Hyattsville, MD Neighborhood Guide

Hyattsville has an absolutely amazing community of diversity and giving.  With the tremendous growth in the area, many young families have moved to the Hyattsville area. We have been so grateful to find a community of support and friendship that we haven’t found before in other places we’ve lived.  There is a feeling of paying it forward and supporting neighbors that makes Hyattsville a great place to live and raise our kids.  They see people giving and sharing, which I know will impact how they view their neighbors and the world as they grow.

There are very few places in Hyattsville where children aren’t welcome, from businesses to restaurants to breweries.  The family is so important in our neighborhood, and you will see families out playing in parks or strolling the downtown businesses every day.  There is community involvement with citizens working to make the city great and better for the families that live here!  There are so many parks in the area; it makes it easy to get out and be active with your family!

One of my favorite events of the year is the Hy-Swap. It is a community-wide children’s and maternity swap. Thousands of items are donated by neighbors of things their children have grown out of or aren’t using. Hundreds of volunteers help sort and plan the logistics for the Swap to happen. On the day of the swap, community members come and “shop the swap” for whatever their family currently needs. There is even a reception for New Moms to shop and celebrate in a little bit more peace. My kids have been clothed from birth, mostly in clothes from the Hy-Swap. That sense of giving freely what you have to others shines through in this event.

There is such a great community of families in Hyattsville that have been so welcoming and supportive. There is a listserv called Hyattsville Nurturing Parents. It has been a great way to meet others and find out what’s going on and resources in the neighborhood. HNParents also have playdates and group events to get to know other parents in the same season of life based on your child’s age.  Plus, there are many parks and family-friendly restaurants, including Franklin’s, which has the coolest toy store I have ever been in!

The neighborhood schools include Hyattsville Elementary and Hyattsville Middle School. There are two language immersion options, Spanish and French, in the area also.  St. Jerome’s Academy is also a great option!  There are several great preschools in Hyattsville, also. My kids have attended St. Matthew’s Parish Day School for three years, and we have loved the loving family atmosphere there.

There are both unique, small businesses and more convenient shopping in the Hyattsville area. One of my favorites is Tanglewood Works which is a collection of items where artists have “upcycled” items for your home and life. The items are unique and beautiful. I love walking through there and dreaming of how to make our house feel more homey! Another favorite is Three Little Birds Sewing Co. which is an absolutely adorable shop of beautiful sewing and cloth needs.  They also have classes you can take or groups that get together to do projects such as knit, quilt, or crochet. The fabrics are adorable and bring out my crafty side!  Although not a small business, having Target so close is very convenient for any life needs. I almost can’t go a week without dropping in or placing a pickup order of whatever we need for that week.

One of our favorite family-friendly places to eat in Hyattsville is Franklin’s, which is an American-style eatery where that also brews its own beer selection.  They have healthy options on the kids’ menu and a great toy store where the kids can play on train tables and other things while waiting for their food to arrive. Franklin’s also has the most mouth-watering bread pudding I have ever had.  An insider tip: get a scoop of ice cream on top!  You won’t be disappointed. Just down the street is another great restaurant, Busboys and Poets. They serve delicious food and have a family-friendly atmosphere. We love their outdoor patio seating with hanging lights for a nice outing with the family or a romantic date night.  They also have a great kids’ event on Monday mornings called Rise and Rhyme, where they host children’s music entertainers.  And their sweet potato pancakes are to die for!

For a more casual outing, we love District Taco in the new Riverdale Park, along with Whole Foods and MOD pizza. They serve fast and delicious food, and at $5 for kids’ options, it has become a regular for us. Although not much in the way of eating, there have been some cool brewery choices open up in Hyattsville, including Streetcar 82, a deaf-owned and operated brewery, bringing great beer and a unique atmosphere to the neighborhood. Meadworks, serving honey-based mead, and Sangfroid Distillery have recently opened up, which gives parents (and kids are welcome also!) a place to enjoy a good beverage. I also love Vigilante Coffee which has its roasting cafe in downtown Hyattsville. It is definitely a community hub and a place to get a great cup of coffee! We often meet up with friends and their kids at Vigilante and then walk down the block to the nearby playground.

The Hyattsville Branch Library holds story time for children of various ages each week and even hosts a Spanish story time on Saturday mornings. There is also Joe’s Movement Emporium close to Mt. Rainier, which has great movement and dance classes for all ages, from children to adults. ArtWorks also has art classes for children from preschool Saturdays to an art-based after-school program. They also hold special events with specific art projects you can do with your child or with your girlfriends!  With the University of Maryland and the Greenbelt Aquatic Center close, various swim lessons are available in the area.  There are also swim teams for older children with PG County Recreational Pool and the Adelphi Community Pool.

I would just say, Reach Out! Get out into the neighborhood! Say “hi” to your neighbors and talk to people at the multiple parks.  People are so friendly, open, and inviting. I met the women who are currently my best friends at our nearby park during the first weeks we lived here. That was 4 years ago, and we’ve seen our kids grow, and most of us have a second child now. There are so many great ways to get involved in the community and be a good neighbor. If you need anything, the listserv is a great place to look for resources and neighborhood info.

I would recommend they start the day with a flat white from Vigilante Coffee and a delicious chocolate croissant. Stroll around the corner to Three Little Birds Sewing Co. and Tanglewood Works to get your creative juices flowing. It’ll help you decide what your next project or home design solution will be.  Next, stop for lunch across the street at Franklin’s restaurant, where you can pick up a special item or two from their store or the nearby Green Owl Design. Then end the day by becoming an artist yourself by taking a class at ArtWorks or Three Birds Sewing. Lastly, top off with an afternoon or happy hour drink at one of the great breweries and distilleries in our amazing neighborhood. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on what Hyattsville has to offer!

Jennifer is a tireless advocate for her clients and works hard to ensure that their needs are met to the highest of standards. She has lived and worked in Washington, D.C., for more than 20 years, and uses her extensive knowledge of the area to help her clients achieve their real estate goals. As the mother of two small children, she understands that finding the right home isn’t just about the house, but also about the broader community and everything else that makes a house feel like home. Prior to transitioning into real estate, Jennifer spent more than 10 years as a regulatory attorney with a nationally recognized law firm and 7 years in international service with the Organization of American States (OAS). She is a skilled negotiator and staunch supporter of her client’s interests. Jennifer serves as a volunteer attorney with the Tahirih Justice Center and is an active member of the Inspired Families Association of the Inspired Teaching School. She is a longtime resident of the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C., with her husband and two children. Contact Jennifer at [email protected] or (202) 486-4037. Look at her website at https://www.menkitigroup.com.