WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Whether you want relaxation, action and adventure, or a bit of both, you’ll find a wealth of information on the limitless activities that await you in Howard County. Take an afternoon hike, discover our area’s history, pick your own produce, play a round of golf, or simply relax at one of our area spas. There’s something for everyone to see & do in Howard County.

Historic Sites & Cultural Attractions

Baltimore Ohio Railroad Museum
901 West Pratt Street - Baltimore
410-752-2462
www.borail.org

The Baltimore Ohio Railroad Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment.

Benjamin Banneker
Historical Park & Museum
300 Oella Ave. – Oella
410-887-1081

Artifacts and exhibits dedciated to the life and times of “the first African American man of science.” Excellent birding trails and garden as well.

Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge
8600 Foundry Street – Savage
800-788-MILL

1869 wrought and cast-iron bridge. The last remaining example of the Baltimore engineering desgin used all over the U.S. and Europe.

Brumbaugh House
Elk Ridge Heritage Society
5825 Main Street – Elkridge
410-796-3282

Brumbaugh House exhibits of small town doctor’s waiting room, displays and library.

B & O Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station
2711 Maryland Avenue, Ellicott City Historic District
Wednesday through Sunday 11:00 AM to 4:00PM
Adults $5.00, Seniors( 60+) $4.00, Children(2-12) $3.00, Children under 2 Free; members Free.
410-461-1945; www.ecborail.org

Completed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1830, the Ellicott City station is the oldest surviving railroad station in America and the site of the original terminus of the first 13 miles of commercial track ever constructed in America. In the 1970's the station was restored as a museum and a second restoration in 1999 returned the building to its 1857 appearance. Today, the site interprets the story of transportation and travel in early America through seasonal exhibits, education programs and living history programs.

Ellicott City Colored School Restored
8683 Frederick Road – Ellicott City
410-465-8500
By appointment

Circa 1880, the former one-room schoolhouse presents the history of education for African American children in Howard County during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Ellicott City Firehouse Museum
3829 Church Road – Historic Ellicott City
410-465-8500 (some weekends & by appointment)

The town’s first fire station, circa 1889, is now a museum housing an exhibit of antique fire-fighting equipment, plus a history of Ellicott City’s fires.

Ellicott City Historic District Walking Tour
A self guided walking tour of 28 historic sites, including houses of worship, homes, and museums. Copies available at the Howard County Tourism Visitor Information Center or download here.
8267 Main Street, Ellicott Cty
410-313-1900

Friends of the Whipps Cemetery & Memorial Gardens, Inc.
St. John's Lane- Ellicott City
410-465-6721

Restored one acre site with graves ranging from 1833 to the early 1900’s.

Historic Oakland Manor
5430 Vantage Point Road - Columbia
410-730-4801, 800-730-4802
www.historic-oakland.com

The 1811 mansion and gardens have been lovingly restored by the Columbia Association to reflect the value of preserving the past in the midst of contempory society. Available for afternoon teas, meetings and special occasions.

Historic Savage Mill
8600 Foundry Street – Savage
410-792-2820
800-788-MILL
www.savagemill.com

19th century mill adaptively restored for a unique shopping and dining experience. National Historic Landmark. One of the top 25 visited atrractions in the Washington, DC, and Baltimore areas.

Howard County Historical Society Museum & Library
8328 Court Avenue – Ellicott City
410-461-1050
Library: 410-750-0370
www.hchsmd.org

The museum/library collection houses artifacts, printed materials and photographs that reflect Howard County’s diverse cultural and historical heritage

Friends of Patapsco Female Institute Historical Park
Mt. Ida Visitor Center
3691 Sarah’s Lane – Ellicott City
410-465-8500
www.patapscofemaleinstitute.org

The Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park is a stabilized ruin of one of the most famous schools for girls in 19th century America. Tours – Sundays, April – October, from 1-4pm

Shrine of St. Anthony
12290 Folly Quarter Road
410-531-2800
www.ShrineofStAnthony.org

The Shrine of St. Anthony is a place of prayer, pilgrimage and peace. The Shrine hosts individuals and groups for retreats, programs and meetings.

Thomas Isaac Log Cabin in Historic Ellicott City
Corner of Main Street and Ellicott Mills Drive
410-465-8500
By Appointment
www.thomasisaaclogcabin.net

One of the earliest dwellings in Ellicott City. A year round 18th-century living history site. Former AME Church.

Thomsas Viaduct
Levering Avenue, West of Route 1 – Elkridge
410-796-3282

Built in 1835, the first curved, stone-arch bridge in America. The bridge carried the early B&O rail over the Patapsco River and has remained in service over 165 years.

Waverly Mansion
2300 Waverly Mansion Drive – Marriottsville
410-313-5400 – By appointment

Special events and by appointment. Elegant, period appointed, early 19th century manor home and sole surviving property of the governors Howard: Maryland's only father and son governors, John Eager Howard and George Howard, respectively.