Old Ellicott City

Ellicott City was established in the 1700s as a small milling town. More recently, it has been the home to many small shops built into small row homes along the hilly main street. In 2016 and 2018, it was devastated by floods and took the lives of two people. Now, it has been reestablished and is thriving once again.

Where to Eat

Phoenix Upper Main

In 2020, Gordon Ramsey fixed up a few places in Ellicott City to help it recover from the floods in his mini-series “24 Hours to Hell and Back.” The Phoenix used to be a bar at the bottom of the hill but could not make it on its own. So, Chef Ramsey decided to mesh The Phoenix with Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, at the top of the hill, to be Phoenix Upper Main.

Manor Hill Tavern

Manor Hill Tavern has so much to offer on their menu, in particular, we loved their brick oven pizza. Their drink menu was also extensive and they serve their own brewed beer: Manor Hill Brewing. It sure was a cozy evening near the oven.

What to Do

Shopping

There is much shopping to do along the main street of Ellicott City. Some of our favorite stores are Shoemaker Country, Sweet Elisabeth Jane, Su Casa, and Sunflower Trading Company.

Explore Lawyers' Row and Tonge Row

Lawyers' Row can be accessed from the stairs behind the restaurant Phoenix Upper Main. It comprises some of the oldest professional buildings still being used today. It is worth a trip up those steeps steps. The town also has live music along Tonge Row on most Saturday evenings. This row of duplexes was built by Ann Tonge in the 1840s; she was a widow.