A Day on the Bay of the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway

Street Scene in Chesapeake City (MD) [1]

Drive the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway and experience small-town America at its best! The relaxed environment of the Delmarva Peninsula creates a contrast with the booming city life across the bay -- charming small towns, rich colonial history, spectacular wildlife refuges, manifold maritime recreation, and outstanding scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Experience the byway’s many remarkable facets as you explore captivating Chesapeake Bay.

Kitty Knight Fending Off the British at Georgetown (MD) [2]

Love history? Follow the footsteps of Captain John Smith at the Chesapeake Exploration Center, near Stevensville, the southern terminus of the byway. At the Exploration Center, you can pick up a map of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Designated in 2006 by Congress, the trail follows John Smith’s voyages around the Chesapeake region and covers portions of the byway. Want to come even closer? Board the Schooner Sultana in Chestertown and take a John Smith Expedition aboard a replica of a 1768 British schooner for a taste of the area’s rich colonial history. If you prefer to stay on land, take the History on the Waterfront audio-guided tour of Chestertown's 18th-century waterfront district. Visit Georgetown and learn about legendary beauty Kitty Knight, whose strong will and bravery in defending an invalid neighbor stopped the British forces from burning a church and two brick houses. The byway is a treasure trove of finds for any history buff!

Blue Heron Gracing the Waters of the Chesapeake (MD) [3]

Are you a birder? Then grab your binoculars and head to some of the wildlife refuges along the byway. With easy access to five state parks and the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll have a thrilling birding and wildlife-viewing adventure! Visit Terrapin Nature Park, near Stevensville and see Great Blue Herons, ospreys, swans, and a variety of songbirds. Want more? Then visit Elk Neck State Park, where you can view seasonal birds like hawks, raptors, warblers, flycatchers, cuckoos and finches, Foster’s terns or year-round residents including Bald Eagles, Bluebirds, cardinals, goldfinches, and Meadow Larks. The byway is situated along the Atlantic Flyway and provides endless opportunities to catch a glimpse of a wide range of migratory waterfowl.

Fishing with Friends in the Chesapeake Bay (MD) [4]

Love ships? Come experience the maritime culture of the Chesapeake Bay. See schooners, shallops, clippers, bug-eyes, dead-rises, and skipjacks. Canoe or kayak in shallow areas of the bay or its tributaries to obtain quiet and solitude, or take a larger boat and explore deeper waters. The bay has over 20 launch ramps and 30-some marinas. The traditions of working the waters can be seen from ports of call in Rock Hall and Kent Narrows. Try your hand at soft-crabbing, where you try and catch a blue crab after it abandons its shell, or fish for Alewife, Bluefish, or Perch, or the much sought-after Striped Bass (call it "rockfish" if you want to be mistaken for a local.) Come explore the picturesque rivers, creeks, and the bay that give the byway some of the finest fishing and water recreation opportunities in the US.

Rock Hall Beach Scene (MD) [5]

See the wonders of the Chesapeake from a bicycle. Want an easy ride? Try the Cliff City Crabber's Special which starts in Chestertown. Craving more? Take the challenging 50-mile Rock Hall Ramble and explore the scenic vistas of Rock Hall. Whatever route you pick, you'll pedal past historic sites and quaint and fascinating shops. Stop in for a well-deserved lunch at one of the famous restaurants in the area, replenishing your energy with fresh-caught seafood cooked to perfection or some of the mouthwatering crab cakes Maryland is famous for.

Aerial View of Fredericktown (MD) [6]

As you travel among the towns along the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway, revel in the early American history around you, spend your days playing among the waves in the Chesapeake Bay, and enjoy the rural mid-Atlantic culture. If you don't want to leave right away, the area's exquisitely restored bed and breakfasts allow you a chance to fully experience the wonders of the Chesapeake.