One of the most populous cities in Maryland, Columbia is a planned community between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It was originally inhabited by the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples and later became home to several slave plantations. In the 1960s, James W. Rouse founded Columbia as a “model city”.
Things to do in Columbia
South of Columbia is Lake Elkhorn, which was created in 1974 by the Columbia Association. It is ringed by a three-kilometre-long walking trail and is popular with anglers due to its abundance of trout. Kids will love the newly constructed playground in Blandair Regional Park.
Live performances featuring touring artists take place at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, an alfresco concert venue that forms part of the Symphony Woods. It opened in 1967 as the summer home of the National Symphony Orchestra and later hosted legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and Led Zeppelin. Walking trails meander through the surrounding park, which is planted with mature trees.
For a retail fix, head to The Mall in Columbia, which is home to more than 200 specialty stores and big-name anchors that include JCPenney, Macy’s and Nordstrom. It is located in the Town Center, one of the 10 villages that comprise Columbia. In addition to a bustling food court filled with globally-inspired eateries, there’s a multi-screen cinema complex and a colourful carousel.
Getting around Columbia
Columbia is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Baltimore and 25 minutes from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America and Europe. Buses travel to Columbia, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.