A Glimpse of Western Howard County

Western Howard County is distinguished by its beautiful, open areas and rich agricultural heritage. By combining rural charm with easy access to many nearby shops and services, Western Howard County offers the best of both worlds.

Located in West Friendship, the Howard County Fairgrounds is home to the Howard County Fair and the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, which draws visitors from all around the world. Nearby is the Living Farm Heritage Museum, which helps preserve Howard County’s agricultural way of life through a variety of hands-on programs, demonstrations, and displays. With so much to do, you'll want to book a hotel for an overnight stay.

Western Regional Park offers 190-acres of trails, turf fields, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, pavilions, and a playground. Next to the park is the Glenwood Branch Library, known for its renovated makerspace, which boasts a recording booth for recording songs and podcasts as well as a laser cutter engraver and 3D printers.

On a visit to Western Howard County, you can pick your own fruits and vegetables or buy them from the market at Larriland Farm in Lisbon—open from the ripening of the strawberry crops in May until the apple harvest in early November. Sharp’s at Waterford Farm has been family-owned and operated since 1903 and has been luring visitors with corn mazes, hayrides, a country store, and much more for nearly forty years. Heron’s Meadow Farm in Woodbine is Maryland’s first tea farm. Visitors can sample teas, shop for mugs, walk through gardens, or simply relax on the patio and appreciate the beautiful scenery.

Nearby restaurants and breweries offer a family-friendly experience. Walkers Tap & Table serves scratch-made American food as well as craft cocktails and draught beers. Red Shedman Farm Brewery & Hop Yard in Mt. Airy serves up seasonal hand-crafted ales, a variety of ciders, and bourbon-barrel-aged beer. Bold flavors combined with a relaxing atmosphere helps explain the success of Mt. Airy’s popular restaurant, Bolder.