Things to do in Columbia

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

A rocky coastline with a sandy beach, dense forest, and calm sea.
A residential area with houses and a road, surrounded by trees, during sunset.
Aerial panorama of single family homes and town house neighborhoods around Lake Elkhorn, a manmade lake in Owen Brown village in Columbia Maryland USA
Yellow, orange sunset sky behind the commercial office buildings at Columbia Town Center Howard County Maryland United States
Stairs and grasses along the shore of Wilde Lake in Columbia, Ma

Things to do

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

$101
per traveler
94% of travellers recommend
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience
Glow in the Dark Splatter Paint Experience

Glow in the Dark Splatter Paint Experience

$40
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Glow in the Dark Splatter Paint Experience
Pad Thai Cooking Class with a Local Chef

Pad Thai Cooking Class with a Local Chef

$75
per adult
Pad Thai Cooking Class with a Local Chef
Sushi Making Class for Beginners in Baltimore

Sushi Making Class for Beginners in Baltimore

$75
per adult
Sushi Making Class for Beginners in Baltimore
Cooking or Baking Lesson with a Maryland Local Karen in her Home

Cooking or Baking Lesson with a Maryland Local Karen in her Home

$106
per adult
Cooking or Baking Lesson with a Maryland Local Karen in her Home
Downtown Baltimore History and Culture Self-Guided Audio Tour

Downtown Baltimore History and Culture Self-Guided Audio Tour

$10
per traveler
Downtown Baltimore History and Culture Self-Guided Audio Tour
Downtown Baltimore Helicopter Tour

Downtown Baltimore Helicopter Tour

$153
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Downtown Baltimore Helicopter Tour
NEON Starry Night Sip and Paint Experience

NEON Starry Night Sip and Paint Experience

$40
per adult
NEON Starry Night Sip and Paint Experience
See all activities in Columbia
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    One Key members save % or more on select activities, hotels, cars and vacation rentals.
    Learn about One Key

Recommended things to do in Columbia

Number of things to do
1
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Axe-Throwing: $39
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Columbia

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Columbia? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Columbia

Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina

Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina

4.5/5(1,087 reviews)

The transformed former seaport is packed with museums, shops and family attractions and is one of the city’s most photographed areas.

Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina
Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

4.5/5(502 reviews)

Watch Baltimore’s beloved baseball team play on their home field, located inside a groundbreaking stadium famous for blending classic and modern design elements.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards
National Aquarium in Baltimore

National Aquarium in Baltimore

4.5/5(1,065 reviews)

Inner Harbor’s biggest attraction recreates the marine and terrestrial habitats of thousands of animals from many parts of the globe.

National Aquarium in Baltimore
A stadium surrounded by urban buildings and roads.

M&T Bank Stadium

4.5/5(241 reviews)

Catch an event at M&T Bank Stadium during your trip to Baltimore. Amble around this vibrant area's waterfront or experience its acclaimed art scene.

M&T Bank Stadium
Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University

4.5/5(370 reviews)

Enjoy the collegiate vibe at Johns Hopkins University as part of your travels around Baltimore. Amble around this vibrant area's waterfront or attend a sporting event.

Johns Hopkins University
0_172365225

Baltimore Convention Center

4/5(502 reviews)

Learn about the events happening at Baltimore Convention Center during your trip to Baltimore. Amble around this vibrant area's waterfront or attend a sporting event.

Baltimore Convention Center
Arundel Mills Mall

Arundel Mills Mall

4.5/5(617 reviews)

You can browse for souvenirs with a trip to Arundel Mills Mall, a popular shopping spot in Hanover. Amble around this vibrant area's waterfront or experience its fascinating museums.

Arundel Mills Mall
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Merriweather Post Pavilion

4/5(30 reviews)

You can make plans for a show at Merriweather Post Pavilion on your trip to Columbia. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.

Merriweather Post Pavilion
Bridge and modern buildings at Towson University, in Towson, Mar

Towson University

4/5(167 reviews)

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Towson University, during your trip to Towson. Stroll along the waterfront or experience the great live music in this vibrant area.

Towson University

Where to stay in Columbia

Find the best Columbia areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Columbia
Learn more about Columbia
Aerial sunset panorama of Columbia Town Center in Maryland new Washington DC with office buildings and the Columbia Mall

Town Center

While visiting Town Center, you might make a stop by sights like Merriweather Post Pavilion and The Mall in Columbia.

Oakland Mills

Oakland Mills might not have many top sights, but Blandair Regional Park and The Mall in Columbia are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Long Reach

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Long Reach and surrounding area, you can visit Blandair Regional Park and Bowlero Columbia.

Centennial Park is a Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks' public park located in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Harper's Choice

While there might not be top attractions in Harper's Choice, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Mall in Columbia and Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Cascade waterfalls at Patapsco

Guilford

Though Guilford might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Hyper Kidz and Earth Treks Climbing Center.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Columbia

Aerial sunset panorama of Columbia Town Center in Maryland new Washington DC with office buildings and the Columbia Mall

Jessup

Ellicott City

Ellicott City

Cascade Falls, at Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland

Elkridge

A town with a mix of residential and commercial buildings, surrounded by wooded areas, during sunset.

Laurel

Baltimore

Baltimore

Aerial panorama of new construction luxury residential neighborhood street with American single family homes in Maryland USA real estate

Fulton

Aerial panorama of modern upper middle class single family homes neighborhood street American real estate in a new construction in Maryland USA sunset

Clarksville

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbia worth visiting?
From shopping to outdoor adventures and history, there are loads of fun things to do in Columbia. Make sure to enjoy the area's mix of unmissable sights, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Columbia?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to B&O Railroad Station Museum and TagParty RECON. Then, tour other parts of Columbia for a quick bite and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Columbia?
The top tourist attraction in Columbia is Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House, so make sure to add it to your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Columbia?
Three days will be plenty of time to check out many city attractions, such as TagParty RECON, Maryland Museum of African Art and Howard County Center of African American Culture. The average stay in Columbia is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your vacation, Washington isn't far away.
Is Columbia a walkable city?
It depends on what you'd like to do and see in Columbia. Several key attractions, including Maryland Museum of African Art and Howard County Center of African American Culture, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Columbia's neighborhoods, Town Center is 0.2 miles away from downtown, while Harper's Choice is 1 mile away from the city center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Columbia with kids?
Whether you're traveling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, a schedule filled with fun activities takes your trip to the next level. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Columbia with kids.
What to do in Columbia for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Columbia, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House or Jailbreak Brewing Company.
Are there free things to do in Columbia?
From checking out parks to wandering around hip neighborhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Columbia. If you need new ideas, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Centennial Park is a top spot for anyone wanting to save on their travel adventures.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia