Planning a day trip along Maryland’s Eastern Shore? Many of our guests enjoy a day in Easton, MD, during their stay. This colonial town is a cultural capital of the Eastern Shore, famous for its food, art, and historic sites. There are so many things to do in Easton that deciding which attractions to fit into a short visit can be difficult. Here’s what to do when you go!
Things to Do in Easton, MD
Easton is definitely a year-round destination. With so many events and things to do, see, and taste, it’s worth a day trip any time. Situated on the shores of Chesapeake Bay, it’s conveniently located just an hour away from Brampton 1860.
1. Immerse Yourself In Arts & Entertainment
Plan your day around a local event or exhibit. The town has a thriving art scene, and there are unique things to do in Easton, MD. Their roster is always packed with events; museums and galleries pepper the downtown.
Plein Air Easton is the nation’s most prestigious and largest plein-air painting competition. The art festival is held over 10 days each July and attracts the world’s top plein air artists. This event is central to the modern plein air movement. Easton makes history every year with this event, and we cannot recommend this event to our guests enough.
Around 18,000 visitors gather for the Annual Waterfowl Festival on the second full weekend of November. The three-day arts festival showcases some of the finest wildlife art available. Attendees enjoy exhibits, workshops, music, and amazing local cuisine. Around 450 artists and craftspeople display their paintings, sculptures, carvings, decoys, photographs, and various crafts across the historic town. The weekend features special events such as retriever demonstrations, shooting and fly-fishing exhibitions, goose and duck calling contests, seminars, master classes, and a decoy auction. Proceeds from the festival go towards wildlife conservation.
Visitors looking to catch a show should visit Avalon Theater, the premiere entertainment location on the Eastern Shore. Built in the 1920s as a vaudeville venue, it is now widely considered “The Eastern Shore’s Most Beautiful Show Place.” The theater hosts an impressive roster of live music, theatrical productions, and community events. Come to see the decor, stay for the performance!
There are plenty of venues where you can see fine art in Easton. The Academy Art Museum is a hub for the community’s art, music, and educational programming. Their exhibitions draw from a collection of over 1,700 artworks from the 17th century to today. Numerous classes, artist talks, and events are held monthly. There’s something new to see and do every time you visit.
Additional Art Galleries to Visit
For a more intimate art viewing experience, you can choose from one of Easton’s art galleries:
- The Trippe Gallery is known as Easton’s liveliest gallery. It always offers a range of openings and special events. It is home to the works of over 40 artists from around the globe, working in every medium imaginable. The art is rotated monthly with a different theme or featured artist.
- Studio B Fine Art Gallery is perfect for an intimate viewing. Gallery owner Betty Huang is an award-winning artist who hand-picks works of nationally award-winning artists to adorn the walls and shelves throughout the gallery.
Another gallery offering an intimate viewing experience is the Troika Gallery. The works displayed here authentically portray life along the Eastern Shore. The gallery specializes in fine, classically based portrait commissions.
2. Reconnect with Nature
A perfect day in Easton includes admiring the beautiful natural beauty of the area. Easton’s waterfront vistas and more than 4,000 acres of conservation land make it a haven for nature enthusiasts. The diverse scenery includes grasslands, deep forests, and water views. Cyclists, hikers and walkers can explore the Chesapeake area from one of the many well-designed Easton Trails.
We also encourage our guests to explore the Pickering Creek Audubon Center, a conservation center owned by the Chesapeake Audubon Society. It spans over 400 acres of safeguarded land, including hardwood forests, non-tidal wetlands, wildlife habitats, and nature reserves. It is open throughout the year and offers educational programs, tours, canoe rentals, and exhibits.
3. Explore Easton’s Historic Sites
Easton is a historic town, established in 1710 during the the Colonial Era. Any day in the area should include a walk through the Easton Historic District at the heart of the town. It has almost 900 historic buildings, many built as early as the 18th century. Visitors can spend an afternoon strolling and admiring the beautiful architecture, but history enthusiasts will enjoy these locations:
- Quaker Third Haven Meeting House: This beautifully preserved area is a cornerstone of Quaker History. The house and shaded grounds are open to the public for visits.
- Talbot Historical Society Mary Jenkins House: The Mary Jenkins house dates from 1783, and is thought to be the oldest frame house in the town. It is now a beautiful museum, garden, and resource center for genealogical research.
- Avalon Theatre: We love this place so much that we’ve talked about it twice in this blog! Built in 1922 as a vaudeville theater, this visually spectacular venue is an integral part of Easton’s downtown.
- The Little Red Schoolhouse: This overlooked gem is an original 1890 schoolhouse restored as a museum.
Talbot County Courthouse: This old building has many stories to tell. Easton, MD is the hometown of famed American hero and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The courthouse has a statue of Douglass portraying him giving his famous “Self-Made Men” speech, which he delivered to a segregated audience at the very same courthouse.
4. Go Shopping in Easton, MD
Need some retail therapy? Shopping in Easton, MD, offers plenty of specialty shops, boutiques and eateries. To sample and savor all things local, the Easton Farmers Market is the best place to start. Established in 1752, it is the oldest open-air market in the country. It runs from May through December.
We recommend shoppers start at the Talbot Town Center, which houses several must-see outlets grouped together. Thrifters looking for something unexpected can start at Frugalicious for high-end designer items.
A walk towards the downtown will take you to Dragonfly, a boutique voted best women’s boutique several years in a row by “What’s Up Eastern Shore.” Other nearby women’s boutiques worth checking out include La De Da, Trade Whims, and Lizzy Dee.
Is antiquing more your style? Start at Vintage Books & Fine Arts, the best place for rare books, first editions, and original newspapers and maps. The Modern Bulldog is a mid-century gallery filled with great pieces. Other antiquing destinations shoppers can hit simultaneously are Wye New and Easton Antiques & Art Gallery. Both are conveniently located and regularly rotate their stock of vintage items.
If all that shopping makes you hungry, The Wardroom is an Epicurean market, wine shop, and restaurant that serves homemade pasta, charcuterie, and gourmet sandwiches. It offers 24 wines by glass and more than 1,400 bottled options. It also has its own cheese cave!
Flying Cloud Booksellers is another bookstore off the beaten path that book lovers will enjoy. This newer addition to Easton is light, bright, and well-stocked.
Dining in Easton, MD
Easton is a little town with a bustling dining scene. The Eastern Shore takes its food culture There are so many excellent options to choose from, but we’ve narrowed it down to a few of our favorites:
- The Ivy Cafe: This lunch spot is nestled in an adorable little courtyard in the center of town. It offers a nice variety of artisan sandwiches, salads and homemade soup.
- Out of the Fire: This restaurant offers globally inspired dishes. They cater to most food allergies, making this a popular place for those with dietary restrictions.
- Doc’s Downtown: This place offers classic American tavern fare, and some Eastern Shore favorites.
- Gay’s Seafood: You haven’t really experienced Maryland until you’ve had crab. This casual seafood joint offers local favorites at a great price.
- Scossa: Excellent northern Italian food set in a beautiful atmosphere.
- Hunters’ Tavern: Located in the historic Tidewater Inn, this restaurant and bar serves authentic Eastern Shore fare. We recommend the crab cakes!
- Bas Rouge: For a fine dining experience, you won’t find better than Bas Rouge. This contemporary European restaurant integrates the food culture of the Eastern Shore into its dishes. Call ahead for a reservation; they are often completely booked!
Come Home to Brampton 1860
After a wonderful day in Easton, MD, relax at your home away from home. Brampton 1860 offers a comfortable and romantic lodging experience on the Eastern Shore. Located less than an hour from Easton, we are a convenient place to see all the amazing things to do in Easton, MD. If you want a place that offers luxury, romance, and fantastic service, this is the place to begin your getaway!
Start off each morning the right way with a yummy homemade breakfast before starting the day’s adventure. After a day of exploring the charming town of Easton, relax and unwind in your private cottage or room. You can also join us for our complimentary Afternoon Tea Time and Social Hour.
Book your stay and begin your unforgettable trip to Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Photo Credit: © jonbilous, © Nina Lynch, © Joesboy, © Mikhail Melanine