Jameson McCullouch-Faber 2020-12-31 16:23:22
Maryland’s Eastern Shore is more than a destination, it’s a tapestry of vibrant towns and unforgettable getaways woven together to deliver a perfect vacation. While it’s no secret that Maryland struck gold with its geographic diversity and beauty—the real allure lies in those charming, authentic towns that sit atop this gorgeous land. Discover them for yourself on a trip through this little slice of paradise. A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER From the deep, rolling blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean to the sun-drenched greens of the shore’s towering cornfields and the welcoming waters of the Chesapeake Bay, there’s just something special about this place. Explore the small towns draped across this idyllic landscape like a tightly woven tapestry. The classic American brick homes and shops of Chestertown would make an ideal destination all their own. With open parks and the unique energy of a college town, it’s quite the place made even more special by its unspoiled waterfront just steps from the town center. Now an official Arts & Entertainment District, the 51-acre downtown is home to galleries, music venues, and the performing arts. Set sail on the tall ship Sultana for a cruise down the Chester River, spectacular views of the town and surrounding countryside, and a memory to last a lifetime. Visit Kent Island and its tourist-friendly hub on the Kent Narrows. With its views of lush surrounding shores and rocking dockside bars—like The Jetty, Big Owl Tiki Bar, and Red Eye’s Dock Bar—you might think you’d somehow ended up in the Caribbean. But the crabs are too good and the Orange Crush cocktails are so fresh, so you can only be in Maryland. Fisherman’s Inn is a legendary local crab and seafood house, but you can’t go wrong with any of the local spots. To turn your adventure up a notch, board a local fishing charter and get out on the bay to catch your limit of rockfish, Maryland’s state fish. It’s not only a great fighter, it’s steaky, flaky, and absolutely delicious. Pro tip: Ask your captain for his favorite rockfish ceviche recipe. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge @robert636_ In Cambridge, visit lovely Sailwinds Park, drop a line off the Bill Burton Fishing Pier, where something is always biting, or sail on a historic skipjack and slip back in time. But if you prefer to be pampered, Cambridge has got you covered. Book a getaway at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina. Play 18 at the River Marsh Golf Club, relax with a hot stone massage at the luxurious spa, and enjoy a cocktail in the pool with sweeping vistas of the mighty Choptank River. There are even waterslides to keep the kids entertained. True luxury. While in Cambridge, visit the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center and get a photo with the museum’s inspiring mural of the great American hero as she seems to reach out from within the wall, beckoning the way to freedom. Not far from town, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center is an absolutely inspiring destination, and a stop on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. Guiding you through Tubman’s life and introducing other heroes of the Underground Railroad along the way, it is an unforgettable place. While you’re there, explore the surrounding Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This massive 25,000-acre preserve with eagles thick in the sky is called “The Everglades of the North,” and is little changed since Tubman herself used her knowledge of its land and waters in her crusade for freedom. SMALL TOWNS: RELAXING AND REWARDING Beyond the waterfront views and natural wonders, one of the greatest parts about the Eastern Shore is just how much is packed into each town. Salisbury is a college town abuzz with restaurants, specialty shops, and the finest small zoo in the country. Put your ear to the ground in Salisbury and you’re likely to hear something exciting. Is that the crack of the bat of some of baseball’s future stars taking the field for the Delmarva Shorebirds, Single-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, or is it an even rarer bird strutting around the Salisbury Zoo? If you listen closely, you might even hear a craftsman chipping away at an artful wildfowl carving at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art. Another gem of the Eastern Shore is Berlin. This is the kind of town where beloved annual events involve, of all things, Bathtub Races. Berlin’s funky downtown is home to restaurants, shops, and an official Arts & Entertainment District. The town was even voted “Coolest Small Town in America” by Budget Travel, in part because it effortlessly blends quaint history with a modern, artistic edge, and all just a few minutes from the ocean. Sunrise in Easton @mikesalomonphotography While we’re bragging, the town of St. Michaels was named one of USA Today’s “Top 10 Best Small Coastal Towns.” The town is pretty much everything the Eastern Shore does best. What started as a hotbed for early American shipbuilding is now best suited to build memories that will last a lifetime with its cozy shops and incredible dining. Head to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to learn everything there is to know about the body of water that brings the state to life—or set sail on a boat tour to see it for yourself. Just up the road, Easton packs plenty to do down its brick streets. Stay at the historic Tidewater Inn downtown and use it as your hub to spend a day exploring one-of-a-kind shops that will call and cater to every one of your interests. And don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes, because the Avalon Theater will be rocking later that night with the best local and international music acts. Denton, once a key port on the Choptank River, trades in a different sort of commerce now. Located on Artsway at 4th is the Fiber Arts Center of the Eastern Shore, the Caroline County Council of Arts Gallery, and artists-in-residence. Learn about the area’s agricultural heritage at the Museum of Rural Life, part of the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area, then indulge in local fruits of the land at Harry’s on the Green, the Market Street Public House, or Shore Gourmet located in the Caroline Schoolhouse. Don’t depart without a box of Savor Maryland goodies. WONDROUS WAYS TO WATERFRONT There’s something magical about the Eastern Shore’s Atlantic beaches. Maybe it’s the way the sun plays on the soft, sandy shores. Maybe it’s the sound of gulls calling as they turn against a deep blue sky, flying top cover for squadrons of pelicans skimming the ocean waves. Maybe it’s the fact that, in Maryland, you can have your ocean getaway two ways. Ocean City @abitslippy Close your eyes and think of a beach town. Picture the boardwalk, smell the funnel cakes cooking, hear the voices of delighted kids braving the seaside rides. What you’re picturing is Ocean City, or just “OC” as the locals call it. Spend your morning building castles in the sand and body surfing the crisp, clean waves. Take an afternoon strolling the iconic boardwalk on the hunt for souvenir T-shirts and old-timey photos, Thrasher’s French Fries—not sure how they do it, but they’re simply the best fried potatoes on Earth—oysters from the raw bar at Harrison’s Harbor Watch, and a turn on the carousel at Trimper’s Rides, where your grandmother rode her first roller coaster. Then, enjoy the town’s legendary nightlife with spots like Seacrets, AKA, and Jamaica USA, where you can even cozy up to a table in the water. Or if you prefer your ocean getaway a little more…away, visit nearby Assateague Island National Seashore, known for its famous wild horses. There is nothing in the world like the sound of hooves pounding through crashing waves, and the sight of an Assateague stallion standing tall upon an ocean dune—the sun setting behind his brown and white flanks is the stuff of dreams. Assateague is close enough to OC for a day excursion, or make it its own destination with camping available at both the state park and national seashore. But plan ahead—sites fill up well in advance. And while we’re headed south, good times are always going down in Maryland’s southernmost town—Crisfield. When you’ve been given the title “Crab Capital of the World,” you simply know you’re doing something right. It starts from the dock, where all things Chesapeake Bay are celebrated, and Crisfield’s tradition as a working waterfront town is put on full display. But you don’t have to stand on the sidelines here. Hop aboard a charter boat and land big bass with help from the folks who know the bay better than anybody. To make the most of it, catch Crisfield’s National Hard Crab Derby, where the fastest crustaceans race for delicious supremacy. During the derby, the town hosts carnival rides, fireworks, the Miss Crustacean Pageant, and one of the best parties of the summer. Crisfield’s neighbors Janes Island and Smith Island—the latter of which is just across the sound—are also worth exploring, particularly via kayak or canoe. Fun Facts The Ocean City Inlet was not formed until a hurricane hit the area in August 1933. Wye River @queenofjewels You can camp on Assateague Island National Seashore. It’s the best way to view the horses that roam the island—but make sure to stay at least 20 feet away from these wild animals. Milburn Orchards @stylebybobbye Find more things to do on the Eastern Shore online at: visit maryland.org/regions-cities/eastern-shore
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