Where to Go Sightseeing in Columbia, MD

Maybe when you think of sightseeing, your imagination takes you to faraway locales. But, you can easily be a tourist in your own backyard! If you think you’ve seen all that the area surrounding Columbia, Maryland, has to offer, there might be plenty of dynamic sights left to see. When you’re up for an adventure in Howard County, consider exploring the following attractions in the region.

Discover Penn Oaks Winery

Image by Alex Gorbi is licensed with Unsplash License

Take a short drive from Columbia to Cooksville to learn about and sample the fine wines produced by Penn Oaks Winery. Owned and operated by the Jan Luigard family, Penn Oaks Winery follows the tradition of handcrafted wines using Old World-style Riesling grapes. While living in Germany, Jan Luigard discovered the art of winemaking. He incorporated the German winemaking model into his concept for Penn Oaks Winery. Today, Penn Oaks produces six white and four red and dessert wines ranging from Mosel and Piesporter to Montepulciano and Nobel Rot. 

Bring your camera to capture magnificent vineyard scenes during the growing season. Penn Oaks Winery is open Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

Location: 14607 Riggs Meadow Drive, Cooksville.

Telephone: 301-562-8592

Explore the Natural World at Robinson Nature Center

Father and daughter walking a trail together by Kelly Sikkema is licensed with Unsplash License

Encounter the beauty of the natural world surrounding Columbia on a visit to Robinson Nature Center. Occupying 18 acres of land adjacent to the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, the Robinson Nature Center offers approximately one mile of outdoor trails that enable visitors to discover diverse flora and fauna. As you stroll along the paths, you’ll encounter a stream crossing and views of the Middle Patuxent River. Have your camera handy to capture the beauty of nature as you hike the trails.

Robinson Nature Center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. 

Location: 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia.

Telephone: 410-313-0400

Learn About Maryland’s Civil War History

Reenactment of a Civil War battle by Garry T is licensed with Unsplash License

Discover historic sites connected with Maryland’s Civil War history. Howard County is home to several sites along Maryland’s Civil War Trails that enable history enthusiasts to discover the stories of soldiers, citizens, and enslaved men and women who found themselves at the heart of the conflict. These sites include the following:

• B&O Railroad Station: Guarded by Union forces during the Civil War, the B&O Railroad Station is the oldest railroad terminus in the United States. Today, the structure houses a free museum open to the public.
• Ellicott City Colored School: The Ellicott City Colored School is a one-room schoolhouse built by members of the U.S. Colored Troops after returning home from war.
• Patapsco Female Institute: The Patapsco Female Institute offered young women of the 1800s a robust educational curriculum that included subjects such as botany, literature, mathematics, and music. Today, the ruins of this Greek revival-style building serve as a venue for weddings and other special events.
• Savage Mill: This building once served as a cotton-weaving mill along the Patuxent River. Today, the historic structure is home to several specialty shops and restaurants.
• Thomas Viaduct: Located in the Orange Grove Area of Patapsco Valley State Park, the Thomas Viaduct served as a B&O Railroad bridge during the Civil War.

Find the locations for these historic places and more by visiting the Maryland Civil War Trails page on the Howard County Tourism Council’s website.

Peek Into the Past at Historic Oakland

Tucked away in a peaceful wooded area in downtown Columbia, the Historic Oakland mansion is one of the most beautiful settings in Howard County. The centerpiece of the Historic Oakland property is the manor house, a Federalist-style mansion built in 1811. Historic Oakland was the country home of Charles Sterrett Ridgely, who served as a speaker for Maryland’s House of Delegates during the early 1800s.

Today, Historic Oakland is the setting for meetings, special occasions, and community events for the residents of Columbia Town Center organized by the Columbia Town Center Community Association (TCCA). Landscaping on the mansion’s grounds contributes to a park-like setting that features grand Southern magnolia trees, boxwood, and rhododendron plantings that complement the mansion’s historic character. 

While the facility is not accepting visits from walk-in guests at this time, Historic Oakland occasionally opens to the public for special events. Individuals and groups may also book private events by contacting the facility coordinator.

Location: 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia.

Telephone: 410-730-4801

Snap Photos at Historic Bridges

Savage Mill, Bollman Truss Bridge by Payton Chung is licensed with CC BY 2.0  

Howard County is home to two historic bridges representing Maryland’s contributions to rail transportation history.

Constructed in 1869, the historic Bollman Truss Bridge served the B&O Railroad’s operations. According to information from HistoricBridges.org, it is among the oldest metal bridges built in the United States. The bridge takes its name from engineer Wendel Bollman, who created its distinctive truss configuration. Spanning the Little Patuxent River at Savage Mill, the Bollman Truss Bridge, a National Historic Landmark, is a Howard County attraction that makes an ideal setting for a photo op. 

Take a hike along the 4.6-mile Patuxent Branch Trail that transports hikers along the Patuxent River from Savage Park to Lake Elkhorn. Look for interpretive signs identifying points of interest along the way. Those walking the trail will also encounter the historic Pratt Through-Truss Bridge in Guilford. Built in 1902 to carry the Patuxent Branch of the B&O Railroad over the Little Patuxent River, the 83-foot, single-span structure provides a backdrop for photos amid the foliage of the surrounding landscape.

When looking for the best places to spend time sightseeing in the Columbia area, consider visiting the above destinations. Now it’s your turn to share your favorites. Tell us what you thought about our suggestions. Did we overlook one of your favorite attractions? Write to us and let us know so we can add your recommendations to our list. 

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