Need A Break? Break Away To The Wayside Inn and Historic Ellicott City

Spring is definitely next in line. The temperatures are gradually warming up – although, every now and then there is a weather relapse with snow, sleet and ice.

It’s probably fair to say that some of you may want to take a few minutes and get away from the daily routine. It doesn’t matter that it’s still a bit chilly. What matters is that you go someplace where you don’t have to cook, answer email, return calls or run errands. Another pre-requisite is to stay close to home in order to maximize the “chill” time. This means no security check-ins, no mad dashes to the Southwest Airlines terminal and no delays.

So, you ask where could such a place be?

is located at 4344 Columbia Road. This 18th Century inn is one of several inns founded in Anne Arundel County -- a portion of which was later renamed to Howard County.

As a home-away-from-home, you can have a choice of the several room packages: Margo’s Suite; Betty’s Suite; The Ellicott Room; The Banneker Room; The Pierpont Suite; and The Terrace Suite. All rooms have modern amenities, including a flat screen television, a gas fireplace and private baths with showers. 

The innkeepers, Susan and David Balderson, prepare a fresh gourmet breakfast for their guests each morning. However, if you don’t want to stay in for breakfast, you can start your morning by heading over to Historic Ellicott City for a morning walk along The Main. is an excellent place to stop for pastries and coffee.

This gives you the opportunity to really take in some of the sights that you don’t take the time to see when you’re rushing through the valley to get to a meeting, run errands or meet friends. Nothing beats taking in the fresh air and strolling from shop to shop and purchasing some one of a kind finds.

More, if you want to take a trip off the beaten path, Oella is always a nice hike. You can stroll along the Patapsco River and listen to the waves hit the rocks. Water always has a calming affect.

What’s so great about taking a break close to home is that you have the opportunity to view tourist attractions in a different way. You can spend more time browsing and also talking to the shop owners and learning the behind the business story.

When the morning is done, head back to the Inn and relax. You can read a book, play some word games or watch a movie or two or three. With the iPhone and the iPad, there are unlimited reads, apps and games to play. All you have to do is touch and download.

In any event, you can cozy-up and enjoy the time relaxing and getting away from everything. The Wayside Inn is close but feels far away. The Inn also has promotional packages for shorter stays and special occasions.

With spring at the door knocking, start it off on the right note by taking a break and getting caught up with you. You’ll start the new season fresh, energized and ready to go the stretch until summer. 

For information and questions about reservations at The Wayward Inn, please call 410-461-4636 or visit their website at www.waysideinnmd.com. You can also friend them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.