Prince George’s Jaunt

By: Beth Hauptle

The Capital Wheel at National Harbor.

The Capital Wheel at National Harbor.

FROM THE GLITZ OF NATIONAL HARBOR TO NEW DEAL-ERA ARCHITECTURE, PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY IS A STUDY IN CONTRASTS


Over the past 10-15 years, Prince George’s County has seen some remarkable development—from the construction of the National Harbor complex south of Washington, D.C. to the more grassroots Gateway Arts and Entertainment District. From the glitz and glamor of Gaylord National Resort and MGM National Harbor to the historic small-town charm of Greenbelt, Mt. Rainier, and Hyattsville, one can enjoy a multi-faceted experience exploring this historic county.

Start your adventure by visiting several small towns in the northern part of the county. Greenbelt, a planned New Deal community, was designed and built in the early 1930s by the federal government. The first of three federal “greentowns” (the others are in Wisconsin and Ohio), Greenbelt’s Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, and Bauhaus style homes were intended to provide affordable housing for federal employees. The town has been designated a Historic National Landmark and served as a model for privately constructed planned cities like Reston, Virginia and Columbia, Maryland.

To fully experience the history and architecture, visit the Greenbelt Museum, with its New Deal era exhibits, and take one of the 60-90-minute walking tours (book two weeks ahead). After your tour, you’ll want to have lunch at the cooperative New Deal Cafe, which features a plant-based Italian menu and live music every night as well as rotating exhibits by local artists.

Travel south about seven miles to Hyattsville, a community undergoing a metamorphosis these days with a range of development projects including townhomes, live-work units, and retail space. The city’s historic district is home to a number of Victorian houses built in the late 1880s and Sears bungalows and Arts & Crafts houses built between the wars (late 1910s to early 1940s). The Hyattsville Preservation Association offers a map for a self-guided walking tour available at preservehy-attsville.org/tours.

While in Hyattsville, visit Streetcar 82, a fairly new brewery founded by three friends who knew each other from having attended nearby Gallaudet University. Or drop by Old Dominion Brewery, operating for 20 years now and serving 32 brews on tap. Maryland Meadworks offers samples of different flavors of mead in its cozy tasting room. Some established eateries in Hyattsville include Andy Shallal’s Busboys and Poets, Elevation Burger, Tara Thai, and Franklin’s Brewery, Restaurant and General Store.

Spanning two miles along Route 1 from Mt. Rainier to Hyattsville (Baltimore/ Rhode Island Avenue), the Gateway Arts and Entertainment District, launched in 2001, is home to artists, art-lovers, families, commuting professionals, and students. Some 500 artists are listed on the Arts District’s website and plenty of arts-related businesses have popped up to support and extend the economic vitality of the community.

Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center in Hyattsville was founded in 1981 to provide an environment for artistic collaboration and hosts artists in residence with a focus on printmaking, papermaking, and bookbinding. There’s a print shop, letterpress studio, bindery, and darkroom as well as a gallery.

In North Brentwood, the Prince George’s African American Museum has a collection of Civil Rights Era photographs and its permanent exhibit documents the county’s oldest incorporated African American township. (Note: If you’re looking to focus your trip on African American history, download a useful guide to mansions, churches, museums, schools, and cemeteries at experience-princegeorges.com.

Other stops in the Arts District include Joe’s Movement Emporium where you can take classes or see performances of dance and theater and the bustling Brentwood Arts Exchange with its multiple exhibits and arts spaces.

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Favorite eating spots include the Crab Cake Café, Grace’s Mandarin, Voltaggio Brothers Steak House (Maryland born and raised chefs extraordinaire), and for a late nightcap, take in the panoramic views from Pose Rooftop Lounge. Granite City Food and Brewery, the only brewery at National Harbor, offers tours by appointment.

After National Harbor’s glitz, head east to Brandywine in the rural southern tier of the county and visit four wineries that are part of the Legacy Wine Trail. These wineries take advantage of the deep, dark soils of the farms once used to grow tobacco. Romano Vineyard & Winery, Janemark Winery & Vineyard, Gemeny Winery and Vineyards, and Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards are all in fairly close proximity for a fun day trip.

SIP


Granite City Food and Brewery Oxon Hill, gcfb.com The only on-site brewery at National Harbor, Granite City is a great place to nosh and enjoy a few brews. Tours of the operation are available by advance appointment.


Legacy Wine Trail Brandywine, marylandwine.com In collaboration with the Maryland Wineries Association, the Romano Vineyard & Winery, Janemark Winery & Vineyard, Gemeny Winery and Vineyards, and Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards are part of the Legacy Wine Trail.


Maryland Meadworks Hyattsville, marylandmeadworks.com Maryland Meadworks features a cozy tasting room and a small stage for music, lectures, and other events. Owner and head mead maker Ken Carter is passionate about his craft and makes a variety of tasty flavored meads.


Old Dominion Brewhouse Hyattsville, utcolddominionbrewhouse.com Old Dominion Brewhouse offers 32 quality draft beers to choose from and has been brewing for 20 years now.


Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Hyattsville, streetcar82brewing.com Streetcar 82 Brewing is the East Coast’s first fully deaf-owned and -operated brewery founded by Mark Burke, Jon Cetrano, and Sam Costner—all graduates of D.C.’s Gallaudet University. The brewery is named for the 82 Streetcar line that ran from downtown D.C. along Rhode Island Avenue until 1958.

SAVOR


Grace’s Mandarin Oxon Hill, gracesrestaurants.com Grace’s Mandarin offers a menu of modern Asian fusion with an ample selection of sushi rolls, sashimi, and sushi nigiri along with comprehensive lunch and dinner menus. With great views of the Potomac River, a three-story waterfall, and 33-foot Buddah, this restaurant aims to delight all of your senses.


Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery & General Store Hyattsville, franklinsbrewery.com It’s a general store. It’s a brewery. It’s a restaurant. It’s Franklin’s! Prince George’s County’s first microbrewery opened in 1992 and now serves as a hub of the community. The food menu features brewpub fare as well as a host of locally sourced seasonal specials. The general store sells gifts, toys, wine, beer, candy, cards, and much more.


The New Deal CafeGreenbelt, newdealcafe.com The New Deal Cafe, run as a cooperative, features a plant-based Italian menu and live music every night as well as monthly exhibits by local artists.

SEE


Gateway Arts and Entertainment District Mt. Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood, and Hyattsville, mygatewayarts.org This two-mile walkable corridor is home to artists, restaurants, coffee houses, theaters, galleries, entertainment venues, and arts-related businesses.


The Greenbelt Museum greenbeltmuseum.org The Greenbelt Museum offers a glimpse into the history of Greenbelt and the New Deal Era with walking tours, lectures, and exhibits. Check ahead for hours.


Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center North Brentwood, pgaamcc.org Here you’ll find photographs of the Civil Rights Era, a rotating gallery, and a permanent exhibit “Footsteps from North Brentwood,” which documents the development of the county’s oldest incorporated black township.

Filed Under:

Latest Issue

Categories