I’d like to plan a long weekend on the water, easily driveable from Chevy Chase. The eastern shore seems closest, but I can’t quite figure out what we’d do (I know people love to sail there- we don’t know how nor own a boat). I figure some kayaking/paddle boarding, but that’s what a couple of hours in the day. I’m not meaning to diss the eastern shore - I’d like to go. The rentals are not cheap (they seem much more expensive than the beach). Thanks for ideas! |
Boogie boards for kids
Beach, including beach games like spike ball, frisbee, throwing football Exercise (running, walking, or biking) Lunch or dinner at fun restaurants Shopping |
Uh, beach fun? |
We spent a morning at historic saint Mary city https://www.hsmcdigshistory.org/ and an afternoon at the beach. Also https://www.annmariegarden.org/annmarie2/
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What towns are you thinking of? People might be able to give specific recommendations. I assume from what you’ve written you mean a non-beach town, like Cambridge.
Some ideas: Maybe pop out to Assateague or OC for a day Backwater Wildlife Refuge Kayaking Sailing (a few companies you can just go for a ride with—don’t need to know how to sail) Shopping Wineries Go to a lighthouse See historical sites like the Harriet Tubman trail Time your visit for a festival or concert Eat seafood |
We go cycling, kayaking, swimming in a pool, trips to sites slike the Harriet Tubman park and visitor center and Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, St Michaels, Easton etc These little towns often have festivals like Oysterfest, which can be good fun. You can take the ferry from Oxford to Bellevue.
It isn’t London or Rome, but there is plenty to do for a few days. |
Also the Chesapeake Maritime Museum in St Michaels. |
Seriously, charter a nice sailboat for a half day cruise out of St. Michaels. Bring snacks and wine (or the boat captain will often provide). Family will love it. |
OP here - this all sounds great. I didn’t even know that there are beaches on the eastern shore.
I have been looking at St Michaels/Neavitt and sureounding areas. I was hoping to rent a place on the water so we can launch kayaks and paddle boards from our rental. I’ll look into chartered sails, the wildlife refuge. Someone mentioned biking - are there any bike trails or bike paths along the roads in the area? We love to bike and can happily enjoy hours doing it. |
We had a great time in St. Michaels. We took a sailing tour, biked around town, did some antiquing, and had some lovely meals. |
Adding that there was also a maritime museum that was very interesting to explore. |
It’s a great place to bike. You can just use the backroads, but also Blackwater.
This all really depends on the age of your kids and your budget, and also on your water knowledge. Like do you feel confident reading tide charts? If you do, maybe launching kayaks on your own will be great. If you don’t, maybe better to use a rental company that will assess your family and give you a good route. Are your kids 3 and 7? Maritime museum will be a great day. Are they 13 and 17? Probably not. Can you afford to charter a sailboat? Then of course, do it! Etc. |
If your budget is not an issue, you could just stay at the inn at Perry cabin. They have sailboats you can charter, paddle boards and kayaks, and it’s next to the maritime museum. |
Put the Merlin app on your phones and go collecting bird sightings for your lifetime list. It's pretty addictive and free. |