Howard: Trails, railroad history and museums

A railroad station dating back to 1831, trails of varying lengths and collections on the history of Howard County give Howard a diverse character. Outdoors, the focus is on hiking trails through gardens, fields and forests; museums and historic sites cover topics ranging from railroads to the region’s history.

Trails and landscapes

The Howard County Recreation & Parks trail network includes 104 miles of natural-surface and paved trails. The trails at Robinson Nature Center and on the grounds of the Howard County Conservancy at Mt. Pleasant Farmstead offer a concrete point of reference for individual sites: Robinson Nature Center has about one mile of hiking trails, while the Conservancy grounds have five miles through gardens, fields and forests. These figures refer to different sites and help put their respective scale into perspective.

At Robinson Nature Center, paved sections of the trails are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The Annie’s Garden and Mill Ruins Trail starts at the Nature Center and provides access to the ruins of Simpsonville Mill. On the Conservancy grounds, historic farm buildings are set alongside restored habitats. Its work focuses on cultural heritage and the biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay. Environmental education for all ages includes, among other activities, birdwatching and guided hikes.

Railroad history and museums

The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is the oldest surviving railroad station in the United States. Built in 1831, the building was the terminus of the first 13 miles of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Museum tours are available by appointment in advance, so a visit is especially easy to plan if you would like to arrange a tour beforehand.

The history of the name Ellicott City goes back even further: in 1772, Joseph, Andrew and John Ellicott founded a milling settlement initially called Ellicott Mills. In 1867, the settlement’s name was changed to Ellicott City; today, the place is known as Historic Ellicott City. The Museum of Howard County History uses hundreds of objects to tell the story from the period before European settlement through more recent 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. The Center’s Research Library and Archives has 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 devoted exclusively to African art.

Farm experiences and festivals

Clark’s Elioak Farm features a petting area with farm animals, attractions from the Enchanted Forest, a Fairy Forest, play areas, slides and picnic areas. Details vary by season, so check the latest information before visiting. Activities at Larriland Farm are also seasonal: you can pick your own vegetables and apples there, and tractor-pulled hayrides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Check both the current harvest schedule and the operating details for the rides in advance.

The Columbia Festival of the Arts LakeFest is a free, three-day outdoor festival featuring live music, visual art and crafts, children’s entertainment and festival food. Dates and programming vary from year to year, so it’s worth checking the information for the current edition. The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is held annually and features more than 600 sheep, sheepdog demonstrations, sheep shearing, and spinning and weaving crafts. Dates and the breeds of sheep on display change from year to year. The festivals therefore differ both in their focus and in the details that matter for planning.

Discover more destinations: Jessup, Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Baltimore, Talbot, Calvert County, Carroll County.

For the main travel overview: Maryland.