10 Best Things to Do in Catonsville, Maryland

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Catonsville is a charming city located just outside the boundaries of Baltimore City, Maryland, just minutes from the historic Pimlico horse racing track, the home of the annual Triple Crown Preakness Stakes.

The lovely Baltimore suburb has been named as one of America's best suburbs for its high concentration of music stores and venues. Visitors can explore attractions like the Benjamin Banneker Museum, which commemorates the life and legacy of the famed scientist, or pay their respects at the Baltimore National Cemetery.

Nearby, Ellicott City's quaint downtown district is home to preserved historic businesses, while Patapsco Valley State Park offers opportunities for outdoor recreation on your weekend getaway.

1. Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum in Maryland depicts the life, career, and legacy of Benjamin Banneker, a prominent self-taught mathematician, astronomer, naturalist, and activist in the 18th century.

Banneker is considered to be America's first great African-American scientist, noted for his famed almanacs and correspondence with founding father Thomas Jefferson.

Visitors can learn about the scientist's achievements and history at the 142-acre site, which showcases attractions such as a colonial-era log cabin showcasing reproduction period artifacts.

Exhibits detail the history of art, culture, and science in the Chesapeake Bay area. Outside, a colonial-era herb garden connects to an orchard and the nearby Historic Number 9 Trolley Line Trail.

300 Oella Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228, Phone: 410-887-1081

2. Baltimore National Cemetery

Baltimore National Cemetery is a lovely 72-acre United States National Cemetery in Catonsville, bordering the Baltimore neighborhood of Beechfield along Maryland Route 144.

The cemetery is located on the grounds of the former Cloud-Capped Estate and was developed by the United States federal government in the 1930s. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and inters more than 44,000 at gravesites throughout the former estate grounds.

Notable interments throughout the cemetery include Coast Guard officer Joseph B. Aviles, Sr., Medal of Honor recipient Loddie Stupka, and Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps Admiral Leo Otis Colbert. Monuments honor the region's United States Marine Corps divisions during World War II.

5501 Frederick Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228, Phone: 410-644-9696

3. UMBC Event Center

UMBC Event Center is a sports and event center located on the Baltimore County campus of the University of Maryland, overseen by the university in cooperation with the Oak View Group.

The 172,000-square-foot multipurpose event center is home to a spacious, state-of-the-art multipurpose arena, which hosts university sporting events throughout the year, including home games for the university's Retriever men's and women's basketball teams.

Visitors can attend games at the 6,000-seat-capacity arena throughout the year and enjoy fan-favorite concessions from the venue's full-service concession stands, including signature tangy pulled pork sandwiches.

A variety of university and community events are also hosted at the venue throughout the year, including trade shows, concerts, and commencement events.

1000 Hilltop Cir, Baltimore, MD 21250, Phone: 443-612-3840

4. Cosmic Comix and Toys

Cosmic Comix and Toys is a unique independent comic book store in Catonsville, selling high-quality comic book selections since 1991. The store is known for its extensive selection of Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, and independent comic selections, along with a wide variety of trade paperbacks, graphic novels, and independent book selections. Its unique hand-painted ceiling stretches across the store's 1,300-square-foot space and depicts the history of comic books in 44 vignetted scenes. Scenes are inspired by Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, depicting iconic moments from comics ranging from classic hits like Superman to modern favorites like The Walking Dead. All first-time visitors receive complimentary bags with free newly-released comics, store information, coupons for future visits.

529 S Camp Meade Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090, 410-859-1340

5. The Historical Ellicott City/Baltimore Trolley Line #9 Trail

The Historical Ellicott City/Baltimore Trolley Line #9 Trail is a lovely 1,25-mile multi-use trail in Baltimore County, embarking from Catonsville's Edmondson Avenue and extending to Ellicott City's Main Street. The trail stretches along a route formerly belonging to the Catonsville and Ellicott City Electric Railway Company trolley line, which transported passengers between Ellicott City and Baltimore throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The line operated electric rail cars between 1895 and 1914, providing passenger service between the cities of Ellicott City, Catonsville, and Baltimore. Today, it has been converted into a rails-to-trails gateway, showcasing sections of modern boardwalk alongside hand-cut rocks from the original railway. More day trips from Baltimore

6. Lurman Woodland Theatre

Welcoming guests since 1992, the Lurman Woodland Theatre is a lovely outdoor community amphitheater that hosts weekly concerts from June to August for free. With a naturally wooded landscape as its backdrop, the Lurman Woodland Theatre makes any event memorable and is easily accessible as it is located within the grounds of the Catonsville High School. Musical events held at the theatre typically include musical performances of several styles with performers from solos to big bands, bluegrass to acoustic sessions, rock to reggae, and even Cajun-style music to country music. So if you are in town during the summer months and want to enjoy great music along with a great atmosphere, make your way over to the Lurman Woodland Theatre.

425 Bloomsbury Avenue, Catonsville, Maryland 21228;, Phone: 410-635-0991

7. Grilled Cheese and Co.

Grilled Cheese and Co. is a favorite regional comfort food chain in the Baltimore region, offering several locations throughout the greater city and county area, including a Catonsville location that opened in 2010. The chain is known for its delicious takes on artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches, including its signature original grilled cheese, which is prepared with high-quality American cheese and grilled to perfection. Famed creative sandwich options include selections topped with favorites like sweet claw crabmeat crap dip, barbecue chicken, smashed meatballs, and Carolina-style pulled pork. Clever macaroni and cheese-stuffed sandwiches are also served up, along with an underground menu of favorites like buffalo wing and blue cheese sandwiches.

500 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228, Phone: 410-747-2610

8. Umami Global Bistro

Umami Global Bistro serves up high-quality Mediterranean and Indian favorites in a low-key dining space in Catonsville. All dishes showcase fresh, healthy ingredients sourced from local farmers and crafted in delicious homestyle recipes. It is named for the Japanese word of the same name, which signifies the fifth flavor, a savory flavor variant. Diners can choose from excellent meat, vegetarian, and vegan favorites throughout the day, available in rice platters, wraps, or salad bowls. Ingredient choices range from falafel and baba ghanoush to tzatziki and grape leaves. Excellent traditional beverages like mango lassi and ginger chai pair with treats like pistachio and walnut baklavah.

712 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228, Phone: 410-788-7878

9. Jennings Cafe

Jennings Café is a classic American-style diner and sports bar in Catonsville, opened in 1958 by Omar Jennings, Sr., the owner of the former Pimlico Hotel. The restaurant is operated by second and third-generation members of the Jennings family, located just minutes from the Baltimore area's famed Pimlico horse racing racetrack. Fresh, quality menu items are served up alongside ice-cold draft beers and cocktails from the restaurant's full-service bar. High-quality pub burgers and sandwiches are served throughout the day, along with delicious entrees like signature Maryland crab cakes, homestyle meatloaf, and liver and onions platters. Weekly specials feature discounts on favorites like whiskey, oyster shooters, and Maryland craft brews.

808 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228, 808 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228