Enjoy Ellicott City - Step Back in Time to a Town Older than America
Step back in time and stroll through one of Maryland’s most charming—and storied—towns. This guided tour of Historic Ellicott City brings centuries of American history to life as you explore cobblestone streets, landmark buildings, and the scenic banks of the Patapsco River. You’ll hear fascinating stories of the Ellicott brothers, the birth of the B&O Railroad, and the resilient community that has shaped this town through triumphs and trials. Comfortable shoes recommended - curiosity required!
Register early as group size is limited.
$155 per person
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
9:00AM-4:00PM
Historic Ellicott City Walking Tour 
A private tour shuttle will depart from the Turf Valley Resort at 9:00AM. Wear your walking shoes as local celebrity and "living historian" of Maryland History Tours, Mike Radinsky, leads you through the antiquated avenues and byways of historic Ellicott City. Step back in time and discover the landmarks, stories, and significance of Ellicott City as it has evolved from pre-revolutionary town to bustling modern-day city.
B&O Ellicott City Station Museum
"It is known that railroad men have a habit of splitting the ears of persons near by and frightening horses, solely for their amusement and not because the unearthly shrieks of their locomotives are at all necessary." The Ellicott City Times, June 22, 1889.
The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Ellicott City Station Museum is the oldest railroad station in America! One of your tour stops includes this glimpse into the dawning of what would eventually become a web of train tracks spanning the continent. In August 1830, the B&O demonstrated the first American-built steam locomotive, known as the Tom Thumb, at Ellicott's Mills. The Ellicott City Station followed a year later in 1831. The station operated until its closure in 1972 and has since been reclaimed and restored by Historic Ellicott City, Inc.
Eat & Shop in Ellicott
Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many local establishments that call Ellicott City home. Weather permitting, you can visit Little Market Cafe, a self-proclaimed "groovy outdoor gathering place." Manor Hill Tavern offers wood-fired pizzas and craft beer, both made with seasonal ingredients sourced from their 54-acre working farm. Phoenix Upper Main offers pub-style food, with over 100 bottled beers to choose from, along with wine, cocktails, and mocktails (voted Maryland's Best Bar or Tavern).
Carrollton Hall
Nearly 200 year-old Carrollton Hall's rich history is still being uncovered. The land upon which it sits had been owned by Charles Carroll, III, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Charles was the only Catholic and the longest-living signer of the document. The land was deeded to his granddaughter, Emily Caton McTavish, who commissioned the beautiful structure that still stands today.
In 1928, Carrollton Hall was purchased by Franciscan Friars Conventual. Under their stewardship, the house has  served as a novitiate, residence, and meeting space. In 2016, the friars began a restoration of Carrollton Hall that led to the house being opened to the public as an historic site for the first time. On the tour you'll learn the whole story of the site. We'll weave our way back through a complex tapestry, starting with the indigenous people who originally occupied the land. We'll follow the thread through the Carroll/McTavish family, and consider how the enslaved community of Carrollton Hall and Folly Quarter contributed to the families' vast wealth.The story of Carrollton Hall is made complete with the voices of those who lived a complex life amid a matrix of social and racial inequalities.
Research into the building and landscape, as well as the diverse people who designed, built, lived, and worked in them, continues today.
Return to Turf Valley or Stay & Play in Ellicott City
Our adventure in Ellicott City will end at approximately 4:00PM. The tour bus will return to the Turf Valley resort at this time. For those wishing to spend more time in Ellicott City, you may remain in town and arrange your own transportation back to Turf Valley (check out Uber or Lyft). Ellicott City has a vibrant shopping scene, that includes quirky boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and bookstores.
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