The Top 10 Things to Do and See in Columbia, Maryland

On April 6, 1992, Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened and soon became The Ballpark That Forever Changed Baseball™. Nestled in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the 1,016-foot B&O Warehouse of Oriole Park can’t be missed. Running between the Warehouse and the field is Eutaw Street, a festive area where fans can gather before or during games and grab something to eat or drink. Additionally, fans can visit the bullpen picnic grove area beyond center field, where there are larger-than-life bronze sculptures of the six Orioles who have their numbers retired and are National Baseball Hall of Fame members: Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken Jr., and Brooks Robinson. Also featured past center field is the Roof Deck, where fans can overlook the batter’s eye wall in center and enjoy various concessions. 333 West Camden St, Baltimore, MD, USA, +1 888 848-BIRD

Tucked away in the 40 acres of forested beauty that are the Symphony Woods, the Merriweather Post Pavilion was originally designed by famously unconventional architect Frank Gehry to be the home of the National Symphony Orchestra. It has since hosted a galaxy of famous musical stars, from the legends Jimi Hendrix, Janis Jopin, and the Grateful Dead, to modern stars such as Green Day and Jack Johnson. It also gives its name to an Animal Collective album. With an unparalleled sound system and massive video screens, this amphitheater provides an unmatched experience for bands and fans alike. Additionally, it’s environmentally friendly, with solar-powered house lights, and compost and building standards of the highest environmental leaders. 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD, USA, +1 877 435-9849

Situated just a five minutes drive from Columbia, this non-profit institution was founded in 1980 as the first museum in the Maple Lawn community, and has since been recognised as one of the State’s most respected cultural institutions. According to its website, the African Art Museum of Maryland is “dedicated to the encouragement of broader understanding and awareness of the diverse cultures and artistic expressions of the people of the African continent.” It offers an African Experience Tour, which includes hands-on artistic experience offered both in-house and in outreach programs, lectures, workshops, and visiting scholars. The museum exhibits art ranging from masks and sculptured figures to textiles and musical instruments. One of only three museums in the US devoted exclusively to African art, it is the only one of the three to be founded by an African-American. 11711 East Market Place, Maple Lawn, Fulton, MD, USA, +1 301 490-6070

Built in 1811, this hidden gem is tucked away in the heart of downtown Columbia. The elegant 19th-century manor, which boasts winding staircases, a charmingly whimsical ballroom, and a stunning veranda, is accompanied by scenic, beautifully sculpted gardens, a tree-lined lawn in the front, and a tented patio. Voted 2011 ‘Best Place to Rent for Special Occasions’ by the readers of Howard Magazine, and a popular choice of venue for local weddings, Historic Oakland is also open for tours. They request that you call ahead to schedule an appointment for tours. Opening hours: tours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD, USA; +1 410 730-4801

For the beer lover, the All Grain Brew Tours are a dream come true. They offer samples from elite brewers, such as Calagione and Oliver, with beers ranging from stouts to barley wines. All tours include transportation with a driver, tours given by certified Brewmasters and owners, free pints and pint glasses, multiple beer tasting, complimentary water, snacks, and growlers storage. All craft brewing stops also offer sit-down restaurant food as well as, occasionally, food trucks. The tours themselves are more than worth the price, which generally hovers around the $55 mark; the Brewtimore! tour, for instance, includes the 2014 City Paper ‘Best Brewery Winner’, and a pint from both Union Craft Brewing and Heavy Seas. Starting point varies depending upon tour, +1 443 583-3965