Hickory Ridge - Columbia, MD Area Guide

Jim Rouse developed Columbia, Maryland in 1963. Ultimately, the Rouse Company created nine “villages,” including Hickory Ridge and the Town Center. Columbia and its villages are a national model for convenient suburban living. Hickory Ridge’s first residents moved in 1973. Forty years of development turned Hickory Ridge into the second largest neighborhood in Columbia.

The hub of Columbia and Hickory Ridge’s vibrant art scene is at the Columbia Art’s Center. The center provides classes, gallery exhibitions, summer camps, and more for the Columbia community. It is located just 10 minutes away by car.

If your idea of a night out includes great live music, craft brews, and an array of hot restaurant spots to try, then Hickory Ridge is the place for you.

Columbia’s restaurants reflect its diverse community, and Hickory Ridge is no exception. The Hickory Ridge Village center boasts a variety of dining options. For instance, head to Lima with the authentic dishes coming out of Grille Chick’n Pollo’s kitchen. The tender charcoal-broiled chicken is raved about all over town. Make sure to get a side of yucca fries, which are crisp on the outside but sweet and juicy on the inside. If you’re more in the mood for some grape leaves and hummus, try the Hickory Ridge Grill.

Definitely check out the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Elton John to Green Day has played at this outdoor music venue. While you’re there, enjoy a walk through its sprawling greens, and when you’re done, head over to the Columbia Mall to do some shopping.

There are a number of bars serving craft brews in or close to Hickory Ridge. You never have to stray far from home or spend a half hour trying to find city parking for some great happy hour deals. Try Pub Dog, a local brewery with specialty pizza selections to boost. They have a great 2 for $4.50 Pub Dog beer deals during happy hour. It is open until 2 am every night of the week.

It is convenient and pleasant to walk around Hickory Ridge. Extensive tree-lined sidewalks are added perks in this community. The most common way to travel, especially outside the village, is by car. Hickory Ridge is a great commuting neighborhood to either Baltimore or DC thanks to its proximity to MD-295 (the Baltimore Washington Parkway) and I-95. There are several bus routes that connect the villages in Columbia. They run with regular frequency and are affordable at $2 a ride.

Hickory Ridge has a number of recreational areas open to the public. One such treasure is the Robinson Nature Center. This environmental learning experience costs just $5 for adults and $3 for children. It is situated on 18 acres of land on the 1,000-acre Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. Take advantage of rooftops and balconies for observing nature, and the planetarium and the exhibits open and enjoyed by all ages.

If a pick-up soccer game is more your style, check out Hawthorn Park. Few sunny days go by without a pick-up game of soccer or football played here.

The average rent for a one-bedroom in Hickory Ridge is $1,350. Travelling to Columbia’s city center via public transit costs $2 one way and takes about a half hour. The most convenient way to travel to Baltimore is by car, but commuter buses are available at select times during the day. The trip will take an hour and a half. You can certainly enjoy a night out without bursting your wallet. A craft beer will cost you anywhere from $5 to $9. A typical beer will cost about $5. A satiating dinner can be as little as $10. Gas is relatively expensive at $2.75 a gallon. The neighborhood gas average is 1.12 times higher than the national average. However, it is roughly equivalent to other areas in suburban Maryland.

The Mall in Columbia (called the Columbia Mall by locals) is conveniently located less than five minutes away from Hickory Ridge. The Mall in Columbia is one of the largest malls in the state of Maryland with over 200 stores, five department stores, restaurants, a movie theatre, and even a seasonal ice rink.

You find anchor stores like Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, Macy's, and JC Penney, as well as popular shops like White House Black Market, Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor. Near the mall, Hickory Ridge Village Center houses a selection of boutiques and specialty shops, including Decanter Fine Wines and Feet First Sports.

Hickory Ridge has a number of grocery stores for the chefs and foodies in all of us. Giant, located in the Hickory Ridge Village Center, is a popular choice among locals. However, if kale chips and hemp protein are what you’re craving, then just stop by Whole Foods. Finally, large families or students stocking up for college will certainly enjoy a trip to Costco, located just 10 minutes from Hickory Ridge.