Belair Mansion and railroad history are two distinctive highlights of Bowie. Museums, theaters, trails and seasonal events offer more to explore during your stay. As you plan, you can decide whether to set aside more time for Bowie's history, culture or outdoor activities.
Belair: Early History and Horse Racing
Belair Mansion is a historic home built around 1745, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and connected to Bowie's earliest history. The house tells the stories of its residents from 1747 to 1950. Self-guided tours are available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check current opening hours before your visit.
The Belair Stable Museum explores Belair's horse racing and agricultural history. Built by William Woodward in 1907, Belair Stable was part of the renowned Belair Stud Stable from the 1920s through the 1950s. The museum showcases the achievements of Belair's Thoroughbred horses across a 200-year racing tradition, Belair's agricultural use, and the restored 1923 stable manager's apartment. Belair was home to Gallant Fox (1930) and Omaha (1935). The two were father and son and are the only father-son pair to win the Triple Crown in Thoroughbred racing.
Railroad History in Bowie
Bowie Station opened in 1872 under the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, which was later incorporated into the Pennsylvania Railroad system. At the Bowie Railroad Museum, Bowie Tower houses the National Railroad Historical Society's Martin O’Rourke Railroad Research Library. The museum offers self-guided tours Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The station is accessible to people with disabilities. It's also a good idea to check current opening hours before your visit.
The Old Town Bowie Welcome Center offers local visitor information, hands-on activities for children and exhibits about Old Bowie's history as a close-knit railroad community. Events include Kids Kaboose for children ages five to ten and Trainspotting Day, held annually in November. If you plan to attend either event, check the latest dates in advance.
Media History and Theater
The National Capital Radio & Television Museum covers the history of radio and television from the 1920s to the present. It collects, preserves and interprets artifacts, broadcasts and publications related to the development and impact of electronic media. This offers a different perspective on history from Bowie's homes and railroad sites: here, the focus is on media and its influence.
Bowie Playhouse is an ADA-accessible community theater with 150 seats at 16500 White Marsh Park Drive. Independent production companies stage a variety of plays there throughout the year. Because schedules change, check the current program for a specific performance.
Trails and Outdoor Activities
Whitemarsh Park has about 1.5 miles of paved trails accessible to wheelchairs and bicycles, as well as several miles of unpaved trails well suited to mountain biking. The 5.6-mile WB&A Railroad Trail follows the former Washington, Baltimore, & Annapolis Railroad right-of-way. It runs from the Glenn Dale area in the county to a point east of Bowie State University and is flat and accessible. These different mileage figures help you gauge the range of trail options; check current trail conditions before setting out.
Bowie Golf Course is an 18-hole course at 7420 Laurel Bowie Road (MD 197), owned by the City of Bowie since 1981. If you plan to play golf, check current operating information in advance, as operations and management can change.
Seasonal Markets and Events
The Bowie Farmers Market runs Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon, from late May through late October. Offerings include locally grown fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, plants, artisan breads and pastries, meat, freshly brewed coffee and handcrafted goods. The selection may vary from week to week; check market dates before you arrive.
Other events take place throughout the year: Allen Pond Park hosts summer outdoor concerts, and Bowiefest is scheduled for the first Saturday in June. If a particular event is important to your trip, confirm the latest date in advance.
Discover more destinations: Laurel, Morningside, Riverdale Park, Oxon Hill, Capitol Heights, Brandywine, Fort Washington, Greenbelt.
For the broader travel overview: Prince George's.
