Ellicott City (MD)

Lego City at the museum.

A few days before Christmas (December 22), Kris and I decided to go check out the historic hamlet of Ellicott City, Maryland, not far from Baltimore. We steered north out of the District and found the historic National Road (or National Pike), America’s first interstate highway. Construction began in 1811, though it was never truly finished. But move over, Route 66—this one’s way older. It’s also known less glamorously as Maryland 144 and we followed it east into the famed little town. It was fun wandering among the old architecture of quaint shops and eateries, and up to the Patapsco Female Institute, a progressive school for girls that began in 1831. It now stands abandoned and awaiting a benefactor for its restoration. A stop at the old train depot and model train museum added some pizazz to the day, along with a late lunch at a busy deli. Everyone was well into the Christmas spirit of things, which made for a very pleasant half-day outing.

Downtown Ellicott City.

Lots of model trains at the museum.

Caught shopping.

Holiday window display.