Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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How many restaurants are actually located on or around Main Street?
Their are six restaurants in Historic Ellicott City Main Street. From top to bottom:
La Palapa Grill and Cantina, Tersiquels French Country Restaurant, Tiber River Tavern,
Jordan's Steakhouse, Cacao Lane Restaurant.

What is the parking situation like, and how do I get there?
There really is quite afew parking lots to choose from, the Main Street parking is around 2 hours max,
but their are many other free parking lots including the biggest, up by the Court House. There is also
driving instructions on how to get here from various locations.

Are there any attractions in the area?
Yes there are, Historic Ellicott City has many attractions to choose from, including
Ellicott City Colored School, Ellicott City Fire Station, Ellicott City B&O Railway Station Museum
Historic Society Library Museum, Mt. Ida Visitor Center, Patapsco Female Institute, Thomas Isaac Log Cabin

Where is the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin?
At the top of Main Street, by the traffic lights and on the corner of Ellicott Mills Drive you will see the
Thomas Isaac Log Cabin. When it is open, during the warmer months, be sure to go in and find out all sorts
of interesting information about the town, including its ghosts.

Where is the Patapsco Female Institute?
There are a couple of ways to get there. Washington - Take 95 north to 100 west to 29 north, stay in right lane
and take route 40 east, at first light make a right onto Rogers avenue, after the court house and continue along to Sarah's Lane, where on your right you will see Mt. Ida, the visitor center for the Patapsco Female Institute (PFI).

Does Ellicott City have a town hall
Ellicott City is not an incorporated town and therefore does not have a city hall. For questions concerning government related issues contact the Howard County Government Information & Referal Office at 410-313-3000. The government website is www.co.ho.md.us

Decorator Showhouse
You would need to contact the group that does the Show House each year. That is Historic Ellicott City, Inc. The contact there is Janet Kusterer jkexecdir@verizon.net or 410-461-6908.

We are taking the Amtrak into Baltimore and want to visit Ellicott City, can you please tell me which Amtrak station is the closest? 
The closest station to Ellicott City would be BWI Thurgood Marshall. If you are renting a car or taking a cab you would be about 20 to 25 minutes away from Ellicott City. If you plan on using Howard Transit it would probably take about 2 & 1/2 hours due to transfers. You would take the Silver Line from BWI to Columbia Mall then transfer to the Yellow Line to reach Ellicott City