Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Greenbelt, MD

Designed and constructed during the Great Depression, Greenbelt serves as an intact representation of an experimental planned community from the New Deal era.

Rooted in Utopian collectivist ideals, this Garden City model features town businesses that were owned and managed cooperatively by residents, making it a rare example that has survived with its character largely intact. Notably, a few of the cooperatives continue to operate in one of the earliest planned shopping centers in America.

With a thoughtful design that promotes pedestrian activity, a forward-thinking ethos, and striking Streamline Moderne architecture, Greenbelt embodies both historical significance and a vision for the future.

Upon visiting Greenbelt, President Roosevelt pronounced it “an experiment that ought to be copied by every community in the United States.” Although this ideal has not been realized on a nationwide scale, Greenbelt continues to be a hopeful model for community living.

1. NASA GSFC Visitor Center

Greenbelt is home to a prominent NASA space research laboratory, recognized as the agency’s first and oldest space center.

Established in 1958, the Goddard Space Flight Center has overseen operations for numerous NASA and international missions, including the iconic Hubble Space Telescope (launching in 1990) and its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (launched in 2021).

Visitors can delve into these landmark projects at the complimentary visitor center, which offers exciting information regarding Webb’s impact on our comprehension of the universe.

Other displays address topics such as space communications, Earth’s perspective from space, the magnificent surface of the sun, and lunar exploration. An outdoor exhibit, the Goddard Rocket Garden, features fascinating artifacts from the history of Goddard.

2. Roosevelt Center

At the heart of Greenbelt’s intricate street layout lies one of the nation’s first planned shopping centers.

Opened in 1937, the Roosevelt Center was carefully designed to be within convenient walking distance for all community members, featuring unique underpasses beneath Crescent Road. Original tenants included a gas station, grocery store, variety store, barber shop, drugstore, tobacco shop, beauty shop, movie theater, and valet service.

Several of these establishments still operate today, including the charming Old Greenbelt Theatre, which has recently undergone restoration. Remarkably, some businesses continue to be cooperatively owned, such as the CO-OP Supermarket & Pharmacy and the New Deal Cafe.

The Roosevelt Center serves as the core of activities during the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival.

3. Greenbelt Historic District

You do not need to be well-versed in architecture or urban planning to be captivated by the center of Greenbelt, which stands apart from most American cities.

For those interested, ample resources are available about the Greenbelt Historic District, along with an excellent self-guided walking tour provided by the Greenbelt Museum.

This tour encompasses 18 points of interest, many of which are detailed in this article. In addition to the Roosevelt Center and Greenbelt Community Center, one can explore the unique features that define Greenbelt.

These include the unconventional street layout, pedestrian underpasses beneath Crescent Road, and the hundreds of original housing units, all of which continue to be cooperatively owned since their acquisition in the early 1950s.

4. Greenbelt Community Center

A striking Streamline Moderne/Art Deco landmark, the Greenbelt Community Center (1937) is an essential stop on any itinerary. Formerly an elementary school until 1991, it now functions as a community facility.

Its former gymnasium and classrooms have been transformed into public event spaces, local government offices, artist studios, a nursery, and facilities for Greenbelt Access Television.

Outside, the building’s angular fluted buttresses house a series of bas-relief panels created by Lenore Thomas Straus, illustrating the Preamble to the United States Constitution. On the first floor, the Greenbelt Museum utilizes the center for its main temporary exhibit.

5. Old Greenbelt Theatre

Located within the Roosevelt Center, the Old Greenbelt Theatre is a sleek, single-screen cinema that opened its doors in 1938.

Managed by the non-profit Friends of Greenbelt Theatre since 2015, the venue has recently been modernized while preserving its Art Deco charm.

The 368-seat auditorium offers a unique atmosphere for enjoying classic films or new releases, blending vintage aesthetics with contemporary technology.

Highlights include a 40-foot CinemaScope screen, two Simplex XL 35mm projectors, along with a Christie 4K digital projector and a Dolby Digital 7.1 sound system.

6. Buddy Attick Lake Park

A notable aspect of Greenbelt’s layout is the harmonious integration of recreational spaces with residential and commercial areas.

This is exemplified by Buddy Attick Lake Park, which is accessible via a network of paved trails that extend throughout the city. Covering just over 100 acres, the park features a lake ideal for birdwatching, fishing, and boating.

A 1.3-mile trail encircles the lake, bordered by beautiful, mature trees. Facilities include picnic pavilions equipped with grills, benches and tables, a playground designed for children of all ages, a tot lot, and a basketball court.

The park is named after esteemed resident Albert S. “Buddy” Attick, who held the position of Director of Public Works and whose family was among the original inhabitants before the land was acquired by the federal government.

7. Greenbelt Museum

Those intrigued by the history of Greenbelt can find further information at this museum located within one of the historic housing units near the Community Center.

As of this writing, the primary temporary exhibit highlights the career of Social Realist sculptor Lenore Thomas Straus (1909-1988), whose Works Progress Administration-funded creations can be observed at both the Community Center and the Roosevelt Center.

Previous exhibits have showcased various facets of local cultural life, ranging from recreation, fashion, gardening, to home décor in the 1930s and 1940s.

Additionally, visitors can tour the preserved historic home that reflects the lifestyle of the late 1930s, and the museum also conducts regular walking tours of the Greenbelt Historic District.

8. Greenbelt Park

True to its name, Greenbelt was originally envisioned as being enveloped by a vast greenbelt for recreational purposes, and a large portion of this vision still exists in the southwest sector of the city.

Designated in 1950, Greenbelt Park spans 1,176 acres and is overseen by the National Park Service. Here, visitors can find a serene wooded environment perfect for camping, situated just ten miles away from the well-known landmarks of Washington, D.C.

In addition to 172 campsites that are equipped with showers and bathroom facilities, the park features a primary 5.3-mile hiking trail along with several shorter paths branching from it.

During spring and fall, the park offers free campfire programs that explore the history of local sites, including the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, College Park Aviation Museum, and Greenbelt itself.

9. College Park

Located adjacent to Greenbelt, College Park is home to the University of Maryland (UMD).

The expansive campus converges at McKeldin Mall, the largest quad in the United States, while both men’s and women’s basketball teams frequently advance deep into NCAA tournaments.

Additionally, College Park is notable for housing the nation’s oldest continuously operating airport, established in 1909 as a training ground for military pilots by aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright (1871-1948).

This historical significance is showcased at the College Park Aviation Museum, featuring full-size replicas of early aircraft flown at the airport, illustrating the remarkable evolution of powered flight from primitive designs to advanced military capabilities during WWI.

10. New Deal Cafe

Located within the Roosevelt Center, the New Deal Cafe, inaugurated in 1995, is uniquely established as a consumer cooperative.

This award-winning venue encompasses a café, restaurant, and music space, owned collectively by over 200 member patrons, and is often described as “Greenbelt’s community living room.”

Live music performances are hosted almost every night, along with monthly exhibitions that feature local artists. Notably, one does not need to be a member to partake in the café’s culinary and cultural offerings.

The menu focuses on contemporary American cuisine, emphasizing plant-based options such as spicy BBQ tofu, spinach lasagna, and vegan mac & cheese, complemented by a selection of craft beers.

11. Patuxent Research Refuge

One of the largest forested areas in the mid-Atlantic region is located just a 15-minute drive from Greenbelt.

Patuxent Research Refuge spans 13,000 acres, providing protection for forests, wetlands, and meadows. The refuge is especially important as a sanctuary for migratory waterfowl during spring and fall.

From Greenbelt, visitors can access the South Tract, which houses the National Wildlife Visitor Center, featuring engaging interpretive displays regarding the history, present, and future of wildlife conservation, alongside educational films, a bookstore, and a nature shop.

The center is linked by five miles of trails, including one that encircles the picturesque Cash Lake. Further north along the Baltimore-Washington Parkway is the less frequented North Tract, featuring 20+ miles of trails suitable for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

12. Schrom Hills Recreation Center

An ideal spot for outdoor activities in Greenbelt is the appealing Schrom Hills Recreation Center, situated near the Greenway shopping center.

Regarding the amenities available at the Schrom Hills Recreation Center, there are baseball and softball fields, a soccer field, a basketball court, an exercise trail, and a bike path.

The park also boasts two distinct playgrounds, designed for children aged 2-5 and 5-12, alongside a rentable pavilion, picnic grills, and tables.

Moreover, Schrom Hills is home to one of Prince George’s County’s Champion Trees, a towering Longleaf Pine that exceeds 50 feet in height.

13. Lake Artemesia

Adjacent to College Park Airport is a tranquil lake enveloped by natural beauty, formed in the 1970s during sand extraction for the Washington Metro’s Green Line, which traverses the west side.

The lake spans just under 40 acres and features a multi-use trail along its wooded borders, alongside a designated birding trail, fishing piers, and landscaped gardens, including a butterfly garden.

The lake is stocked with trout, bluegill, and largemouth bass, and the surrounding multi-use trails are part of the extensive Anacostia Tributary Trail System.

From this location, visitors can follow the Northeast Branch of the Anacostia River southward or proceed northwest along the Paint Branch Trail.

14. Beltway Plaza Mall

This indoor mall in Greenbelt was established in the early 1970s around a branch of S. Klein department store and evolved into its current form a few years later following the store’s closure.

Among the national retailers located at Beltway Plaza Mall are Target, Marshalls, Burlington, TJ Maxx, Footlocker, and Gamestop, in addition to numerous locally owned shops and services interspersed between the main anchors.

For entertainment options, the AMC Academy 8 features comfortable recliners in all auditoriums. Dining choices include chains such as Boston Market, Subway, Wendy’s, Dunkin, Jersey Mike’s, Baskin Robbins, and Popeye’s.

15. Greenbelt Labor Day Festival

Given Greenbelt’s origins, it is fitting that a significant highlight in the community’s social calendar is the Labor Day festival.

Initiated in 1955 to generate funds for establishing a youth center, the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival has evolved over the years and is now organized by one of the largest volunteer organizations in the state.

Predominantly held around the Roosevelt Center, the festival encompasses a wide array of activities over four days, commencing on Friday.

Activities include a carnival midway, numerous sports tournaments, an art show, a pet show, a bike ride, live music performances, exhibits presented by the Greenbelt Museum and Goddard Space Flight Center, a craft fair, diverse food vendors, and, of course, the vibrant Annual Greenbelt Labor Day Parade held at 10 am on Monday.