Area Attractions
We are fortunate to be in the center of a multitude of diverse entertainments. Locally there are venues for sailing, kayaking, jet-ski and power boating, horseback riding and golfing, and trails for biking and hiking, in addition to local shops, galleries and restaurants. We are 30 minutes from Wilmington Delaware and the Brandywine Valley, an hour from Baltimore and Philadelphia, and 2 hours to Washington, DC. Some of our favorite activities are listed below along with their website links.
Check out our blog page, the Chesapeake City home page and the Cecil County Calendar of Events for more suggestions.
Chesapeake City
Shopping and eating in Chesapeake City – If shops must be visited and money must be spent – you can do it all right here! The town features 5 restaurants for fine and casual dining, and 4 streets of shopping – arts, boutique clothing and jewelry, collectibles and unusual gifts, antiques – eclectic, charming, and unique finds.
Investigate our local tourism site for more information
Local Maryland History:
Canal museum - A glimpse of the canal's early days. The waterwheel and pumping engines remain in the original pumphouse (now the museum). These steam engines are the oldest of their type in America still on their original foundations. Other artifacts and exhibits in the museum detail and illustrate the canal's history. Monday – Friday 8 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 - 3 over the summer. For more information about the canal and the museum try the ArmyCorp web site: www.nap.usace.army.mil/sb/c&d.htm
Mount Harmon Plantation - Restored 18th century manor house, colonial kitchen, formal boxwood garden, tobacco prize house, 200-acres of pristine open space, nature trails, and a spectacular waterfront setting overlooking creeks and inlets of the Sassafras River and includes furnished manor house, tobacco prize house and plantation kitchen. Open May – Sept. 410-275-8819. www.mountharmon.org
Rodgers Tavern - Restored and still used tavern from 1740 located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, frequented by Washington, Lafayette, Rochambeau and Madison. Seasonal days and hours, tours by appointment. 410-642-6066 www.perryvillemd.org
Sinking Springs Herb Farm - Surrounding an 18th century provincial plantation house are acres of beautiful herb gardens and a Sycamore tree dating from 1548! Plan a tour, have lunch, take a workshop and visit the gift barn. 410-398-5566
St. Francis Xavier Shrine, Warwick, MD. - Founded in 1745, numbered among its students are Charles Carroll, Maryland’s signer of the Declaratin of Independence, and his cousin John who became the first Catholic Bishop of the US. Also the burial site of Kitty Knight, a local War of 1812 heroine. Seven masses are held annually, plus special events and tours by appointment. Call 410-275-2866. www.stdennischurch.org
Cecil County Museums - www.ccgov.org/tourism/museums.cfm include military, canal, farm, and life of revolutionary and civil war times
Charlestown Historic District - Established 1742, this riverside town remains nearly untouched by modern developments. Visit historic houses and taverns including Tory House is a restored colonial kitchen tavern open for tours the third Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. May through September. Call 410-287-8262. www.charlestownmd.org
Chestertown, Maryland - a historic colonial town on the banks of the Chester River offering a blend of history, arts, shopping, and dining , and home to the Schooner Sultana. www.chestertown.com
Historic Driving Tours:
Historic Driving Tour Vol. I
Elkton to the Sassafras River; Drive back in time to capture the rich heritage of historic eastern Cecil County, with a 60 min. audio tape and map set. Order by phone, or call for sale locations: 1-800-CECIL-95 or 410-996-5303.
Gilpins Falls Bridge, North East
A 119-foot long covered bridge recently restored to its original splendor, supported by long wooden arch Burr trusses. Call 410-996-5300.
Boating
Sailing Adventure - We are pleased to be partnering with McKee Nautical Services to offer a distinctive sailing and overnight package to travelers with a sense of adventure and appreciation of charm.
A McKee Nautical Services Merchant Marine Master Captain will lead you on a forty nautical mile sail from Baltimore to Chesapeake City, taking you along some of the most beautiful sections of the Chesapeake Bay. Here, you will be able relax for a 1 or 2 night stay at the Inn, enjoy Chef Bob's magical breakfasts, and sightsee, shop and dine in town, before a mid morning departure on day 2 or 3 back to your starting point. This includes a Champagne send off and box lunches en route.
Weekend and mid week packages available. Less than one hour from Washington and many metropolitan areas. Please contact us for reservations, more information.
The Miss Clare - Enjoy a cruise aboard a traditional Chesapeake Bay Work Boat on the C and D Canal. Take a history cruise, twilight ride, or see the Turkey Point lighthouse from the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. Learn the heritage of the region, and see sites you can only see from the water. Located at the docks along the end of Bohemia Avenue (behind the bandstand in Pell 3Gardens) in Chesapeake City. 410-885-5088 - Weekends, April – September and Wednesdays and Fridays, June – August. www.missclarecruises.comChesapeake Custom Charters - Two boats available for charters and tours – two hours, half day and full day. 443-553-2850
The Tug - John Arthur - A retired, hard-working tug, tours given by appointment - check website for more information. Chesapeake City is her homeport. 410-620-0215 www.tugjohnarthur.com
Crystal Sunset - Kayak rentals with drop-offs on the Bohemia, Sassafras and Elk Rivers . 410-275-2925
The Lantern Queen - The Lantern Queen is a replica Mississippi Riverboat that offers a full course dinner along with sight seeing as it cruises the lower Susquehanna River, for both public cruises and private charter. Completely paddlewheel propelled!
Golfing
Bittersweet – The 18-hole "Bittersweet" course at the Bittersweet Golf Club facility in Elkton, Maryland features 6,101 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70 . The course rating is 68.8 and it has a slope rating of 125. Designed by Spike Williams, Phone (410) 398-8848 www.bittersweetgolfclub.com
Club at Patriot’s Glen – The 18-hole "Patriots Glen" course at the The Club At Patriots Glen facility in Elkton, Maryland features 6,730 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 72.0 and it has a slope rating of 133 on Blue grass. Phone 410-392-9552or (800) 616-1776 www.patriotsglen.com
Back Creek - The 18-hole "Back Creek" course at the Back Creek Golf Course facility in Middletown, Delaware features 7,003 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71 . The course rating is 74.2 and it has a slope rating of 134. Phone (302) 378-6499 www.backcreekgc.com
Horses
Cecil County is horse country and offers equestrienne events and riding opportunities for enthusiasts at all levels.
Dansko Fair Hill International - prestigious international three day event in October including Dressage, Cross Country and Stadium. Its natural beauty and cross-country courses have been hailed by horsemen from around the world. www.fairhillinternational.com/ for more information
Fairwinds Farm – a fun, family place for trail riding in nearby North East, Maryland. www.fairwindsstables.com or 410-658-8187
Sunset Stables – Trail rides take you through Delaware’s scenic Lums Pond State park wildlife facility. www.SunsetStable.com or 302-834-7588.
Horse Country Tour - Guided tours of historic Chesapeake City, thoroughbred horse farms, C and D Canal Museum, and historic area churches. Uniglobe Hill Travel in Chesapeake City at 410-287-2290 or 1-800-874-4558
Hiking/outdoors activities
Bicycle trails – Ride as far as the Delaware River on the levees that run along both sides of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. You can secure your bicycles on site, and we would be happy to provide you with other local bicycle trails.
Elk Neck State Park - A large State Park featuring the Turkey Point Lighthouse. Swimming, boating, camping and much more. On a scenic bluff 100 feet above the waves, you can stand next to the lighthouse and view five rivers flowing together to form the Chesapeake Bay www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/elkneck.html
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area - 5600 acres of wilderness and 40 miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horse back riding; woods, rolling hills, streams, and location of the movie set "Beloved". Hosts outdoor events including numerous equestrian activities, Highland Gathering Scottish Games, Fair Hill Steeplechase Races(www.fairhillraces.org), Fair Hill International and Cecil County Fair (www.cecilcountyfair.org).
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway – a 38 mile area along the Cecil county shore of the Susquehanna River and the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. Spot local wildlife such as the American Bald Eagles, Great Blue Heron, Osprey and Common Merganser. Numerous species of uncommon birds and ducks that use the Atlantic Flyway navigate here seasonally such as Mute Swan, Canvasback and Wood ducks. www.hitourtrails.com 410-457-2482
Arts
University of Delaware Resident Ensemble Players - a powerful and unique marriage of a conservatory training program and a resident professional acting company.; 110 Orchard Road, Newark, DE 19716. www.udel.edu/theatre/ for details.
Millburn Theater at Cecil College Cultural Center - The Milburn Stone Memorial Covered Bridge Theatre is a near by 500 seat European style theatre. In addition to regular theatre performances, it also houses an art gallery.
Their schedule is too diverse to list, but please check for the full listings at www.milburnstone.org/Productions.html
Brandywine Valley attractions
Longwood Gardens - the world’s premier horticultural showplace! A beautiful array of indoor and outdoor displays, open year round with educational and cultural programs. www.longwoodgardens.org
Brandywine River Museum - A museum of Regional and American Art located on the Brandywine River in Chadds Ford, PA, featuring a large display of works by three generations of Wyeths in addition to other still life and landscape paintings. www.brandywinemuseum.org
Winterthur Museum - Winterthur, an American country estate, is the former home of Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969), an avid antiques collector and horticulturist. www.winterthur.org
Plus, beautiful roads along the Brandywine River, and antique shopping abounds!
Philadelphia and Baltimore area attractions
Each city is an hour’s drive from Chesapeake City and we recommend checking their web sites for more details. www.visitphilly.com or www.baltimore.org
Shopping
Aside from all of the shopping available to you right here in Chesapeake City, nearby are Perryville Outlet Center and Christiana Mall: for specialty and department stores.
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