Staying for a while in Washington, DC or Baltimore and dying to get out of the big city for a couple of days? We have a place in mind so that you can enjoy some quality R&R. Ellicott City is not often in the maps as a tourist destination, but the largest unincorporated community in the United States has plenty to offer. Since it was established in 1772, the city has a ton of historic attractions on display, not to mention acres (or hectares) of green spaces for some outdoor recreation. It’s a quaint little town; unassuming, full of history, and just a short drive from both DC and Baltimore. Not convinced? Scroll down to check out our list of things to do in Ellicott City, Maryland.
1. Visit the oldest passenger train station in the United States
Built in 1830, Ellicott City’s passenger train station counts as the oldest operating passenger train station in the United States, and probably one of the oldest in the entire world! You can learn more about its history at the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Ellicott City Station Museum. Here, you can see one of the original structures of the freight station, complete with offices and living stations for on-site personnel, among many other attractions and exhibits.
B&O Ellicott City Station Museum
Address: 3711 Maryland Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043, United States
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 10am - 3pm; Fri - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: Free
2. Go fishing at Centennial Park
Covering 337 acres (approximately 137 hectares), Centennial Park is one of the largest green spaces in Ellicott City. There are plenty of activities you can enjoy here, such as hiking, running, and picnicking. People, however, usually come here to fish. At the heart of the park, there is a 54-acre (22-hectare) man-made lake that’s well-stocked with different kinds of fish, namely tiger muskies, trout, bass, and sunfish. If you don’t have any fishing gear, you can rent one on-site and even hire a boat to take you on the water. While waiting for fish to catch your bait, you can watch the skies for birds, or the surrounding land for white-tailed deer and other animals.
Centennial Park
Address: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042, United States
Website: Centennial Park
Opening hours: 6:30am - 8:30pm (daily)
Price: Free
3. Spend the day at Clark's Elioak Farm
Clark’s Elioak Farm is well known in Ellicott City if you want to spend a day getting back in touch with the region’s agricultural roots or just simply spend some time feeding and petting the farm animals. You can also check out their so-called Enchanted Forest, which has been around since 1955 (Clark’s Elioak Farm itself has been around since the late 1700s). Aside from the fun attractions, you can go on an educational tour to learn more about the sprawling farm property, buy some seasonal produce, and purchase grass-fed meat.
Clark's Elioak Farm
Address: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042, United States
Website: Clark’s Elioak Farm
Opening hours: Tue: 10am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5:30pm (closed on Mon & Wed - Fri)
Price: 7 USD
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4. Stroll around Font Hill Wetlands Park
Looking for some peace of mind? Why not take a stroll at Font Hill Wetlands Park? Like Centennial Park, it’s a sprawling green space, this time encompassing 26 acres or almost 11 hectares. Take the trail which transforms from a paved pathway to the wooden boardwalk, and explore the wetlands. Along the way, you’ll find local fauna, as well as viewing points where you can stop, rest, and soak in the atmosphere and environment. You can also go bird-watching here, as Font Hill Wetlands Park is home to over 100 species of birds. The park is also a natural habitat for a wide variety of dragonflies.
Font Hill Wetlands Park
Address: 10018-10020 Autumn View Ln, Ellicott City, MD 21042, United States
Website: Font Hill Wetlands Park
Opening hours: 6:30am - 8:30pm (daily)
Price: Free
5. Have a picnic in Patapsco Valley State Park
For outdoor recreation in Ellicott City, one of the best places to go to is Patapsco Valley State Park. Spanning thousands of acres, the entire state park is divided into eight recreational areas where you can hike, swim, camp, go mountain biking or horseback riding, and fishing. For a day trip, we highly recommend going on a picnic here. You can easily find a quiet spot by the Patapsco River or take cover in one of the many pavilions scattered around the state park.
Patapsco Valley State Park
Address: 8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043, United States
Website: Patapsco Valley State Park
Opening hours: 9am - sunset (daily)
Price: From 2 USD
6. Visit the Shrine of St. Anthony
Whether you’re a Christian, a religious person from another denomination, or otherwise, the Shrine of St. Anthony is a must-visit while you’re in Ellicott City. In a way, its story is intertwined with that of Maryland, especially when you consider the land where the property sits. There’s a chapel that offers masses, novenas, and devotions, as well as a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs with a distinct Franciscan identity.
The Shrine of St. Anthony
Address: 12290 Folly Quarter Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042, United States
Website: The Shrine of St. Anthony
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Sample handmade craft beers at Manor Hill Brewing
The very first farm brewery in Howard County (where Ellicott City is located), Manor Hill Brewing also happens to be a craft beer destination in this part of the United States. Visit the brewery to learn more about this family-operated institution. Then, check out their taproom to taste their wide selection of handmade craft beers from their Double IPAs to their porters. Of course, feel free to purchase cans and bottles of your favorites.
Manor Hill Brewing
Address: 4411 Manor Ln, Ellicott City, MD 21042, United States
Website: Manor Hill Brewing
Opening hours: Fri: 4pm - 8:30pm; Sat: 11am - 8:30pm (closed from Sun - Thu)
Price: From 6 USD
8. Explore the ghost town of Daniels
Up for something eerie? Take the relatively short drive from Ellicott City to the ghost town of Daniels. A former boomtown located along the banks of the Patapsco River, it was founded sometime in the early 1800s and started to fade into obscurity around the 1960s, when the textile mill closed down. Tragedy struck in the 1970s when the town was damaged by the tropical storm, Agnes. After that, all of the people who lived in the town packed up and left. Today, you can still check out most of the buildings in town, slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Daniels
Address: Daniels, Maryland 21244, USA
Price: Free
9. Check out the Howard County Historical Society Museum
Howard County has a curious history, and there’s no better place to learn more about this than Howard County Historical Society’s very own museum, a repository dedicated to all things about the locale. There are several exhibits that you can check out here about different things that make Howard County what it is today, from textiles and mundane items to Native American tools found in the area and the personal collection of the society’s founder, Alda Hopkins Clark.
Howard County Historical Society Museum
Address: 8328 Court Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043, United States
Website: Howard County Historical Society Museum
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 1pm - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
Price: Free
10. Learn about 19th-century firefighting at Ellicott Firehouse Museum
Located in Downtown Ellicott City, Ellicott Firehouse Museum is the perfect place in the area to learn more about what it was like to fight fires back in the 19th and 20th century, when the technology we use today was still unavailable. Add the fact that most of the buildings in Ellicott City then were not entirely fireproof. A visit to the Ellicott Firehouse Museum definitely lends an interesting perspective into the city’s history and how far we’ve come in firefighting.
Ellicott Firehouse Museum
Address: 3829 Church Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043, United States
Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
11. Find unique pieces at The Antique Depot
It’s finally time to shop! In a place steeped in history as Ellicott City, you can be sure there are great vintage finds here. Check out the Antique Depot, an extensive complex composed of 70 independently owned businesses that sell everything from antique furniture to vintage clothing and other local goods. There are four floors to explore, so make sure you don a comfortable pair of shoes to take you around the depot.
The Antique Depot
Address: 3720 Maryland Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043, United States
Website: The Antique Depot
Opening hours: 10:30am - 6pm (daily)
12. Buy souvenirs at Forget-Me-Not Factory
Once you’re done hunting for antiques and other vintage goods, it’s time to find some souvenirs to take home with you and gift to your loved ones. We know just the place to do this kind of shopping: Forget-Me-Not Factory. Goods available include the famous Barry’s Bubbles products, apparel, Ellicott City souvenirs, and arts and crafts, among others. You’ll surely find something here.
Forget-Me-Not Factory
Address: 8044 Main St, Ellicott City, MD 21043, United States
Website: Forget-Me-Not Factory
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
13. Go on a tour of Thomas Isaac Log Cabin
Built sometime in the 1780s, Thomas Isaac Log Cabin is just one of Ellicott City’s historic attractions. An interesting tidbit: Thomas Isaac, for whom it was named, wasn’t the original owner of the log cabin. In fact, he only became its owner in the late 19th century. Another trivia: this is not where it originally stood. The log cabin was only reconstructed in its present site. You can go on a private or group tour of the property and learn more about this historical site and its role in shaping Ellicott City’s arts and crafts scene.
Thomas Isaac Log Cabin
Address: 8394 Main St, Ellicott City, MD 21043, USA
Website: Thomas Isaac Log Cabin
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
14. Drop by the Terra Maria Ruins
The Terra Maria Ruins, once a college building, has always been a source of much interest among Ellicott City residents and visitors. Today, it’s part of a larger residential development (also known as Terra Maria), with the ruins serving as an unexpected gathering point for people who live there. Check it out and you might come across a BBQ party and other neighborhood events.
Terra Maria Ruins
Address: 3160 St Charles Pl, Ellicott City, MD 21042, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
15. Enjoy an all-American meal at The Trolley Stop
Now that your time at Ellicott City has come to an end, it’s time to treat yourself to an all-American spread. Whether you’re stopping for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the folks at The Trolley Stop are ready to serve you with delicious American classics. Did we mention this restaurant has also been around since 1833? Dining here is a great way to cap off your short stay at Ellicott City.
The Trolley Stop
Address: 6 Oella Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043, United States
Website: The Trolley Stop
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8am - 11pm; Fri: 8am - 2pm; Sat - Sun: 7am - 11pm
There's lots to experience in Ellicott City
Hop on your rental car and drive to Ellicott City for a weekend getaway from the big city. With our list above, you’ll have enough options of things to do when you visit this quaint destination, tucked in the US state of Maryland. You won’t regret it. We promise!
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