Located in Howard County, the town has become a favorite family day-trip destination thanks to its mix of history, shopping, outdoor fun and food stops that work well for kids and adults alike. Families can spend the morning exploring train history, the afternoon hiking or browsing Main Street and finish the day with ice cream or candy shops before heading home.
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Ellicott City is one of Maryland’s best family-friendly day trip destinations.
- The details: Historic Main Street offers walkable shopping, treats and local charm for all ages. Several activities are budget-friendly or completely free.
- The more you know: Families can mix outdoor adventures, museums and kid-friendly attractions all in one trip. The area works well for toddlers, elementary-aged kids and even teens.
Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or making a full weekend out of it, here are 10 family-friendly things to do in Ellicott City.
Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or making a full weekend out of it, here are 10 family-friendly things to do in Ellicott City.
1. Explore Historic Main Street
The heart of Ellicott City is its historic Main Street, lined with colorful storefronts, locally owned shops and charming stone buildings dating back centuries. Families love wandering through the area because there’s always something to discover toy stores, candy shops, cafés, bakeries and quirky boutiques included. The walkable streets also make it stroller-friendly for younger kids.
- Location: Main Street, Ellicott City
- Best For: Family strolls and shopping
- Tip: Weekday mornings tend to be much less crowded.
2. Visit the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum
Train-loving kids will immediately love the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, which is the oldest surviving railroad station in America. Families can explore historic train cars, interactive exhibits and railroad history while learning how trains shaped Maryland transportation. The outdoor train displays are usually the biggest hit with younger visitors.
- Address: 3711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City
- Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday
- Phone: (410) 313-1945
Planning Info
- Best ages: Preschool-elementary age
- How long families usually stay: 1-2 hours
- Cost expectation: $
- One practical tip: Parking near the museum fills quickly on weekends.
3. Hike Patapsco Valley State Park
Families wanting outdoor adventure will love exploring Patapsco Valley State Park. The massive park offers hiking trails, river views, swinging bridges and picnic areas that make it easy to spend several hours outdoors. Trails range from beginner-friendly walks to more adventurous routes for older kids.
- Location: 8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City
- Hours: 9 a.m.-sunset daily
- Phone: (410) 461-5005
Planning Info
- Best ages: Elementary age and up
- How long families usually stay: 2-4 hours
- Cost expectation: $
- One practical tip: Wear sturdy shoes; some trails can get muddy after rain.
4. Stop by Little Market Café
Little Market Café is one of the most family-friendly lunch spots near Main Street thanks to its casual atmosphere and cozy setup. Parents love the coffee and sandwiches while kids usually gravitate toward pastries, smoothies and baked treats. Outdoor seating is especially nice during cooler weather.
- Address: 3731 Hamilton St., Ellicott City
- Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday
- Phone: (410) 465-5995
Planning Info
- Best ages: All ages
- How long families usually stay: 45 minutes-1 hour
- Cost expectation: $$
- One practical tip: Outdoor tables fill quickly during weekend brunch hours.
5. Hunt for books at Backwater Books
Backwater Books feels like the kind of cozy independent bookstore families stumble into and accidentally spend an hour exploring. The shelves are packed floor-to-ceiling with used books, hidden finds and kid-friendly reads. Older children especially love browsing the maze-like setup.
- Address: 8156 Main St., Ellicott City
- Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
- Phone: (410) 696-2482
Planning Info
- Best ages: Elementary age and up
- How long families usually stay: 30-60 minutes
- Cost expectation: $
- One practical tip: Bring cash just in case for smaller purchases.
6. Walk the Trolley Trail
The Trolley Trail offers a scenic and family-friendly walking path connecting parts of Ellicott City and nearby communities. The paved trail works well for strollers, scooters and beginner bike riders while offering beautiful wooded scenery along the way.
- Location: West end of Edmonson Avenue (at Chalfonte Ave)
- Best For: Family walks and beginner biking
- Tip: Morning walks are cooler during summer months.
7. Visit Clark’s Elioak Farm
Clark’s Elioak Farm is one of the area’s most beloved family attractions and an absolute must for younger children. Families can feed animals, explore fairy tale displays, ride pony rides and visit playground areas all in one visit. The farm’s storybook-inspired attractions feel especially magical for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Address: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City
- Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Phone: (410) 730-4049
Planning Info
- Best ages: Toddlers-elementary age
- How long families usually stay: 2-4 hours
- Cost expectation: $$
- One practical tip: Arrive early during fall weekends; it gets extremely busy.
8. Explore the Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum
Tucked inside a historic building near Main Street, the Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum offers hands-on exhibits designed specifically for younger kids. Families can explore interactive displays centered around local history, community life and imaginative play. The smaller size makes it especially manageable for toddlers and preschoolers who can get overwhelmed in larger museums.
- Address: 3725 Park Ave., Ellicott City
- Hours: 1-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Phone: (410) 480-3250
Planning Info
- Best ages: Toddlers-preschool age
- How long families usually stay: 45 minutes-1.5 hours
- Cost expectation: $
- One practical tip: Double-check seasonal hours before visiting since operating days can vary.
9. Spend the afternoon at Centennial Park
Centennial Park is one of Howard County’s most popular outdoor family destinations for good reason. The park features a scenic lake, playgrounds, picnic areas, paved walking trails and paddleboat rentals during warmer months. Families often spend an entire afternoon here biking, feeding ducks or letting kids burn energy at the playgrounds.
- Address: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City
- Hours: Sunrise-sunset daily
- Phone: (410) 313-7256
Planning Info
- Best ages: All ages
- How long families usually stay: 2-4 hours
- Cost expectation: $
- One practical tip: Arrive earlier on weekends, parking fills quickly during nice weather.
10. Play glow-in-the-dark mini golf at Monster Mini Golf
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For families looking for indoor fun, Monster Mini Golf delivers a mix of mini golf, arcade games and neon-lit entertainment that kids absolutely love. The glow-in-the-dark course feels playful rather than scary, making it fun for a wide age range. Beyond mini golf, there are arcade games, laser maze activities and plenty of air-conditioned fun during hot or rainy days. It’s especially popular for tweens and birthday outings.
- Address: 7351 Assateague Dr., Ste. 380, Jessup
- Hours: Noon-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
- Phone: (410) 579-4653
Planning Info
- Best ages: Elementary age-teens
- How long families usually stay: 1-2 hours
- Cost expectation: $$
- One practical tip: Weekday evenings are usually much less crowded than weekends.
Jen Dryer, MA, is a parent educator with Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) in Kensington, MD. She is also co-founder of Raising Orchid Kids, which supports parents and caregivers raising neurodivergent children and teens. Jen has over 25 years of experience working with children, families and teachers in both NYC and DC as a public-school teacher, staff developer and parent coach. She brings her lived experience as a parent of a neurodivergent teen to her coaching work.
