Top Landmarks in Landover
Landover, Maryland occupies a distinctive position in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area — a Prince George's County community of roughly 24,500 residents flanked by highways, green corridors, and some of the most historically significant terrain in the mid-Atlantic region. It is not a sprawling tourist destination in the traditional sense, but its location places visitors within easy reach of a stadium that draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, a cluster of War of 1812 sites that genuinely shaped American history, and a network of National Park Service land stretching across the county's wooded interior.
Whether a visit to Landover is anchored around a football game, a walk along a river battlefield, or the kind of quiet afternoon that suburban parks tend to invite, the area rewards people who take the time to look beyond the highway interchanges. For a broader orientation to the area before diving in, the Landover Travel Guide: Things to Do, Landmarks, Food, and Itineraries provides a useful starting point.
FedEx Field
No single structure defines Landover's public identity more visibly than FedEx Field, the NFL stadium that serves as the home of the Washington Commanders. Located off Arena Drive near the center of the community, the stadium has been a fixture in this corner of Prince George's County since the late 1990s and continues to draw large crowds on game days.
The scale of the facility is genuinely striking. The stadium's footprint and surrounding infrastructure reshape the feel of the surrounding blocks whenever the Commanders host a home game, and even on quieter days the structure serves as a visual anchor for anyone moving through the area by car or transit. For longtime football fans, the stadium carries the weight of a franchise with a long and sometimes complicated history in the Washington region — one that has seen multiple name changes, ownership controversies, and loyal fan support through all of it.
The Washington Commanders have been working toward a new stadium development at the RFK Stadium site in Washington, D.C., a project that, if completed, would eventually shift the team's home venue out of Landover. For now, FedEx Field remains the active home of the franchise. For current schedules, ticketing, and any policies around entry or bags, the team's official website is the place to check before visiting.
On game days, traffic in the immediate area can be heavy, and many visitors find it easier to arrive by rail. Metro service reaches the area, and the system typically adds capacity to handle crowds on game days. For current fares, service patterns, and tap-to-pay options at fare gates, check the WMATA website before heading out.
The Battle of Bladensburg and the Waterfront Park
Just north of Landover, the town of Bladensburg carries one of the more consequential — and sobering — footnotes in early American history. On August 24, 1814, British forces routed an American militia at the Battle of Bladensburg, opening an unobstructed road to Washington. Within hours, British troops entered the capital and set fire to the U.S. Capitol and the White House. It remains one of the most dramatic military episodes on American soil, and the terrain where it unfolded is still accessible today.
Bladensburg Waterfront Park, administered by the National Park Service as part of the National Capital Parks — East network, sits along the Anacostia River and offers trails, interpretive signage, and waterfront views that put the geography of the 1814 battle into context. The park is relatively quiet on most days and tends to draw history enthusiasts, cyclists using the Anacostia River Trail, and families looking for accessible green space near the city. Interpretive markers help orient visitors to what happened here and why it mattered. For current hours, accessibility details, and any ranger programs at the site, the NPS website has up-to-date information.
The Bladensburg Peace Cross
Also in Bladensburg, close to the waterfront park, stands the Bladensburg Peace Cross — a large concrete cross erected in the 1920s to honor Prince George's County residents who died in World War I. The memorial became widely known well beyond the region when it became the subject of a significant U.S. Supreme Court case, American Legion v. American Humanist Association, decided in 2019. The Court ruled in favor of keeping the cross on public land, holding that its long historical presence had given it a civic significance that extended beyond its religious form.
The cross stands at the intersection of Bladensburg Road and Baltimore Avenue and is visible from the street without any formal entry or access requirement. It is a thought-provoking structure — the kind of landmark that tends to generate genuine reflection on how communities choose to memorialize sacrifice, and how legal and cultural interpretations of public monuments evolve over time. For anyone interested in constitutional history, American war memorials, or the intersection of religion and public life, it is worth a deliberate stop.
Greenbelt Park
A short drive north from Landover, Greenbelt Park is a National Park Service unit that preserves a substantial stretch of forested land in the middle of the suburban D.C. landscape. The contrast between the park's tree canopy and the surrounding highway corridors is notable — it offers wooded trails, picnic areas, and a campground that give visitors a genuine outdoor experience without leaving Prince George's County.
The park is popular with trail runners, hikers, and campers who want a base close to the metro area without the crowds of more prominent destinations. Trails wind through second-growth forest and connect to adjacent green corridors, making it a reasonable option for a morning or afternoon walk even on a short visit. For current trail maps, camping reservations, and any applicable fees, the NPS website should be the first stop.
Combining the Landmarks: A Day in Landover and Its Neighbors
The landmarks in and around Landover cluster into a manageable circuit. The Bladensburg Waterfront Park and the Peace Cross are within a few minutes of each other and sit just north of the Landover community, making them a natural pairing for a morning walk. Greenbelt Park lies further north and suits an afternoon visit when the light through the tree canopy is at its best. FedEx Field is to the south and east, most engaging on game days but worth seeing in passing even otherwise.
The distances between all of these points are short enough that a car gives the most flexibility, though Metro and local bus routes serve much of the corridor. For a structured plan that threads these stops together with timing and practical detail, the Landover 1-Day Itinerary is a useful guide. If a longer stay is possible, the Landover 3-Day Itinerary extends exploration further into Prince George's County and the surrounding region.
Getting Around
Landover sits near several major roads, including U.S. Route 50 and the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95), making it straightforward to reach by car from most points in the metropolitan area. Metro rail and local bus routes serve the broader corridor; tap-to-pay is accepted at rail stations throughout the WMATA system. For schedules, service maps, and fare information, WMATA's website is the authoritative source.
New Carrollton, a major multi-modal transit hub just north of Landover, offers connections to Amtrak and MARC commuter rail in addition to Metro — a useful option for visitors arriving from Baltimore or other points along the Northeast corridor.
Eating Near the Landmarks
The broader Prince George's County area has a deep and varied food scene, with thousands of restaurants and cafes spread across the corridor between Landover, Bladensburg, and the surrounding communities. Options near the stadium and along the main commercial roads range from quick-service spots to sit-down dining that reflects the area's demographic diversity. The Where to Eat in Landover guide covers the dining landscape in more depth for those who want to plan a meal around their visit.
For questions about planning around a specific time of year — weather, crowds, and seasonal considerations — the Best Time to Visit Landover page covers what to expect across the calendar. And if something specific about visiting Landover isn't addressed here, the Landover FAQ addresses common practical questions. The Best Things To Do in Landover page rounds out the picture with activities and attractions that go beyond the major landmarks listed above.