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Towson is the seat of Baltimore County, Maryland, located just north of the Baltimore city line. Named for the Towson family who ran an inn at the crossroads in the 1700s, it grew into the county's government center in the 1850s and is now a busy college town with about 60,000 residents.
The historic Baltimore County Courthouse anchors a compact downtown of restaurants, bars and shops along York Road and Pennsylvania Avenue. Two campuses shape the town: Towson University, the second-largest university in Maryland, and Goucher College, with its wooded grounds. Towson Town Center is one of the region's major shopping malls.
The area's highlight is Hampton National Historic Site, a grand Georgian mansion completed in 1790 that tells the story of the Ridgely family and the enslaved people who worked the estate. Green escapes include Cromwell Valley Park and the trails around Loch Raven Reservoir, while the Fire Museum of Maryland is just to the north. Towson's spring festival and Fourth of July parade draw big crowds, and downtown Baltimore is about 20 minutes away.
A National Park Service site preserving Hampton Mansion, completed in 1790 for the Ridgely family and among the largest houses in America at the time. Tour the mansion, formal gardens and farm buildings, including quarters of the enslaved people who worked the estate. Grounds are free; check tour times.
The handsome stone courthouse at the center of Towson, built in the 1850s when Towson became the county seat and later expanded. Its lawns, memorials and plaza are a pleasant spot in the middle of downtown. Admire it from outside and look for local events and markets held on the grounds.
Maryland's second-largest university has a busy hilltop campus with modern academic buildings, a performing arts center and sports venues. Visitors can attend concerts, theater productions and Tigers games, and the Asian Arts gallery is open to the public. Visitor parking is available in campus garages.
A private liberal arts college whose large, leafy campus in Towson is crossed by walking paths through woods and meadows. The grounds are calm and attractive for a stroll, especially in fall. The college also hosts public lectures, performances and exhibitions; check its event calendar before visiting.
The walkable area around the courthouse, York Road and Allegheny Avenue is full of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops serving students, workers and residents. It is liveliest on weekend evenings and during festivals. Use one of the public parking garages and explore on foot, then stop for dinner or a drink.
One of the Baltimore area's largest malls, with department stores, a wide range of national brands, restaurants and a food court spread across several levels. It is a practical rainy-day stop and is easy to reach from downtown Towson. Expect crowds on weekends and during the holiday shopping season.
A Baltimore County park in a pastoral valley east of Towson with trails through meadows and woods, historic farmhouses, a community garden and nature programs. It is especially pretty in spring and fall. Trails range from easy to moderate, and parking is available at several lots along Cromwell Bridge Road.
A large reservoir north of Towson surrounded by forest, with miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, a fishing center that rents boats in season and scenic roads along the water. Loch Raven Drive is closed to cars on some weekend days for cyclists and walkers. Swimming is not allowed.
A museum just north of Towson in Lutherville with a large collection of fire engines and equipment from hand pumpers to modern trucks, plus a working fire alarm telegraph and exhibits on firefighting history. Children enjoy the hands-on areas. It is open on limited days, so check hours before you go.
A large free street festival held in downtown Towson in spring, with live music on several stages, food, arts and crafts vendors, a kids area and local organizations. It is one of the biggest community events in Maryland and draws large crowds. Arrive early, use public transit or garages, and expect street closures.
A long-running Independence Day parade through the heart of Towson with bands, floats, community groups, fire engines and classic cars, drawing thousands of spectators. Bring chairs and arrive early to claim a spot along the route, as roads close in the morning. Check the route and start time in advance.
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