Discover the New Merriweather District in Columbia, Maryland

Whether you are looking for a new travel destination or wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown D.C. the new Merriweather District in the heart of downtown Columbia, MD might be just the place. According to WalletHub,Columbia was ranked #2 safest city, #1 best city for women, #7 best city for people with disabilities and #2 happiest city. 

Developer Howard Hughes has designed the District to give residents easy access to the life that surrounds them. This up and coming area has more to offer than what meets the eye. Local shops, art and restaurants all in walkable distance to one another make it easy to explore and plan the perfect visit.

The dining scene is truly a hidden gem within the district offering up endless options with 10 more in the works. 

Theresa Meeker Pickett is the Marketing Content and Communications Manager at Visit Howard County and knows first hand just how amazing the dining scene is. Whether she is out with her kids, a group of friends or all on her own it’s always an enjoyable experience.

“The food is top notch, there’s a huge variety of restaurants in addition to the new ones. You don’t have to go into a major city to have amazing food,” said Theresa Meeker Pickett.

Local spots to check out include the Blackwall Barn & Lodge, Game On bar+arcade and Smashing Grapes which aims to open in the spring.

Blackwall Barn & Lodge is a cozy restaurant with menu items such as the Maryland Crab Soup and Barn Bacon. The rustic beams provide barn-inspired architecture along with exclusive private event spaces.

Game On bar+arcade is a local bar that serves up pizza, wings, mac and cheese bites and homemade desserts along with unique drink options. Selections such as locally sourced beer from Brookeville Beer Farm and the ‘Cold Ass Beer’ from Union in Baltimore will have you booking your next overnight stay at the nearby Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel. A 21+ Capri Sun and specialty cocktails made with Lytos Vodka (infused with electrolytes to cut back the hangover), will have you reserving your weekend at the Turf Valley Resort & Spa, only a short Uber away in Ellicott City.

Along with the great food and drink options Game On bar+arcade also hosts a Skeeball League on Tuesdays and events such as Graffiti and Martini which will start this month! They provide a fun and local atmosphere with classic arcade games such as Pac man, Pinball and more.

Smashing Grapes will be a fusion of Mediterranean and California Coastal cuisines with options of world class wines and craft cocktails. The atmosphere and menu is expected to transcend expectations of the boldest of palates.

In the heart of the Merriweather District is Color Burst Park, a great spot for socializing along with free exercise classes, concerts and a kids’ series in the summer but before that check out Books in Bloom and their Earth Day event with free seedlings. The Merriweather Post Pavilion will soon be gearing up for their concert series bringing in major performers this summer, and they are adjacent to the Chrysalis, where additional cultural events and free classes happen all summer long.

No matter if it’s a weekend getaway or escape from D.C. traffic, the Merriweather District is the perfect place to explore. With their top notch dining scene, fun spring/summer events and walkability it’s never hard to find something to do. 

“You don’t have to make plans with people because it’s easy to meet there, I can get out and just see what happens; there is always something that will please everyone,” said Theresa Meeker Pickett.