The air feels different on a long weekend. It’s warmer, more generous. The kind of breeze that makes flags flutter and grills spark to life. Roads unwind past rolling farms, leafy parks, and small towns where the windows open early and music spills into the street. If you find yourself in Howard County this Memorial Day, you’ll notice time slows a little. Not in a way that drags—but in a way that lets you stretch out a moment and stay in it.
Tour Ellicott City
Ellicott City
History doesn’t shout here—it whispers. Along the cobblestone sidewalks of Historic Ellicott City, the past brushes up against the present. You might spot it in the weathered iron signage or the hand-lettered chalkboards inviting you in for antiques or espresso. A trail of footsteps leads you through art galleries and bookstores and historic sites that feel more like living stories than museum pieces. When the sun gets high, there’s no better relief than a cone from Park Ridge Creamy—cool, creamy, and quick to melt. Later, you might slip into a seat at Phoenix Upper Main, where the drinks are cold and the stories linger long after the glass is empty.
Visit the Parks
You follow the road a little farther and suddenly, it’s quiet. At Scott's Cove, the reservoir sparkles like glass, cradled by tree-lined banks and warm sky. There’s a rhythm to the space—cast, reel, sit, breathe. The kind of place where time doesn’t matter and the world feels just big enough.
Then there’s Patapsco Valley State Park, where the trails range from gentle to gutsy and every path leads somewhere unexpected. Sunlight dances through tall trees, dappling the forest floor. A hawk cuts across the sky overhead. Whether you’re picnicking by the water or wandering into the woods, it all feels like something you’ve earned—and something you’ve missed.
Enjoy Howard On Tap
Howard on Tap
Some places just taste like summer. In Howard County, the local taprooms, breweries and distilleries don’t just pour drinks—they pour character. Maybe you find yourself at a farm brewery, sun on your shoulders, sipping something citrusy and bright. Maybe you’re inside a cozy taproom while the evening hums on outside. Either way, every sip tells a story of place—of local hops, hometown pride, and good company.
Explore Downtown Columbia
The Chrysalis in Symphony Woods at Merriweather Park
Downtown Columbia has its own rhythm, one that’s relaxed but alive. Under the soaring green shell of the Chrysalis, kids chase bubbles and grownups lean back in Adirondack chairs, watching clouds roll through Symphony Woods. Down by Lake Kittamaqundi, kayaks ripple across the water while diners drift between patio tables and lakeside strolls.
When the sun starts to dip, 18th & 21st opens its doors to the sound of smooth jazz and low conversation. Inside, the lighting is soft, the cocktails sharp. A quick hop across the street takes you into Tapville Social at the Mall in Columbia, where the AC hits just right and a tasting flight becomes your new favorite thing. Shopping, sipping, strolling—it’s not an itinerary. It’s just... how the evening unfolds.
Shop at Farms and Farmer's Markets
Farms and Farmer's Markets
Some of the best flavors come from places where the earth is still under your fingernails. At the farmers markets in Clarksville Commons and Maple Lawn, tables brim with strawberries so ripe they scent the air. You’ll find bundles of herbs, jars of small-batch pickles, warm loaves wrapped in parchment, and neighbors catching up over coffee.
Not far off, Clark's Elioak Farm offers a moment to slow down. Feed a baby goat, pick up pasture-raised meat for the grill, or grab a pint of just-churned ice cream. Breezy Willow Country Market rounds out the day with farm-fresh eggs, local honey, and shelves of comfort you didn’t know you missed.
Extend Your Stay!
By now, the idea of leaving feels too soon. Fortunately, there’s a place nearby with soft sheets and a porch to watch the stars come out. Whether it’s the charming Wayside Inn B&B tucked near a winding trail or the sleek Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel with a rooftop view, Howard County knows how to make you feel at home. Because sometimes a long weekend needs just one more morning. One more coffee on the patio. One more memory that doesn’t ask to be posted or shared—just remembered.
