Overview
Ellicott City is a wealthy suburb of Baltimore, with a long and well-preserved history, and is often ranked one of the top towns to live in the country.
6 sights · 1 things to do · 5 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ellicott City
Ellicott City B & O Railroad Station Museum
The oldest surviving railroad station in America, the Ellicott City station was the original terminus of the first thirteen miles of commercial railroad ever built in the country, stretching from Baltimore to Ellicott Mi…
Patapsco Valley State Park
A 16,000-acre (65 sq km) public park with 70 miles (113 km) of maintained trails. The park offers hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback trails, mountain bike trails, and picnicking.
Thomas Isaac Log Cabin
One of Ellicott City's first homes, from the 18th century.
Patapsco Female Institute
Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Patapsco River Valley, the ruins of The Patapsco Female Institute are open to the public. The Institute was founded in 1837 as a boarding school for young women. Outdoor theatrical p…
Centennial Park
Part of Howard County's more than 7000-acre scenic park system, Centennial Park has won three awards for its natural beauty. The park is 325 acres and features a 2.4-mile loop around Centennial Lake. Activities include b…
Meadowbrook Park
A 77-acre community park featuring multiple sports fields, an open-play area; and a large playground, all connected by 2.5 miles of walking paths.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Sep. (climate data from nearby Baltimore)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 31 mi away (major hub). Directions
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Ellicott City. Take a taxi from the airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Thomas Isaac Log Cabin, Patapsco Female Institute, Ellicott City B & O Railroad Station Museum
- Lunch La Palapa Grill & Cantina
- Afternoon Patapsco Valley State Park, Meadowbrook Park
- Dinner Stella Notte
- Evening The Judge's Bench
Day 2
- Morning Centennial Park
- Lunch Yama Asian Fusion
- Afternoon Font Hill Wetlands Park
- Dinner Pachanga Cocina Mexicana
- Evening The White Oak Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are endless places to eat in greater Ellicott City, but as a visitor, the best (and often priciest) options are on the Historic Main Street, and there are a bunch to choose from.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Ellicott City. Take a taxi from the airport.
By car
Coming from D.C., take 16th Street to Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US-29) about 25 miles, then take a right on Frederick Road, continuing to the historic district.
From Baltimore, head west on US-40 (the Baltimore National Pike), and turn left on Rogers Ave for the historic district.
See
The main attraction in Ellicott City is the Historic Main Street, popular with day-trippers and tourists for its old-time charm, upscale restaurants and cafes, and a couple historic attractions.
Historic sites
See Patapsco Female Institute
Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Patapsco River Valley, the ruins of The Patapsco Female Institute are open to the public. The Institute was founded in 1837 as a boarding school for young women. Outdoor theatrical performances are sometimes held in the ruins, performed by The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. Fair warning to the superstitious and the easily spooked: The Institute is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman named Annie Van Derlot who died while attending the school.
See Ellicott City B & O Railroad Station Museum
The oldest surviving railroad station in America, the Ellicott City station was the original terminus of the first thirteen miles of commercial railroad ever built in the country, stretching from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills. While no train rides are available at the station today, visitors can still see the Main Depot building, the freight house, a replica of the first horse-drawn passenger rail car, and a 1927 "I-5" Caboose. A 40-foot HO-gauge model train replica of the original thirteen miles of track is on display in the freight house.
Parks
See Centennial Park
Part of Howard County's more than 7000-acre scenic park system, Centennial Park has won three awards for its natural beauty. The park is 325 acres and features a 2.4-mile loop around Centennial Lake. Activities include boating (rental is available), fishing, sports, or just enjoying the scenery. Many picnic sites are located through the park, so this is an excellent location for travelers to enjoy a take-out lunch.
See Meadowbrook Park
A 77-acre community park featuring multiple sports fields, an open-play area; and a large playground, all connected by 2.5 miles of walking paths.
See Font Hill Wetlands Park
A nice little 26-acre park, with wetlands, a stream, three ponds, and shady woods, this is an ideal habitat for wildlife. Ducks and geese, frogs and turtles, schools of fish, and many insect species are guaranteed sightings, especially in and around the large pond. The gazebo in the large pond is a great place to fish from, or just to stop and take in the scenery.
Do
Buy
Shop Long Gate Shopping Center
Shopping center near Meadowbrook Park with several chain stores, restaurants and a gas station.
Shop Normandy Shopping Center
Eat
There are endless places to eat in greater Ellicott City, but as a visitor, the best (and often priciest) options are on the Historic Main Street, and there are a bunch to choose from.
Eat La Palapa Grill & Cantina
Family owned and operated, La Palapa Grill & Cantina offers a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine in Ellicott City's Historic District, plus a full bar with mariachi music on weekends.
Eat Pachanga Cocina Mexicana
Located on the Baltimore National Pike as it passes through Ellicott City, Pachanga Cocina Mexicana is family owned and operated restaurant serving an excellent variety of quality Mexican cuisine.
Eat Stella Notte
Casual Italian restaurant Located off Baltimore National Pike, near the on-ramp from Columbia Pike. Stella Notte serves a variety of salads, brick oven pizzas, and specialty sandwiches.
Eat Facci
Bistro-style Italian restaurant with a wine bar, located in the Turf Valley Towne Square. Facci serves many delicious Italian dishes, Neapolitan-style wood fire pizza.
Eat Yama Asian Fusion
Local Asian restaurant in the Forest Green complex, offering a wide array of Japanese, Chinese & Thai dishes. Asian Lunch Specials and take out are also available.
Drink
Drink Ellicott Mills Brewing Co
Local craft brewery & pub in historic Old Ellicott City. Drafts of their own craft beers, pub food, classes & tastings are all on offer here.
Drink The Judge's Bench
Located in an old building near the original Howard County courthouse, The Judge's Bench is a local pub with 17 rotating taps serving over 75 craft brews. The menu consists of pub fare, soups, snacks and sandwiches.
Drink T-Bonz Grille & Taphouse
No longer in operation as of 2022.
Drink The White Oak Tavern
Tavern located in the Enchanted Forest shopping center, serving up New American cuisine alongside a wide range of beers and drinks.
Drink Kelsey's Irish Pub
A friendly, neighborhood pub-style environment with live music.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Patapsco Valley State Park
Park · 3 listings · 2 mi away
Columbia
City / town · 28 listings · 3 mi away
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Savage
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Baltimore
City / town · 9 listings · 10 mi away
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