Great Spots to Explore in Talbot County, Maryland

McEnearney Loves Talbot County

Nature, history, arts, and the good life come together in Talbot County, Maryland. With more than 600 miles of shoreline along the Chesapeake Bay, this area of the Eastern Shore is rich in natural resources and has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years. Indigenous peoples had access to an abundance of food in and around the bay and freshwater marshes. In addition to hunting and fishing, they eventually built small villages around crop cultivation and produced pottery for a variety of uses. When European settlers arrived in the 1630s, they established tobacco plantations and a thriving maritime industry, and many towns played important roles during the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

Today, many people consider the towns of Easton, Oxford, and Saint Michaels to be perfect getaways from the Washington, DC metro area. Not too long a drive, but seemingly a world away, it’s a great place for an occasional weekend trip or a second home. We wanted to share some of our favorite things about these charming and hospitable communities.

 

Boats, Boats & More Boats

Photo Courtesy Of: Talbot County

 

Talbot County boasts a variety of waterways from the Bay to rivers and creeks. Whether you keep a boat in a local marina or rent for a short time, there are so many ways to explore the area by water. Sailing, fishing, kayaking, and power boating are all popular. You can even take a ride on the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, America’s oldest privately owned ferry.

Boat-related events also draw visitors to the area. Check out the following:

• 33rd Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival and the Arts at Navy Point, Saint Michaels, June 18-20, 2021. Presented by the Chesapeake Bay Antique and Classic Boat Society
• Annual Oxford Regatta at Tred Avon Yacht Club, Oxford, August 13-15, 2021. The largest of the Tred Avon Yacht Club’s racing events includes racing for PHRF, Log Canoes, Stars, Comets, Snipes, Penguins, Optis, Lasers and Club 420s.
• Charity Boat Auction at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Saint Michaels, September 4, 2021

 

Parks & Trails

Photo Courtesy Of: Discover Easton

 

Perhaps you prefer to explore nature by land instead of by water. The towns of Talbot County offer parks and trails for walking, hiking, jogging, and biking.

Easton Idlewild Park features a wonderful community built play structure consisting of swings, slides, forts, plants and areas set for the imagination on a rubberized base. This park offers a baseball and softball field, basketball court, three tennis courts, flower gardens, gazebo, grills, picnic tables, benches, water fountain, bathroom facility (open spring through fall) and plenty of parking. There is nothing you can’t do!

Easton Rails-to-Trails opened in 1998 and has been a popular spot for walking, jogging, biking, and sightseeing. Rails-to-Trails is nearly 3 miles, spanning the majority of Easton running north to south. 

Saint Michaels is loaded with different parks and recreations for you to explore. The parks below are open from dusk to dawn.

• Frederick Douglass Park
• Muskrat Park
• Hollis Park
• Clint S. Bradley Park
• St. Michaels Nature Trail
• Waterfront Park on Miles River

Oxford Play Ball Dog Park is a great spot to bring your dog(s). This park was created for you and your furry friend to be able to run free and play ball. Open Monday through Sunday from 6 AM – 8 PM

 

History & Museums

Photo Courtesy Of: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

 

Talbot County has a rich history to explore with museums and walking tours to satisfy those eager to learn.

• Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in Saint Michaels is dedicated to preserving the history, environment, and culture of the Chesapeake Bay region. 
• Oxford Museum in Oxford preserves and displays more than 2,500 artifacts representing the evolution of Oxford through nearly 350 years of history.
• St. Michaels Museum at St. Mary’s Square in Saint Michaels celebrates the rich history of the town through exhibits and docent-led walking tours.
• Talbot Historical Society & Gardens in Easton includes exhibits in the Mary Jenkins House, the James Neall House, and the Hill Research Center, plus an acre of beautiful gardens in partnership with the Talbot County Garden Club.
• Walking tour of The Hill, an integrated neighborhood in Easton that hosted a community of free African Americans for more than fifty years before Emancipation.
• Tilghman Waterman’s Museum tells the unique story of Tilghman Island through oral history, art, and artifacts.

 

Fabulous Food & Drink

Photo Courtesy Of: Sunflowers & Greens

 

Perhaps some people prefer to explore nature and others opt for museums and shops, but everyone will come together for meals to share their stories. The local restaurants offer seafood and so much more! If cooking is your style, check out the Easton Farmers Market every Saturday 8 AM – 1 PM, April through December, and the St. Michael’s Farmers Market every Saturday 8:30 – 11:30 AM, April through November.

For dining in – or takeaway meals and treats – check out these spots:

• St. Michaels Crab & Steak House for a unique waterfront dining experience
• Tickler’s Crab Shack & Bar Mumbo on Tilghman Island for creative, seasonal fare sourced from their kitchen garden and orchard and the local fishing docks
• Sunflowers & Greens in Easton for the freshest seasonal salads, soups, and sandwiches
• Bistro St. Michaels for outstanding cuisine in a warm, hospitable environment
• The Inn at Perry Cabin in Saint Michaels is the perfect place for an elegant dinner featuring little surprises throughout the meal
• The Stewart in Easton is an intimate bar-and-lounge offering the finest single malt Scotch whiskeys, vintage Champagnes, and elegant small plates
• Scottish Highland Creamery in Oxford for handcrafted ice cream

Beer, wine, and spirits:

• Eastern Shore Brewing in Saint Michaels
• Lyon Rum Windon Distilling available online

• St. Michaels Winery in Saint Michaels

• Far Eastern Shore Winery in Easton

Food & Beer Festivals:

• Watermen’s Appreciation Day and Crab Feast: August 8, 2021
• Easton Beer Fest: October 2, 2021, 12 – 4 PM
• OysterFest: October 30, 2021

 

The Arts

Photo Courtesy Of: Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coast Arts Festival 

 

It’s no surprise that an area this beautiful inspires artists. There are year-round and seasonal galleries, Easton hosts a First Friday Art Walk each month, plus there are festivals to support and celebrate the arts, and opportunities to create your own.

• 17th Annual Plein Air Easton Art Festival and Competition: July 11-18, 2021 in Easton
• 50th Waterfowl Festival: November 12-14, 2021 in Easton
• Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coast Arts Festival: November 20-21, 2021 in Saint Michaels 

Academy Art Museum in Easton

• Studio and Art Book Sale: June 5, 2021, 10 AM – 1 PM
• Beyond Pencil and Brush – Enriching Your Toolbox: June 7-10, 2021, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Oil Painting: Color Crash Course: June 12 & 13, 2021, 10 AM – 3:00 PM
• Juneteenth: June 20, 2021, 12 – 4 p.m.

 

If the Talbot County lifestyle appeals to you for a primary or vacation home, McEnearney Associates is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. We can help you find a Realtor who will provide the same professional service you know and trust. Contact us today to explore your options.

 

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