Recreation, Tourism & Retail
Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, endless activities await you in Howard County.
Take an afternoon stroll, enjoy a world-class shopping experience, spend a day at the park, discover the area’s rich history, pick your own produce, play a round of golf or relax at one of our numerous premier spas. There’s something for everyone to see and do in Howard County.
Recreation
| Howard County’s wide network of trails, playgrounds, bike lanes, reserved farmlands, waterways, and parks inspires all kinds of outdoor activities. The county features five annual triathlons and other running events. All of Columbia’s neighborhoods offer local gyms, outdoor swimming pools, and paved trails that attract walkers and bikers. Plus the Howard County Recreation and Parks Department offers a wide variety of sports, from instructional to competitive, and outdoor adventure services, such as hiking and kayaking, for citizens of all ages. |  |
Choose from these great year-round programs:
- HC Recreations and Parks
- The Columbia Association
- The Columbia Triathlon Association
- The Striders Running Club
- Terrapin Adventures
- Columbia Masters Swimming
Howard County was honored with “Best Park Playground” in the 2012 Maryland Family Readers’ Choice Awards and Maryland “Sports Town” by Sports Illustrated in 2003
Arts & Entertainment
Howard County is rich with entertainment options. We have a nationally renowned outdoor amphitheater that hosts first rate musical performances, a nationally acclaimed dinner theater and an abundance of festivals and fairs.
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Museums & Tourism
Howard County is rich in heritage and offers a number of fascinating museums to visit. Historic communities include Ellicott City’s Main Street and Elkridge’s Lawyer’s Hill. More information on Howard County’s unique history:
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Retail
Howard County’s abundance of retail establishments reflects our exceptional quality of life. You’ll find everything from world-class malls to quaint antiques shops, upscale grocery stores to ethnic grocers, and mass retailers to specialty stores. You also can taste nearly any kind of cuisine at our wide selection of restaurants, ranging from trendy to family-friendly.
Columbia was built around its Village Centers, which offer both local shopping and a community hub for residents. Other attractive local shopping spots include the Historic Savage Mill and Historic Main Street in Ellicott City.
- The Mall in Columbia – 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD
- Columbia’s Village Centers
- Historic Ellicott City – 8267 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD
- Historic Savage Mill – 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD
- Maple Lawn – Maple Lawn Boulevard, Fulton, MD
County Data
Howard County boasts a thriving and vibrant economy, which makes it the first choice for smart businesses looking to start or expand in the Mid-Atlantic. Add in its central location between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and you have a real win-win. Howard County also offers more than 70-million square feet of commercial space, providing businesses with the perfect location to do business.
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Our Community
Howard County is continually ranked among the most affluent, advanced and educated communities in the United States. There is immediate access to leading educational and health care institutions, upscale retail, and outstanding recreation and entertainment.
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