Ellicott City Attractions

The B & O Railroad Station is noted as the oldest railroad station in America. The Museum is housed in the station that was the first terminus of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the destination of America's first steam engine, the 'Tom Thumb', in August 1830. Displays include the stationmaster's quarters, a waiting room, a ticket office, and a freight house. Highlights include the evolution of railroad technology, the Railroad China & Silver exhibit and a Model Railroad Collection.

The Clark family, farming since 1797, has a 540-acre farm with vegetables for a roadside stand, as well as grass-fed cattle, sheep, hay and wheat. The petting farm and pumpkin patch opened in 2002. The petting farm features goats, sheep, ponies, donkey, cow, pigs, emu, turkeys, chickens, ducks and bunnies. There are hayrides and pony rides daily.

Clark's Elioak Farm has moved and restored many of the items that were once found in the Enchanted Forest storybook park.

Built in 1889, the Firehouse Museum was a working fire station until 1923. Visitors can see firefighter memorabilia, uniforms and photographs.

The Howard County Historical Museum is housed in the First Presbyterian Church, built in 1894. Historic exhibits are on display in the museum while the research center and library are in an adjacent building.

The Patapsco Female Institute was first a chartered school in 1834, the Institute taught Maryland's upper class girls ages 12-18 until public schools emerged in the 1860s. The female students studied natural sciences, such as botany, as well as history, languages, music and art.

The school closed in 1890 and served as a hotel, private residence, a WW I convalescent home, a summer outdoor theater and a nursing home until the ruins were stabilized for visitors to discover.