Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway
a day / 82 miles / 2 hours 44 minutes
Celebrate life on the Chesapeake Bay. Observe watermen bringing their bounty to shore, visit historic towns, and travel through scenic stretches of productive farmland. See the truly special landscape of the Mid-Atlantic Region and gain an appreciation for the working life of Maryland's Eastern Shore farmers, watermen, and merchants.
Day 1
9:00 - 0 miles / 0 - 9:00
The park contains 276 acres, including over 4,000 feet of
shoreline and 73 acres of wetlands. Currently it offers a one mile
nature trail, observation blinds, sitting areas, foot bridges, and
a gazebo. A boardwalk leading to the Bay makes a perfect spot for a
family outing.10:00 - 0.0 miles / - 10:00
Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center is a 500-acre natural area and educational center providing year-round opportunities to observe and enjoy a variety of wildlife. The trails include concealed blinds, towers, and a boardwalk bringing visitors face to face with
the wetlands and their wildlife.14:00 - 6.0 miles / 12 minutes - 14:12
Lovers of historic colonial times and the modern era alike can enjoy Maryland's Chestertown, a delightful community on the banks of the Chester River. Stop by the local farmer's market, check out the historic district, or explore the river on a historic schooner. Come during one of the many eventful festivals including the Chesapeake Bay Tea Party, Art and Music in the Park, Sultana downrigging and more.
15:12 - 11.4 miles / 22 minutes - 15:34
Centreville sets a classic example of small town America. Lovers of period architecture can stroll tree lined streets and study good examples, from simple austere colonial homes to gracious Victorian era dwellings with wrap around porches. The town is the center of government operations and has been since incorporation in 1794, but settlement dates back to the establishment of St. Paul's Parish in 1692.
21:34 - 0 miles / 0 - 10:34
Enjoy a day in the sun filled with barbecues and relaxation.
Treat yourself to broad views of the Chesapeake Bay, while watching
boaters sail by. A short boardwalk and benches are also
available.11:34 - 8.3 miles / 16 minutes - 11:51
The Sultana 1768 is a reproduction of a colonial schooner. Built and docked in Chestertown, the modern Sultana is the "Schoolship of the Chesapeake" and conducts programs in
colonial history and environmental education. Although visitors cannot be guaranteed that Sultana will be in Chestertown, an interpretive center on Cross Street will be opening soon. In addition to the Sultana, the skipjack Elsworth, and the buy boat Annie D, are also docked at the public pier at the end of Cannon Street.13:51 - 6.6 miles / 13 minutes - 14:04
A Dutch envoy and mapmaker named Augustine Herman proposed that a waterway be built to connect the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River in the mid-1600s. However, construction of the canal did not
begin until 1804 and it wasn't until 1829 that Herman's vision was realized and the canal opened for business.
Tugboats, ships, barges, and pleasure craft from ports around the globe travel the C&D Canal and slip beneath the Chesapeake City Bridge en route to their destinations. Traveling the busiest canal
in the United States can save them 300 miles of sailing.20:04 - 0 miles / 0 - 9:04
Built in 1713, St. Paul's Church is the oldest continuously used
Episcopal Church in Maryland. Historic and scenic, the Church and
its cemetery overlook the beautiful St. Paul's Millpond.9:24 - 0.5 miles / a minute - 9:25
The C&D Canal Museum, which is adjacent to Chesapeake City, is housed in the old canal pump house and is open to the public, free of charge. The museum contains exhibits and canal artifacts.
One of its main features is the oldest canal engine of its kind in the United States, still on its original mount.10:25 - 49.5 miles / an hour 39 minutes - 12:04