EASTON • OXFORD • ST. MICHAELS • TILGHMAN ISLAND O˜ icial Travel Guide of Talbot County, Maryland Escape to Celebrating 15 Years of PLEIN AIR EASTON CHESAPEAKE UNIQUELY FOR THE LOVE SEAFOOD TALBOT OF ART From the Bay Discover What Find Your to the Table Sets Us Apart Inspiration Final Talbot County Guide Cover 2019.indd 2 5/2/19 1:36 PM 2 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 1 1-7 Cover Masthead Contents_2019.indd 2 5/2/19 11:41 AM Town of St. Michaels.indd 1 4/8/19 3:23 PM 2 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 1 1-7 Cover Masthead Contents_2019.indd 1 5/2/19 11:42 AM Town of St. Michaels.indd 1 4/8/19 3:23 PM The Hamptons of the Chesapeake Bay Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism 11 South Harrison Street Easton, Maryland 21601 410-770-8000, fax 410-770-8057 Your Fairytale Wedding TourTalbot.org DISTINCTIVE ESTATE RENTALS Talbot County Council Chuck F. Callahan Frank Divilio Pete Lesher Corey W. Pack Laura E. Price County Manager R. Andrew Hollis Director of Economic Development and Tourism Cassandra M. Vanhooser 443-786-7220 Administrative Assistant Candace L. Harris Assistant Tourism Coordinator Marilou Russ Production by: Mike Contributing Writers Mark D. Mobley, Andrea Poe Lead Photographer Mark Sandlin Cartographer Mark Cohoon TidewaterVacations.com TidewaterWedding.com produced and published by Talbot Historical Society Museums and Gardens Chesapeake Bay Media LLC 601 Sixth Street Annapolis, Maryland 21403 410-263-2662 www.ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com Chief Executive O cer John Martino Chief Financial O cer Rocco Martino Publisher John Stefancik Director of Production & Design Jill Allen A must-see for visitors Graphic Designer Ti˜ any Bowen and residents alike! Advertising Representative Jeni Parris Brady The 2019 Talbot County Travel Guide is provided as a service by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Mary Jenkins House, 30 S. Washington Street Every e˜ ort has been made to make this publication as accurate as possible.° The Talbot County Department of Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Economic Development and Tourism assumes no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions, Galleries of Neall House, 29 S. Washington Street if any, contained herein. Saturdays Only, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2019 Talbot County Travel Guide © 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Reproduction without Open April-December in Downtown Easton permission is strictly prohibited. 2 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 3 1-7 Cover Masthead Contents_2019.indd 2 5/2/19 11:42 AM Harbour Inn TCG19.indd 1 4/4/19 9:40 AM Please note: Ad proofs are sent in low resolution to expedite transmission Please proof carefully, sign and return today. A signed approval of this proof is required for publication of your ad. Please return the proof within 24 hours. You may make as many changes as you like to this proof. However, after this point changes will be charged ($70/hour). Our errors will, of course, be corrected at any point without charge. Completed ad is copyrighted material and property of Chesapeake Bay Media, LLC Approved Approved with changes Signature_________________________________________________________________ Please return proof to:____________________________ FAX #:__________________________ Talbot Historical TCVG16.indd 1 4/4/16 4:22 PM 2 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 3 Harbour1-7 Cover Inn TCG19.indd Masthead Contents_2019.indd 1 3 5/2/19 4/4/19 11:42 AM 9:40 AM 4 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 5 1-7 Cover Masthead Contents_2019.indd 4 5/2/19 1:23 PM 4 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 5 1-7 Cover Masthead Contents_2019.indd 5 5/2/19 1:24 PM 6 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 7 1-7 Cover Masthead Contents_2019.indd 6 5/2/19 11:43 AM CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS DIRECTORIES 20 Calendar of Events 22 Hotels, Inns & B&Bs 40 Shopping 46 Getting Here 26 Eat & Drink 45 Transportation 32 See & Do UNIQUELY PAINTER’S SEAFOOD 08 TALBOT 14 PARADISE 16 GUIDE Easton, Oxford, St. Michaels, and Perfect light and scenic subjects Talbot County restaurants are Tilghman Island are welcoming lure artists from around the farm to table—and ship to towns with intriguing features. globe. Here’s what you need to shore. Learn about our From strolling to dining to know about our arts festivals, uncommonly fresh crabs, shopping, here’s how to get the theaters, and other artistic oysters, rockfish, and a range of most out of your visit. endeavors. other regional delicacies. 6 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 7 1-7 Cover Masthead Contents_2019.indd 7 5/2/19 12:24 PM UNIQUELY TALBOT Easton, Oxford, St. Michaels, and Tilghman Island are our main destinations, each with its own unique character and charm. Together, they make Talbot County a hub for the arts, colonial history, maritime heritage, dining, and shopping. Follow the winding roads and waterways and discover what makes this place so special. 8 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 9 8-19 Features_final.indd 8 5/2/19 11:44 AM D I S TA N C E FR O M DOWNTOWN EASTON Oxford 10.0 miles St. Michaels 10.1 miles Tilghman Island 23.8 miles Trappe 8.4 miles 8 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 9 8-19 Features_final.indd 9 5/2/19 11:44 AM CULTURAL CAPITAL EASTON THIS LIVELY ARTS TOWN features a gorgeous historic theatre along with a wealth of shops, galleries, and restaurants. Founded in 1710, Easton is the county seat and the Eastern Shore’s epicenter of culture. The newly renovated Historic Avalon Theatre, world-class Academy Art Museum, art galleries, boutiques, fine-dining restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and seasonal events lure visitors from far and wide. Easton welcomes international artists, musicians, and tourists with carefully curated and award-winning festivals — there’s no question why it’s been named one of the Top Small Arts Communities in America. This town also has earned a reputation for a foodie culture that’s resulted in outstanding restaurants and a diversity of food markets, including a robust farmers market that’s open April through December. Architectural Details In The Footsteps of Greatness The brick-lined streets of historic downtown Easton invite A bronze statue of Frederick Douglass, a former slave, you to explore a happy blend of architectural styles from orator, writer, and ardent abolitionist who grew up in the colonial era to Sears houses of the early 20th century. Talbot County, stands in front of the 1794 brick courthouse The district, which encompasses 900 structures, is on the downtown. This is the launching point for self-guided National Register of Historic Places. Douglass driving tours that take visitors throughout the Keep your eyes peeled for the stately circa 1794 courthouse, county. Visit FrederickDouglassBirthplace.org for all the quirky Greek revival Odd Fellows Lodge, and a turn-of- four tours. the-century beaux art beauty of a bank. A map that includes Nearby, you can take a self-guided tour of The Hill, one of several historic walking tours is available at the Talbot the oldest free black communities in the United States. It County Visitors Center or online at TourTalbot.org. dates back to 1780 and is the site of ongoing archeological exploration. Learn more at TheHillCommunityProject.org. 10 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000 Talbot County Travel Guide 11 8-19 Features_final.indd 10 5/2/19 11:44 AM OXFORD SAILOR’S DELIGHT IT’S THE QUINTESSENTIAL SMALL TOWN with tree-lined streets and a general store, plus historic homes featuring front porches and picket fences. The headwaters of the Tred Avon River start as just a trickle outside Easton and lead directly to Oxford, a maritime community with water on three sides. One of the oldest towns in America, it was one of the first ports in the state of Maryland, and boats still sometimes outnumber cars. Bring your car, your bike, or even just your own two feet aboard the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, the oldest privately owned continuously operating ferry in the United States. It’s been making its scenic journey across the Tred Avon since 1683. For a more hands-on experience, rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the surrounding creeks and inlets. Stake out a space at the small beach on the Tred Avon, where gentle waves attract frolicking families. There’s also a public park with large shade trees, picnic tables, and swings overlooking the water right at the center of town. And you can ogle everything from skiffs to yachts at a clutch of boatyards and marinas. Sweet Treat Order a scoop of homemade ice cream at Scottish Highland Creamery, which puts more than 600 flavors into rotation. They’re rated one of the best ice cream shops in America by TripAdvisor and Best of the Eastern Shore for 10 years in a row.