Views of the Potomac Valley in Bryans Road
Bryans Road is one of those rural Maryland communities with lots of open spaces and copious views into distant places. From certain spots, you can see clear into the distant past. “From the crest of this one hill, you can see across the Potomac into Virginia, to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, six or seven miles away,” says Greg Doherty, a veteran Realtor with Coldwell Banker who sells homes out here.
Quiet farmland and spacious lots away from the city
Named for a 19th-century farmer and scientist who lived here, Bryans Road is intentionally away from it all. “You’ll find this particular community has a history of being where people would live outside of the city,” Doherty says. “These were old communities where people in the city would go to get away from it all, and it still has that kind of flavor. Very much undeveloped, Bryans Road is a mix of single-family homes and farmland. There are colonials and brick ramblers dating back to the early to mid-19th century. “There are pockets of development. But it’s not as much as in Prince George’s County. People buy here because they want land. They want a little elbow room. They want to be close to the city but not too near it,” Doherty explains. The median home price in Bryans Road is around $400,000, identical to the median listing price and median townhouse price as well. There are some homes as low as around $100,000, but there are also homes from about $500,000 to as much as $750,000. “It’s typically lower than what you’d find in other areas,” Doherty says.
B-rated public schools in Charles County
Students attend J. C. Parks Elementary School, which Niche rates B-minus, Matthew Henson Middle School, which Niche rates B-minus and Henry E. Lackey High School, which Niche rates B-minus and ranks its teachers in the top 40% of high school teachers across the state. The schools are in the Charles County Public Schools, which Niche rates B.
Riverside hiking at Chapman State Park
One of Bryans Road’s best-known and loved attractions is Chapman State Park. Set on the banks of the Potomac River, it has four miles of trails for hikers to explore. More notably, the park is the home to Mount Aventine, a restored pre-Civil War plantation home that once belonged to the very well-off Chapman family.
A small selection of businesses, with nearby shopping in Waldorf
If having a significant historic attraction like Mount Aventine is Bryans Road’s big plus, then consider shopping and dining its big minuses. “There are not as many restaurants or retail shopping,” Doherty says. “There are some nice restaurants in La Plata next to Bryans Road. There are some small shops in town, but no destination shopping.” For that, people generally travel to Waldorf to shop at Safeway or Giant Food for groceries or The Shops at Waldorf Center to find your big brand retail stores. “There’s also a lot of shopping at National Harbor. It has shopping, hotels and an MGM Casino," Doherty says.
Fishing, hunting and transportation access
Besides Chapman State Park, there aren’t many attractions or events people travel to Bryans Road to visit. For excitement and things to do, the locals are much more likely to travel elsewhere, like National Harbor and take in the activities and nightlife there. Although if you’re a sportsman, you might find here a suitable place. “There’s a waterman feel to life here. People like to go duck hunting and do water activities,” Doherty says. While you’re down there, ask someone how to find Marshall Hall Road. “Marshall Hall used to have an amusement park back in the day right on the river,” Doherty advises. VanGo operates public transportation buses that connect Bryans Road to places away from here. If you’re planning to drive, plan to take Maryland Highway 210, it’s your main road into and out of town.
![Chaz Mixon]()
Photography Contributed By
Chaz Mixon
