Skip to Content

57 Best and Fun Things To Do In Columbia, Maryland


TouristWire Editors

Columbia is located in Howard County, Maryland, and is situated about 20 miles south of Baltimore. With a population of over 100,000, it offers its residents an easy suburban lifestyle.

There are various activities to keep you busy and entertained. For example, strolling around, cycling, or kayaking while enjoying the city’s scenic views.

Not to mention the beautiful nature and wildlife here for you to admire. Columbia has something for everyone!

Discover the best and most fun things to do in Columbia, Maryland, in our list below

The 57 Most Popular Things To Do In Columbia, Maryland

57. Patuxent Branch Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Af1qipp6kwqcitea8wpyrmszkepfq6kmjfgtean6svu-=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Mark M, Google Maps

56. Scotts Cove

4.5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Location: 14501 Sweitzer Ln Laurel MD

Web Address:   http://patuxentwatertrail.org/launches/451/

55. Howard County Center of African American Culture Columbia 2017

4.0 ★★★★☆ (6 reviews)

Af1qiponujre5ybegfnsxqvbm5fa3qodawqkvoe2cdjv=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Myk Crypt, Google Maps

Location: 5434 Vantage Point Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 715 1921

Web Address:   http://hccaac.org/

54. Pavilion D

4.8 ★★★★★ (6 reviews)

400px-chicago %28ill%29 millennium park%2c pavilion jay pritzker%2c frank gehry. 2004 %284826511524%29

Credit: (vincent desjardins), License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 4682

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/CentennialPark

53. Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve

4.4 ★★★★☆ (11 reviews)

Af1qipp-sedlfpdtmv3kfzdoqfvcsofohkglaa465vvw=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Chinedu Nwabuisi, Google Maps

52. Centennial Park Pavilion G

4.9 ★★★★★ (16 reviews)

Af1qipo5dtzpifaomf9t agi5vn05hjk0oqddjqwmi5f=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: 星哥, Google Maps

Location: Ellicott City MD

51. Triadelphia Reservoir

3.8 ★★★★☆ (22 reviews)

Af1qiporm1al4dhm q9lh buhxju4in4va32hm7sazhf=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Taegon Hibbitts, Google Maps

50. I-95 North Welcome Center

4.2 ★★★★☆ (26 reviews)

Af1qipmik5k2wntsmrie2ero7u9o5u30pd6akz4bqigp=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: POPTOGRAPHIX, Google Maps

Location: I 95 Savage MD

Tel:  301 490 1333

Web Address:   https://visitmaryland.org/

49. Rocky Gorge Reservoir

4.2 ★★★★☆ (28 reviews)

Af1qipoqdikpgqw91qj61mieeheon7lavkh5jdvr0pak=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Pamela Cooper, Google Maps

48. Brown’s Bridge

4.6 ★★★★★ (28 reviews)

Location: 2220 Ednor Road Silver Spring MD

Tel:  301 206 7485

Web Address:   https://wsscwater.com/watershed

47. African Art Museum of Maryland (AAMM)

4.3 ★★★★☆ (35 reviews)

Af1qipm9nxzreqmw txkj7nwddlkpngq-uhtqeubcz1g=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Chrissie, Google Maps

Location: 8775 Cloudleap Ct Suite 112 Columbia MD

Tel:  410 740 7411

46. Bollman Iron Truss Bridge

4.5 ★★★★★ (43 reviews)

Location: Laurel MD

45. Centennial Lake

4.5 ★★★★★ (50 reviews)

800px-centennial lake december 2018

Credit: Jstuby, License, Wikimedia commons

44. DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ (61 reviews)

Af1qipptsowa6ngp5bdndtphwvnjxy0ojivsotdw7hsa=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Jennifer Malloy, Google Maps

Location: 8775 Cloudleap Court Center Suite 1 Columbia MD

Tel:  301 778 0616

Web Address:   http://doodlehatch.com/

43. Supplee Lane Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (61 reviews)

Af1qipp4vjihtfymjndhykj95pqm uuov3mjssgfsruk=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: jing tian, Google Maps

Location: 16904 Supplee Ln Laurel MD

Web Address:   http://wsscwater.com/watershed

42. The Shrine of St. Anthony

4.8 ★★★★★ (70 reviews)

Af1qipmhgzmklnzxxkml0hfcak0akw73ufmpdnzpz4wm=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Willis Aybar, Google Maps

Location: 12290 Folly Quarter Road Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 531 2800

Web Address:   http://shrineofstanthony.org/

41. Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio

4.0 ★★★★☆ (80 reviews)

Af1qipmjddalxzxwgze8eaytyq9sgu6lazef8jfggyyj=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio, Google Maps

Location: 7002 Arundel Mills Cir #7777 Hanover MD

Tel:  443 842 7000

Web Address:   https://maryland.livecasinohotel.com/casino-promotions/orchid-gaming-smoking-patio

40. Color Burst Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (140 reviews)

Af1qipmtd u5vl5wxgq9wa9egzw 9huozwpivp7jg9vi=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Color Burst Park, Google Maps

Location: 6000 Merriweather Dr Columbia MD

Web Address:   http://merriweatherdistrict.com/

39. Rockburn Skills Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (151 reviews)

Af1qipnkzbujqnhm4ijjupmpotanqu5kqxaurxmwyivx=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Erin La, Google Maps

Location: 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 313 4455

38. Provinces Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (163 reviews)

Af1qippxj1fmvdne0eplxokmbxp8jtfkuxje4g6mpimo=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Michael Young, Google Maps

Location: 1742 Disney Road Severn MD

Tel:  410 602 6898

Web Address:   http://aacounty.org/locations-and-directions/provinces-park

37. Jessup Dorsey Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (170 reviews)

Af1qippwyncp pu4bwzukqtcifuokrtqfphxpfkayd1m=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Jonathan Gadson, Google Maps

Location: 7486 Race Road Hanover MD

Tel:  410 222 7317

Web Address:   https://aacounty.org/locations-and-directions/jessup-dorsey-park

36. High Ridge Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (180 reviews)

Af1qipnewjokcvor 2wjqwg1uobbkjur9ptzgmxc0pt1=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Chun-Hsien Wu, Google Maps

Location: 10100 Superior Ave Laurel MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/HighRidgePark

35. Scotts Cove Recreation Area

4.5 ★★★★★ (188 reviews)

Af1qippldaaaevos mfcjfgqtzrcwvxfl63bsdfo9mmc=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Jeremy Gordon, Google Maps

Location: 11004 Harding Road Scaggsville MD

Tel:  301 206 7485

Web Address:   https://cityoflaurel.org/

34. Belmont Manor & Historic Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (195 reviews)

Af1qipnho7cav-xbchs1difzgc4txxqteinsmlxprjgp=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Tim Pruss, Google Maps

Location: 6555 Belmont Woods Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 313 0200

Web Address:   http://belmontmanormd.com/

33. Brighton Dam Azalea Garden (WSSC Water)

4.6 ★★★★★ (215 reviews)

Af1qippkyelw21febohtotcbtmrz0 etukefaef96lk0=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Avinash Konkani, Google Maps

Location: 2 Brighton Dam Road Brookeville MD

Tel:  301 206 4386

Web Address:   https://wsscwater.com/azaleas

32. Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (231 reviews)

Af1qipn0uwbzo5n6603myajgrtjvgmwh9ifwshwx1v7b=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Bryce Blair, Google Maps

Location: 5795 Trotter Road Clarksville MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/MPEA

31. Centennial Park Pavilion H

4.7 ★★★★★ (233 reviews)

Af1qipmnyoybk2hfmw-9udjwlnvgitc4vgs26gtsypeq=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Robyn Brown Photography, Google Maps

Location: 4760 4770 Woodland Road Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 7271

Web Address:   http://howardcountymd.gov/Centennialpark

30. Guilford Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (233 reviews)

Lossy-page1-743px-headgate. view from southwest. - simpsonville mill%2c west side of cedar lane at guilford road%2c columbia%2c howard county%2c md haer md%2c14-colum.v%2c1-10.tif

Credit: License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 9900 Guilford Road Jessup MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

29. Waverly Woods Golf Club

4.6 ★★★★★ (249 reviews)

Af1qipo5da7unjjegq2ru6tigl8swuf18-qc422rzza8=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Waverly Woods Golf Club, Google Maps

Location: 2100 Warwick Way Marriottsville MD

Tel:  410 313 9182

Web Address:   http://waverlywoods.com/

28. Terrapin Adventures

4.7 ★★★★★ (263 reviews)

Af1qipppfwlosog-h pg6sxgaikk3g5o qfz fu c9zc=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Terrapin Adventures, Google Maps

Location: Fair St and Washington St Savage MD

Tel:  301 725 1313

Web Address:   http://terrapinadventures.com/

27. Schooley Mill Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (273 reviews)

Af1qipmv0f7yfuarywf4ti804sdshdkhijt d97qcmfg=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Josh Schwartz, Google Maps

Location: 12975 Hall Shop Road Highland MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/SchooleyMillPark

26. Wincopin Trails

4.7 ★★★★★ (283 reviews)

Af1qipnwx8tfkuinh-yrsulhmuoaathbdtraoddsbw5-=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: E L, Google Maps

Location: 9299 Vollmerhausen Road Jessup MD

25. Waterloo Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (286 reviews)

Af1qipo0ts4 msyyxwd3kpreukvpbjzyygyno6iml5id=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Dana White, Google Maps

Location: 6951 Old Waterloo Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/Waterloo-Park

24. Centennial Park West

4.7 ★★★★★ (326 reviews)

Af1qipmowqwb1rjscvo3wv6jtglhqrue601kkossxh8c=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Tammy Blake, Google Maps

Location: 4651 Centennial Ln Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   http://howardcountymd.gov/Centennialpark

23. Cedar Lane Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (430 reviews)

Lossy-page1-743px-headgate. view from southwest. - simpsonville mill%2c west side of cedar lane at guilford road%2c columbia%2c howard county%2c md haer md%2c14-colum.v%2c1-10.tif

Credit: License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 5081 Cedar Ln Columbia MD

Tel:  410 313 7285

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/CedarLanePark

22. Long Gate Playground

4.7 ★★★★★ (472 reviews)

Af1qipntjkxflekwbeufz0utafjzyf1lsc9oyhwg pkc=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Waqas Malik, Google Maps

Location: 5001 Meadowbrook Ln Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 2727

Web Address:   http://howardcountymd.gov/meadowbrookpark

21. Wilde Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (506 reviews)

Location: 10002 Hyla Brook Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 715 3000

Web Address:   https://columbiaassociation.org/venue/wilde-lake-park/

20. Savage Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (539 reviews)

Location: 8400 Fair Street Savage MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/SavagePark

19. Meadowbrook Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (693 reviews)

Af1qipnayj ic8dsvqmqhbzofnws02vtxmedxzl4ltqm=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Finding Your Center, Google Maps

Location: 5001 Meadowbrook Ln Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   https://visithowardcounty.com/listings/meadowbrook-park-and-athletic-complex/2315/

18. National Cryptologic Museum

4.7 ★★★★★ (749 reviews)

Location: 8290 Colony Seven Road Annapolis Junction MD

Tel:  301 688 5849

Web Address:   https://nsa.gov/about/cryptologic-heritage/museum/

17. Rockburn Branch Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (843 reviews)

Location: 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/RockburnBranchPark

16. Lake Elkhorn Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (863 reviews)

122896034 abc44bcce5 b

Credit: JoshuaDavisPhotography, License, Flickr

Location: Parking lot Patuxent Branch Trail Columbia MD

Tel:  410 715 3000

Web Address:   https://columbiaassociation.org/explore-columbia/get-outside/lakes/

15. Clark’s Elioak Farm

4.5 ★★★★★ (1,829 reviews)

Af1qippn5ayjggkyrrcivpqufe68lhuxh4f0zyod0--b=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Clark’s Elioak Farm, Google Maps

Location: 10500 Clarksville Pike Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 730 4049

Web Address:   http://clarklandfarm.com/

14. Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ (2,540 reviews)

Location: 7175 Oakland Mills Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 834 5717

Web Address:   https://skyzone.com/columbia

13. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

4.6 ★★★★★ (3,117 reviews)

Af1qipoxz-7gkabvtb7y4l49f2nwunkzkn9fetodwh79=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Google Maps

Location: 7000 Arundel Mills Cir Hanover MD

Tel:  888 935 6878

Web Address:   https://medievaltimes.com/

12. Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events – Baltimore, MD-BWI

4.5 ★★★★★ (3,601 reviews)

Af1qipn-rbkkdymvu4jqhhgznaotyucpoukrl iewx9-=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events – Baltimore, MD/BWI, Google Maps

Location: 8251 Preston Ct Jessup MD

Tel:  410 880 0010

Web Address:   http://autobahnspeed.com/

11. Centennial Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (3,656 reviews)

800px-horse farm%2c columbia%2c md

Credit: Karol Olson, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 10000 Clarksville Pike Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 7256

Web Address:   http://howardcountymd.gov/centennialpark

10. Dutch Country Farmer’s Market

4.7 ★★★★★ (4,167 reviews)

Af1qipmbk16ynqi1mpu6pba1diveo-a8cofivwy zhop=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Dutch Country Farmer’s Market, Google Maps

Location: 9701 Fort Meade Road Laurel MD

Tel:  301 421 1454

Web Address:   http://laureldutchmarket.com/

Our Top picks

9. Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods

4.0 ★★★★☆ (2 reviews)

Location: Columbia MD

8. Lake Kittamaqundi

4.7 ★★★★★ (82 reviews)

7. Lake Elkhorn

4.7 ★★★★★ (160 reviews)

800px-lake elkhorn sunrise

Credit: Patrick Gillespie, License, Wikimedia commons

6. Robinson Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ (572 reviews)

800px-jar nature center

Credit: FlugKerl2, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 6692 Cedar Ln Columbia MD

Tel:  410 313 0400

Web Address:   http://howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/RobinsonNatureCenter

5. Blandair Regional Park West Playground

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,714 reviews)

Location: 5750 Oakland Mills Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/BlandairPark

4. Toby’s Dinner Theatre

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,727 reviews)

Af1qipndwkmc7l87jnfalvq37hnipf2wp1uet8wcvr6c=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Google Maps

Location: 5900 Symphony Woods Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 730 8311

Web Address:   http://tobysdinnertheatre.com/

3. Merriweather Post Pavilion

4.5 ★★★★★ (4,674 reviews)

800px-thumbnail

Credit: Famartin, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy Columbia MD

Tel:  410 715 5550

Web Address:   https://merriweathermusic.com/

2. Patapsco Valley State Park – Hollofield Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (5,955 reviews)

Location: 8020 Baltimore National Pike Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 461 5005

Web Address:   http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/patapsco.aspx

1. Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland

4.2 ★★★★☆ (10,024 reviews)

Af1qipmcqrys6fmoopsjtmpizjt5oqar tjxsmkiidx4=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Google Maps

Location: 7002 Arundel Mills Cir Streete 7777 Hanover MD

Tel:  443 842 7000

Web Address:   https://maryland.livecasinohotel.com/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Columbia, Maryland! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

Join the TouristWire community

At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!

.