Columbia offers a vibrant and diverse arts scene that caters to a wide range of tastes and interests. One of the showcase events held annually is the Columbia Festival of the Arts which celebrates a wide range of artistic disciplines, including music, dance, theater, and visual arts. If you are looking for something to do on a weekend in June, I highly recommend checking it out! Read below to find some other great options to explore while in Columbia!
Merriweather Post Pavillion
The iconic outdoor concert venue is located within Symphony Woods, a 40 acre lot of preserved land in the heart of Columbia. It opened in 1967 and was designed by award-winning architect Frank Gehry. In 2010, Merriweather was named the second best amphitheater in the United States by Billboard magazine. The venue was also ranked as the fourth best amphitheater in the United States by Rolling Stone in 2013. It’s hosted legendary acts like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, and The Grateful Dead as well as current megastar Taylor Swift! I’ve personally attended quite a few concerts over the past few years and highly recommend checking out a show there!
Fun Fact: The late Jimmy Buffet played Merriweather a records 48 times!
Robinson Nature Center
The James and Anne Robinson Nature Center is a nature education facility situated on 18 acres of park land adjacent to the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. The facility includes geothermal heating/air-conditioning, porous paving, solar panels, water conservation methods and other features that make this building environmentally-friendly. The center offers a variety of activities including:
- Trails great for hiking, bird-watching, and enjoying the outdoors
- Interactive exhibits that explore the local environment, wildlife, and ecosystems
- A state-of-the-art planetarium that offers shows about astronomy, space exploration, and the night sky
- Educational programs and workshops for both adults and children
- Special events such as nature festivals, star parties, and seasonal celebrations
I was able to visit the center on a few occasions during field trips for school. The planetarium is very cool!
Fun Fact:The facility has been designated as LEED Certified Platinum.
Toby’s Dinner Theater
Opened in 1979, Toby’s is located in downtown Columbia. It was established by Toby Orenstein who also founded the non-profit Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts . The venue is ADA compliant and has an indoor seating capacity of 300 individuals. The theater has parking, buffet-style dinner, full bar, full menu, and live music and entertainment. Toby’s is estimated to draw 4,000 subscribers and 80,000–102,000 patrons a year. Some of the popular productions over the years include Dreamgirls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast, Show Boat, A Christmas Carol, Sister Act, Hairspray, Peter Pan, Into the Woods, South Pacific, and Newsies.
Fun Fact: Academy Award nominee, Edward Norton, who grew up in Columbia, made his professional debut at the age of eight at Toby’s in the musical Annie Get Your Gun. He also happens to be Columbia Founder James Rouse’s grandson!