Visit Us

The following references the grid cells of the UMBC Campus Map (click to open). For ease, please open the map in a new window while reading the discussion below.

The Earth and Space Institute is located at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), at 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore MD, 21250 (Google maps pin). ESI is in the UMBC Physics building on the third floor. On the map, the Physics building is located in grid cell E7 and is adjacent to the Lot 2 Parking lot.

Text Directions (open the map in a new window)

From the south (I-95), enter the campus (grid cell K5), drive straight through the first roundabout, and take the first exit on the second roundabout on to Hilltop Drive (grid cell H5). Take a left onto Commons Drive (grid cell F8).

From the west, enter from Hilltop Road (grid cell E1) or Walker Avenue (grid cell C2), take a right at the first light, and take the second exit through the roundabout onto Hilltop Drive (grid cell H5). Take a left onto Commons Drive (grid cell F8).

From the east, enter from Poplar Avenue (grid cell E11), take a left onto Hilltop Circle (grid cell E9), and a left at Commons Drive (grid cell F8).

The closest visitor lot is the Commons Garage, adjacent to the Physics building (grid cell F7). This lot has a parking fee of $2/hr from 1PM-4PM EST. Pay at the kiosk on the ground floor that faces Commons Drive. You will need your license plate number. The kiosk takes credit card or cash. Parking is free after 4PM EST.

Visitors must park on the ground floor only. We cannot waive or cover parking violations for visitors that park on other floors.

If we are hosting you for a formal visit, you will have a parking code to waive the fee at the kiosk. Please validate your code at the kiosk prior to leaving the garage.

Free visitor parking is available at the Stadium Lot (grid cell F9). This is a 5 minute walk to the Physics building that is ADA-accessible. The most direct route involves several stairs.

If we are hosting you for a formal visit, we may go to Skylight Lounge in the Commons (grid cell E6) if it is important to stay on campus. There are a variety of restaurants in nearby Catonsville and Arbutus that we prefer if time permits.

On-campus, the True Grits dining hall (grid cell D7) is open 11AM – 2PM EST throughout the semester at a cost of $15. It is buffet-style with a variable menu. There are several other food vendors in the Commons, University Center, Administration building, and Library. More information on menu and hours can be found at Dine on Campus.