In the 1800s, the Patapsco Female Institute was one of the most elegant finishing schools for young women in the entire country. It’s a stunning Greek Revival building with four impressive Doric columns, and it sits at the highest point of elevation in all of Ellicott City, overlooking the Patapsco River Valley.

Today, the building is just one of the city’s historic landmarks, and it sees a number of tours, weddings, receptions, camps, and even open-air theater productions. Incredible elevated walkways lead visitors into the 8,000-square-foot building, much of which is preserved from the time it was an operating school, and visitors can really get a feel for what it was like to get an education there.

Whether you’re a fan of history, looking for a unique wedding locale, or you want to check out a unique outdoor concert, the Patapsco Female Institute is a must-see tourist attraction for anyone in the Baltimore area. Tours of the Patapsco Female Institute take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For information about events, visit the website.

Patapsco Female Institute
3691 Sarah's Lane
Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
410-313-2690
www.ellicottcity.net/tourism/attractions/patapsco_female_institute/
www.baltimorefunguide.com/index.cfm?method=calendar.venue&attraction_id=3683

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/bartoszjanusz

If you ask for utensils at Tigi's Ethiopian Restaurant, you'll be immediately outed as a first timer. True to Ethiopian tradition, a spongy flatbread called injera is used to scoop up the authentic fare here, which consists mostly of savory stews known as "wot." Whether they're veggie- or meat-based, the stews all emanate spicy flavors that evoke the cuisine's African origins.

The eatery boasts a large selection for vegans, from the popular gomen wot—a stew of collard greens with green peppers and onions—to the kik alicha, a blend of yellow split peas and garlic, onions, and green peppers. But meat-eaters can also find something to suit their tastes. Try the quey wot, a stew of beef and ginger, or quanta firfir, which consists of beef jerky in house-made sauces and berberé sauce.

Tigi's Ethiopian Restaurant
8459 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 750-1500
www.tigisethiopianrestaurant.webs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tigis-ethiopian-restaurant-and-market-ellicott-city

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/sara marlowe

Looking for some delicious Italian cuisine in Ellicot City? Portalli's offers traditional Italian fare at reasonable prices. The dining room is intimate and classy, and the service is attentive.

Start with an appetizer like the Apple Torretta with apples, crumbled Gorgonzola, walnuts, basil and a lemon Dijon vinaigrette drizzle or the Prince Edward Island Mussels. The menu has a nice mix of pasta and entrees like Cheese Tortellini & Roasted Chicken, Surf & Turf Penne, and Braised Lamb Shank.

Visit on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a delightful brunch buffet featuring bottomless mimosas and bloody marys, a made-to-order omelet station, pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, home fries, breakfast meats, and more. Brunch is $21.95 per person. Reservations are recommended.

Portalli's
8085 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 720-2330
http://portallisec.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/portallis-ellicott-city