Location: Ellicott City
Top Things to do in Ellicott City
What to do and see in Ellicott City, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Ellicott City is an unincorporated community and census-designated place, along with being the county seat of local government in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. The population was 65,834 at the 2010 census. Founded in 1772, the town contains the B. & O. Railroad Museum's branch at the Ellicott City Station, built in 1830 as the first terminus of the initial line. The downtown historic district is located in the valley of the small Tiber River, with its east end abutting the Patapsco River, which forms the Baltimore County line. As of the 2000 census, Ellicott City surpassed Towson (county seat of neighboring Baltimore County) for the first time, as the largest unincorporated county seat in the country.
Restaurants in Ellicott City
1. Lurman Woodland Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Lady4Evermore
My boyfriend & I visited this location, for the first time, this Summer. All shows are free, which is a plus. We really enjoyed the Steely Dan cover band which performed in the evening. The show attendees were mostly middle aged, which is a plus, because the atmosphere was fun but calm. Bring your own lawn chairs or blanket and you can also take your own food & beverages (I don't think you can bring alcohol though). Since it's a smaller venue, anywhere you decide to sit provides a good view of the stage and is not a long walk to the restrooms and food trucks. The outdoor venue is very well maintained and there is a slight elevation as you go towards the back area. This is good because you can see the stage better no matter where you position your lawn chair. There are enough trees to provide a good amount of shade. There was a slight breeze in the air which made it more comfortable. For the kids, they have a sand box and we observed this really helped to keep them occupied, during the show. There is ample free parking available and you can also park on the high school grounds which is across the way from the venue. Plan to get there at least one hour, before the show, to get a parking space closer to the entrance as well as to select a preferred spot for your lawn chair. It's best to sit a little further away from the stage because of the speakers. Restrooms were clean and they also a few portable restrooms (though I do not use those) additionally. Do an internet search to find their website for the calendar of events, rules, etc. because they do not have a phone number for contacting.
2. Horseshoe Casino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore is an urban two-story casino with a 122,000 sq. ft. gaming floor. The multi-million development will feature VLTs, table games and a World Series of Poker room. A 20,000 sq. ft. "Baltimore Marketplace" featuring authentic Charm City food outlets, three premier restaurants, and several bars and lounges will round out the food and beverage offerings.The $400 million development will be located along Russell Street on Baltimore's south side. As an urban casino, it will be designed to maximize connectivity with existing hospitality operators, neighboring professional sports venues M&T Stadium (NFL-Ravens) and Camden Yards (MLB-Orioles) and the city's famed Inner Harbor.
Reviewed By Robert S - Baltimore, Maryland
Just not a fun place. Unless you are sitting at the bar you can't get timely drinks wherever you gamble....slots, table games, etc. I don't understand....the drinks are not complimentary. Why wouldn't they hire more waitresses? I believe an hour plus wait for someone to come around is absurd. When you pass by the slot machine area you hardly ever hear
3. The Salt Sanctuary of Maryland
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Enter our peaceful microclimate on a beach-like bed of warm, mineral-rich Dead Sea Salt and settle into a comfortable zero-gravity recliner. Low lights softly reflect on glittering walls of pure salt, and healing alpha wave music calms your busy mind and body. As you breathe the clean salty air, sinuses and airways open up and stress slips away as relief and relaxation take over. So rejuvenating!
Reviewed By HopeFaith68 - Columbia, Maryland
Our 2nd visit today and just so amazing relaxing and refreshing. Nice that it is run by health care professionals vs someone who thinks this looks cool, I will open one. The owners know the science behind the process and how best to serve you. I have chronic illness and pain and it helps with both. My husband just has seasonal allergies, it help his allergies and makes him relax in this fast paced life in the DC area.
The owners are the staff and they are so kind, patient and knowledgeable :)
Make sure you follow their directions as google maps and GPS will get you lost. Once you go the first time and find it, you will be so happy with the location and how quickly you can get on and off Rt 100.
4. Lake Kittamaqundi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By zaphod2000 - Columbia, MD
It's a nice place to walk your dog, dine ne and just plain relax. There's a Sheraton hotel within the perimeter too.
Unfortunately Howard Hughes corporation wants to destroy the ambience by building 15+ story buildings in a small area knowing there won't be enoug parking spaces and destroying the area.
5. Centennial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By Sujata410 - Columbia, Maryland
This is a great little park with the lake that has a walking trail all the way around. There are picnic shelters, volleyball courts, a Children’s play area and many other things to keep you busy.Be warned that on a nice sunny spring or summer day at the weekend, it can be tough to find parking. The walking trail around round Lake is 2.4 miles and if you add in some of the other additional trails, you can get close to 3 miles. In summertime, you can rent boats and kayaks.
6. Saint Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Thomas - Genevi... H - Higham, Suffolk, UK
We previously hiked the Daniels ghost town "trail" and visited the church ruins in February 2016, and we recently returned in August 2016. Unlike Daniels' ghost town, the mid summer overgrowth from the forest does not eclipse the church ruins...although you need to know where to look and what you are looking for.
The church ruins are located off a barely visible trail, which is located immediately before Daniels' ghost town to the north of the main trail/road. The cemetery is located immediately north (away from the river) of the church ruins, and contains over two dozen eerie looking graves.
I highly recommend taking the side trail to see these church ruins, which are very pronounced in the late fall through early Spring, but still visible in the summer.
7. Patapsco Valley State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By Alison R - Charlotte, North Carolina
You can spend all day on the trails out here, but I would download the AllTrails app so you can keep track of where you are. We got hiking on a trail and did not realize that it was a 6 mile trail before it connected with another one. There were lots of bikers on the trails, most of them are narrow so you will have to move over when bikers are coming through. Trails are well marked on the trees, but since these trails are so long, I would never do this on my own.
Unfortunately, there is an entry fee per person to come to the park – fee includes weekends and holidays
8. Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By BaltimoreSkiBob - Baltimore
We visited the museum while walking on the #9 Trolley Trail from Ellicott CIty. It is a great little museum focusing on local history and Benjamin Banneker's life.
9. Lake Elkhorn Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By Eric D - Seattle, Washington
Nice lake. Nice path. Lots of joggers and grass. Good parking, trees. All the usual thing for a suburban park
10. B&O Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is the oldest surviving train station in America, also many would argue that it is also the first station in America in general. The station was originally established as Freight Station only with passengers loading and unloading from a platform attached to the second story of the hotel that once existed across the street from the platform. In the 1850's the B&O decided to transform the station for passenger use as well as freight. The station was also an important transportation hub during the civil war moving both supplies and troops for the Union. The station continued as a passenger station until December 31st 1949 and as Freight Station until the 1970's. The station was than converted to a museum and is listed under the National Register of Historic Places. The management of the Museum has changed throughout the years, with Howard County Recreation and Parks taking over management from the site in September of 2017
Reviewed By Mike W - Palatine, Illinois
The B&O Railroad Museum outside of Baltimore is a great stop for a train lover. There is a lot to see, starting with the locomotives and rolling stock outside, to the completely restored roundhouse inside. The car shop has been virtually left as is, complete with the smell of oil and grease soaked into the floors. It is truly a step back in time. There is also a great model railroad. One of the nicer railroad museums you will visit.
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