Located almost mid-way between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Columbia is a 40-year-old planned community that’s made up of 10 villages.
A thriving arts scene includes free outdoor concerts at Lake Kittamaqundi, live theater, an annual arts festival, dance troupes, choirs, an orchestra and a dinner theater. Merriweather Post Pavillion, an open-air amphitheater close to the Columbia Mall, draws major attractions -- the 2008 schedule includes the Capital Jazz Fest, Steve Miller Band and Duran Duran.

The African Art Museum of Maryland features folk art and the Howard County Center for the Arts has artist studios and several galleries. For outdoor recreation, Columbia has more than 80 miles of paths for jogging, walking and biking, three lakes for boating and fishing, golf courses and a nature preserve. Centennial Park is part of Howard County’s scenic park system.

Visit the Columbia city web site.