This article was provided by Visit Howard County, the Tourism Council of Howard County.
By Jackie Duda
Recognized for its diversity, livability and numerous attractions, Howard County also provides accessibility for residents and guests with mobility, hearing, visual or sensory disabilities.
Here are highlights of what’s accessible.
Where to Stay — Hotels
To sweeten your stay and help you get some rest, Howard County has lots of options for lodging that include accessible hotels.
Accommodations can vary from place to place, but many hotels will include at a minimum an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant lift for the pool and a few mobility-accessible rooms with accessible parking available.
Some, like the Comfort Suites Columbia Gateway in Elkridge, provide a little extra, including an ADA-complaint pool lift, height-adjusted handrails, bathrooms, toilets, king and queen-size beds in the accessible rooms, lowered peep holes and visual doorbell alarm alerts, and larger accessible rooms with widened doorways. TVs with closed captioning, assistive listening devices, free accessible parking and visual telephone alerts round out the options and can accommodate a variety of disabilities.
Both the Hilton Garden Inn Columbia and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbia/Laurel offer similar accommodations, with mobility-accessible rooms and an ADA-compliant pool lift at each location.
Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City provides amazing accessibility that is ADA-compliant, across all features of the resort. From the guest rooms to the pool, and the spa, restaurant and golf course, immerse yourself in the accessible treatment rooms and hot tub at the spa, or venture onto the accessible paths at the driving range.
Art, History & Culture
Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, Old Ellicott City
A museum showcasing the B&O railroad on Main Street, this 194-year-old structure is the oldest passenger station in the United States and one of the oldest in the world. Wheelchair accessible on the ground level, with a ramp leading to the second.
Columbia Art Center, Columbia
Visitors of all abilities can immerse themselves in the arts at this creativity-inspiring center located in the heart of Columbia. Exhibits and classes are mobility accessible via lifts located on both levels of the center.
Entertainment
Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia
Find your jam at this awesomely accessible entertainment venue. Call in advance to reserve optimal seating for mobility, hearing and visual needs, and to alert staff of service animals or specific disability-friendly requests. Sign language interpreters are provided based on advance requests, and assistive technologies are available, too.
Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Columbia
Small, intimate theater with wide walkways on the ground level and buffet-style dining. Call in advance to score these coveted floor seats that are wheelchair accessible. Call ahead for ASL interpreters, or optimal seating for visual or hearing needs.
Get Out and Play
Laura’s Place Playground at Blandair Regional Park, Columbia
Enter through the north entrance. The accessible playground offers play-for-all-events and programming, colorful, non-verbal communication boards, zero-entry merry-go-round and other ADA-compliant accommodations for children of all abilities to play together. Accommodates cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory disabilities. Paved paths to three main areas of the park.
Robinson Nature Center, Columbia
Offers sensory-friendly Sunday events. Exhibits, trails and play areas open early allowing visitors to enjoy self-paced activities, sensory bins, scavenger hunts and more. The center offers visual, social, communicative and sensory support. Sensory backpacks include noise-reducing headphones, fidgets and more. Ramps and lifts help mobility-challenged visitors access different levels of the center, with some paved paths outside.
Shopping
The Mall in Columbia, Columbia
Indoor shopping mecca with over 200 specialty stores. Loaner wheelchairs free of charge at the security office with a valid ID. Several elevators.
Savage Mill Shops, Savage
Historic shopping village offering boutiques, creative classes and eateries. Two elevators are available, buildings are interconnected.
For more information and itinerary suggestions, go to VisitHowardCounty.com.
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