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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : University
Map Pin
3500 Sellman Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
University of Maryland
And here we go! As we merge onto Interstate 95 just north of College Park, we’re officially leaving the Washington, D.C. metro area and beginning our drive north — a route that will carry us through Maryland’s heartland, past historic harbors, river crossings, and towns that helped shape the American story.

Now, here’s something important for this tour to work the way it’s designed: always follow the signs for I-95 North and skip the Express I-95 lanes; stay on the regular I-95. That’s how we’ll stay on track together.

If you do have to leave the route, no worries. Just restart the tour by selecting the next Point of Interest as your new starting point. The app will navigate you there, and the tour will pick up seamlessly.

Off to the east lies the FDA White Oak Campus, one of the nation’s leading centers for science and public health. This sprawling complex is where thousands of researchers and analysts work to ensure the safety of our nation’s food, medicines, and vaccines. Decades ago, this site was part of a Navy research facility during World War II, later transformed into a symbol of innovation and public service — fitting for a region that has always been tied to progress.

Just a few miles southwest sits the University of Maryland in College Park, founded in 1856. Once a small agricultural school, it has grown into one of the country’s top research universities — a hub of technology, policy, and discovery that reflects the modern spirit of the Washington region.

As we travel north, the city gradually gives way to quieter suburbs — stretches of green forest, red-brick buildings, and small towns like Beltsville and Laurel, where Maryland’s farmland meets the corridor of industry that links Washington to Baltimore. This stretch of I-95 is one of America’s great highways — a moving thread that connects countless stories, from commuters and truckers to travelers chasing the open road.

So settle in and enjoy the ride. Ahead lies a journey through places where science, history, and community intertwine.

Read More

  https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-campus-information/fda-white-oak-campus-information
Place #2
Distance: 3.96mi , Attraction : City
Map Pin
33JX+4V Konterra, MD, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Laurel, Maryland
Just ahead, we’re approaching Laurel, Maryland, a small city that has long been a crossroads between Washington and Baltimore. What began as a quiet mill town along the Patuxent River became one of the first true commuter communities in the region — a place where Maryland’s industrial past and suburban present come together.

Laurel traces its roots to the early 1800s, when the Avondale Mill and other textile operations used the Patuxent’s steady current to power their looms. Cotton and wool from nearby farms were spun and dyed here, and the river served as both a lifeline and a boundary — winding through forests that are still part of protected parkland today. You can still see traces of those old mill foundations along Main Street, a historic corridor lined with red-brick buildings that once supplied goods for Washington and Baltimore alike.

When the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad arrived in the 1830s, Laurel’s destiny shifted from water to steel. The train station quickly became a vital stop along the East Coast corridor, connecting local factories to larger markets. Commuters still use that same line today — the oldest continuously operating railroad in the country.

Over the years, Laurel grew into a blend of small-town charm and modern motion. The streets hold echoes of an earlier America — general stores, old churches, and neighborhood diners — yet the hum of traffic and technology marks its role in a region that’s always on the move. Not far from here sits Laurel Park, one of Maryland’s oldest horse racing tracks, where crowds have gathered since 1911 to cheer under wide summer skies.

As we leave Laurel behind, the road begins to open up again, leading us toward the Patuxent River — the natural border between Maryland’s counties and the next step north on our drive.

Read More

  https://www.cityoflaurel.org/
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 University of Maryland
Map Pin Place 2 Laurel, Maryland
Map Pin Place 3 Patuxent River
Map Pin Place 4 Jessup and Elkridge
Map Pin Place 5 Deep Run
Map Pin Place 6 BWI Airport
Map Pin Place 7 Baltimore, Maryland
Map Pin Place 8 Fort McHenry
Map Pin Place 9 Leaving Baltimore
Map Pin Place 10 Gunpowder River
Map Pin Place 11 Mariner Point Park
Map Pin Place 12 Bush River
Map Pin Place 13 Chesapeake Bay
Map Pin Place 14 Havre de Grace
Map Pin Place 15 Whitaker Wildlife Management Area
Map Pin Place 16 Elk Neck State Forest
Map Pin Place 17 Elkton, Maryland
Map Pin Place 18 Delaware
Map Pin Place 19 Brookside, Delaware
Map Pin Place 20 Delaware History
Map Pin Place 21 Wilmington
Map Pin Place 22 The Delaware River
Map Pin Place 23 Pennsylvania
Map Pin Place 24 Ridley Creek State Park
Map Pin Place 25 Native Americans
Map Pin Place 26 Philadelphia
Map Pin Place 27 Philadelphia Insights
Map Pin Place 28 Philadelphia History
Map Pin Place 29 Rancocas Creek
Map Pin Place 30 Delaware River Basin
Map Pin Place 31 New Jersey
Map Pin Place 32 Trenton, New Jersey
Map Pin Place 33 Six Flags Great Adventure
Map Pin Place 34 Townships
Map Pin Place 35 Princeton
Map Pin Place 36 Universities
Map Pin Place 37 New Brunswick, New Jersey
Map Pin Place 38 Raritan River
Map Pin Place 39 New York-New Jersey Bight
Map Pin Place 40 New York History
Map Pin Place 41 New York Skyline
Map Pin Place 42 New York



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 3.5 to 5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 42 stops, covering top attractions such as University of Maryland, Laurel, Maryland, Patuxent River, Jessup and Elkridge, Deep Run.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at University of Maryland (Address: 3500 Sellman Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - <b>1.</b> A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). <b>2.</b> A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!