Nestled in between two major metropolitan areas, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Howard County has its own share of attractions to entertain area families and visitors alike and is just a short drive away (about 45 minutes to an hour from D.C. and 30 minutes from Baltimore) from those urban hotspots.
Known for a high standard of living, the many communities across the county have a mix of urban development and small-town atmosphere that gives the area a special charm.
If you haven’t explored the area yet—or are looking for recommendations for your next day trip—here are the county’s best family-friendly to-dos.
Exploring Nature
Howard County is home to beautiful landscapes with outdoor hiking trails, learning centers and plentiful public parks for the entire family to enjoy.
Robinson Nature Center in Columbia is a highlight, with low-cost visitor fees, indoor exhibits, a children’s discovery room, outdoor trails, a planetarium and more.
Nature-curious families can also check out the Howard County Conservancy, with two locations in Elkridge and Woodstock, for an educational experience across hundreds of acres of land, including tours of historic farmhouses and frequent special events.
For free outdoor play, visit parks and playgrounds across the county, including Blandair Regional Park and Cedar Lane Park, both in Columbia; Ellicott City’s Centennial Park; Elkridge parks Rockburn Branch Park and Troy Park; Savage Park, in the town of the same name; Schooley Mill Park in Highland and Woodbine’s Western Regional Park.
History Buffs
For history buffs, Howard County has a selection of unique museums to visit to learn about county history.
The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is in the heart of downtown Ellicott City. The museum building, built in 1831, is touted as the oldest remaining passenger railway station in the United States and one of the oldest in the entire world.
This two-story museum offers free entry to see the historic Freight Agent’s office, the superintendent’s office, the telegraph/ticket office, the men’s waiting room and the Car House. Outside is the Freight House, which contains a HO-scale model of the first 13 miles of the B&O Railroad, running from Baltimore to what is now Ellicott City, and the museum’s recently restored Caboose, originally built in 1927.
The Museum of Howard County History offers exhibits and hundreds of display items that help tell the story of Howard County from the time before European settlers came to the area to recent historical events. Currently, the museum has two major exhibits; one is a visual history of Ellicott City’s Main Street from the 1880s through today and another details its historic floods and the impact they have had on Ellicott City and its residents throughout the years.
Celebrate the Arts
For those who are interested in art, the African Art Museum of Maryland in Columbia is one of only three art museums of its kind dedicated exclusively to art in Africa. The museum offers a guided experience of the diversity of African art and works to promote cultural understanding with events and activities for families.
Howard County is also home to an excellent music scene with Columbia’s historic Merriweather Post Pavilion, which has hosted famous artists like Jimi Hendrix, the Foo Fighters and more since its establishment in 1967. The venue now hosts the annual music festival All Things Go each fall, bringing acclaimed artists from around the world together for a multi-day celebration of music and performance.
Foodie Fun
For the foodies out there, Howard County has a restaurant scene with cuisine derived from cultures around the world.
In Old Ellicott City, Main Street has many options for dinner or dessert, with some of the most popular being La Palapa Grill & Cantina, Phoenix Upper Main and The Crazy Mason
Milkshake Bar & Ice Cream Shop.
La Palapa serves authentic Mexican cuisine with a relaxed sit-down atmosphere and fresh, fairly priced dishes. The restaurant also has a live mariachi band on the weekends.
Phoenix Upper Main is another sit-down mainstay in the county, boasting a regional menu with plenty of crab dishes, sandwiches, burgers and salads. Adults can try its extensive menu of locally produced craft beers on tap.
The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar will be a hit with the kids as they try out its creative sugary concoctions (regular or mega themed milkshakes piled with treats) and maybe even sign up for a class to learn how to make one of them at home.
In Clarksville, The Common Kitchen has dishes taken from various cultures to fit any taste. Guests can choose from multiple food vendors and then dine together at one table.
A newer restaurant in Columbia is the Periodic Table Restaurant and Bar, which blends American and international dishes. For adults, all dishes are paired with select beers or wines to complement the flavors, and the restaurant has many vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Learn more about what to explore in Howard County at howardcountymd.gov and visithowardcounty.com.
