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From Wikivoyage

Greenbelt is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Understand

Contained within today's City of Greenbelt is the historic planned community now known locally as "Old Greenbelt" and designated as the Greenbelt Historic District. The historic district was built during the New Deal era in 1937 and much of the original housing is now owned collectively as a cooperative. The architecture is in the Art Deco style. Greenbelt's residents take the city's history of cooperation and volunteerism seriously; as a result they organize a variety of festivals, events, performing and visual arts.

The city has three areas: Old Greenbelt is the historic area between Greenbelt Road, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Kenilworth Avenue and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Greenbelt West includes the Beltway Plaza strip mall and the Franklin Park rental housing complex. Greenbelt East is a collection of 1990s developments and the Greenway Center. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is within the City limits.

Get in

By plane

  • Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI IATA) is 25 minutes north on the B-W Parkway.
  • Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA IATA) is 30 minutes south via the B-W Parkway (but through Washington, D.C.). The Metro can be taken from DCA to the Greenbelt station.
  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD IATA) is 40 miles west in Virginia. By car, take the Dulles access road to the Washington Beltway (495) north to exit 23. Or use the airport's metro station and then connect to the Greenbelt station, which should take about 100 minutes total.

Ground transportation is available via The Airport Shuttle.

By train

Metrorail trains run to the 1 Greenbelt Metro Station on the Green Line.

MTA's MARC commuter trains between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., have a station at the 2 [dead link] Greenbelt MARC Station on the Camden Line.

By bus

Metrobus service to Greenbelt is available. University of Maryland shuttle buses serve Greenbelt.

The Bolt Bus offers service from New York City to the Greenbelt Metro Station.

By car

Take exit 23 from the Washington Beltway (95/495) onto Kenilworth Avenue. Go briefly south and turn onto 193 or briefly north and turn right onto Crescent Road.

By bike

The American Discovery Trail goes through Greenbelt Park, past Buddy Attick Park and north into the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.

The East Coast Greenway Trail goes through Greenbelt.

Get around

Route 193 runs the long way through Greenbelt, connecting the 3 main sections of the city. To get to Roosevelt Center in Old Greenbelt from 193, head north on Southway to its end and park in the large parking lot.

Metrobus connects the Greenbelt Metro Station, the Beltway Plaza, Crescent Road in Old Greenbelt (Roosevelt Center), the Greenway Center, Cipriano Square, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and on to the New Carrollton Metro Station.

Old Greenbelt is very walkable with a network of walking paths separate from the roads.

See

  • 1 NASA/Goddard Visitor Center, Explorer Drive (off Route 193), ☏ +1 301 286-9041, fax: +1 301 286-1781, . Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su noon-4PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. NASA's premier center for unmanned scientific space exploration is the Goddard Space Flight Center. The small Visitor Center features many exhibits to excite tomorrow's inter-planetary researchers. The Visitor Center is accessible from ICESat Rd., not from the Center's main gate. Free. 
  • 2 The Greenbelt Museum, 10B Crescent Road, ☏ +1 301 507-6582. Open every Sunday from 1-5PM for tours. Small, but unique museum that chronicles the city's birth as a Roosevelt "New Deal" planned community. One of the original 1937 houses, furnished and maintained as it was when new. $3 general admission, $2 adults 55 and older, $1 children under 12. 

Do

Outdoors

  • 1 Greenbelt Park, 6565 Greenbelt Rd. Open year round; day use is dawn to dusk. An oasis of forest on the inside of the Capital Beltway at the B-W Parkway. Operated by the National Park Service, Greenbelt Park is one of the best camping opportunities near Washington DC. There is a walking path from the campground through the woods that leads to the College Park Metro station about a half mile away. The path is hard to find so ask a Ranger for directions. The park is also excellent for picnics in one of the three picnic areas, bicycling, roller blading, and nature walks on 9 miles of trails. Free admission; $16+ fee to camp. Greenbelt Park (Q5603701) on Wikidata Greenbelt Park on Wikipedia 
  • 2 Buddy Attick Park (Crescent Rd at Kenilworth Ave). A park with a lake, maintained by the city of Greenbelt. The park includes large playground and several picnic areas. Watch for birds, reptiles, and water mammals while hiking the trail that circles the small, man-made Greenbelt Lake. 
  • 3 Greenbelt Tennis Courts, 20 lakeside. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 4 Greenbelt Sand Volleyball Courts, 26 Lakeside Dr. (updated Nov 2020)
  • Playgrounds. There are playgrounds throughout the City, including at Greenbelt Park, Buddy Attick Park, Schrom Hills Park, and across Crescent Road from the library near the City Center. With all of the playgrounds, Greenbelt has been designated as a "Playful City USA." 

Sports

  • 5 [dead link] Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center, 101 Centerway (near Roosevelt Center), ☏ +1 301 397-2204. An indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a variety of aerobic and weight-lifting machines. It is the oldest public pool in Maryland and is open daily year round. On summer weekends, entry is limited to Greenbelt residents and passholders, but a day pass can be purchased at all other times. 
  • 6 Greenbelt Skatepark, 99 Centreway (Between the Youth Center and the Community Center). Free. 
  • Prince Georges County Trap and Skeet Center, 10400 Good Luck Road, Glen Dale (East on Greenbelt Road, about 1 mile past NASA, turn left on Good Luck Road. The Shooting Center is on your left.), ☏ +1 301 577-7178. F-M 10AM-5PM, Tu-Th 10AM-8:30PM. Offers a full-range of shotgun sports activities, including Sporting Clays, competitive league shooting, and introductory and advanced lessons. Operated by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. 
  • 7 Washington Birthday Marathon, 101 Centerway. Greenbelt hosts the eighth-oldest marathon in North America, held each year since 1961. The race starts and finishes in Old Greenbelt and is run on the USDA Research Farm. $45. Washington's Birthday Marathon (Q7971574) on Wikidata Washington's Birthday Marathon on Wikipedia 

Performing arts

  • 8 The Greenbelt Arts Center, 123 Centerway (Roosevelt Center), ☏ +1 301 441-8770. Community theater with a year-round season including musicals, dramas, Shakespeare and an occasional concert. The theater includes an art gallery with a revolving display. Presented online performances and digital art during the COVID pandemic. Greenbelt Arts Center (Q14691934) on Wikidata Greenbelt Arts Center on Wikipedia 
  • Music and Drama club at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (MAD Theater), ☏ +1 301 966 2623. Employees of NASA and their families put on a large-cast musical in the fall, a drama or comedy in the winter and a variety show in the spring. Presented online performances during the COVID pandemic. (updated Mar 2018)
  • 9 [dead link] Eleanor Roosevelt High School. The school has large and active drama and music departments. They put on a musical play in early December and the 4 bands, 3 orchestras , 4 choirs and student-run small groups perform throughout the school year. The shows and concerts are very high quality for High School productions. Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Q14691919) on Wikidata Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Maryland) on Wikipedia 

Visual arts

There are displays of art by local artists at the New Deal Cafe, in the lobby of the Greenbelt Arts Center, in the Community Center and in the Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center.

The City's Recreation Department has an Artist in Residence program at the Community Center. There is a studio open house on the first Sunday of each month.

  • Artful Afternoon (Greenbelt Community Center). First Sunday of every month, 1-4PM. Kids do a craft from 1-3PM followed by a performance. Free. 

Movie theater

  • 10 Old Greenbelt Theatre, 129 Centreway. Historic single-screen movie theater, opened in 1938 and renovated in 2015. One of the few single-screen movies theaters still operating. Old Greenbelt Theatre (Q42688098) on Wikidata Old Greenbelt Theater on Wikipedia 

Festivals

  • Greenbelt Mini-Maker Faire, Roosevelt Center. A Saturday in spring. A celebration of make-it-yourself. Free admission. (updated Mar 2018)
  • Green Man Festival, Roosevelt Center. A weekend in May. A music festival and craft fair. Free admission. (updated Mar 2018)
  • Crazy Quilt Music Festival, Roosevelt Center. A weekend in late spring (October 9, 2021). An eclectic "crazy quilt" mix of musical styles. Free admission. 
  • Greenbelt Day, Community Center and Greenbelt parks. First weekend in June. A civic festival put on by the City's Recreation department. Various activities, including arts, music and sports. Free admission. 
  • Blues Festival, Roosevelt Center. A Saturday in summer (September 25, 2021). Blues music through the ages, from acoustic to rockin'. Includes workshops and a musical instrument petting zoo. Free admission. (updated Apr 2019)
  • Greenbelt Labor Day Festival, Greenbelt City Center (park at Eleanor Roosevelt High School and ride the shuttle bus). Labor Day weekend (early September) (September 3-6, 2021). The highlight of the City's year, the festival has been held every year since 1955 over Labor Day weekend (first weekend in September.) Greenbelt's Outstanding Citizen is selected during the opening ceremony on Friday and he or she leads the Monday morning parade. It is the largest festival of its kind in Maryland with more than 10,000 people attending each year. There is live music all weekend on the outdoor stage, including rising stars talent show. Inside the Community Center look for the art and photo shows. Stock up on books for the year at the giant used books sale featuring more than 25,000 books. Try your luck at bingo. In Roosevelt Center, learn about local organizations at the information day tables on Saturday and visit the Retro Town Fair and shop at the Craft Fair on Sunday. The carnival rides, games, food and activity booths are open all weekend. Free admission. (updated Apr 2019)
  • [dead link] Greenbelt Rhythm and Drum Festival, Roosevelt Center. A Saturday in autumn. A music festival featuring drumming. Free admission. 
  • Utopia Film Festival, Greenbelt Theater and other locations. A weekend in autumn (November 19-21, 2021). A local, national and international film festival. Some films free, some $7.00, weekend pass is $20.00. (updated Apr 2019)
  • Senior Health and Wellness Fair, Greenbelt Community Center. A Tuesday in autumn. Health and wellness information for seniors. Free admission. (updated Sep 2018)
  • Greenbelt Fall Harvest Festival, Schrom Hills Park. A Saturday in autumn. Pumpkin carving and a pumpkin walk. Free admission. (updated Sep 2018)
  • Greenbelt Pumpkin Festival, Roosevelt Center (carving), Greenbelt North Woods at the end of Northway (walk), Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center (water Olympics). A weekend in October. The community carves jack-o-lanterns which are placed on a path through the woods. Free admission. (updated Sep 2018)
  • Greenbelt Schools Creative and Performing Arts Festival, Eleanor Roosevelt High School. A week in October: M Strings; Tu Drama, Piano and Guitar; W Band; Th Choir. Participants from all the Greenbelt Schools, elementary through high school, perform together. Free admission. 
  • Halloween Costume Contest and Parade, Roosevelt Center. Costume contest and parade in late October, followed by a free movie in the Old Greenbelt Theater. Free admission. (updated Sep 2018)
  • [dead link] The Festival of Lights, Community Center. First weekend in December. Tree lighting Friday evening. On Saturday and Sunday, a craft fair featuring hand-made and original arts and crafts for sale by local artists. Free admission. (updated Sep 2018)

Buy

Shop at the Festivals: Hand-made art and crafts at the Festival of Lights, the Green Man Festival and the Harvest Festival. Used books at the Labor Day Festival.

  • Beltway Plaza, 6000 Greenbelt Road. A large indoor-outdoor strip mall. Anchored by Target and a Giant Supermarket, there are a variety of quaint ethnic shops and restaurants inside. 
  • Greenway Center, 7575 Greenbelt Road. A strip mall anchored by a Safeway Supermarket. 
  • Cipriano Square, 8840 Greenbelt Road (Across from NASA-Goddard). A strip mall anchored by a K-mart. 

Eat

Drink

  • 11 The New Deal Cafe, 113 Centerway (Roosevelt Center), ☏ +1 301 474-5642. Live music daily with a wide range of styles: jazz, folk, alternative, blues and rock. In 2012, the New Deal Cafe was voted the best local music venue in the Washington DC area by listeners of WTOP radio. Known as "The community's living room," on some nights the audience takes the stage at the singer-songwriter open mic, the poetry open mic and others. Don't miss the future superstars at the popular monthly kid's open mic. The monthly Reel and Meal has a documentary film and discussion with optional vegetarian buffet. The Cafe features a vegan menu. Craft beers on tap and a selection of wine. Local artwork hanging on the walls is changed monthly. Free Wi-Fi. No cover charge; musicians are paid by tips. New Deal Cafe (Q7006839) on Wikidata New Deal Cafe on Wikipedia (updated Feb 2017)
  • Chevy's, 7511 Greenbelt Road (Greenway Center), ☏ +1 301 220-0078. Great margaritas in a chain Mexican restaurant. Happy hour until 8pm. 
  • Ruby Tuesday, 8811 Greenbelt Road (Cipriano Square, across from Goddard), ☏ +1 301 552-0100. A popular place to hang-out after meetings at NASA. 

Sleep

Connect

  • 1 Greenbelt Branch Library, 11 Crescent Rd, ☏ +1 301 345 5800. Public library with computers with internet access available, wi-fi, and cell phone charging stations. (updated Nov 2020)

Cope

The Greenbelt News Review is a free on-line weekly newspaper that includes listings of events and activities.

Greenbelt Live[dead link] is a blog with a weekly list of what's happening in town.

Go next

Routes through Greenbelt
Baltimore ← College Park ←  N  S  → New Carrollton → Alexandria
Silver Spring ← College Park ←  W  S  → New Carrollton → Alexandria
Baltimore ← Laurel ←  N  S  → Becomes → Washington, D.C.
END ←  N  S  → College Park → Suitland
Washington, D.C. ← College Park ←  SW  NE  → Beltsville → Baltimore


This city travel guide to Greenbelt is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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