Columbia (Maryland)

By plane

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is approximately 12 miles from Columbia. As noted below, 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 DC and Baltimore.

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 DC and Silver Spring during weekday rush hours.

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.

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.

• The Maryland Museum of African Art

• Columbia Art Center

• Robinson Nature Center

  phone: +1 410 313-0400
  address: 6692 Cedar Ln Columbia, MD 21044

• Sky Zone Columbia

  - located in Columbia

Concerts and theater

• Merriweather Post PavilionA large amphitheater that hosts many concerts and festivals.

• Toby's Dinner Theatre

  address: 5900 Symphony Woods Road
  Award-winning musicals, with dinner!

Festivals and events

• Lakefront Summer FestivalFree outdoor movies and concerts every day during the summer.

• Symphony of Lights FestivitiesAnnual drive-through festival of lights open at night from late December to early January. Proceeds benefit the Howard County General Hospital.

• Wine in the WoodsAn annual wine festival during mid-May.

• Second Edition Books & Music

  address: 6490 Dobbin Rd
  a nifty little used book store in the same shopping center as the MVA Express. You'll find books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl.

• The Mall in Columbia

  address: 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy
  one of the largest malls in the area and sports several higher-end department stores such as Nordstroms and Lord & Taylor. Great for fine gifts and luxery items. Also attached to a movie theatre and several restaurants.

• Columbia's Best Deli

  address: 6490 Dobbin Rd
  True to it's name. Great for vegetarians too!

• Maiwand Kabob

  address: 6131 Columbia Crossing Cir
  The best kabobs in Maryland.

• Mango Grove

  phone: +1 410-884-3426
  address: 8865 Stanford Boulevard
  Vegetarian Indian food. Daily lunch buffet and delivery.

• Pars Market LLC

  phone: +1 443-259-0002
  address: 9400 Snowden River Parkway # 109
  Best Ethnic Market in Columbia, Great Selection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Foods

• Royal Taj

  phone: +1 410-381-1111
  address: 8335 Benson Drive
  Upscale Indian restaurant. Popular and often crowded, so call ahead.

• Sushi King Columbia

  address: 6490 Dobbin Rd
  voted best sushi restaurant in the area in 2010 and have absolutely delicious specialty rolls.

• Asean Bistro

  phone: +1 410 772-5300
  address: 8775 Centre Park Dr

• Xitomate

  phone: +1 410-750-8787
  address: 5850 Waterloo Rd Ste 100
  Good Mexican food, great atmosphere. Lots of tequila.

• Doubletree Columbia

  phone: +1 410 997-1060
  address: 5485 Twin Knolls Rd

• Hampton Inn Columbia

  phone: +1 410-997-8555
  address: 8880 Columbia 100 Parkway

• Hilton Garden Inn Columbia

  phone: +1 410-750-3700
  address: 8241 Snowden River Parkway

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbia

  phone: +1 410-872-9200
  address: 8320 Benson Drive

• Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel

  phone: +1 410 730-3900
  address: 10207 Wincopin Circle
  Just completed a $12 million renovation, set in 12 acres of woods overlooking Lake Kittamaquandi. Outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center.

• Sonesta ES Suites Columbia

  phone: +1 410-964-9494
  address: 8844 Columbia 100 Parkway
  This hotel offers easy access to I-95 and I-70. Each suite offers 450 to 750 square feet and features complimentary wireless access, fully equipped kitchen and separate living room.

• SpringHill Suites

  phone: +1 410 290-7896
  address: 7055 Minstrel Way
  Suites with microwave, mini-fridge, large work desk, free internet, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free parking, free hot breakfast, indoor pool and fitness center.

• Howard County Library System Central Branch

  address: 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy Columbia, MD 21044