Kings Contrivance - Columbia, MD

Formerly the site of a collection of farms and acreages granted by the Lord of Baltimore in the 1600s, Kings Contrivance was designated the southernmost village within the planned community of Columbia following the development's announcement in October of 1963. Originally pitched and designed as a scenic and spacious collection of single family homes and park spaces, Kings Contrivance has remained true to that vision to this day.

The African Art Museum southwest of Kings Contrivance just north of Route 216 provides locals with an excellent opportunity to educate themselves and reflect upon African history and culture. The exhibits document centuries of artwork and crafts from before, during and following colonization. The African Art Museum hosts events from time to time, including live music with the annual Baltimore/Washington Jazz Festival held in December of each year, which showcases both local and international acts.

Whether you're in the mood for traditional food served with a gourmet twist or something with a more international flair, head just west of Route 29 or north of Route 32 to discover some of the best flavors in Columbia. If you find your meal has ended but the night's still young, an eclectic mix of bars, live music and breweries can be found just around the corner.

Found along Shaker Drive, The Kings Contrivance restaurant was once a mansion central to the surrounding farmland and was the building the village derived its name from. Choose from a number of traditional upscale American favorites while dining within the walls of a former mansion. Order the duck breast, served with mashed potatoes and green beans, for a local favorite. If you're in the mood for a little Baltimore flavor, the jumbo lump crab cakes replicate the city's famous seafood. The Kings Contrivance serves brunch as well, making it a perfect spot to bring along family and friends visiting for the weekend.

Chutney Indian Restaurant on 9400 Snowden River Parkway brings authentic Indian dining to the residents of Kings Contrivance. With a focus on tried-and-true recipes passed down through the generations in northern and southern India, Chutney has gained many frequent patrons due to their fresh ingredients, flavorful dishes and excellent service. Not sure what to order? Combine the lamb vindaloo with a side of garlic naan to experience some of the best spices and tender meat in Indian cooking.

Sandwich enthusiasts know a great sandwich means not only a perfect combination of toppings and condiments but the right bread for the job as well. The Bon Fresco Sandwich Bakery, located on 6945 Oakland Mills Road, understands this sentiment. Come early if you're looking to dine in on the weekdays, as seating fills up by noon, though take-out remains a viable option. A Bon Fresco specialty, order the London Broil sandwich for a tasty combination of lean meat cuts and spices.

Whether you're after a restaurant to eat with the whole family, a bar to celebrate a night out with some friends or a venue to catch the latest music from local artists, Sonoma’s Bar & Grille makes for a great evening of entertainment. Hang by the bar to watch the latest Orioles game in good company or stop in on any Friday or Saturday to enjoy the live music. Events occur almost nightly, including wine and canvas nights, trivia and karaoke, so check the website to find the perfect night for you.

Surrounded on all sides by major throughways of the area, Kings Contrivance provides easy travel by car in any of the cardinal directions with Routes 29, 32 and 216 and Interstate 95. In addition to both the Uber and Lyft services, a number of taxi cab companies serve the greater Columbia area, though hailing a cab on the street proves difficult, so you should plan to call ahead of time if you can. The Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland services Kings Contrivance, providing stops all along Guilford Road and Snowden River Parkway to make travel within Columbia a breeze.

Freely available parking can be found along many of the residential streets in the area, as well as the Kings Contrivance Village Center. The spread out residential nature of Kings Contrivance means residents should plan on using a vehicle to get around, as the roads lack designated bike lanes.

Kings Contrivance was designed from the beginning to ensure residents were never far from one of the area's scenic green spaces. The parks of Gorman, Dickinson, Atholton, Huntington and Hammond can all be found within Kings Contrivance, each freely open to the public, providing playgrounds, recreational ball fields, picnic tables and hiking trails. Huntington park allows dogs on leash, and the more than 2 miles of available trails make for a perfect place to bring the dog along for a scenic stroll.

Those looking to involve themselves within the active local community of Kings Contrivance should check out the community center within the Kings Contrivance Village Center. The community center hosts numerous annual events throughout the town, including holiday family events, charity auctions, flea markets, monthly bingo nights and much more.

Cost of living within Columbia averages 30 percent higher than that of Baltimore, and rental rates for a one-bedroom apartment average out to around $1,245 per month. Those using the RTA for commuting purposes can expect to pay $60 for a 30-day pass. A beer at the local pub costs an average of $6 for a pint and gas prices average 6 percent higher than the national average.

Local shopping in Kings Contrivance centers around Guilford Road. The Kings Contrivance Village Center collects a number of shops in one convenient location, including Starbucks, an Exxon station, a UPS store, a number of Redbox stands, a CVS pharmacy and Harris Teeter, the major grocery store chain of the area. Food Lion, the other major grocery store option in Kings Contrivance, can be found southwest of town along Route 216.

A hidden gem of the Kings Contrivance area, Kelsey's Kloset Boutique contains a wide variety of stylish clothing and accessories both vintage and current, as well as furniture pieces. Found on 11200 Scaggsville Road, Kelsey's Kloset sells both high-end and very affordable pieces to ensure something can be found for everyone. Interested in touching up an old piece of furniture? The boutique hosts furniture painting workshops by appointment for individuals or groups.

Those willing to make the drive east of Interstate 95 into the town of Savage can find an exceptional antique store in the Antique Center At Historic Savage Mill. Chock-full from wall to wall, this staggering collection of antiques focuses primarily on glassware and Americana selections, though those in search of jewelry should not miss out on the extensive ring and necklace displays as well.

Though Kings Contrivance lacks a local farmers market option, the town of Laurel to the southeast contains a very popular place to support local producers. The Dutch County Farmers Market can be found on 9701 Fort Meade Road and operate year-round on Thursday through Saturday each week. Peruse the stalls of local vendors to find locally grown produce, baked goods, organic meat, homemade sauces, candies and the Lantz Restaurant, serving only the freshest locally produced ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner.