Weekend adventure: Ellicott City

It doesn’t get much more historic than the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station, the oldest surviving railroad station in America. There are no actual train rides, but you can check out sights like the Main Depot building, which is more than 180 years old. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Free for B&O members, $3-$6 for everyone else. 2711 Maryland Ave. borail.org.

Constructed in 1931 with a design inspired by the late Italian Renaissance, this shrine to the Portuguese Catholic priest is a beauty to see, especially the limestone fountain in the courtyard. The shrine chapel and grounds are open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Free. 12290 Folly Quarter Road. shrineofstanthony.org.

Opened in 2013, the Roger Carter Community Center is 46,000 square feet of fun, including swimming pools, basketball courts, a rock climbing wall and more. 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. $4-$5 for daily admission. Kids under 2 are free. 3000 Milltowne Drive. 410-313-2764.

This breakfast, lunch and brunch spot features sandwiches with names like B&O Railroad BLT, the Log Cabin and Hamilton Street. It doesn’t get much more Ellicott City than that. 3731 Hamilton St. facebook.com/littlefrenchmarket.

This fourth generation family-run business is part country store and part interior-design company. The former sells a wide assortment of goods, including jewelry, candles, pillows and even “Downton Abbey“-inspired home furnishings, while the latter — branded as Ellicott Interiors — features elegantly styled showrooms that could set your redesign in motion. The duplex building, which houses the companies and was built in the late 18th century, has been attracting tourists for years, too. “As folks, especially from overseas, go through the building, they’re really entranced with the history and the charm,” said owner Lissa Bounds. Country Store hours are 10-5 p.m. daily (closed Mondays), while customers are directed to schedule an appointment for Ellicott Interiors. 8180 Main St. ellicottinteriors.com.

A bistro with a laid back vibe, Pure Wine Cafe fits the bill, whether you need a full meal, a few bites of appetizers and charcuterie or simply a glass of red. 8210 Main St. purewinecafe.com.

This bed and breakfast has plenty of history — more than 200 years’ worth — but it also features the comforts we rely on, like Wi-Fi and TVs with a zillion channels. Get a room with a robe and a fireplace to really luxuriate. 4344 Columbia Road. Rates start at $159. waysideinnmd.com.

This gallery features a selection of our choices. For a full list of attractions, restaurants and more, read the full story, “Weekend adventure: Ellicott City.”

Our look at Ellicott City is the third in our periodic “Weekend Adventures” series highlighting exciting and affordable trips in the Baltimore area. We’ve also explored Annapolis (pictured) and Havre de Grace.