The Hunt Valley business boom was invaluable to Maryland's economy. McCormick, the most notable company -- and best -smelling -- has created more than 2,000 jobs in the Hunt Valley area. Its proximity to Baltimore, either by I-83 or the Light Rail, makes it a perfect commuting stop.
Hunt Valley isn't all big business, though. There are a lot of restaurants and an enormous amount of shopping to be done. In 2005 the old Hunt Valley Mall was renovated and turned into an outdoor mall, reminiscent of The Avenue at White Marsh, with both sit-down chain restaurants and more casual spots to grab lunch. The renovated Hunt Valley Towne Centre also features a huge movie theater and even bigger grocery store in Wegman's, as well as many shops, ranging from Dick's Sporting Goods to DSW Shoe Warehouse.
Although the once-rural area has become increasingly suburban, there are still vestiges to remind you that you are out in the country -- Oregon Ridge Park, Beaver Dam and the Northern Central Rail Trail are all excellent places to hike, swim, bike or otherwise enjoy Mother Nature. Oregon Ridge also plays host to numerous special events throughout the year, including concerts and fireworks displays on the Fourth of July. Furthermore, Hunt Valley is the host to many horse racing events in the spring, including the annual Hunt Cup and frequent races at nearby Shawan Downs.
Hunt Valley is all about its businesses, but even if you aren't really the suit-and-tie type there is still a lot to explore.
Location: North Central Baltimore County
Boundaries: Shawan Road to the north, I-83 to the west, Warren Road to the south and Pepper Road to the east. Nearby areas are Cockeysville and Sparks.
Schools: Dulaney High School, Cockeysville Middle School, Ridgely Middle School, Padonia International Elementary School, Warren Elementary School, Pinewood Elementary School, Pot Spring Elementary School, Sparks Elementary School, Oldfields School
Highlights/Landmarks: The Hunt Cup, Hunt Valley Towne Center, Northern Central Rail Trail, Oregon Ridge
Trivia: The Bonnie Blink home, on the hill behind Hunt Valley Towne Center, is a Scottish castle that was disassembled and moved to America.