Howard: Nature, History, and Special Family Experiences

Howard combines expansive nature experiences with a multifaceted history and cultural offerings. Historic Ellicott City, the Merriweather District with music, fine dining, and public art, as well as numerous trails and museums offer different possibilities for planning your trip. Families can combine active days, historical discoveries, and activities for different age groups.

Hiking Trails Between Nature and History

Howard County Recreation & Parks’ trail network includes 104 miles of natural-surface and paved trails. The Patapsco Valley State Park is even more extensive, with more than 170 miles of hiking trails. The park was established in 1907 as the Patapsco Forest Reserve and is the oldest state park in Maryland. In the Avalon area, you will find paved and traditional hiking trails, a history center, a suspension bridge, and Cascade Falls.

For a clearly defined route, consider the 3.2-mile Number Nine Trolley Trail. It passes through Historic Ellicott City and follows the route of the Baltimore Trolley Line. The Robinson Nature Center has about one mile of trails, including paved sections accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The Annie’s Garden and Mill Ruins Trail also begins there, providing access to the ruins of Simpsonville Mill. This allows you to include different types of trails in your daily plans without having to approach every outing in the same way.

Historic Places and Cultural Insights

Howard’s history dates back to the founding of a mill settlement in 1772. Joseph, Andrew, and John Ellicott initially founded it under the name Ellicott Mills. In 1867, the settlement’s name was changed to Ellicott City; today, it is known as Historic Ellicott City.

A central site in railroad history is the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum. The building was constructed in 1831 and was the terminus of the first 13 miles of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It is also the oldest surviving railroad station in the United States. Tours are available by prior appointment. The Museum of Howard County History houses hundreds of objects that tell the story of the county from the period before European settlement through more recent events.

The Howard County Center of African American Culture offers additional cultural perspectives. Its permanent collection preserves more than 150 years of Howard County history and related history. The Research Library and Archives contains a growing collection of more than 10,000 African American books, magazines, audio and video recordings, and other resources. The African Art Museum of Maryland is one of only three museums in the United States devoted exclusively to the art of Africa.

Outings with Different Themes

Clark’s Elioak Farm combines a petting area with farm animals, attractions from the Enchanted Forest, a Fairy Forest, play areas, slides, and picnic areas. Larriland Farm offers tractor-pulled hayrides on Saturdays and Sundays; you can also pick your own vegetables and apples there. These activities give your trip a different rhythm from a museum or hiking day.

Events also add their own highlights. 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. The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival takes place annually and includes more than 600 sheep, sheepdog demonstrations, sheep shearing, and spinning and weaving crafts. Howard County also hosts an annual event every August featuring livestock shows, agricultural demonstrations, and carnival rides.

For impressions of nature and the landscape, visit the Howard County Conservancy at Mt. Pleasant Farmstead and Lake Kittamaqundi. The Conservancy preserves the cultural heritage and biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay and combines historic farm buildings with restored habitats. Its grounds offer five miles of trails through gardens, fields, and forests. Environmental education for all age groups, bird-watching, and guided hikes round out the offerings. Lake Kittamaqundi is a picturesque lake covering 27 acres.

Choosing the Right Vacation Rental Based on Your Travel Interests

When searching for a vacation apartment or vacation home in Howard, you can first determine the focus you want for your trip. Travelers who prefer long hikes and nature experiences will plan differently from those who place historic sites, museums, and cultural events at the center of their trip. For families, it may make sense to alternate days with physical activity, animal experiences, picnic opportunities, and cultural discoveries. If you want to combine different interests, Howard offers an unusually broad selection of themes: railroad history, African American history, art, agriculture, lakeside landscapes, and trails through forests, fields, and restored habitats.

When planning your trip, therefore, compare not only individual attractions but also the daily rhythm you want. The facts about Howard allow for both a nature-focused and a culture-oriented vacation, without requiring you to limit yourself to just one type of experience.

Compare Other Places

If you would like to compare other places with Howard for your trip planning, here is a compact selection: Elkridge, Ellicott City, Jessup, Columbia, Laclede County, Carroll County, Prince George's and Cecil.

For the higher-level travel overview: Maryland.