Route 1 towards D.C.