COASTAL COASTING If you’re interested in traveling lighter (and a little slower), a kayak may be in order. In St. Mary’s County, follow the numerous water trails of the Potomac and Patuxent rivers. In nearby Charles County, check out Mallow’s Bay, the sunken home of nearly 230 World War I-era ships. The Choptank and Tuckahoe Rivers Trail on the Eastern Shore includes Frederick Douglass’ birthplace. For a slower ride, tubing is available on Antietam Creek and the Gunpowder River. The Monocacy Scenic River Water Trail covers 41 miles through Civil War sites. Water trails also cover the Middle and Upper Potomac River and C&O Canal. Western Maryland’s New Germany State Park offers kayaks, paddleboats and rowboats to explore the 13-acre lake’s diverse wildlife habitat. The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail traces his journey along the Chesapeake, or for an urban adventure, launch your kayak in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Paddlers head out to sea (or bay) on rented boards up and down the Coastal Highway in Ocean City. SUP Annapolis offers lessons and rentals on the Severn River. Boating in DC has paddleboards, kayaks and canoes for rent at National Harbor and offers stand up paddleboard yoga classes. Paddle or Pedal in North Beach and Chesapeake Beach covers all the bases with kayak, canoe, paddleboard and sailboat rentals. From Riley’s Lock at the mouth of Seneca Creek, Active Nature has paddleboard classes, as well as moonlight tours led by veteran paddlers. For rafters, the Youghiogheny River’s Class IV and V rapids offer some of the best white water in the world. The Savage River in Garrett County has been home to white-water world championships and Olympic trials, and several times a year the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers schedules dam releases for white-water recreation. ✥ Kayaking along the St. Mary’s River Public boat launch facilities (by county): dnr.maryland.gov/Boating/Pages/water-access/ boatramps.aspx Can’t Miss on the Chesapeake Bay Play, sightsee, eat and explore along Maryland’s famous estuary. Here are three must-see places along the bay. Annapolis America’s Sailing Capital is a charming historic town with tons of hip bars, restaurants and shops. October features sail and power boat shows, and the rest of the year is an informal boat show down at the city dock. North Beach Enjoy beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay while relaxing on the boardwalk. During the summer, check out the Classic Car Cruise In every Friday night. Smith Island Ride a passenger-only ferry to the home of the famous Smith Island Cake (the state dessert) and listen to the distinctive Elizabethan accents, remnants of the original English colonial settlers. 28 ✥ VISITMARYLAND.ORG | 1-877-333-4455 PHOTO: VISIT ST. MARY’S COUNTY; MATTHEW MCKINNEY/VISIT ANNAPOLIS; PATTY HANCOCK
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2018 Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 28
