Inspired by the gastropubs that dot London's busy city streets, Victoria Gastro Pub is named for one of the very busiest transportation hubs: Victoria Station. Plus, the owners of Victoria Gastro Pub happen to have a daughter named Victoria. With such a meaningful name, it makes sense that Victoria Gastro Pub contains both the cosmopolitan vibes of a city and the warmth of a family dining room.

Locals flock here for an upscale meal of American and international fare, all infused with the chef's own unique flair. Try the duck fat fries, a local favorite, or the poutine (fries with cheese curds) to kick off your meal. They both boast a slew of glowing Yelp reviews. So does the lobster grilled cheese, which takes a childhood classic and transforms it into a sophisticated dish. Enjoy the grilled cheese, a steak, or fresh seafood with a draft beer from Victoria Gastro Pub's ever-popular list.

Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 750-1880
victoriagastropub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/victoria-gastro-pub-columbia

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr jeffreyw

Robinson Nature Center doesn't just invite Columbia residents to explore nature; it pays homage to Mother Earth in every part of its daily processes. Solar panels generate juice for the facility (15% of its total electricity, in fact). Geothermal air conditioning and heating saves on traditional energy. Water-conserving features protect the globe's limited water resources. The nature center boasts an LEED Certification—one of only three buildings in the state that does.

But these are the things unfolding behind the scenes. Locals come here to check out the hands-on exhibits. Head to the NatureSphere, a domed planetarium that shows various films regarding natural phenomena. Spend some time in the Children's Discovery Room if you have little ones along. You can also meander the nature trail, which winds throughout 18 acres of land (connected to another 1,000 known as the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area).

Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-0400
www.howardcountymd.gov/RobinsonNatureCenter.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/robinson-nature-center-columbia

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr look_at_em_Poe

If you want to breathe new life into your home’s decor, there are few better ways than by adding a few blooming houseplants. These unique plants give you a pop of green and a burst of bright color from their blossoming flowers, and they’re surprisingly easy to care for.

• Begonia. Although most people think of begonias as outdoor plants, they also look beautiful inside your home. Types with fibrous roots work best indoors, and they bloom almost continuously throughout the year.
• Peace lily. This elegant plant features a beautiful, white flower against its lush green leaves, and it’s one of the easiest to keep alive. The peace lily even does well in low light.
• African violet. If you’re looking for a plant that will last for years to come, this is the one to choose. Their purple, red, or white flowers bloom almost year-round.
• Orchid. Although orchids can be quite finicky plants, they flourish when placed in bright, indirect sunlight. Plus, they’re some of the most beautiful flowering houseplants.
• Geranium. If you’re prone to forgetting a few waterings here and there, the geranium is the plant for you. These vibrant flowers thrive in dry soil between waterings, and they really bloom when placed in a bright window.

Flowering Houseplants [About Home]
The 16 prettiest and most colorful indoor flowering plants [Today Home]
16 Drop-Dead Gorgeous Flowering Houseplants [AOL Real Estate]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Jess Pac