Columbia, Maryland was founded in 1967 by James W. Rouse, a developer who strove to create a new model of a city that put the quality of life for its residents before anything else. Today, Columbia is often given awards for being one of the United States’ best communities to live and work in and was even named by Money Magazine as the nation’s best place to live.
A few historic places exist in Columbia, such as Toby’s Dinner Theatre, which is a performing arts center and restaurant that has been serving meals alongside Broadway shows and local performances for over 40 years. Also in town is the outdoor Merriweather Post Pavilion, which has been hosting big-name musical performers for just as long.
Any time you’re in Columbia, be sure to stop by the Robinson Nature Center, which is known for its hands-on nature exhibits, wooded trails, and planetarium. You can also check out the local parks, including the Blandair Regional Park, which has multiple large-scale playgrounds and sports fields, and Hopewell Park, which has a number of short nature trails plus a swimming pool and tennis court.
Howard County, which houses the community of Columbia, names the town’s Lost Ark Distilling Company as its first established craft distillery. This distillery makes corn whiskey, mixed drinks, and rum. Also in town is Black Flag Brewing, which has 10 taps of signature beers that are always on rotation to serve guests. For a unique dining option, check out The King’s Contrivance, a restaurant hosted in the community’s historic Federal Mansion. Also in town is Spurrier’s Restaurant and Lounge, which offers grilled cuisine and seafood, and Los Pinos Restaurant, which offers Mexican fare in a cozy environment.
SpringFest - Howard County in Maryland hosts an annual Spring-themed festival in April with food trucks, local craft vendors, and live music from local bands.
Wine in the Woods - Every year in the middle of May, Howard County hosts a wine-tasting event with participation from many local wineries.
FantasyWood Festival - In Columbia, the FantasyWood Festival, usually occurring around Memorial Day, includes family-friendly walks through the woods with fairy and knight-themed characters.
Shenandoah National Park is just a short drive from Columbia, and it offers visitors 300 square miles of untouched terrain to explore. It is home to mountain peaks that extend up to 4,000 feet high, and part of the lengthy Appalachian Trail can also be hiked or biked at the park.
Nestled in West Virginia, you can find New River Gorge National Park, which is home to the often-overlooked New River Gorge. This gorge, which was carved over thousands of years by natural forces, is comparable to the Grand Canyon, although it's covered in a scenic forest landscape. At New River Gorge National Park, visitors can hike through 70,000 acres of countryside, go fishing, or ride horseback on the trails.
In northern Ohio sits Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a park known for being home to over 100 unique waterfalls. This park offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and even kayaking or canoeing. A historic railroad is also located inside the park, and photography opportunities exist around every corner.
Maryland's Patapsco Valley State Park is the perfect destination for anglers and historians alike. At this park, you'll be able to access over 32 miles of the Patapsco River, and you can see artifacts of Maryland's first mills and factories plus the world's first submerged hydroelectric plant.
Codorus State Park is in Pennsylvania and is home to 3,500 lakeside acres. In the summer, hiking and water skiing are popular activities at the park, while ice skating and cross-country skiing are popular in the winter.
Another Maryland state park, Gambrill State Park is located just outside the city of Frederick. This 1,000-plus-acre park is most popular in the fall months when the park's forests are lush with orange and red hues, making it great for hikers and photographers to enjoy.
Maryland's Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a must-see landmark for those who want to see the place where the United States National Anthem was first penned. The fort at this monument site was started during the American Revolutionary War, and it remained open until World War I.
The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail passes through the Fort McHenry National Monument, and it extends 290 miles from Maryland to Virginia. The trail itself marks locations where British troops fought against American soldiers during the American Revolution, and there are plenty of museums and small landmarks to see along the route.
In Baltimore, Maryland, you can find the Washington Monument at Mount Vernon Place. This monument, which is considered to be the first built in honor of President George Washington, sits just outside a free museum.
When you want to park your RV near Columbia, consider using a campground in and around the Baltimore Inner Harbor. You could stay at a public campground, such as the one at Patapsco Valley State Park, for simple, inexpensive camping with level parking spots and plenty of shade. You could also check out the Washington DC Capitol KOA for more extensive amenities, like full hookups, sightseeing tours, and access to miles of walking trails. When you want to stay along the Atlantic Coast, consider staying at Bayshore Campgrounds, which has full hookups right on a private beach for campers to enjoy.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Columbia, MD, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Columbia?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Columbia from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Columbia?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
