Ellicott City

One of Ellicott City's first homes, from the 18th century.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.