Discover Bowie: History and Leisure

Bowie has a range of stories at its heart: the town’s early history, Belair’s horse racing tradition, the railroad, and radio and television history. There are also theaters, trails, summer events, and a seasonal farmers market. As you plan your trip, you can prioritize these interests individually and check which dates or activities suit your stay.

Belair: Local History and Horse Racing

Belair Mansion is a historic house built around 1745, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and connected with Bowie’s earliest history. The stories of the people who lived there span 1747 to 1950. Self-guided tours are offered Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check opening hours before your visit.

The Belair Stable Museum also focuses on the history of the estate. Built by William Woodward in 1907, Belair Stable was part of the famous Belair Stud Stable from the 1920s through the 1950s. The museum showcases the achievements of Belair’s Thoroughbreds as part of a 200-year horse racing tradition, while also covering Belair’s agricultural use and featuring the restored 1923 stable manager’s quarters. Gallant Fox (1930) and Omaha (1935) were the only father-and-son horses to win the Triple Crown in Thoroughbred racing.

Railroad, Media, and Theater

The Bowie Railroad Museum is located in Bowie Tower, which houses the Martin O’Rourke Railroad Research Library of the National Railroad Historical Society. 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. Check opening hours before you travel. As a distinct part of railroad history, Bowie Station was opened in 1872 by the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, which was later incorporated into the Pennsylvania Railroad System.

The Old Town Bowie Welcome Center provides local visitor information and practical activities for children. Exhibits focus on the history of Old Bowie as a close-knit railroad community. Programs include Kids Kaboose for children ages five to ten and the annual Trainspotting Day held in November. Event dates may change, so it is worth checking the latest dates.

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 relating to the development and impact of electronic media. For a different kind of cultural evening, Bowie Playhouse offers a 150-seat community theater. It is ADA-accessible and located at 16500 White Marsh Park Drive; independent production companies stage a variety of plays there throughout the year.

Trails, Events, and Market

For time outdoors, Whitemarsh Park has about 1.5 miles of paved trails that are accessible to wheelchairs and bicycles, as well as several miles of unpaved trails that are well suited to mountain biking. Another route option is the 5.6-mile WB&A Railroad Trail. It follows the grounds of the former Washington, Baltimore, & Annapolis Railroad and runs from the area around Glenn Dale in the county to east of Bowie State University. The WB&A Trail is flat and accessible. Whitemarsh Park Trail, in turn, is a 7,335-foot paved trail with moderately to steeply rising terrain. The information on length and terrain can help you compare different types of trails; check trail conditions and accessibility before your visit.

Outdoor concerts are held at Allen Pond Park in summer. Bowiefest is scheduled for the first Saturday in June; check event dates before your trip. The Bowie Farmers Market runs seasonally from late May through late October, Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon. Offerings include locally grown fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, plants, artisan breads and pastries, meat, freshly brewed coffee, and handmade goods. The selection may vary from week to week; confirm the specific market dates before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Forestville, Beltsville, Hillcrest Heights, Morningside, Brandywine, New Carrollton, Lanham-Seabrook, Bladensburg

For the broader travel overview: Prince George's.