In New Carrollton, options for a culturally focused stay range from the colonial-era name Terrapin Thicket to a mosaic created from sections of a former station artwork. Other points of interest include the history of Old Lanham Raceway, an annual Community Day, and two outdoor fitness courts. The local history, public art, and recurring festival offer different ways to explore the area, which you can choose according to your interests.

Names, racing, and a change of name

During the colonial era, the area now known as New Carrollton was called Terrapin Thicket. The name referred to the many turtles in the marshy land. It therefore connects the former name to a specific explanation rooted in the landscape. Midget and stock car races were held at Old Lanham Raceway in New Carrollton from 1939 to 1954. On May 2, 1966, voters approved the name change to New Carrollton in a referendum. In chronological order, these details represent different chapters: Terrapin Thicket was the area’s former name, the raceway marks a limited period of motorsports, and the referendum marked the change to the present name.

Public art with a history of its own

Dawn and Dusk Resurgent, a mosaic created in 2022 from handcrafted and industrially manufactured glass and stone, is located in the plaza at the Metro Building at New Carrollton. Large sections of panels from the former mosaic in the parking garage at New Carrollton Station were redesigned for the work. Dawn and Dusk Resurgent is the first artwork in the Art-in-Transit collection to be created by redesigning an existing artwork. The panels’ origins are therefore part of the mosaic’s history.

Another public artwork is located at the New Carrollton Branch Library. Its translucent canopies allow for numerous combinations of color and light. The two works have different emphases: the history of the former mosaic informs how Dawn and Dusk Resurgent is understood, while the artwork at the library focuses on combinations of color and light. This means you can experience public art in New Carrollton through either its origins or its use of light and color.

Community Day and outdoor fitness courts

New Carrollton Community Day is held annually at Beckett Field. The 2025 event was announced as an International Festival celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and African Heritage Month. More than 60 food and arts-and-crafts vendors were represented at that event. If you’d like to plan your stay around Community Day, check the date of the event in question.

One of the two outdoor fitness courts is also at Beckett Field, on Legation Rd. The other is directly behind the New Carrollton Municipal Center at 6016 Princess Garden Parkway. This gives you two different locations: one court at Beckett Field and another behind the Municipal Center. These location details add another topic to your travel planning alongside the cultural highlights.

Explore more destinations: Oxon Hill, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Cheverly, Temple Hills, Landover Hills, Hillcrest Heights, Lanham-Seabrook

For the broader travel overview: Prince George's.