Discover Howard County through a fascinating contrast: trails through gardens, fields, and forests sit alongside railroad history and collections that preserve different chapters of the region. Contemporary culture is part of the picture, too: Howard County connects historic Ellicott City with the Merriweather District, which offers music, upscale dining, and public art. Individual businesses and programs may change. The story ranges from historic traces to cultural offerings you can explore according to your interests.
Trails through Gardens, Fields, and Forests
The Howard County Recreation & Parks trail network includes 104 miles of natural-surface and paved trails. On a different scale, the grounds of the Howard County Conservancy at Mt. Pleasant Farmstead have five miles of hiking trails through gardens, fields, and forests. The landscape is part of a site that combines historic farm buildings with restored habitats and preserves the cultural heritage and biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Conservancy also offers environmental education for all ages, including birdwatching and guided hikes. Robinson Nature Center has about one mile of trails, with paved sections accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The Annie’s Garden and Mill Ruins Trail also starts at Robinson Nature Center and provides access to the ruins of Simpsonville Mill. Information about trail length and surface makes the differences between these specific offerings clear without presenting them as one single route.
Ellicott City and Railroad History
The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum connects a historic building with an important chapter in railroad history: the station was built in 1831 and was the terminus of the first 13 miles of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It is considered the oldest surviving railroad station in the United States. Tours are available by appointment.
The names also tell the story of the town’s development. Joseph, Andrew, and John Ellicott founded a mill settlement in 1772, initially called Ellicott Mills. In 1867, the settlement’s name changed from Ellicott Mills to Ellicott City; today, the town is known as Historic Ellicott City. At the Museum of Howard County History, hundreds of objects illustrate Howard County’s history, from the period before European settlement to more recent events.
Art, Collections, and Events
The Howard County Center of African American Culture preserves more than 150 years of Howard County history and related history in its permanent collection. Its Research Library and Archives includes a growing collection of more than 10,000 African American books, periodicals, audio and video recordings, and other resources. The African Art Museum of Maryland offers a different focus: it is one of only three museums in the United States dedicated exclusively to the art of Africa.
Events come in a variety of formats. The Columbia Festival of the Arts LakeFest is a free, three-day outdoor festival featuring live music, visual arts and crafts, children’s entertainment, and festival food. Dates and programs vary from year to year. The annual Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival brings together more than 600 sheep, sheepdog demonstrations, sheep shearing, and spinning and weaving crafts; dates and breeds represented also vary from year to year.
Farm Experiences with Seasonal Details
Clark’s Elioak Farm combines a petting area with farm animals and attractions from the Enchanted Forest, including a Fairy Forest, play areas, slides, and picnic areas. Check seasonal details before your visit. At Larriland Farm, you can pick your own vegetables and apples; tractor-pulled hayrides are also offered on Saturdays and Sundays. As these offerings are seasonal, it’s a good idea to check the current harvest schedule and operating details in advance.
Explore more destinations: Elkridge, Ellicott City, Jessup, Columbia, Saint Mary’s County, Garrett County, Prince George’s, Carroll County.
For the broader travel overview: Maryland.
