Story Ideas
Looking for a story that will win the day? You’ve come to the perfect place. Something short and sweet? Something fun and futuristic? Here are some ideas that will help get your creative pitch to a higher level. Always a Great Day in Prince George’s!
THE PUPPET MASTER
Beginning of the Muppets: The origins of the iconic Sesame Street characters began here. The creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson, grew up in University Park and was a graduate of the University of Maryland. As a freshman, Jim was given his own twice-daily, five-minute show, Sam and Friends, on a local TV station. The show featured an early version of Kermit the Frog. His work continues to entertain and delight audiences all over the world through The Jim Henson Company.
STEAK’N A CLAIM
Voltaggio Bros. Steak House is from the acclaimed chefs, brothers, and Maryland natives Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Known for their time on Bravo’s Emmy-winning season of Top Chef, the Brothers Voltaggio have created a modern take on the classic steakhouse. Dine on dishes drawing inspiration from their home state of Maryland amid nostalgic design details and contemporary furnishings that produce a feeling of coming home.
DMV’S BEST FISHING HOLE
As Maryland is known for its seafood, you can’t escape Prince George’s without experiencing what Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema calls “the best seafood experience in Washington DC metro area.” Fish by José Andrés at the MGM National Harbor celebrates the best of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, while including time-honored cooking techniques from around the world.
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED
The Presidential Airport: Since 1961, Joint Base Andrews (in Prince George’s County) has been home of the official presidential aircraft “Air Force One.”
TOP OF THE WORLD
You’ll feel like you’re sitting on top of the world when you experience National Harbor’s iconic attraction, The Capital Wheel! As you soar 175 feet above the Potomac River waterfront, you will marvel at the incomparable views while you write your award-winning story about Prince George’s! The Capital Wheel operates year-round, so you can take in the changing seasons from a bird’s eye view to get your story inspirations all through the year. Enjoy!
YES. THERE WERE TAPES. WE HAD THEM.
Scandal, Watergate & the Nixon Tapes: The National Archives at College Park is best known as the original repository of former President Richard Nixon’s infamous Watergate tapes.
GAME ON!
FedEx Field is home to the NFL’s Washington football team. The stadium also hosts select sporting events and concerts. Stadium tours are available to help you with your story of generations and generations of Prince Georgians and Washingtonians celebrating their home team, The Washington Redskins!
HISTORY MAKERS
Home to over 325 historic sites and eleven National Register Historic Districts, Prince George’s County is home to almost a million residents, is an economic engine for the state of Maryland, and is one of the most-visited destinations in the state. This Frederick Douglas statue is housed in Memorial Square at the University of Maryland.
LET THE CHIPS RIDE
You don’t have to be a gambler to enjoy the new MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino. Maryland’s largest casino and the only gaming venue near downtown Washington DC, the MGM National Harbor is Vegas on the Potomac. Featuring table games and a dynamic selection of slot machines. At the Theatre at MGM National Harbor, be entertained by some of the world’s top performers like Cher, Sting, Billy Crystal, Kings of Leon, and The Who. In addition, be amazed by top sporting events including World Championship Boxing.
DOIN’ IT ALL
Did we mention hundreds of events happening in Prince George’s? Experience finger-popping music at the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival and the Bluebird Blues Festival, aerial acrobatics at the Joint Base Andrews Air Show, tasty delights at the National Harbor Wine & Food Festival, and holiday traditions at the annual Christmas Celebration at Evangel Cathedral, and Christmas on the Potomac and the incredible ICE! at the Gaylord National.
THE BIG SHOW
For an artistic night out on the town while writing your story, drop by The Clarice. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, at the University of Maryland, is one of the area’s top destinations for the arts. A multi-theater complex, The Clarice annually presents an exciting mixture of national, regional, and university performances and events in music, dance and theater.
GOING BIG
Six Flags America is the Washington DC/Baltimore area’s biggest, most popular family attraction. Six Flags features dozens of thrill rides, shows, activities, and the region’s largest waterpark — Hurricane Harbor. Be thrilled by such rides as the Galactic Attack Virtual Reality Coaster, the BATWING, Bourbon Street Fireball, the Apocalypse, and the SUPERMAN Ride of Steel. And, fly sky high with the new WONDER WOMAN Lasso of Truth, an open air swing that spins and rises to the top of a 24-story tower.
WILD & BEAUTIFUL IS THE REFUGE
Beauty is all around us. Whether you are on the lookout for a scenic view, a quiet spot on the waterfront to write your story or to catch up on that best-selling novel you are in the process of writing, a place to enjoy, or a relaxing space to contemplate, you’ll find everything nature has to offer. We’re off the beaten path, and within minutes of kayaking at Patuxent River Park or on the Potomac River from National Harbor and Ft. Washington Marina. Canoe, kayak or join a boat tour to Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Or, venture over to Cedarville State Park, featuring more than 15 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
COMING DOWN THE BACK STRETCH
The Triple Crown: The famous Belair Stud Stable in Bowie was the home of two Triple Crown Winners, Gallant Fox (1930) and Omaha (1935), and the 1955 “Horse of the Year” Nashua. Known as the “Cradle of American Thoroughbred Racing”, it produced an extraordinary number of winning horses including three Kentucky Derbies, three Preakness Stakes, and six Belmont Stakes.