Along the Chesapeake Bay, from bustling
Annapolis to idyllic St. Michaels, there
are harbor vistas, lots of charm and fresh
Maryland crabs by the pound
Bay Dreams
BY JESSICA MERRILL
Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay is a study in contrasts, marked as much by the watermen
who work the bay, harvesting oysters and crabs, as by the yachting enthusiasts who
come seeking serenity and calm. It is a place where the land (scenic pastures and rolling
farms) is as vital as the sea. In the towns that dot the shoreline, you’re as likely to find
generations-old bait-and-tackle shops as chic clothing boutiques, and dining is as much
about brown paper rolled out across tables as crisp white linen. There might be polari-ties, but they come together to make Maryland’s Eastern Shore truly unique.
From the cosmopolitan vibe of Annapolis on the western side of the bay to the small-town charm of St. Michaels or rural fishing communities like Tilghman Island on the
Eastern Shore, this is an area of quiet sojourns and scenic vistas, intriguing cultural sites
and sophisticated restaurants. And of course, whichever direction you turn, there’s
always scrumptious seafood pulled fresh from the bay.
Maritime Capital
Annapolis, the state capital of Maryland, is part maritime
community, part college town, part historic landmark—
and that makes it a fun, picturesque place. Tourists
throng the waterfront on weekends, licking ice cream
cones and watching boats sail in and out of the
Waterman Bobby Abner (in blue top)
navigates his boat while a sternman
places traps in the water.
