Conveniently situated near Baltimore, southern Maryland and the Nations capital, Columbia offers a quiet retreat from the congestion and hectic pace of nearby cities. Depending on traffic, the National Mall, home to national icons like the Smithsonian and Lincoln Memorial, is less than an hour away. Getting to Columbia is very easy for those flying into Baltimore-Washington International Airport, which is just 20 minutes away. Just 20 minutes southeast of Columbia is Forte Meade, home to numerous Defense Department installations including the National Security Agency. Also nearby is the Applied Physics Laboratory, or APL, at Johns Hopkins University. Working on projects ranging from national security to the study of the cosmos, the APL was established in 1942. Columbia is also home to the corporate headquarters of the Grace Corporation. Grace is a major producer of construction materials and is the second longest continually operating chemical company in America. Columbia is located in a region that is perfect for anyone who loves the out of doors. Nearby are the Clarksville Environmental Area and the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. In the northeast corner of the Clarksville Area is Hobbits Glenn Golf Course, a beautiful but private golf club. If a five mile hike through the woods is just what you are looking for, Middle Patuxent Area has hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. Believe it or not, Maryland is a terrific place to tour wineries and sample fine local wines. Just 30 minutes from Columbia is Mount Airy, home to two marvelous wineries. Linganore Winecellars combines fun events with wine tasting, while Black Ankle Vineyards has been a consistently award-winning producer of fine wines. Columbia offers visitors diverse entertainment options. Patrons of live theater will want to visit Tobys Dinner and Show. Here you combine a sumptuous buffet dinner with entertaining stage productions.

Baltimore Washington Interna(NE): FROM I-95, TAKE EXIT 38,ROUTE 32 EAST TAKE EXIT 12A, ROUTE 1 NORTH TOWARD ELKRIDGE FOLLOW ROUTE 1 NORTH TRAVEL APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE EXTENDED STAY AMERICA WILL BE ON THE LEFT