Surroundings
College Park, MD
The University of Maryland is located in College Park, a suburb of Washington DC. The City of College Park is primarily a college town, but it is increasingly attracting a diverse and highly educated population, due to nearby centers such as the National Archives, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and the new headquarters of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. College Park is also conveniently located (~15-30min) to Washington DC, Silver Spring, and Bethesda, which offer their own restaurants, nightlife and cultural activities.
Cultural and sporting activities in College Park are dominated by the University of Maryland. The university's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center hosts a rich program of theatrical, musical, and dance productions by nationally renowned performers. Thanks to its proximity to Washington DC, the university regularly hosts events involving prominent national political and cultural figures, which in recent years has included such figures as Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, and Hillary Clinton. Maryland's sports teams in football, basketball, soccer and lacrosse are hugely popular, and on game days the 18,000 seat Comcast Center or 55,000 seat Byrd Stadium are filled to capacity. The University houses outstanding facilities for competitive and recreational sports, including world-class swimming facilities and an 18-hole golf course.
Washington, DC
The University of Maryland is situated in the Washington DC metropolitan area, just a few miles from downtown Washington. College Park has a station on the Washington DC Metro system, making it a short ride to central Washington. Some graduate students choose to live near downtown and commute via metro to the University of Maryland.
The Washington DC metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million, and is one of the most vibrant cities in North America. Washington boasts a remarkable range of cultural and scientific resources, including the many world-class museums of the Smithsonian Institution (all free), the National Gallery of Art, the Library of Congress, and many important theater and concert venues. The Washington area is also home to NASA, the National Institutes of Health, and many other national laboratories and agencies, plus a number of other prominent universities, including Georgetown University, Gallaudet University and George Washington University.
Washington, DC is also a major transportation hub, providing easy access to the entire United States and direct flights to many destinations in Europe, Asia, and South America. Washington is also a major rail hub for Amtrak, which provides regular rail service to such cities as Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.