Howard County Maryland Visitor Guide 2024 - Magazine - Page 28
PERFECT
PAIRINGS
Traveling can be expensive, but
it doesn’t have to be! Finding
inexpensive ways to spend your time
can help ease the financial burden
so you can splurge on the big-ticket
items for your trip. We’ve compiled
a list of perfect pairings—free or
low-cost activities (save) with nearby
major attractions (splurge)—so you
can make the most out of your trip.
COLUMBIA LAKEFRONT PLAZA
S AVE
S AV E
S AVE
The Columbia Lakefront Plaza at Lake
Kittamaqundi is a perfect place to spend
a sunny day with your family. They’ll love
Lakefront Live, a free entertainment series
featuring internationally recognized
musicians, artists, movies, and more.
You can also take advantage of the paved
walking trails and the views around the
lake, let out some energy at Bailey Park,
named for WWII Veteran and long-time
Columbia resident, Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey,
and save your money for a rainy day!
Robinson Nature Center features
23,000 square feet of interactive exhibits
and a children’s discovery room, as well
as hiking trails, an outdoor Nature Place
discovery zone, and nature appreciation
events. The Nature Center is managed
by The Robinson Foundation, a nonprofit
organization, so there is a small admission
fee for anyone over the age of three, but
the hours of fun and education you’ll
experience there are well worth it!
The Vintage BMW Motorcycle Museum
at Bob’s BMW is a fun, unique, and free
experience for all ages. The 4,000-squarefeet museum brings the history of BMW to
life with a stunning collection of roughly 70
antique, vintage, classic, and select modern
BMW motorcycles and sidecars dating back
to 1925, memorabilia, advertising, trophies,
and more!
S PLURGE
While you’re exploring history and relics
from bygone eras, visit The Antique Center
at Savage Mill and take home a piece of
history for yourself. With more than 150
select dealers and 20,000 square feet of
antiques, collectibles, artwork, jewelry,
and more, you’ll get lost (metaphorically,
of course) in the one-of-a-kind pieces of
the past.
S PL URGE
Nearby, The Mall in Columbia is home to
more than 200 retailers and 13 restaurants,
as well as the AMC Columbia Theatre and
Main Event Entertainment.
S AVE
Your family will love exploring the three
separate playgrounds at Blandair Regional
Park, and your wallet will love the fact that
there are no entry fees. The newest area of
the park, Blandair North, is nicknamed the
“play-for-all” playground, or “Laura’s Place,”
because it was designed to encourage
children of all ability levels to be able to
play together.
S AVE
Celebrate the area’s history of agriculture
and spend time in nature at the Howard
County Living Farm Heritage Museum.
The museum hosts many programs and
demonstrations and also curates displays
that tell the story of historic Howard County,
dating back to the 1600s. You’ll also find
nearly six miles of nature trails available for
hiking, biking, and horseback riding, so you
can appreciate the stunning scenery that
surrounds the museum.
S PL URGE
After all that playing, your family will work
up an appetite, so visit The Ale House for a
bite to eat. Featuring elevated, house-made
dishes and 50+ craft beers on tap, your
whole family will find something to enjoy.
Then, finish off the day with an old-fashioned
snowball—a Maryland staple of finely shaved
ice covered in a flavored syrup and topped
with a dollop of marshmallow—from Pete’s
Snowballs near the park.
26
LAURA’S PLACE Top
ALE HOUSE COLUMBIA Bottom
S P LU RG E
S PLURGE
Maple Lawn is a mixed-use community
in Fulton with shops, hotels, green space,
and a delicious range of dining options.
Reflect on your exciting day at the Nature
Center while you enjoy dinner in a
beautiful setting.
Finish out your day of fun by enjoying a
delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant like
Glory Days Grill or River House Pizza.
And you can’t forget dessert! Treat yourself
to an ice cream cone, shake, or sundae from
Soft Stuff Ice Cream.
// Howard County, Maryland Visitor Guide
