7 Most Scenic Small Towns in Maryland
Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state in the U.S. filled with scenic views and coastline pleasures. With so many small towns full of wonderous locales and historic or natural landmarks, like the Friends-Concord Point Lighthouse or Ocean City Boardwalk, travelers have plenty to see and do, no matter how small or big one's itinerary is. With a humid subtropical climate and exciting splendors to consider, these towns are simply perfect for a scenic adventure!
Chesapeake City
A Bohemian colony town with 746 residents, Chesapeake City is a great destination for riverside activities and architectural beauty. The Bohemia River is one of the largest landmarks with its tranquil waters and pleasant boating tours that allow for a scenic view of the town. The Bohemia River State Park is another landmark that promotes natural sights with its observation trails and multiple farm areas with vibrant cultural plains. The Ben Cardin Recreational Trail is also around for travelers who like scenic kayaks through Back Creek and witnessing bald eagles, ospreys, herons, and otters roaming around wetlands.
C&D Canal Museum is an 18th-century canal system with steam engines built under a fancy estate that was once home to locals who founded the town. For architecture lovers, the Chesapeake City Bridge is the ideal photographic stopping point for sunset orange skies and pure ambiance. At Cafe on the Bay, one can find quality espresso and historic Italian iced coffee that leaves a lasting impression on any tourist around!
St. Michaels
A charming small town with 1,088 inhabitants, St. Michaels is every tourist's best option for cultural history and quintessential Eastern Shore scenery. The Sail Selina II offers relaxing boat tours of the Eastern Shore and features luxury yacht experiences for tourists wanting 1920s wine-tasting exposure. Tourists who prefer nature trails may love Muskrat Park for its gorgeous harbor settings and historical cannons along a scenic coast. The Canton Farm Nature Preserve also offers a bit of wildlife scenery for anyone with a penchant for habitat observation.
The St. Michaels Museum at St. Mary's Square has abundant relics and 18th-century history that are related to the Colonial era. At the Classic Motor Museum, one can explore vintage automobile heritage and a welcoming Amish community that is respectful of local history and car enthusiasm. Hungry visitors in town may want to grab a bite at Foxy's Harbor Grille or The Crab Claw for harbor seafood delights, friendly faces, and impressive waterfront views that are quite memorable!
Havre de Grace
Also known as the "Decoy Capital of the World," Havre de Grace is another charming town with 15,159 residents. It is well known for its scenic landmarks like the Friends-Concord Point Lighthouse, a glorified 36-foot structure that overlooks the town with its historic 18th-century beacon connecting the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River. The Havre de Grace Promenade is a boardwalk for tourists looking to witness the Susquehanna River up close and also has plenty of avian observation stops and Tydings Park family-oriented relaxation.
At Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, one can explore duck decoys and folk art tours that touch upon the essence of this town. Maritime history buffs may prefer the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, a highlight for its knowledge of local fishing history and Native American upbringing. The Steppingstone Farm Museum is another historical tour zone with stone farmhouse architecture, old carriage barns, and private villa scenery. For commercial stops, one can visit Seneca Cannery Antiques for Chesapeake Bay trinkets and treasures, while the JoRetro Vintage Market has nostalgic vintage antiques and retro products to make anyone feel like they are visiting a locale from the past!
Easton
A historical and naturally beautiful town with 17,597 inhabitants, Easton is a scenic destination for tourists. The Pickering Creek Audubon Center is a major highlight in town with its 450-acre wildlife sanctuary and forested trails full of warm meadows and creeks. The Talbot Historical Society offers multiple landmark sites for tourists, including the Mary Jenkins House, James Neall House, Hill Research Center, and The Gardens, a focal point for nature lovers who want to see cute red flowerbeds!
A historic Quaker meeting hall can be found at the Third Haven Friends Meeting House, a definitive stop for anyone who needs a quiet or blissful moment around historical estates. At the Academy Art Museum, one can find over 1,700 artworks and glass atriums with lots of important finds related to famous artists and painters from timelines long gone. Avalon Theatre is another great option for cultural tourism that boasts classy performances and Eastern Shore cinema vibrance. For winery travels, visitors can explore the Far Eastern Shore Winery, with its boutique tasting rooms and outdoor grapevine scenery.
Cumberland
Cumberland, one of the Twin Cities of the Maryland Mountains, is a small town with 18,516 locals who love the idea of being close to historic scenery. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is one example of this, with its year-round train journeys taking tourists through the Allegheny Mountains and other mountainous areas to display scenic splendors. The Great Allegheny Passage is another viable option for spectacular scenery and open views of the 957-foot rugged Borden Tunnel, 81-foot ironmade Bollman Bridge, and even the 18th-century historical Pump House!
The Allegany Museum has downtown local history and timeless Native American marble and walnut relics belonging to a bygone era. At the Gordon Roberts House, tourists can check out 1800s family history and have music-guided tours with fancy cups of tea in hand! The 1812 Brewery may appeal to those who want to taste western Maryland brews and enjoy 100 acres of idyllic farm history. As for Italian cuisine, one can visit Ristorante Ottaviani for some of the finest Tuscan and Sicilian dishes around town.
Thurmont
A gorgeous town with 6,931 residents, Thurmont is great for natural landmarks and winery tourism. Its scenic Catoctin Mountain Park allows for north-central views of forestry and the Blue Ridge Mountains right in the heart of the Appalachians. At Cunningham Falls State Park, visitors can canoe around open lake areas and experience the wonders of Cunningham Falls, the largest cascading waterfall in the entire state! Roddy Road Covered Bridge is an 1850s Kingpost stop that is 40 feet long and has relaxing picnic areas for explorers who love to see natural beauty up close.
For animal lovers, Catoctin Wildlife Preserve has 100 acres of zoo wildlife and safari truck tours to introduce guests to fun-loving woodland herbivores. The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society provides a lot of historic village knowledge and routes related to enslaved African Americans and European immigrants who were laborers in town. Catoctin Mountain Orchard has a pleasant apple and cherry warehouse against a scenic grassy backdrop. Hungry tourists can pay a visit to Bollinger's Restaurant for homemade soups and salads while being surrounded by friendly locals.
Ocean City
An attractive beach town with 6,986 inhabitants, Ocean City has everything a boardwalk tourist needs. The Ocean City Boardwalk is a big stopping point for visitors here, with its 19th-century wooden walkways, tasty ice cream locales, and carnival ride amusement that also makes for scenic views of the beachfront. Ocean City Beach provides 10 miles of sandy sports activities and Ferris wheel observation points, making this a worthy contender for outdoor photography!
At the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum, tourists can be exposed to late 18th-century boardwalk history and interpretive exhibits related to the Worcester County coast. The Art League of Ocean City is another option for art lovers, with its seasonal classes and visual art facility that features some of the most interesting local works in town. Down by the Oceanic Fishing Pier, travelers can see the prettiest views of bayside bluefish, flounders, seabass, sharks, rays, and horseshoe crabs, coupled with a scenic sunset moment. For vibrant waterfront dining, one can visit Seacrets, a popular dance floor diner with Caribbean appetizers, tropical cocktails, and the best jerk chicken around!
In Conclusion
These small towns are all scenic and lively, creating a worthy itinerary for travelers wanting to explore the "Old Line State" in depth. With various locales and landmarks to consider, no one will ever feel lost in things to see or do. These towns carry enough motivation to spark interest from both state locals and outsiders who may not be familiar with these destinations. Having this list in hand guarantees travel success for anyone keen on new adventures in Maryland!
