Rocky Gorge (301-725-0888) and the Columbia SportsPark (410-715-3054) offer miniature golf and batting cages, among other activities. The county has two bowling alleys, Brunswick Columbia Lanes (410-381-7750) and Brunswick Normandy Lanes (410-465-0355); an indoor rock climbing center, Earth Treks (410-872-0060); inline skating at the Columbia Skate- Park (410-715-3054); roller-skating at the Supreme Sports Club (410-381-5355); and ice-skating at the Columbia Ice Rink (410-730-0321). For equestrians, there are private riding stables as well as the Columbia Horse Center (410-776-5850), which offers lessons and boarding. Tennis players will want to practice their swings at one of the Columbia Association’s five tennis clubs as well as at a number of local private tennis facilities, while swimmers will delight in the association’s 23 outdoor pools (410-312-6332) and the indoor Columbia Swim Center (410-730-7000). The Roger Carter Recreation Center in Ellicott City (410-313-2764) also has a pool. Several local private swim clubs offer memberships as well.

WHERE TO WALK

There are 77 miles of Columbia bike paths, seven miles of hiking trails in Patapsco Valley State Park and 10 miles of trails in Patuxent River State Park. It’s two miles around Lake Elkhorn, 1.4 miles around Wilde Lake and 2.5 miles around the lake at Centennial Park.

AND MORE

The Department of Recreation and Parks (410-313-PARK) offers everything from ballroom dancing to basket weaving, while the Howard County YMCA (410-465-4334) features exercise classes and swimming. Neighborhood associations offer courses as well.