The Polka Dot Park is a fun, bright community space in historic Hyattsville. It's in a former…read moreparking lot. The space is large with blue picnic tables and murals decorated the walls. It's a great space for community events!

Polka Dot Park is awesome. There was a fairly desolate looking lot in Hyattsville that now has a…read morelot of tastefully done art that consistently provides backdrops for many many photos. The space is gently sloped and there are a number of picnic tables, umbrellas and lights that, along with the colors, make for a whimsical community space. During warmer months, bands will play on the loading dock that can be repurposed as a stage. While driving by on most days, you can see people taking selfies with the large "Handmade in Hyattsville" painting, or with one of the colorfully painted garage doors as the backdrop. According to their facebook page, it is made possible by Urban Investment Partners.

Not sure when this was Silver Plaza but as it has been Veterans Plaza for the past decade. It…read morehosts a weekly farmers market on Saturday and various cultural festivals. It also has an ice rink I never gotten to use. Also, it is fun around election with all the politicians, particularly during the primary where you can early vote inside the Silver Spring Civic Center adjacent to the Plaza. Such a great space in my amazing city.

Silver Plaza is the at the heart of Downtown Silver Spring. The plaza, as its name suggests, is an…read moreopen space where the public can sit, stand, play, or simply hang out. The atmosphere here is almost always energetic and anyone looking to explore downtown Silver Spring should start here before venturing out towards the various shops, theaters, and restaurants in the area. The restaurants in the area (in between Georgia Ave. and Fenton St.) range from the expensive to the moderately priced. Just about anyone can grab a bite to eat here. From pho to fries, the choices in cuisine are expansive. Looking to do some shopping? City Place mall can be accessed from the plaza, as well as shops such as DSW, Borders, and the Ann Taylor Loft which are located outside of the mall. Feeling like seeing a movie? Check out the Majestic where there are always a large number of movies playing at any given time. Don't like the new stuff? Well there's always the AFI Silver Theater where you can catch Hitchcock classics and the like. The most stunning thing about the Plaza is the fountain. Symbolizing the actual silver spring that was discovered in the area (thus giving Silver Spring its name), the fountain is a place where parents bring their children to cool off during the summer, and provides everyone else with a soothing sensation only flowing water could give you. The only down side to the plaza is the amount of obnoxious high schoolers that can situate themselves throughout the plaza at any given time (mostly at night). But then again, that's anywhere and it's not too bad unless you're trying to watch a movie at the Majestic. The food is great, the shops are plentiful, the parking is ample, and the Metro is close. Don't miss out on such a wonderful public space to spend a day or an evening. P.S. The Downtown Silver Spring Summer Concert Series and the Farmer's Market are also situated in this wonderful Plaza.

Sometimes I just want to walk to Silver Spring without having to deal with the bus. If not because…read moreof the stress of waiting on a system whose willingness to get me from point A to point B is hampered by its unreliable schedule, then it's certainly because The Silver Pass provides this proactive pedestrian with a straight shot to the downtown area. Situated between a fire station and Mayorga, the The Silver Pass gives walking folk a means to travel safely underneath railroad tracks and alongside heavy traffic. The walls flow with dark colored, horizontal lines, appropriately giving you the impression that you are venturing forward. Also, on either end of the Pass, you'll find tiled mosaics depicting the colorful inspiration of its artists. Although The Silver Pass is not much to marvel at, it is enough to appreciate. Without it's convenient pedestrian walkway I'd have to add another 5 minutes to my trip. Sure, sometimes it smells funny and I question whether it's car exhaust or piss (I try to avoid touching the walls), but The Silver Pass serves its purpose as a convenient walkway, and I'm fine with that.

Trattoria Da Lina has become our family's "special occasion" restaurant in Takoma Park, though it's…read morejust as wonderful for an ordinary weeknight when you want outstanding Italian food. It's family-owned and operated, and you feel that warmth the moment you walk through the door. The staff are genuinely welcoming, happily accommodate substitutions and dietary restrictions, and often recite the nightly specials with a delightful mix of English and Italian--usually accompanied by a compliment about your outfit or your dinner companion that makes everyone smile. We had Christmas Eve dinner there this year, and it was every bit as memorable as we'd hoped. The portions are generous enough to share or take half home for lunch the next day. I especially recommend the Chicken Marsala, Chicken Piccata, and the classic mussels, all prepared beautifully. Don't overlook their neighboring pizzeria either--it's our go-to for both takeout and casual dining. Trattoria Da Lina is the kind of neighborhood restaurant every community wishes it had.

Overall value is 3.5 - it's a bit of a splurge for a regular dinner but we were craving Italian and…read morethis was the closest. We do really like the Tacoma Park area. It's on the same block as a really nice Thai place and a nice Mediterranean spot as well. There weren't many people on a weekday night so we just walked in. Street parking is free after 7 PM. The star was the margharita pizza. And we also got a calzone, which was also really good. The texture of the crust and the little slight crunch and the sauce was really great. I wish there was more basil on the margarita pizza. There were three pieces of basil on the entire pie the pasta we got was the seafood pasta and it was a bit salty and portions are a bit small, but maybe that's the norm now? And we also got this other mushroom ravioli thing that is also pretty good but just really small. I think it was like five or six pieces of ravioli for $24. Service was fine. It was standard. The restaurant was a little bit hot during the heat wave. I wish it was a little cooler so with the four dishes altogether it was over $80 before tip for two people and we just had a little bit left over which is why I thought the value was more 3.5 than a four. That said, I'd still come back and get the margarita pizza and calzone - they're really quite good.

I'm shocked no one has reviewed the city of Hyattsville yet. I spent my formative years in this…read morecity and lots of different memories of this place. I was able to find this listing on Yelp and checked in (yea)! A very diverse city with about 1/3 Caucasian, 1/3 African American, 1/3 Latino and a smattering of Asian families. I return regularly here and amazed to see how this place has changed (and for the better). This year, Hyattsville is 140 years old and it was started back in 1886. This, I had no idea! I usually like going for jogs when I am back and absolutely love running on the Trolley Trail, which is so green and peaceful. This is a city right outside of DC and considered an urban suburb. Lots of cool stuff here in the city of Hyattsville and UMD is right down the street (one of my alma maters). Its a neat little place which I couldn't appreciate at the time I was here, but can now truly see with my open eyes returning after being gone for 20 plus years.

This is an Italian neighborhood gem. The service is excellent and the food delicious. The owner…read moreJohn makes you feel at home. Go there for visit to your nona's kitchen.

Craving Italian, we found this spot conveniently close to our hotel. Upon arrival, our waiter…read moregreeted us with a friendly handshake, and we were promptly seated. With both the Yelp photos and the menu to guide us, it was tough to choose. The menu prices are very reasonable. We both went with the cheese ravioli, and I had an iced tea -- the total came to just $30. The ravioli were bursting with flavor and cooked perfectly, not overdone like so many places. Service was outstanding, yet the atmosphere remains relaxed and unhurried, so don't come here expecting super-fast dining.

The Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo was delicious, and the Italian Rum Punch was excellent! The food and…read moredrinks definitely made the visit worthwhile. Service: Our waitress was very nice and attentive. She seemed a little nervous, but she was friendly and did a good job taking care of us. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because the restaurant could use some updates. The furniture looked old and worn, and the dining room felt more like a nursing home dining room than a cozy Italian restaurant. A refresh of the décor would really improve the overall atmosphere. I'd definitely come back for the food, drinks, and friendly service.

*adding more pictures from my latest visit - still a solid 4-star restaurant in my opinion.read more

I knew Norman Lane from when I worked in Silver Spring. A funny story about Norman, one day the…read morefire dept. went on a call to see about a person down by the railroad tracks, they found another Silver Spring bum, he was Dead. When Norman was told this news, he said, that guy was just a bum. Norman pretty much kept to himself, but when police wanted to know about some crime in town, they would check with Norman.