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71 Best and Fun Things To Do In Howard County, Maryland


TouristWire Editors

Found in Maryland, this county presents a wide range of activities for tourists to enjoy! With various options such as hiking, fishing, and boating, there is no shortage of things to do in Howard County.

There are also a number of golf courses and parks to enjoy. If you’re looking for a place to relax, you can take a trip to one of the many beaches in the county and spend a day in the sun.

Howard County is also home to some unique entertainment options, like the Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events and the Monster Mini Golf course. For the more brave tourists, there is the spooky Hell House!

Here’s our list of the top things to do in Howard County, Maryland

The 71 Most Popular Things To Do In Howard County, Maryland

71. Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

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Credit: Jonathan McKinney, Google Maps

Location: Columbia MD

70. Howard Lodge

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

800px-howard lodge historic plantation

Credit: Zrmachuga, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 12301 Howard Lodge Dr Sykesville MD

Web Address:   https://mht.maryland.gov/nr/NRDetail.aspx

69. Patuxent Branch Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

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Credit: Mark M, Google Maps

68. Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum

4.8 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

Location: 3725 Park Ave Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 480 3250

Web Address:   https://hchsmd.org/childrens-museum/

67. Old Main Line via Carrie Way Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)

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Credit: Preethi kyanam, Google Maps

Location: 9395 Carrie Way Ellicott City MD

66. 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/

65. Pavilion D

4.8 ★★★★★ (6 reviews)

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Credit: Ali Rashidi, Google Maps

Location: Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 4682

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

64. Ellicott City Colored School

4.3 ★★★★☆ (7 reviews)

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Credit: Preservation Maryland, License, Flickr

Location: 8683 Frederick Road Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 1428

63. Ellicott City Firehouse Museum

4.4 ★★★★☆ (11 reviews)

800px-ellicott city firehouse museum%2c exterior %2828253767326%29

Credit: Preservation Maryland, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 3829 Church Road Ellicott City MD

62. Centennial Park Pavilion G

4.9 ★★★★★ (16 reviews)

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Credit: 星哥, Google Maps

Location: Ellicott City MD

61. Ellicott City Historic District

4.8 ★★★★★ (22 reviews)

800px-ellicott city%2c maryland %286466955241%29

Credit: Doug Kerr, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 8358 Frederick Road Ellicott City MD

60. Triadelphia Reservoir

3.8 ★★★★☆ (22 reviews)

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Credit: Ben Schumin, License, Flickr

59. I-95 North Welcome Center

4.1 ★★★★☆ (26 reviews)

Location: I 95 Savage MD

Tel:  301 490 1333

Web Address:   https://visitmaryland.org/

58. Penn Oaks Winery

4.8 ★★★★★ (27 reviews)

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Credit: Penn Oaks Winery, Google Maps

Location: 14607 Riggs Meadow Dr Cooksville MD

Tel:  301 562 8592

Web Address:   https://penn-oaks-winery.com/

57. Brown’s Bridge

4.6 ★★★★★ (28 reviews)

Location: 2220 Ednor Road Silver Spring MD

Tel:  301 206 7485

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

56. Rocky Gorge Reservoir

4.2 ★★★★☆ (28 reviews)

800px-rocky gorge reservoir %2826464835236%29

Credit: ssfaulkn, License, Wikimedia commons

55. African Art Museum of Maryland (AAMM)

4.3 ★★★★☆ (35 reviews)

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Credit: Chrissie, Google Maps

Location: 8775 Cloudleap Ct Suite 112 Columbia MD

Tel:  410 740 7411

Web Address:   https://africanartmuseum.org/

54. Bollman Iron Truss Bridge

4.5 ★★★★★ (42 reviews)

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Credit: License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Laurel MD

53. Museum of Howard County History

4.8 ★★★★★ (58 reviews)

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Credit: License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 8328 Court Ave Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 461 1050

Web Address:   https://hchsmd.org/about-museum-of-howard-county-history/

52. DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ (61 reviews)

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Credit: Jennifer Malloy, Google Maps

Location: 8775 Cloudleap Court Center Suite 1 Columbia MD

Tel:  301 778 0616

Web Address:   http://doodlehatch.com/

51. Warfields Pond Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (63 reviews)

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Credit: Evie, Google Maps

Location: 14523 Macclintock Dr Glenwood MD

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

50. Hugg-Thomas Wildlife Management Area

4.5 ★★★★★ (68 reviews)

450px-hugg-thomas wildlife management area 09

Credit: Bohemian Baltimore, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 13200 Forsythe Road Sykesville MD

Tel:  410 260 8540

49. The Shrine of St. Anthony

4.8 ★★★★★ (70 reviews)

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Credit: Preservation Maryland, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 12290 Folly Quarter Road Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 531 2800

Web Address:   http://shrineofstanthony.org/

48. Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum

4.7 ★★★★★ (73 reviews)

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Credit: WAV Mike, Google Maps

Location: 12985 MD 144 West Friendship MD

Tel:  410 489 2345

Web Address:   http://farmheritage.org/

47. Patapsco Female Institute

4.7 ★★★★★ (111 reviews)

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Credit: License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 3655 Church Road Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 0424

46. Color Burst Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (139 reviews)

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Credit: Color Burst Park, Google Maps

Location: 6000 Merriweather Dr Columbia MD

Web Address:   http://merriweatherdistrict.com/

45. Font Hill Wetland Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (144 reviews)

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Credit: Coco From HoCo, Google Maps

Location: 10018 10020 Autumn View Ln Ellicott City MD

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

44. Rockburn Skills Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (151 reviews)

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Credit: Erin La, Google Maps

Location: 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 313 4455

43. Lake Elkhorn

4.7 ★★★★★ (160 reviews)

800px-lake elkhorn middle school - cradlerock elementary school

Credit: FlugKerl2, License, Wikimedia commons

42. Daniels Dam

4.6 ★★★★★ (161 reviews)

800px-daniels dam in daniels area 06

Credit: Bohemian Baltimore, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Ellicott City MD

Web Address:   https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/PatapscoValley/Daniels/Daniels-Dam.aspx

41. High Ridge Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (180 reviews)

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Credit: Betty Longbottom, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 10100 Superior Ave Laurel MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

40. Scotts Cove Recreation Area

4.5 ★★★★★ (188 reviews)

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Credit: Jeremy Gordon, Google Maps

Location: 11004 Harding Road Scaggsville MD

Tel:  301 206 7485

Web Address:   https://cityoflaurel.org/

39. Belmont Manor & Historic Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (194 reviews)

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Credit: Preservation Maryland, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 6555 Belmont Woods Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 313 0200

Web Address:   http://belmontmanormd.com/

38. Alpha Ridge Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (213 reviews)

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Credit: ill ho Jeong, Google Maps

Location: 11685 Old Frederick Road Marriottsville MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

37. Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (230 reviews)

Location: 5795 Trotter Road Clarksville MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

36. Centennial Park Pavilion H

4.7 ★★★★★ (231 reviews)

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Credit: Robyn Brown Photography, Google Maps

Location: 4760 4770 Woodland Road Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 7271

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

35. Guilford Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (231 reviews)

Location: 9900 Guilford Road Jessup MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

34. Waverly Woods Golf Club

4.6 ★★★★★ (246 reviews)

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Credit: Waverly Woods Golf Club, Google Maps

Location: 2100 Warwick Way Marriottsville MD

Tel:  410 313 9182

Web Address:   http://waverlywoods.com/

33. Patapsco Valley State Park – Daniels Road Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ (262 reviews)

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Credit: hamadou akakpo, Google Maps

Location: 2090 Daniels Road Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 461 5005

Web Address:   https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/PatapscoValley/Daniels/Daniels.aspx

32. Worthington Off Leash Dog Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (264 reviews)

Location: 8170 Hillsborough Road Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

31. Schooley Mill Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (273 reviews)

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Credit: Josh Schwartz, Google Maps

Location: 12975 Hall Shop Road Highland MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

30. Historic Ellicott City Inc. (HEC)

4.7 ★★★★★ (275 reviews)

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Credit: Historic Ellicott City Inc. (HEC), Google Maps

Location: 3480 Street Johns Ln Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 461 6908

Web Address:   http://historicec.com/

29. Wincopin Trails

4.7 ★★★★★ (281 reviews)

Location: 9299 Vollmerhausen Road Jessup MD

28. Waterloo Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (286 reviews)

800px-waterloo park pavilion%2c norwich

Credit: David McCormick, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 6951 Old Waterloo Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

27. Howard County Conservancy

4.8 ★★★★★ (289 reviews)

Location: 10520 Old Frederick Road Woodstock MD

Tel:  410 465 8877

Web Address:   http://howardnature.org/

26. Centennial Park West

4.7 ★★★★★ (326 reviews)

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Credit: Tammy Blake, Google Maps

Location: 4651 Centennial Ln Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

25. Western Regional Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (417 reviews)

Location: 14800 Carrs Mill Road Woodbine MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

24. Swinging Bridge at Orange Grove

4.7 ★★★★★ (427 reviews)

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Credit: F Delventhal, License, Flickr

Location: River Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 461 5005

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

23. Cedar Lane Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (427 reviews)

Location: 5081 Cedar Ln Columbia MD

Tel:  410 313 7285

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

22. Cascade Falls Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ (468 reviews)

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Credit: Matthew Beziat, License, Flickr

Location: Elkridge MD

Web Address:   https://alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/broad-creek-park

21. Long Gate Playground

4.7 ★★★★★ (469 reviews)

Location: 5001 Meadowbrook Ln Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 2727

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

20. Wilde Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (505 reviews)

Location: 10002 Hyla Brook Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 715 3000

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

19. Savage Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (538 reviews)

Location: 8400 Fair Street Savage MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

18. Cascade Falls

4.7 ★★★★★ (547 reviews)

Location: Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 461 5005

Web Address:   https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/PatapscoValley/History-PatapscoValley.aspx

17. Meadowbrook Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (691 reviews)

Location: 5001 Meadowbrook Ln Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

16. Rockburn Branch Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (840 reviews)

450px-rockburn branch park pathway

Credit: Scott218, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road Elkridge MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

15. Lake Elkhorn Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (860 reviews)

Af1qipo7u0x7oux3y8izimlykfmjfy0mfllp5mgs tx4=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: J K, Google Maps

Location: Parking lot Patuxent Branch Trail Columbia MD

Tel:  410 715 3000

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

14. Blandair Regional Park West Playground

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,703 reviews)

Location: 5750 Oakland Mills Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 313 4700

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

13. Toby’s Dinner Theatre

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,718 reviews)

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Credit: Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Google Maps

Location: 5900 Symphony Woods Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 730 8311

Web Address:   http://tobysdinnertheatre.com/

12. Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ (2,533 reviews)

Location: 7175 Oakland Mills Road Columbia MD

Tel:  410 834 5717

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

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

4.5 ★★★★★ (3,577 reviews)

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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/

10. Patapsco Valley State Park – Hollofield Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (5,932 reviews)

Location: 8020 Baltimore National Pike Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 461 5005

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

Our Top picks

9. Centennial Lake

4.5 ★★★★★ (49 reviews)

800px-centennial lake

Credit: MrSparkle17, License, Wikimedia commons

8. Lake Kittamaqundi

4.7 ★★★★★ (82 reviews)

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Credit: Preservation Maryland, License, Wikimedia commons

7. Grist Mill Walking Bridge

4.6 ★★★★★ (135 reviews)

800px-grist mill walking bridge 01

Credit: Bohemian Baltimore, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley Streetate Park Catonsville MD

6. Terrapin Adventures

4.7 ★★★★★ (260 reviews)

Location: Fair St and Washington St Savage MD

Tel:  301 725 1313

Web Address:   http://terrapinadventures.com/

5. B&O Ellicott City Station Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ (294 reviews)

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Credit: Core Shaft, Google Maps

Location: 3711 Maryland Ave Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 1945

Web Address:   https://howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/baltimore-ohio-ellicott-city-station-museum

4. Robinson Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ (570 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

3. Clark’s Elioak Farm

4.5 ★★★★★ (1,825 reviews)

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Credit: Clark’s Elioak Farm, Google Maps

Location: 10500 Clarksville Pike Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 730 4049

Web Address:   http://clarklandfarm.com/

2. Centennial Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (3,638 reviews)

800px-centennial park swamphen 082a

Credit: Sardaka, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 10000 Clarksville Pike Ellicott City MD

Tel:  410 313 7256

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

1. Merriweather Post Pavilion

4.5 ★★★★★ (4,559 reviews)

Location: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy Columbia MD

Tel:  410 715 5550

Web Address:   https://merriweathermusic.com/

Final Words:

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

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