Chesapeake Bay destinations?

boatman37

Well-Known Member
Jun 6, 2015
4,211
pittsburgh
Boat Info
2006 Crownline 250CR. 5.7 Merc BIII
Previous: 1986 Sea Ray 250 Sundancer. 260 Merc Alpha 1 Gen 1
Engines
5.7 Merc BIII
Talking to the wife and she mentioned heading to the C.B. area in July for a few days. Not taking our boat and likely won't be doing any boating but would like to be near the water. It will just be the 2 of us and we won't be swimming, just enjoying the views and maybe some boat watching. Any particular areas that won't break the bank? Nothing too fancy. A little village near the Bay would be fine. Nice restaurants within walking distance and hopefully a few marinas where we can check out a few of the boats. We are thinking about upgrading next year so while I don't expect to be crawling on a strangers boat we can still observe from a distance...lol.

The objective is to relax in a quiet place for a few days and just enjoy the local lifestyle (we are in our late 40's so not big on the night life stuff).
 
Well you have a lot of choices! I've only stayed around the MD part of the Bay, so I'm no help for the VA half. It is a busy time so you will have to plan and check availability almost anyplace you are headed.

Not sure what part of the bay you are looking for. The western side north of Annapolis is pretty populated and urban with the corridor to Baltimore. Lots of places to stay, not many on the water. Inner Harbor will be around $300-$350 a night in July. The Inn at Herrington Harbor south of Annapolis is also a nice place (I read that their restaurant is not open yet from a remodel). Pool, rare beach, and a marina full of boats to look at. They have a limited number of rooms and I believe they will also be around $300 a night....

If you want a more laid back approach you can go over the top of the Bay and go down the Eastern Shore. I stayed at the Inn at Haven Harbor last year in Rock Hall in the Cottage (Captain's Quarters) it was a beautiful room and view. That will also be around $300 per night if available. Hyatt Cambridge also on the Western Shore is a nice resort type stay. This will be around $300 a night for water views. Pretty much anywhere with a water view will be around $250-$300 a night in July... St Michaels is a nice town on the Eastern shore, might be more then $300 a night I suspect, never tried to stay there.

Sorry I'm not much help on the sub $250 a night areas to stay!! LOL, my wife wouldn't stay there anyway, not up to her standards!!
 
Very recent discussion about destinations.

I would link to the thread for you - but I don't know how to do the link.

Search for

"Heading South for a couple of weeks, What to do and see in the VA/MD area."
 
Very recent discussion about destinations.

I would link to the thread for you - but I don't know how to do the link.

Search for

"Heading South for a couple of weeks, What to do and see in the VA/MD area."

i remembered seeing that thread but couldn't find it or remember the title or wording. thanks
 
Just spent over a month cruising it for the first time and from a newcomers perspective I asked the wife if she could visit one place again without a boat what would it be, she said Tides Inn Irvington VA.
I would pick St Michaels (more boats there). She liked St Michaels too. Lots of great places, you won't go wrong really anywhere the local guys here suggest
 
Talking to the wife and she mentioned heading to the C.B. area in July for a few days. Not taking our boat and likely won't be doing any boating but would like to be near the water. It will just be the 2 of us and we won't be swimming, just enjoying the views and maybe some boat watching. Any particular areas that won't break the bank? Nothing too fancy. A little village near the Bay would be fine. Nice restaurants within walking distance and hopefully a few marinas where we can check out a few of the boats. We are thinking about upgrading next year so while I don't expect to be crawling on a strangers boat we can still observe from a distance...lol.

The objective is to relax in a quiet place for a few days and just enjoy the local lifestyle (we are in our late 40's so not big on the night life stuff).

St. Michael's and Oxford both fit your bill. There willl be plenty of boats in either. St. Mike's is a bit busier in town, Ooxford is quieter. If you send me a PM with your email, I can send the section of the cruising guide on them.

Bryan
 
Thanks all. Wife also found a place called Cape Charles. Anyone familiar with it? Still haven't ruled out the others mentioned. Just trying to collect as much info as possible. We would be leaving on Monday 7/31 and returning Thursday or Friday 8/3 or 8/4 so won't be there over the weekend (but can make it back in time to go out on our own boat...lol)
 
Cape Charles is a cool little town, not much action but that's why we like it. If I was visiting the bay I would look more in the St. Michaels area. You could easily visit Oxford, Easton, Cambridge etc.. since you will have a vehicle.
 
Mears Point Marina Kent Narrows. Lots of things to do.
Actually, if you're not arriving by boat I would not suggest Mears Point. There are a couple of three star hotels nearby, but probably not what you're seeking.

In Annapolis I suggest the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel (formerly Marriott). They have a great bar called Pusser's that overlooks Ego Alley. Great place for boat watching; on a nice summer day you'll see every kind of watercraft from kayaks to large yachts.

There are a couple of nice B&Bs in Rock Hall on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Rock Hall is one of my favorite places to stay. It's a sleepy little town that comes alive somewhat on the weekends. Check out Osprey Point Inn and the Black Duck Inn.

If you want inexpensive, take a look at the rooms at Pirate's Cove in Galesville. It's a restaurant on the water as well as a small hotel. There's a restaurant next door called Thursday's Steak and Crabs that is a lot of fun. They have an outdoor bar and a lot of boat slips, plus they serve steamed blue crabs if you're looking for some "Maryland food."
 
Booked our trip to Cape Charles. Hope to make a few stops along the way and really wish we were taking the boat but oh well. Maybe next time. Plan to book a boat cruise while there. Wife found one that looks good so going to try that.
 
I was in Cape Charles for the fourth of July (with my boat) and had a great time. I stayed at the Cape Charles Yacht Center. Don't miss Brown Dog Ice Cream or the Hardware Store on Mason St (main street). Gull Hummock (also on Mason) has an excellent selection of wines and quite a few IPAs (if you're into that stuff) AND the only 'to go" sales of Brown Dog Ice Cream. Don't forget lunch at "The Shanty", but it can get very busy on the weekends. Also, plenty of restored early 1900 homes converted to B&Bs.

I know you're not taking your boat, but the marina on he north side of town (Oyster Farms?) is somewhat affected by shoaling, but I am told they do a good job keeping up with the channel markings.
 
Thanks. Wife already said we are going to the ice cream shop...lol. The Shanty is on our list too. Not sure what else we will get into but I would like to take a ride to a few marinas to see some boats. Hoping to upgrade before next spring so wouldn't mind seeing something interesting.
 
I forgot to mention something I just heard about from a boating couple who docked at the north end of town (It's called the Oyster Farm or Kings Creek Marina). There is a new restaurant on one of the docks that has fresh seafood and something like steamed buckets of oysters and etc. They raved over it, so if you're a seafood fan and are looking for something to do, check it out. (Plus a bunch more boats to see.)

P.S. Photo gallery called At Altitude (on Mason) is very cool, the gentleman takes amazing photos of the region and prints them directly on polished aluminum. Well worth a look see.
 
Last edited:
I did see that oyster farm. I'm not a fan of seafood but my wife likes it so might have to make a stop there.
 
We're at the Oyster Farm now. Once again, a great town and marina. Don't expect to see too many interesting boats though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
We're at the Oyster Farm now. Once again, a great town and marina. Don't expect to see too many interesting boats though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Did you arrive by your 480DB? If so, what are your thoughts on the channel as far as markings and shoaling. And what's the name of the restaurant on the dock?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,883
Members
60,933
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top