Play in the Region
Arts & Entertainment
Cultural activities
and entertainment
suited for every
taste are an
integral part of
Howard County
living. Howard
County is home to a
headliner
amphitheater,
numerous historical
landmarks, countless
cultural and arts
festivals and other
special events and
museums.
Toby's Dinner
Theater in Columbia
offers an intimate
setting for a
variety of
performances.
Columbia's Pro
Cantare offers
classical musical
performances at a
number of locations
in the area
throughout the year.
The Merriweather
Post Pavilion
features top-drawer
entertainment
throughout the
summer season. The
Columbia Festival of
the Arts occurs each
spring and brings
countless
international
performers in a wide
range of
entertainment
programming to
various venues
throughout Columbia.
The Columbia
Association and
Howard County
Department of Parks
and Recreation
provide summer
concerts at the Town
Center Lakefront and
Centennial Park.
The Howard County Arts Council works year round to foster the arts in the county. It provides grants to support the arts and operates a multi-purpose art center in Ellicott City, where visitors can take a class, view an exhibit, or enjoy a performance. For more information go to
www.hocoarts.org.
Rep Stage at Howard
Community College is
an award-winning
assembly of actors
who present a
variety of plays
throughout the year,
satisfying a wide
range of audience
interests. Community
theater is also
alive and well in
the county.
The Bollman Truss
Bridge and the
Thomas Viaduct span
are registered
historical landmarks
that help illustrate
the history of
Howard County.
Downtown Ellicott
City still maintains
much of the quaint,
mill-town charm that
was part of the late
19th and early 20th
centuries. Other
landmarks such as
the Waverly Mansion
also offer glimpses
into the past.
Within a 30-minute
drive are the
well-known jewels of
Washington, D.C. and
Baltimore. For day
trips, the ocean,
mountains,
Annapolis,
Philadelphia and New
York are within easy
driving distance.
The central location
of Howard County,
with access to
modern high-speed
highways and
transportation
facilities makes it
an ideal stopping
off point for
vacationers and
those here for an
extended stay.