Explore Our Chestertown Travel Guide
Share magical moments with each other, whether you’re exploring
our 35 acres or the greater Eastern Shore in Maryland.
Discover Beautiful Things in Our Local Boutiques, Museums & Galleries
The Eastern Shore of Maryland means something different to everyone. No one can deny, however, that it’s a place with a thriving art scene and plenty of spots to enjoy some retail therapy! Below, we’ve listed some of the best places to experience these two aspects of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
CREATE art.craft.designThe Artists’ Gallery
An artist collective that presents a variety of mediums in the heart of town
You’ll find the area’s most talented artists hang their work for all to see.
Diane Rappisi Fine Art
Diane Rappisi is a contemporary realist artist offering her own works as well as classes and multi-day workshops in studio.
Hegland Glass
Offers contemporary kiln-formed art glass.
Massoni Art Gallery
Respected by artists & collectors throughout the Mid-Atlantic for over 30 years.
River Arts Gallery
Offers works by local artists in many mediums with a mission of growing community, creativity and connection through the Arts.
Robert Ortiz Studio
Contemporary furniture in the Shaker and Japanese traditions. Also offers one on one furniture making workshops.
Chestertown Farmers Market
In Fountain Park, takes place year-round on Saturdays from 8 am to noon.
Bee Crafty Collectibles
New, old and vintage collectibles.
Bespoke Chocolate
Offers decadent truffles, bon bons, dipped fruit, cordials and 16 flavors of fudge. All are hand-made of the freshest ingredients with no preservatives. Yum!
Houston’s Dockside Emporium
Traditional to trendy clothing for women and men, accessories, sterling silver and costume jewelry, gifts, books.
The Finishing Touch
Specializing in in custom framing, fine hart, select gifts, artist’s materials, digital imaging and art reproduction.
The Hickory Stick
If you’re looking for a unique gift, we recommend stopping by.
Twigs and Teacups
Our favorite gift store in town – smart, small gifts, toys, candles & soaps.
Mimi’s Closet
Discover your new favorite outfit at this clothing and gift store.
The Bookplate
Find (gently) used books at this must-visit gem in the center of town!
Chester River Wine and Cheese Co.
This charming shop supplies us with our cheeses, patés, and fine wines.
Walnut & Wool
Vintage and new clothing, furniture and home decor.
Hooked on the River
Provides all that’s needed for a great day of fishing, plus kayaks.
Silver Linings Jewelry
Extensive collections of sterling silver and gemstone jewelry.
Park Row Floats
A premier relaxation experience, including float, suana and salt cave services.
Firehouse Antiques
Located in Galena, full of unique 18th and 19th century treasures. We found some great pieces for the Inn here!
Crow Vineyard and Winery
One of our favorite vineyards in the area. Crow is a 365-acre working farm, with winery, tasting room, cattle and horses. Guest can sip wines enjoy light fare and tour the farm and winery to learn about how the Crow’s are making dry style premium wines. This family farm also hosts a variety of events each month.
Godfrey’s Farm
We get many of our fruits & vegetables from this pick-your-own farm.
Lockbriar Farm
Family-owned and operated u-pick fruit farm committed to providing the highest quality of fresh, local products and outdoor fun since 1993.
Wildly Native Flower Farm
A beautiful farm just up the road from Brampton offering fun events from floral arrangement classes to goat yoga.
The Town of Rock Hall
Gift shops, antique stores, galleries, artisan studios, restaurants & more.
Prime Outlets in Queenstown
Find some deals and delightful shopping at 45 brand name outlet stores.
Dixon’s Auction Sale and Farmers Market
Year-round auction every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plan Your Stay Around the Best Events on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
Beautiful scenery, charming mom-and-pop shops, and a vibrant coastal culture are just some of the reasons why the Eastern Shore of Maryland is the perfect year-round destination. Throughout the year there are also fun events to celebrate, and we’ve listed some of the best events on the Eastern Shore of Maryland below!
Year-Round Events
Chestertown Farmers Market
Enjoy the Farmers and Artisans’ Market in downtown Chestertown every Saturday from 8am until Noon.
Fabulous First Fridays
On the first Friday of the month, downtown shops extend their hours and galleries stage openings and special events.
Garfield Center for the Arts
A wonderful small-town theatre with a vibrant culture of performing arts featuring live music, musicals, dramas and comedic stage productions.
The Mainstay
The Mainstay in Rock Hall is a wonderful small music venue offering year-round, weekly programs often featuring world renowned players in a variety of genres.
Summer Events
Frederick Douglass Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of African American life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Pirates & Wenches Fantasy Weekend
Held just a short drive away from Brampton Inn (in Rock Hall), this fun festival offers immersive fun for everyone. Buccaneers and land-lubbers will rejoice in this themed, town-wide party every August.
Legacy Day
Celebrate local African American history. Enjoy a reception for honorees, a genealogy workshop, concert and a dance party.
Cars on High
Every 3rd Thursday admire classic, exotic, antique and customized cars are on displayed on the 300 block of High Street. Come Food trucks, too! Cars on High will continue on the third Thursday of the month, weather permitting, through October.
Fall Events
Chestertown Jazz Festival
If you’ve ever visited the Eastern Shore before, you know that it’s a hotbed for all kinds of musical talent! Jazz is an especially prominent genre here. Celebrate this colorful art form at Wilmer Park which showcases a variety of new and established artists.
Sultana Downrigging Weekend
This “tall ship and wooden boat festival” is so much more than meets the eye. Hobbyists love experiencing these stunning vessels in person, but this event also features live music, Dock Dogs competitions, and fireworks.
Mount Harmon Bull & Oyster Roast Fall Fundraiser
Enjoy a traditional Eastern Shore bull and oyster roast. With live Bluegrass music and live and silent actions, it’s a good time for a great cause!
Mount Harmon Paper Chase
A great opportunity to ride at one of Maryland’s most beautiful historic sites, along the banks of the Sassafras River!
Winter Events
A Dickens of a Christmas
Always the first weekend in December. Join the town for a weekend of festivities starting with a special First Friday throughout the Historic District. You’ll find carriage rides, hot beverages, fire pits, s’mores stations, and special entertainment.
Mount Harmon Open Air Yuletide Festival
Always the first weekend in December. Join the town for a weekend of festivities starting with a special First Friday throughout the Historic District. You’ll find carriage rides, hot beverages, fire pits, s’mores stations, and special entertainment.
Be My Valentine in February!
Come celebrate at the Brampton where we celebrate Love all month!
FeBREWary in Maryland
This month, you’ll find several fun beer-themed events on tap across the state. Keep an eye out for Patriot Acre Farm Brewery and Bull and Goat Brewery right here in our neck of the woods!
Spring Events
Chestertown Tea Party Festival
Memorial Day Weekend, this celebration of the town’s Revolutionary War history has a street party atmosphere—there’s food, drink, live music, vendors, and even a crazy raft race! Be sure to mark your calendar for this one.
National Music Festival
For two weeks each June, musicians present over 35 concerts. Renowned classical musician and commentator Miles Hoffman usually makes an appearance!
Mount Harmon Wicomico Hunt Point to Point
A great day of spring horse racing plus antique carriage & hound parade, tailgate contest, food and open-air tavern and marketplace!
Mount Harmon National Revolutionary War Reenactment and Colonial Festival
Reenactment of the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign in the Chesapeake, British & Continental Encampments, Colonial Market Faire, hearth cooking, living history, and craft demonstrations, and don’t miss the Eastern Shore Food Court & General Foreman’s Tavern.
Experience the Great Outdoors With These Eastern Shore of Maryland Activities
Chestertown is an unforgettable destination along the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The area is home to countless outdoor activities, making it the ideal place for wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, hunting, and more. As a guest of Brampton 1860, you are just minutes away from the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the ultimate setting for your next romantic getaway. Spending an afternoon in the great outdoors is one of our favorite things to do in Chestertown, MD.
Brampton Inn Gardens
The inn sits on 35 intricately landscaped acres, four of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Adkins Arboretum
Explore the 400-acre native garden and preserve on the Eastern Shore.
Betterton Beach
Just a 20 minute drive from Brampton, enjoy a quiet little Eastern Shore beach.
Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge
2,300-acre island habitat with nature trails, picnic areas & wildlife.
Tuckahoe State Park
20 miles of scenic hiking, biking and equestrian trails, flat water canoeing, hunting & picnicking.
Sassafras NRMA
Excellent hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing & equestrian trails.
Millington Wildlife Management Area
3,800-acre preserve with four ponds stocked with bass and bluegill. Observe woodpeckers, woodcocks, tanagers and beavers.
Blue Crab Sailing Charters
Don’t miss an outing on the Bay! Day sails, sunset cruises, instructions, etc. These folks do a fantastic job. Reservations are a must.
Chester River Kayak Adventures in Rock Hall, MD
Experienced staff guide you on a tranquil tour of the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Reservations required.
Chester River Packet Company
River Packet is a 1920-style 65-foot classic yacht, offers charter cruises on the scenic Chester River. Reservations are required.
Mount Harmon Plantation
One of Maryland’s most beautiful historic sites. Features a restored 18th century manor house, plantation kitchen, formal boxwood garden, rare tobacco Prize House, 200 acres of open space, nature trails and a waterfront setting. Schedule a tour and then enjoy the grounds for the day.
Birding
Our area is home to hundreds of bird species. Bald eagles, osprey, Tundra swans, Canada geese, and Snow geese are just a few of the region’s most recognizable visitors. The National Wildlife Federation named the Brampton 1860 a Certified Wildlife Habitat, making it an excellent spot to watch some of your favorite fliers.
Sandy Point State Park
Spend the day fishing, swimming or wildlife viewing while soaking up stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay. A picnic at Sandy Point is one of the top romantic things to do in Annapolis, MD.
These Chestertown, MD, Restaurants Will Make Your Mouth Water
Brampton 1860 is the perfect place to experience the Eastern Shore’s homegrown culinary scene, and not just at our complimentary breakfast and tea time. Whether you prefer country favorites, fantastic seafood, or light, farm-to-table bites, you’ll find exactly what you’re craving on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Our guests love the region’s bayfront eateries, intimate cafes, and fine dining spots. It’s time you experienced it for yourself! We’ve compiled just a few of our favorite restaurants in Chestertown, MD.
Our Favorite Restaurants in Chestertown, MD
The Kitchen at the Imperial
This spot offers exceptional food! We partner with them when we do our wine pairing dinners for guests.
Watershed Alley
Chestertown’s newest restaurant! Enjoy traditional preparations with local ingredients for dishes that are authentic to our Chesapeake origins.
Bad Alfred’s
A brewpub and distillery featuring house-made spirits, local craft beer and wood-fired pizzas. Good food, friendly people.
Cafe Sado
Great food, extensive sushi offering, this is Southeast-style Asian cuisine!
Casa Carmen
An innkeeper favorite, this delightful place to eat offers tapas (small plates) and their own wonderful wines!
Evergrain Bread Company
A fantastic European-style bakery serving light lunches, sweet treats, and delicious espresso.
Luisa’s Cucina Italiana
A little slice of Italy in the heart of historic Chestertown. This restaurant and pizzeria is open every day of the week.
Modern Stone Age Kitchen
Artisan food created 100% from scratch using only the finest ingredients. Also offer fun weekly food-making classes!
Play It Again Sam’s
Enjoy coffee-house vibes and light lunch options. This is one of our favorite spots to chat about town happenings!
The Retriever Bar & The Decoy Bottle Shop
A bar featuring oysters and other victuals. Not your standard fare and the food never disappoints! Check-out the Decoy Bottle Shop as well for an eclectic selection of beer, wine and spirits.
Stam’s Luncheonette
Chef/owner brings her passion for pastry, cakes, ice cream and staples of classic American fare, creating delicious treats! You must try the homemade ice cream!!
Other Fantastic Restaurants Near Chestertown, MD
Fish Whistle at the Granary (Georgetown)
Waterfront dining on the beautiful Sassafras! Delicious menu, weekly specials and full service bar.
Deep Blue at Kitty Knight (Georgetown)
Enjoy a hilltop view of the Sassafras while you dine. Indoor and outdoor seating. Open daily.
Blue Heron Oyster House (Rock Hall)
Enjoy great seafood and more in a casual bar setting. Indoor and outdoor dining.
Flying Decoy Bar and Grill (Rock Hall)
Enjoy Eastern Shore Cuisine. Located in the heart of Rock Hall.
Osprey Point Restaurant (Rock Hall)
If you’re looking for a fine dining spot, this is a great option! Perfect for a fancy night out with that special someone.
Waterman’s Crab House at Sharp Street Wharf (Rock Hall)
A casual, waterfront restaurant that serves a variety of seafood and offers live music on weekends. This is the only restaurant in our area offering steamed crabs in the summer! Keep in mind that this eatery is closed during the winter months.
Great Local Markets
Chestertown Farmers Market
Enjoy the Farmers and Artisans’ Market in downtown Chestertown every Saturday from 8am until Noon.
Chestertown Natural Foods
Features local, all-natural and organic vendors and strives to provide the best gourmet products available.
Cross Street Food and Garden
Offers a hearty mix of local foods, meats, natural foods and groceries, baked goods, produce fruits and vegetables, dairy, and plants. Located in Galena.
Fresh Start Food and Garden
An open-air market that serves local produce, natural foods, gourmet meats and cheeses, and other delicious foods. A hidden gem is their fresh made to order deli and a little spot to sit down and eat. Located in Rock Hall.