Overview
Towson is an unincorporated city in Central Maryland. It is located directly north of Baltimore City and is the county seat of Baltimore County.
3 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Towson
Hampton National Historic Site
At the time of its completion in 1790, this was the largest private home in the nascent United States. The grounds are open for tours, including the slave quarters, main house, and gardens.
Towson University
Maryland's second largest university does not have much by way of attractions, but does see a steady stream of visiting prospective students.
Goucher College
This is also a hub for prospective students.
Boordy Vineyards
Boordy was founded in 1945 by Philip Wagner, the editor of the Baltimore Sun. It is Maryland's oldest operating vineyard. There are special events on weekends in the summer, with live music on Saturday nights.
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 — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 45 mi away (major hub). Directions
Just north of the City of Baltimore, Towson is easy to reach by car.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hampton National Historic Site, Goucher College
- Lunch Kathmandu Kitchen
- Afternoon Towson University, Boordy Vineyards
- Evening The Rec Room
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 car
Just north of the City of Baltimore, Towson is easy to reach by car.
Towson is inside the Baltimore Beltway, I-695, and the principal exits for the city are at exit 25 for Charles St, and 27A for York Rd.
Coming up from the city, the main freeway is the I-83 Jones Falls Expy, which connects to the Beltway. (Alternatively, you can get off at exit 10A and take the Northern Pkwy to Charles St or York Rd, then turn left to get into Towson. Or, take Charles St or York Rd up through North Baltimore.
By bus
MTA operates several bus routes in the Towson area:
- Route 3 begins at Sheppard Pratt Hospital (across from Towson University campus), then operates along Osler Drive, Stevenson Lane, York Road to Towson Town Center, then past Goucher College, then along Joppa Road to Loch Raven Boulevard. Buses marked "Inner Harbor." Great for reaching Penn Station. Hourly service at most times.
- Route 8 is the main bus route in Towson, operating along York Road, with deviation on Dulaney Valley Road and Fairmount Avenue to serve Towson Town Center. Northbound buses reach Lutherville Light Rail Station, and are marked "Lutherville." Southbound buses go to Downtown Baltimore, and are marked "University of Maryland Transit Center." Operates every 10-15 minutes most times. Not the fastest way to get downtown; it is recommended to take Routes 11 or 48, or 8 north to Light Rail.
- Route 11 from Towson Town Center, through center of Towson, then down Towsontown Boulevard, through GBMC Hospital campus, and along Charles Street with deviation through Rodgers Forge before traveling to downtown Baltimore and Canton. Operates every 20-30 minutes at most times.
- Route 12 has limited trips along York and Dulaney Valley Roads to reach Stella Maris nursing home complex.
- Route 48 operates from Towson Town Center to Downtown Baltimore along the same route as Route 8 Monday-Saturday, making limited stops for a faster trip. Operates every 15 minutes at most times.
- Route 55 operates from Towson Town Center to the Fox Ridge community in the Essex area, and reaches the CCBC Essex campus, Franklin Square Hospital, and Golden Ring Plaza.
By light rail
Go Lutherville Station
Towson is served by the Lutherville Station on the Baltimore Light Rail, from which you can catch Bus #8 to head down York Rd.
Get around
Towson sprawls. It's best to travel by car, although it is possible to get around the major commercial corridors (meaning mostly just York Rd) and Towson University by riding bus #8, or by walking.
See
Do
Towson Town Center offers a great variety of stores to accommodate all price ranges. There is also a substantial food court and restaurant section which attracts tourists.
Buy
- York Road hosts a variety of second hand stores which may be of interest to tourists interested in vintage items
Eat
Eat Kathmandu Kitchen
Nepalese and Indian food. Lunch buffet and large menu. Very good food and quick service. BYOB or wine -- no corkage fee!
Drink
Most of the bars are located on York Rd just south of the traffic circle. All of them are within walking distance of each other and it is common for locals to spend the night bar hopping in this area. The crowd in each bar varies depending on the season and the night. During the school year the bars are filled with Towson University students.
Drink The Rec Room
A comfortable little bar attached to the famous Recher Theatre. It serves standard bar fare (burgers, fries, etc.). Most of the patrons are out back at the outdoor patio/bar during the warmer months.
Drink Barley's Backyard Uptown
Drink The Kent
Low key, relatively quiet bar with an Irish theme and friendly staff.
Sleep
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My experience
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