This article was provided by Visit Howard County, the Tourism Council of Howard County.
An easy drive from the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., regions, Howard County can be a festive place to visit during the holiday season. Downtown Columbia is in the midst of a revitalization.
If you haven’t visited in a while, you are in for some surprises.
Dining Destination
Downtown Columbia — with its new office buildings and high-rise apartments– has become a magnet for entrepreneurs looking for a good location for their restaurant concepts. And that is good news for people looking for a variety of restaurant choices. Dozens of restaurants have moved in, and more are on the way.
The Mall and Nearby As in the past, The Mall in Columbia attracts families and young professionals to its Food Court, where there are choices for everyone, as well as popular dining options on The Plaza, like Maggiano’s Little Italy and Season’s 52 Gresh Grill / Wine Bar, and nearby Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s and Walrus Oyster & Ale House.
A newer but already popular arrival nearby is The Food Market, which attracts a lively lunch crowd.
There are three apartment residences on Ring Road around the Mall, and the first level of each has small shops and fast casual restaurants, including Po Boy Jim Bar and Grill, Bon Chon, Aikira Ramen & Izakaya and others.
Merriweather District The more recently developed Merriweather District, a live, work and play community, boasts ethnic choices like Dok Khao Thai Eatery and Clove and Cardamom restaurant, as well as the award-winning Cured Table and Tap and 18th & 21st. Busboys and Poets adds its own flavor to the mix with an onsite bookstore that is great for holiday shopping.
Lakefront District On the Lakefront, the lights on the fountain are worth a visit, and head over to Sushi Sono which continues to attract crowds after all these years. Be sure and get a reservation.
Holiday Activities
This year, the Chanukah and Christmas holidays overlapped. In Howard County, Downtown Columbia was often at the center of it all.
Go Skating One of the most popular places to be this season is the ice rink at Color Burst Park in the Merriweather District. It is decorated for the season and open through January. With so many restaurants nearby, it is the ideal place for an evening of dining and fun. Buy tickets here.
Visit the Poinsettia Tree Looking for a great photo of the kids to send the grandparents? Get the photo taken with Santa Claus at The Mall in Columbia or take a photo in front of the Mall’s iconic Poinsettia Tree, a holiday tradition.
Tour the Lights The annual Symphony of Lights at Merriweather Post Pavilion was open until Jan. 1. The popular drive-thru event includes 300,000 bulbs in a display of larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations. Purchase tickets here.
Fireworks Symphony of Lights at Merriweather Post Pavilion was the site for Midnight at 7, an early evening celebration on New Year’s Eve that includes a walkthrough of the display. Fireworks add to the festivities.
Take in a Show At Toby’s Dinner Theatre, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a musical adaptation of the beloved 1946 film, is becoming a holiday tradition. The show closes Jan. 15. Order your tickets here.
Visit Howard County, Maryland. Open. Learn more at VisitHowardCounty.com or @visithocomd.
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