Location: Columbia
Top Things to do in Columbia
The 10 Best Things to Do in Columbia, United States
Columbia is a census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States, and is one of the principal cities of the Baltimore metropolitan area. It is a planned community consisting of 10 self-contained villages. It began with the idea that a city could enhance its residents' quality of life. Creator and developer James W. Rouse saw the new community in terms of human values, rather than merely economics and engineering. Opened in 1967, Columbia was intended to not only eliminate the inconveniences of then-current subdivision design, but also eliminate racial, religious, and class segregation.
Restaurants in Columbia
1. Centennial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By Sujata410 - Columbia, Maryland
This is a great little park with the lake that has a walking trail all the way around. There are picnic shelters, volleyball courts, a Children’s play area and many other things to keep you busy.Be warned that on a nice sunny spring or summer day at the weekend, it can be tough to find parking. The walking trail around round Lake is 2.4 miles and if you add in some of the other additional trails, you can get close to 3 miles. In summertime, you can rent boats and kayaks.
2. Lake Kittamaqundi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By zaphod2000 - Columbia, MD
It's a nice place to walk your dog, dine ne and just plain relax. There's a Sheraton hotel within the perimeter too.
Unfortunately Howard Hughes corporation wants to destroy the ambience by building 15+ story buildings in a small area knowing there won't be enoug parking spaces and destroying the area.
3. Terrapin Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Clip in and take off on a unique outdoor adventure. Soar through the air and defy gravity! Launch your adventure by scaling one of the 12 routes of our Terrapin Tower. Conquer all 25 of our Terrapin High and Low Challenge Course Elements. Experience 2 G's of force on our Giant Swing. Enjoy the thrill of gliding through the forest canopy on our Zip Line. We call it no sweat adrenaline! You will call it A Blast!Join us for:Team Building, Parties for adults or kids, a fun day with family or friends, kayak tours, kayak rentals, mountain biking, bike tours, bike rentals, river tubing and more...Challenging outdoor activities for anyone 8-80. Come with your friends or family, singles groups, classmates, scouts, religious organizations or co-workers. Celebrate a great event or a beautiful day.
Reviewed By DMAN0431 - Silver Spring, Maryland
This place was a lot of fun. I only did the events that I wanted to do. I enjoyed the staff members that took great care to ensure your safety. I don't have to do this again but its also fun to watch. The swing...MoreThanks for sharing. We are glad you enjoyed the challenges. Keep in mind our other things to do like bike, kayak, caving, and geocaching tours.
4. Monster Mini Golf
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
We are a cool indoor, glow-in-the-dark entertainment facility with 18 holes of mini golf, a DJ that plays music with contests and prizes, a cool glow video arcade, and two private party rooms for birthdays, school trips, or corporate events. Fun for all ages!
Reviewed By Corie C - Elkridge, Maryland
Always a good time. Occasionally there are long wait times or it will get really hot in there. Otherwise we enjoy our experience here.
They also have party rooms for kids birthdays which could be good if you have young children and you're looking for a venue.
5. The Salt Sanctuary of Maryland
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Enter our peaceful microclimate on a beach-like bed of warm, mineral-rich Dead Sea Salt and settle into a comfortable zero-gravity recliner. Low lights softly reflect on glittering walls of pure salt, and healing alpha wave music calms your busy mind and body. As you breathe the clean salty air, sinuses and airways open up and stress slips away as relief and relaxation take over. So rejuvenating!
Reviewed By HopeFaith68 - Columbia, Maryland
Our 2nd visit today and just so amazing relaxing and refreshing. Nice that it is run by health care professionals vs someone who thinks this looks cool, I will open one. The owners know the science behind the process and how best to serve you. I have chronic illness and pain and it helps with both. My husband just has seasonal allergies, it help his allergies and makes him relax in this fast paced life in the DC area.
The owners are the staff and they are so kind, patient and knowledgeable :)
Make sure you follow their directions as google maps and GPS will get you lost. Once you go the first time and find it, you will be so happy with the location and how quickly you can get on and off Rt 100.
6. Lake Elkhorn Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By Eric D - Seattle, Washington
Nice lake. Nice path. Lots of joggers and grass. Good parking, trees. All the usual thing for a suburban park
7. Patapsco Valley State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By Alison R - Charlotte, North Carolina
You can spend all day on the trails out here, but I would download the AllTrails app so you can keep track of where you are. We got hiking on a trail and did not realize that it was a 6 mile trail before it connected with another one. There were lots of bikers on the trails, most of them are narrow so you will have to move over when bikers are coming through. Trails are well marked on the trees, but since these trails are so long, I would never do this on my own.
Unfortunately, there is an entry fee per person to come to the park – fee includes weekends and holidays
8. Historic Savage Mill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By jaimeelsabio - Maryland
Went to the mill for the first time in a couple years and was disappointed. If it wasn't for the Ram's Head restaurant, French bakery, and antique center on the lower level, it seems the mill would close. In the old weave building, the only remaining store that's been in the mill since the late 80s is the Hands of Time clock repair shop. All the other stores seem to rotate in and out. Now, there are a couple crafts stores, a game store, and a used clothing shop; none of which would be worth a special visit. Worse, half the storefronts were vacant. I like the mill building, the nearby Bollman Truss railway bridge and the river, but there's no reason to go out of one's way to visit.
9. Robinson Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
The Robinson Nature Center is a unique nature education facility with fun for the whole family. The Center is a LEED platinum certified green building situated on 18 acres of land. Attractions include: - Solar panels, green roof, and a host of other sustainable technologies - 2 stories of interactive, multi-sensory exhibits - A "NatureSphere" digital planetarium and full-dome movie theater - A Children's Discovery Room with hands-on activities - An outdoor Nature Place play area for kids - Numerous demonstration gardens featuring native plants - A mile of walking trails with views of the Middle Patuxent River - Access to the historical Simpsonville Mill Ruins Each year, the Center runs over 450 programs including field trips, public programs, birthday parties, home school and scout programs.
Reviewed By Bruce L - Laurel, Maryland
We were there on a rainy day when we could not check out the extensive outdoor walking paths. The indoor exhibits did not hold the attention of my 7 year old grandson. I had to constantly explain thing to him to get him to slow down and look at the exhibits. He did think that a couple of the animal exhibits were interesting. He was very interested in the live beehive and the build a wagon project. Unfortunately the wagon project is missing 3/4 of the screws and nuts needed for more than one child at a time to play. They a lot of exhibit area to explain water pollution, but that is a difficult concept for younger children to process.
10. Clark's Elioak Farm
Overall Ratings
4 based on 107 reviews
In addition to the many animals in our petting farm, we are home to many of the attractions from the Enchanted Forest. We have pony rides, hay wagon rides, a cow train ride, the petting farm, the Enchanted Forest attractions, additional play areas, and a picnic area. We also have a pumpkin patch in the Fall. We are open to the public April 1 through early November, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM (last admission at 4 PM). We host school and group tours, birthday parties and group events also. On many weekends we have special activities and gem mining and geode cracking.
Reviewed By Jessica D
This place is so much more than your regular petting farm/pumpkin patch. The magic of the fairy tale decor is so fun!! We try to come 1-2 times per year and the kids love it. We normally spent 5-6 hours here each visit and there is no onsite restaurant. I would suggest packing lunch for this reason. Plenty of shaded picnic areas.
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