Owen Brown - Columbia, MD

The village of Owen Brown retains a rich history, incorporated in the naming of many of its locales. The neighborhood itself derives its name from John Brown's son Owen, who escaped capture and execution by fleeing south after protecting supplies during the famous raid on Harpers Ferry in Virginia. Areas like Dasher Green and Lake Elkhorn come from the names for surrounding farmland that existed prior to the development of the planned community of Columbia in 1967.

Head southwest of Columbia along Route 216 to marvel at the exhibitions at the African Art Museum. Providing attendees with an educational glimpse into African history, exhibitions document centuries of artwork depicting life before, during and following colonization. The African Art Museum committee hosts a number of local events in the surrounding area, including the annual Baltimore/Washington Jazz Festival in December every year.

The tight-knit community of Columbia provides Owen Brown with a large number of avenues for entertainment. Whether you're looking for a classy meal set to jazz or a place to enjoy some local brews with a rowdy crowd, residents of Owen Brown find what they're looking for just around the corner.

A simple and reliable local deli, Joe's Place brings you everything you could want from a small sandwich shop. Locals favor the New York Reuben and hot pastrami for the filling portions and unique twists Joe's applies to these old standards. If you swing by during the lunch rush, plan on carrying out your order, as seating fills up quick.

Chutney Indian Restaurant, located along Snowden River Parkway, attracts crowds from beyond Columbia's borders for its well-regarded atmosphere and flavorful take on fine Indian dining. The friendly wait staff makes prompt service a focus and aims to make you smile before food even touches the table. Stop by for the daily lunch buffet to save a few bucks without sacrificing flavor.

Stanford Grill sets the mood for the evening with a warm, crackling fireplace and live jazz every Sunday evening. The classic American fine-dining menu includes a few fresh gourmet plates, including corn cake eggs. A number of specials rotate daily, and if you make it out early enough you can enjoy a free drink with any brunch order.

For some fun after dark, the Frisco Taphouse & Brewery maintains a fresh and extensive menu of craft beers and microbrews alongside a menu of pizza, steaks and sandwiches. Happy hours and game-day specials help to keep costs down. Bring along your friends on Tuesdays to participate in trivia nights.

Routes 29 and 32 and Interstate 95 surround Owen Brown, making travel by car in any direction a breeze. If you aren't interested in driving yourself, give Uber, Lyft or one of a number of local cab companies a call to come and pick you up. Locals also utilize bus stops provided by the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland spread throughout the neighborhood, including those at Broken Land Parkway, Cradlerock Way and Oakland Mills Road.

Freely available parking lies along many of the residential streets and along Cradlerock Way. The major streets in Owen Brown lack designated biking lanes, though, and the suburban nature of Columbia makes locals rely on a vehicle to get around rather than walking.

Bordered by Rustling Leaf Road, Hopewell Park in southeast Owen Brown provides locals with a freely accessible space to enjoy a sunny afternoon outdoors. The basketball court makes for a great place to play a game with some friends, and the expansive green space provides dog owners with a place to bring their furry friends for a game of fetch.

When looking for an afternoon of family fun, residents head to the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Symphony Woods Park. Nestled within more than 40 acres of forest, the outdoor band shell and lawn seating allows an excellent viewing experience for local and international acts. In operation for over 40 years, the Marriweather Post Pavilion has lent its stage to such famous acts as Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Grateful Dead.

Columbia's cost of living runs about 30 percent higher than in Baltimore. The average monthly rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment within Owen Brown costs $1,220. A 30-day pass for the RTA costs $60, and a typical pint from local pubs runs around $6. Gas prices in Columbia hover around 6 percent higher than the national average.

Owen Brown residents choose from three local shopping centers to get all of their errands out of the way in a single convenient place. The United Artists Snowden Square along Snowden Parkway sports Bed Bath & Beyond, HomeGoods, Home Depot and Marshalls, making it a great place to head when furnishing a new apartment or gathering the necessary materials for a home project. Dobbin Center, north of Owen Brown, and the Mall in Columbia to the northwest contain a number of high-value, brand-name stores, including JCPenny, American Eagle, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom and T.J. Maxx. Giant Food, Wegmans and Target make up the local grocery options. Greenberries Company on Oakland Mills Road provides families with an excellent location to stock up on all the necessary items for your child, including maternity clothing, toys, baby outfits and child furniture. Expectant parents also make good use of the number of classes taught at the store's location, including yoga lessons and instruction on baby sign language. Brides to-be hit up The Bridal Boutique on Oakland Mills Road, which specializes in working with women to assemble the perfect dress from a range of styles, cuts, colors and price brackets. A large variety of designers are represented, including Maggie, Essence of Australia and Allure, and alterations can be made right in the store. Head into the nearby town of Jessup to visit Duvall's Marketplace for your locally grown produce needs. Open from April to October each year, the vendor stalls stock all manner of meat, fish, produce and bread.