Greenbelt Maryland Accommodations

When should you travel to Greenbelt, MD?

Greenbelt experiences weather that's typical to the Eastern Seaboard with warm, humid summers and cold, windy winters. The hottest time of the year starts at the end of May and lasts until the middle of September. Average daily temperatures during the hot season are 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest day of the year — when the average temperature jumps to about 88 degrees — usually occurs in the last third of July.

Temperatures stay warm until the end of November when the cooler weather starts becoming noticeable. Average daily temperatures are around 52 degrees. They reach their lowest around January 31 with an average high of 44 and a low of 27. Temperatures start to rise after the end of January, but it's not usually noticeable until about March 4 when daily temperatures reach 52.

The chance of rain is greatest during the period between April 1 and August 27 with a daily average of 29 percent, so be sure to bring rain gear or an umbrella when visiting. The day with the highest chance of rain is July 13 with a 38 percent chance. The chance for rain drops off sharply in the earlier part of August, and the dry season starts towards the end of August and lasts until the beginning of April. The snowy period starts towards the end of November and ends around the end of March, although calling it the snowy period is a bit of a misnomer. The region sees almost no significant snowfall for the duration of the winter.

Where are the best discounts near Greenbelt, Maryland?

Looking to save more money on your hotel room? Discounts are the way to go, and The Days Inn by Wyndham College Park, just 2 miles from Greenbelt, has excellent discounts that include 10 percent or more off the room rate for auto club members, senior rates for those who are 60 and over with valid proof of ID, 10 percent off the best available rate for AARP members, and a discount for government employees that fall within the available per diem. Rooms feature amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with cable channels, microwave and mini-fridge, coffee/tea maker, table and chairs, en-suite bathroom with amenities, and hairdryer. The hotel itself features free breakfast daily, conference room, and a seasonal outdoor pool.

The Red Roof Inn Washington DC College Park is another hotel that's a couple of miles away from Greenbelt. It's worth going the extra distance for the discounts. Members of AAA/CAA get a special room rate with proof of membership, and seniors 59 or older get 10 percent off room rates year-round with proof of ID. Active and retired members of the military and their families get a 10 percent discount off their room rate. Government employees — both active and retired — as well as government contractors, can also get a 10 percent discount on rooms. Rooms at the Red Roof Inn have amenities that include a flat-screen TV with cable channels, microwave and mini-refrigerator, free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea maker with supplies, work desk and ergonomic work chair, and iron and ironing board. The hotel has amenities that include a fitness center and free breakfast served daily.

What are the best hotels around Greenbelt?

A few short miles from Greenbelt is the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Laurel. It features reasonable room rates for a quality stay experience. Rooms here are generously sized, well-appointed, and have amenities that include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with cable and premium channels, coffee/tea maker with instant hot water, mini-fridge and microwave, work desk with ergonomic chair, and branded bathroom amenities. The hotel itself features a seasonal outdoor pool, laundry facilities and service, business center, fitness facilities, free newspapers in the lobby, free breakfast, and a snack bar.

The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Laurel is also a few miles away from Greenbelt and offers quality amenities at a reasonable price. Rooms at this hotel feature black-out shades, mini-fridge and microwave, branded coffee/tea maker with supplies, flat-screen TV with cable and premium channels, free Wi-Fi, iPod docking station and clock radio, work desk with desk-level electrical outlets and chair, and a sleeper sofa. The hotel itself offers a daily breakfast buffet and delivery from off-site restaurants, indoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center, on-site business center, and meeting rooms.

What should you do and see while visiting Greenbelt, MD?

The Goddard Space Center is small but comprehensive with interactive exhibits and many vintage rockets displayed in the garden. Displays talk about the work that has been done at Goddard, and a movie theater shows vintage films related to space exploration. It's also a working research center, which is off-limits to the public, but you can get access to the library with VIP status.

If you've ever wondered what it was like to see a movie in the 1930s, head to the Old Greenbelt Theatre. It's an Art Deco building inside and out that's located on the town square and shows second-run movies on a single screen. The interior is well-kept and modernized without losing the original ambiance of the theater. Seeing films at the theater offers the experience of watching a film on a large screen and in an auditorium, something that's been lost in the modern era of stadium-style movie theaters.

The Greenbelt Museum is housed in one of the original semi-detached homes constructed for the planned community. The museum highlights how the town came into existence, how the government planned Greenbelt to be a modern town, and what life was like during the early years of the town. The museum offers tours of an original home that's outfitted with all of the furnishings needed for modern life in the 1930's. There are also walking tours of the town to learn more about its origins.

Greenbelt, MD, is more than a suburb of Washington, D.C. It is unique and historic in its own right, and staying here offers a window into American history.