Bowie is a city in Maryland.

Culture and History

Bowie is a suburban bedroom community of Washington D.C.. Most of the city consists of ranch-style and cape cod style homes built in the 1960s and 1970s as a planned community by Levitt. Life in Bowie is a lot like a "Leave It To Beaver" episode.

Travel to Bowie - Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Bowie

  • Baltimore-Washington International Airport (IATA: BWI) is 33 minutes north on US301/MD3
  • Washington Reagan National Airport (IATA: DCA) is 34 minutes west via US 50 (but through Washington D.C.

By train

The MARC train system provides inexpensive service between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.. It is a commuter system that runs Monday-Friday only. Use the Penn Line and exit at Bowie State University.

Buses to Bowie

Metrobus service to Bowie is available from the New Carrollton Metro station.

Tours and Getting around Bowie

Car is your friend. Suburban sprawl is the enemy of feet.

Bowie tourist attractions and sightseeing

  • Belair Mansion: Built in 1745 by Samuel Ogle, the provincial governor of Maryland, the mansion serves today as an historical museum operated by the city.
  • Belair Stables: Most of modern-day Bowie was once a stud farm where champion thoroughbred race horses were born and raised. The Belair Stables operated for roughly 200 years and is famous for producing two Triple Crown champions (Gallant Fox and Omaha).

Bowie city tours

  • Bowie Baysox: Double-A level minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles.
  • Allen's Pond: City park featuring a small lake with canoe rentals and fishing, amphitheatre for summer outdoor performances, and ice skating rink.

Bowie souvenirs and shopping

Shopping is very average in Bowie. There are a couple of strip malls, but nothing worth seeking out. The mediocrity includes:

  • Bowie Town Center
  • Free State Mall

Bowie Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

  • Ichiban Sushi, 3921 Evergreen Parkway, Bowie, ☎ 301-352-9160(fax: 301-352-9136), [1]. Su-Th 11AM-10PM F-Sa 11AM-11PM. Try the "Sushi Red & White", or for non-sushi eaters, the Chinese menu. 
  • Rip's Country Inn, 3809 Crain Hwy. (US 301 at the MD 197 intersection): If you were considering one of the too-many plastic chain restaurants that inflict Bowie, STOP! Head to Rip's for casual dining in a fun atmosphere that's been a Bowie tradition for more than 50 years. The food is hearty and plentiful, the service always authentic, and the value just can't be beat.

Bowie nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

People in Bowie usually head to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, or Annapolis for nightlife. There are no noteworthy bars or clubs in Bowie.

Bowie cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

  • Rip's Country Inn, 3809 N. Crain Hwy. (US 301, 1 mile south of US 50)
  • Comfort Inn, 4500 Crain Hwy., (301) 464-0089 (US 301 at US 50)
  • Towneplace Suites, 3700 Town Center Blvd., Tel: (301) 262-8045, (near US 50 and MD 197)
  • Hampton Inn, 15202 Major Lansdale Blvd., Tel: (301) 809-1800, (near US 50 and MD 197)

Get out

This page was last edited by David. Based on work by Mark Stevens, Nick Roux and Ben Watanabe and Wikitravel user(s) Jonboy. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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