Things To Do on the Eastern Shore of Maryland

In every season, there are plenty of things to do on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Activities include outdoor events, tent shows, arts and crafts expos, and many more.

A trip to Ocean City is one of the most popular things to do on the Eastern Shore.

This family-oriented beach resort is located within a few hours of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and other cities of the Mid Atlantic region.

Ocean City is known for its beaches, amusements, fishing, food, and other attractions.Ocean City hosts a wide range of annual events including Springfest, Sunfest, Bike Week, Winterfest of Lights, and many others.

Each Winter, the East Coast Commercial Fishermen's and Aquaculture Trade Expo is held in Ocean City. The event is the largest commercial fishing - aquaculture trade show in the Mid Atlantic region.

Held annually in April, the World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival attracts carvers and visitors from across the world. The event includes judging, seminars, demonstrations, family activities, auctions, and exhibits of artisans and supplies.

Just a few miles south is Assateague Island. The island is known for its natural beauty, including beaches, wild ponies, waterfowl, and other scenes.

A bridge from the mainland provides access to Assateague Island State Park and/or Assateague Island National Seashore. The state park has beach access, a boat launching facility, pier, and other assets. The larger national park also has beach access, camping, RV parking, hiking trails, and more.

Chestertown is a favorite stop for boaters and nautical history enthusiasts. Held each fall, the annual Chestertown Downrigging Weekend is the town's biggest attraction. Featuring tall ships and other classic boats of all sizes, the event draws mariners from across the region.

In Easton, a multi-day waterfowl festival attracts carvers, collectors, art lovers, and waterfowl enthusiasts. The festival is held each year in November.

Another popular destination for day trips or weekend getaways is St. Michaels. Located on the Miles River, this historic waterfront town is home to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Micheals Museum, and scores of historic homes.

Nearby, the Oxford - Bellevue Ferry offers a scenic ride between two historic waterfront communities.

A few miles south, near Cambridge, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is known for its eagles, ospreys, waterfowl, and more. The refuge is home to three paddling trails totaling over 20 miles.

During winter, the Cambridge waterfront becomes a prime location for viewing wild ducks, geese, and other birds.

On Deal Island, skipjack sailboat races are a local tradition. Held annually over Labor Day weekend, the race showcases wooden skipjack sailboats from around the Chesapeake Bay. Over the weekend, participants share information, network, and learn about these historic sailing vessels. In addition to the skipjack race there is a large craft show, yard sales, local foods, and other side events.

Another popular destination for boaters, fishermen, and seafood lovers is Crisfield, Maryland. This small waterfront town is home to the National Hard Crab Derby, Boat Docking Contest, and other events.

Also at Crisfield, visitors can explore the town dock and catch a boat to nearby Smith Island or Tangier Island.

In Snow Hill, the annual Blessing of the Combines is one of the state's most popular agri-tourism events.

Not be overlooked are the many opportunities that are available in state and county parks on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Campers and day trip explorers can choose from dozens of interesting parks and other destinations.

Near Hillsboro, Tuckahoe State Park is a great location for camping, fishing, paddlesports, hiking, horseback riding, and other activities. Below the dam, hikers and horseback riders will find stunning views of Tuckahoe Creek and surrounding hardwood forests.

Along the upper Choptank River, Martinek State Park provides camping and water access. Just down the road is Adkins Arboretum where miles of trails wind through trees, wildflowers, and other native plants.

Located on the lower Choptank River in Cambridge is Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park. The property includes piers that extend from both banks of the river, running parallel to Rt. 50. Popular activities on the piers include walking, crabbing, fishing, and birdwatching.

Things To Do (listed by season)

Winter

waterfowl watching, hunting
Ocean City Winterfest of Lights
Christmas parades
East Coast Commercial Fishermen's and Aquaculture Trade Expo

Spring

Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival
Ocean City Springfest
fresh strawberries

Summer

Fourth of July Fireworks Displays
National Hard Crab Derby
Blessing of the Combines
boat docking contests
beach excursions
fishing
Deal Island Skipjack Race

Fall

Ocean City Sunfest, Bike Week
Chestertown Downrigging Weekend
Easton Waterfowl Festival

Related Information

Things To Do in Ocean City MD

St. Michaels

Deal Island Skipjack Races

Things To Do in Maryland 

Maryland Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund Projects

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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will undertake restoration projects at lakes throughout Maryland under the new State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund, which provides $1 million for each of the next three years to improve state-owned lakes.

Governor Hogan approved the total $3 million fund in May 2018. DNR was tasked with determining priorities and a work plan for the funding.

Five public open houses were held around the state in the fall of 2018 to solicit project ideas, and the department’s lake managers also helped identify the most pressing needs to protect and restore the water bodies under their care.

Each of the lakes will benefit from at least one project. Deep Creek Lake, the largest state-owned lake and the economic driver for Garrett County, will receive approximately $420,000 divided between three projects. At least 41 projects will be funded statewide.

The funds will be used to remove sediment, treat contaminated sediment, prevent the spread of invasive species, improve ecological and recreational value, and any other action the department deems necessary.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

July is Lakes Appreciation Month

July is Lakes Appreciation Month in Maryland. Marylanders are encouraged to visit and enjoy their favorite lake, pond or reservoir during Lakes Appreciation Month and discover ways to help protect and enhance these vital resources.

Maryland contains 60 man-made lakes of five acres or more, all of which are open to the public. Maryland lakes provide a number of recreational activities, ranging from fishing and swimming to boating and water sports

Maryland's largest impoundment is Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. Deep Creek lake features 18 species of fish, camp sites, boat rentals, and other resources. Another large lake, Liberty Reservoir, contains landlocked striped bass up to 40-pounds.

Lakes Appreciation Month is a nationwide initiative by the North American Lake Management Society. The non-profit organization promotes partnerships between citizens, scientists, and professionals in order to protect lakes and reservoirs in North America.

source: MD DNR

Maryland 2012-13 Deer Season

During Maryland's bow, muzzleloader and firearm seasons combined (September 7, 2012 through January 31, 2013), hunters harvested 87,541 deer.

According to MD DNR, biologists attribute the 11 percent decline compared to last year’s total to multiple factors, including reduced hunter participation, an abundant acorn crop, and a lower deer population in some areas.

Maryland's 2012-2013 deer harvest includes:

29,366 antlered white-tailed deer

55,763 antlerless white-tailed deer

1,127 antlered  sika deer

1,285 antlerless sika deer

Frederick County led the harvest totals this year with 7,634 deer, followed by Baltimore County with 5,991 and Washington County at 5,762. Montgomery County and Carroll County completed the top five counties with 5,598 and 5,579 deer, respectively.

source: MD DNR

Things to Do in Maryland USA

With an abundance of natural resources, diverse geography, historical landmarks, and thriving tourism industry, Maryland is one of the best vacation spots in the USA.

Several Maryland cities are famous for their culture. Baltimore is a historic city and bustling industrial port with an incredible number of weekly events and other things to do.

Annapolis, Maryland's capital, is home to the Naval Academy, numerous historical buildings, and one of the nation's most famous sailing ports. In the western part of the state, cities like Frederick, Hagerstown, and Cumberland have plenty of history and culture.

One of the state's most important attractions is the Chesapeake Bay. While the upper bay is famous for its cities, the middle and lower bay is mainly occupied by small to mid-sized communities. On the western shore in southern Maryland are the fishing communities of Deale and Solomon's Island.

On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Chestertown, Easton, Saint Michaels, Cambridge, and Crisfield all have rich histories that are closely tied to the bay. In Tangier Sound, three small communities on Smith Island have been occupied by watermen for hundreds of years.

With scores of ports, Maryland is an excellent state for boating. Sailboat enthusiasts find the Chesapeake Bay to be an excellent body of water to explore. Cruisers, water skiers, and powerboaters also enjoy the bay and its many rivers.

In some areas, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and other paddlecraft are popular. These small but useful boats allow enthusiasts to explore areas where larger boats cannot travel. 

For anglers, the list of things to do in Maryland is incredible. The state has outstanding opportunities for fishermen, including freshwater as well as saltwater fishing. Freshwater anglers will find trout streams, rivers, lakes, farm ponds, and other fishing areas.

For those that prefer saltwater fishing, there are fishing piers, beaches for surf fishing, fishing aboard private boats, guided fishing trips, and deep sea fishing charters.

Nature lovers will also find plenty of activities in Maryland. Birdwatchers will find hundreds of species of birds, including songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, birds of prey, and other bird life.

The state also has plenty of mammals such as whitetail deer, sika deer, black bear, coyote, red foxes, gray foxes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, and others. For herp enthusiasts, there are hundreds of species of turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, and other creatures.

For many visitors, Maryland beaches are a major attraction. On the Eastern Shore, Ocean City and Assateague Island attract visitors from across the nation. Just minutes apart, the two destinations offer totally different experiences.

Ocean City is a bustling beach resort that receives millions of visitors annually. This nationally recognized vacation destination features lifeguards, well maintained beaches, a historic boardwalk, amusements, restaurants, museums, and other attractions.

Just to the South, Assateague Island lies in stark contrast to Ocean City. This barrier island is occupied by Assateague Island State Park as well as Assateague Island National Seashore.

Its undeveloped beaches are occupied by wild ponies, deer, sea birds, and other wildlife. Visitors can swim, explore the island, collect shells, enjoy surf fishing, or simply enjoy the view.

Related Information

Things To Do on the Eastern Shore

Things To Do in Ocean City MD

Places To Visit in Baltimore Maryland

Things to Do in Ocean City Maryland

Ocean City Maryland is one of the top beach resorts in the Mid Atlantic region of the USA. This family-oriented beach town is located within a few hours of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and other Atlantic cities.

For visitors, the list of things to do in Ocean City is endless. Although much of the activity revolves around the summer season, there are events during every season.

The following list includes a few of the most popular types of recreation in Ocean City:

 - go swimming, sunbathing, boogie boarding, or surfing
 - walk along the historic boardwalk
 - go to an amusement park, water park, or go-kart racing
 - fly a kite
 - hunt for sea shells
 - take a beachfront rocket boat tour
 - eat local seafood including crabs, scallops, clams, oysters, and fish
 - attend a festival such as Springfest, SunFest, Harbor Days, or others
 - visit for Bike Week or car shows
 - try saltwater fishing on the Oceanic Fishing Pier, OC Fishing Pier, or Ocean City Jetty.
 - go deep sea fishing
 - attend the White Marlin Open or other major deep sea fishing tournaments
 - visit nearby Assateague Island, including Assateague State Park and Assateague National Seashore
 - check out local museums
 - visit expos or shows on waterfowl, art, boats, fishing, etc.
 - tour the Festival of Lights during the winter season

Related Information

Things To Do In Maryland