Overview
Columbia is a planned city in Howard County, Central Maryland. It differs strongly from most notions of what constitutes a "city," as the planner divided the densely populated, but decidedly suburban in character, city into ten "villages," each of which are divided into several neighborhoods, leaving the city with a less obvious center.
5 sights · 6 things to do · 7 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Columbia
Robinson Nature Center
Lake Kittamaqundi
Lake with walking trail around it.
Lake Elkhorn
1.9 mi paved walking trail around it. Good fishing for bluegill, crappie, golden shiner and largemouth bass. MD DNR stocks it with trout each spring.
Merriweather Post Pavilion
A large amphitheater that hosts many concerts and festivals.
The Maryland Museum of African Art
Columbia Art Center
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Sep. (climate data from nearby Baltimore)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 29 mi away (major hub). Directions
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is approximately 16 miles (24 km) from Columbia. RTA operates bus service between the airport and Columbia.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Lake Kittamaqundi, Lakefront Summer Festival, Toby's Dinner Theatre
- Lunch Sushi Sono
- Afternoon Merriweather Post Pavilion, Symphony of Lights Festivities
- Dinner Pars Market LLC
- Evening Xitomate
Day 2
- Morning The Maryland Museum of African Art, Columbia Art Center
- Lunch Sushi King Columbia
- Afternoon Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Lake Elkhorn
- Dinner Mango Grove
Day 3
- Morning Robinson Nature Center
- Lunch Maiwand Kabob
- Dinner Asean Bistro
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is approximately 16 miles (24 km) from Columbia. RTA operates bus service between the airport and Columbia.
By car
Columbia is easily accessible from both I-95 and US-29, which run parallel to each other near Columbia. From either of these roads, exit at either Route 32, Route 175, or Route 100. Route 175, which is called Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, connects to the city center and the Mall in Columbia.
By train
The closest train station to Columbia is BWI Rail Station, from where Amtrak and MARC Train operate service to Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Amtrak also services the train station from several major cities in the Northeast.
By bus
RTA offers hourly bus service on its Silver Route from the Mall in Columbia to BWI Airport and the BWI Rail Station, where further connections are available to Washington DC and Baltimore. At BWI Airport, catch the Silver Route bus outside Pier E, the International Terminal, on the lower level.
Dillon Bus Service operates commuter buses between Columbia and Washington D.C. and Silver Spring during weekday rush hours.
Get around
By foot
A well-kept network of walking paths winds through Columbia, mostly in wooded natural areas.
By car
Travel within Columbia is largely by auto, although the city was originally planned as a pedestrian and bicycle friendly group of villages.
By bicycle
Streets are winding and hilly; cyclists should bring their eighteen-speeds.
By bus
RTA operates several bus routes through the villages and connect to some adjacent communities. Most bus routes are hourly, with limited service on weekends.
See
For those interested in town planning and intentional communities, Columbia's layout and village centers preserve a good deal of James Rouse's 1960s-era vision of a diverse and harmonious setting open to residents of all backgrounds. Harper's Choice Village Center and Wilde Lake Village Center (which was the first to be built) have interesting small shops and public spaces.
See Lake Elkhorn
1.9 mi paved walking trail around it. Good fishing for bluegill, crappie, golden shiner and largemouth bass. MD DNR stocks it with trout each spring.
Do
Concerts and theater
Festivals and events
Buy
Eat
Eat Maiwand Kabob
Kabobs, that is, kebabs.
Eat Mango Grove
Vegetarian Indian food. Daily lunch buffet and delivery.
Eat Pars Market LLC
Great selection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods.
Eat Royal Taj
Upscale Indian restaurant. Popular and often crowded, so call ahead.
Eat Sushi King Columbia
Sushi restaurant and has absolutely delicious specialty rolls.
Drink
Drink Xitomate
Good Mexican food, great atmosphere. Lots of tequila.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
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My experience
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