Parks & Nature
This is a beautiful State park located in the area where Rachel Carson did much of her work that led to her famous book, Silent Spring. We walk here regularly throughout the year, and it is always beautiful, though especially so in April/May when the Mountain Laurel along the river is in bloom.
Rachel Carson Conservation Park
22201 Zion RdThis is a beautiful State park located in the area where Rachel Carson did much of her work that led to her famous book, Silent Spring. We walk here regularly throughout the year, and it is always beautiful, though especially so in April/May when the Mountain Laurel along the river is in bloom.
This is a bit more of a drive from Roundabout Hills, but is one of our favorite gardens and historic homes to visit from spring to fall when it is open to the public. The gardens are beautiful, and famous for their English-style topiary. We feel a special affinity for the place, as in the hall of the entry is a beautiful tapestry couch that was a gift to Mr. Ladew from Mrs. Marjorie Merriweather Post, whose father built the manor house at Roundabout Hills. Even if it is raining, the house alone is worth the visit. There is live music in the summers, so check out their website.
22 locals recommend
Ladew Topiary Gardens
3535 Jarrettsville PikeThis is a bit more of a drive from Roundabout Hills, but is one of our favorite gardens and historic homes to visit from spring to fall when it is open to the public. The gardens are beautiful, and famous for their English-style topiary. We feel a special affinity for the place, as in the hall of the entry is a beautiful tapestry couch that was a gift to Mr. Ladew from Mrs. Marjorie Merriweather Post, whose father built the manor house at Roundabout Hills. Even if it is raining, the house alone is worth the visit. There is live music in the summers, so check out their website.
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military ParkFood Scene
This is a new place recently established in a former plant nursery that had long been empty. It is getting rave reviews and is always busy, especially on weekends.
8 locals recommend
The Brookeville Beer Farm
20315 Georgia AveThis is a new place recently established in a former plant nursery that had long been empty. It is getting rave reviews and is always busy, especially on weekends.
We have been going to Larriland for years, even before we moved to Roundabout Hills. It is a favorite u-pick farm just 10 minutes from the cottage that is popular with local and residents of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Strawberries, blueberries, rasberries, blackberries and apples are among our favorite crops. Check their website to see what is in season. Plan to go early if you can - opens at 9 am.
Larriland Farm
2415 Woodbine RdWe have been going to Larriland for years, even before we moved to Roundabout Hills. It is a favorite u-pick farm just 10 minutes from the cottage that is popular with local and residents of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Strawberries, blueberries, rasberries, blackberries and apples are among our favorite crops. Check their website to see what is in season. Plan to go early if you can - opens at 9 am.
Located in Frederick's nationally renowned historic district in a large, Victorian brownstone mansion, Volt is a top notch restaurant founded by Brian Voltaggio. Reservations required well in advance!
43 locals recommend
VOLT
Located in Frederick's nationally renowned historic district in a large, Victorian brownstone mansion, Volt is a top notch restaurant founded by Brian Voltaggio. Reservations required well in advance!
Tersiguel's is a farm-to-table French restaurant in a 19th-century house in historic Ellicott City. Critics and patrons give it high praise. Back in the day when we had our own CSA at Roundabout Hills, we once sold vegetables along with the kitchen gardener for Tersiguel's at the weekly farmers' market a stone's throw from the restaurant. It is only a short drive from Roundabout Hills.
14 locals recommend
Tersiguel's French Country Restaurant
8293 Main StreetTersiguel's is a farm-to-table French restaurant in a 19th-century house in historic Ellicott City. Critics and patrons give it high praise. Back in the day when we had our own CSA at Roundabout Hills, we once sold vegetables along with the kitchen gardener for Tersiguel's at the weekly farmers' market a stone's throw from the restaurant. It is only a short drive from Roundabout Hills.
While our favorite pizza joint is 2 Amys in DC, we typically go to Laurienzo's Brick Oven Cafe in historic Mt. Airy. It is just 15 minutes up the road off of Rte. 70. Staff are friendly and the environment is low key and unassuming. Good for family or couples. You can also order out if you prefer to bring your pizza back to Roundabout Hills!
Laurienzo Brick Oven Cafe
114 South Main StreetWhile our favorite pizza joint is 2 Amys in DC, we typically go to Laurienzo's Brick Oven Cafe in historic Mt. Airy. It is just 15 minutes up the road off of Rte. 70. Staff are friendly and the environment is low key and unassuming. Good for family or couples. You can also order out if you prefer to bring your pizza back to Roundabout Hills!
All our friends recommend this little joint off of Route 97/Georgia Avenue. So we pass that recommendation on to you!
Thai Cuisine
3430 Olney Laytonsville RdAll our friends recommend this little joint off of Route 97/Georgia Avenue. So we pass that recommendation on to you!
Arts & Culture
We love this library, designed to evoke the rural roots of our county.
Howard County Library System HCLS, Glenwood Branch
2350 MD-97We love this library, designed to evoke the rural roots of our county.
The Pavilion is an outdoor concert venue in the town of Columbia about 20 minutes from Roundabout Hills. Music is country and rock. Don't try to bring your own food or drink, as they are pretty strict. We haven't been here for a while since we had kids.
55 locals recommend
Merriweather Pavilion
10475 Little Patuxent PkwyThe Pavilion is an outdoor concert venue in the town of Columbia about 20 minutes from Roundabout Hills. Music is country and rock. Don't try to bring your own food or drink, as they are pretty strict. We haven't been here for a while since we had kids.
The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman LnBaltimore Symphony Orchestra
1212 Cathedral StThe festival is one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the United States, and celebrates all things to do with sheep. Always held the first weekend in May, it is one of our families' favorite events, and we rarely miss it. While having nothing to do with sheep, in the main events hall we buy our year's supply of maple syrup from Justamere Tree Farm. J.P. and Marian Welch produce their pure artisinal syrup on their farm in the Berkshires.
Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
2210 Fairgrounds RdThe festival is one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the United States, and celebrates all things to do with sheep. Always held the first weekend in May, it is one of our families' favorite events, and we rarely miss it. While having nothing to do with sheep, in the main events hall we buy our year's supply of maple syrup from Justamere Tree Farm. J.P. and Marian Welch produce their pure artisinal syrup on their farm in the Berkshires.
Sightseeing
Frederick is an historic town a short drive from Roundabout Hills with a vibrant downtown with lots of shopping, restaurants (including the famous Volt, founded by Brian Voltaggio - reservations required), and historic sites.
85 locals recommend
Frederick
Frederick is an historic town a short drive from Roundabout Hills with a vibrant downtown with lots of shopping, restaurants (including the famous Volt, founded by Brian Voltaggio - reservations required), and historic sites.
Shopping
Pretty nice mall, as far as malls go. Nordstroms, Williams Sonoma, J Crew, and others.
61 locals recommend
The Mall in Columbia
10300 Little Patuxent PkwyPretty nice mall, as far as malls go. Nordstroms, Williams Sonoma, J Crew, and others.
We love this wonderful pottery. If you plan to visit Ladew Topiary Garden, be sure to add this pottery to your itinerary.
Beaumont Pottery
13726 Jarrettsville PikeWe love this wonderful pottery. If you plan to visit Ladew Topiary Garden, be sure to add this pottery to your itinerary.
Getting Around
I often drive to this metro station if I don't take the commuter bus into downtown DC.
31 locals recommend
Shady Grove station
15903 Somerville DriveI often drive to this metro station if I don't take the commuter bus into downtown DC.
This is the other metro station that we often take if going into DC. If you use it, park in the garage on the right of Georgia Avenue coming from Roundabout Hills, as it always has space.
35 locals recommend
Glenmont station
This is the other metro station that we often take if going into DC. If you use it, park in the garage on the right of Georgia Avenue coming from Roundabout Hills, as it always has space.
Essentials
While a little pricey, Roots is a locally owned organic grocery store. Produce is fantastic, and has a good range of cheeses and organic fare.
Roots Market
5805 Clarksville Square DrWhile a little pricey, Roots is a locally owned organic grocery store. Produce is fantastic, and has a good range of cheeses and organic fare.
I confess it is my favorite grocery market. Located just next to the Columbia Mall on Lake Kitt, it has a great range. My favorite spots are the produce section, and then just beyond it the cheese section, the olives section, and the pasta section. The place is a visual feast, and if you buy their 365 range, prices are comparable to other markets.
581 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
1440 P St NWI confess it is my favorite grocery market. Located just next to the Columbia Mall on Lake Kitt, it has a great range. My favorite spots are the produce section, and then just beyond it the cheese section, the olives section, and the pasta section. The place is a visual feast, and if you buy their 365 range, prices are comparable to other markets.