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. 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 an essential 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. Chestertown @steponi Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge @robert636_ Find more things to do on the Eastern Shore online at: visitmaryland.org/regions-cities/eastern-shore EASTERN SHORE / 97
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2022 Maryland Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 97
