9 Close-Knit Towns to Visit in Chesapeake Bay
The largest estuary in North America and the third largest estuary in the world, the Chesapeake Bay, was named after the Algonquin word Chesapiooc. The Chesapeake Bay area is home to many smaller towns and villages throughout Maryland and Virginia, some of which are very tightly-knit. Areas such as North East, Maryland; Tangier Island, Virginia; and Crisfield, Maryland, promote a sense of harmony among their residents by hosting annual festivals, such as the Tilghman Island Day Seafood Festival. Visitors to these areas will appreciate the close-knit feeling and welcoming locals in these communities.
Tangier Island, Virginia
The low-lying Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay, 12 miles from Virginia's Eastern Shore, is home to just under 500 residents, many of whom have ancestors who have been watermen on the island since the late 1600s. Just one mile wide and three miles long, 1.2 square miles in area, its small size lends itself to a tight-knit community feel. The "island" is actually made up of three islands joined by small bridges. Tangier Island is only accessible by boat. You can catch a ferry from Onancock, Virginia, Reedville, Virginia, or Crisfield, Maryland. As the ferry only runs from May to October, you must charter a private vessel during other times of the year.
No cars are allowed on Tangier Island, and instead, it can be toured by buggy, golf cart, bike, or on foot. As Tangier Island is a small, remote island, there is no one "downtown" area; rather, the community is spread out. However, shops do exist. Sandy's Place, Island Treasures, and Jim's Souvenir & Gift Shop are all busy stores on the island. Some of the restaurants, such as Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House and Fisherman's Corner, are not open during the winter months. However, Lorraine's stays open year-round to serve townsfolk and visitors.
Kayaking on the town's water trails is a popular pastime. Kayakers often report sightings of laughing gulls, Foster's terns, and belted kingfishers. One annual event that draws residents and tourists together is the Soule Arnold Oyster and Clam Steam in October.
Tilghman Island, Maryland
Situated between the Choptank River and Chesapeake Bay in Talbot County, Maryland, Tilghman Island is three miles long and one mile wide, and home to just over 800 residents, giving it a cohesive, neighborhood spirit. Only 2.8 square miles in area, the island lies 90 miles from Baltimore and 92 miles from Washington, DC. You can drive to Tilghman Island or take the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry.
The Tilghman Watermen's Museum tells the history of the area and the culture of its watermen and their families. It also showcases art and artifact exhibitions, including boat models, paintings, and prints.
Shops to explore include 2 Vintage Chics and Heart & Hope Resale, both on Tilghman Island Road. Restaurants such as Tickler's Crab Shack and Restaurant serve local seafood to hungry residents and guests.
Annual events in Tilghman Island help retain the town's close-knit feel. They include the Tilghman Island Day Seafood Festival in October, held on Tilghman Island Day, a day set aside to appreciate the island's history, culture, traditions, and community.
Oxford, Maryland
The small waterfront town of Oxford, Maryland, lies on the Tred Avon River and is home to just 611 residents. It was founded in 1683 and is one of the oldest towns in Maryland. The town's rich history promotes its close-knit, intimate vibes.
The historic area of Oxford is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and includes the Oxford Museum on Morris Street, as well as the Oxford Custom House. Both of these places display artifacts and items telling the town's history.
Annual events in Oxford help to build up its small-town feel. These include Oxford Day in April, when the history of the town is celebrated; and the Oxford Holiday Market in December, featuring gifts, food, and holiday music.
Sunsets over the water in Oxford cannot be beaten. If you feel like something sweet while viewing the spectacular sunset, visit the Scottish Highland Creamery on Morris Street, which sells 16 flavors of ice cream.
Crisfield, Maryland
Crisfield is the southernmost town in Maryland, and it is home to 2,475 residents. Located in Somerset County on Tangier Sound, it is known as the "Crab Capital of the World." Crisfield was founded in 1666 as a waterfront village. Today, the small town is very closely knit, as many residents can trace their ancestors back to the community for three or more centuries.
Annual events in Crisfield that foster shared pride in the town include the Sandcastle and Sea Glass Festival in July, the National Hard Crab Derby on Labor Day Weekend, and the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in late September.
Janes Island State Park, on the Annemessex River adjacent to Crisfield, houses four cabins and over 100 campsites. It has 30 miles of marked water trails through salt marshes and isolated beaches. Birds, fish, crabs, and other animals can be seen making themselves at home here.
Crisfield's lively downtown area includes art galleries, like Gallery 413 on Main Street; and shops such as Butler's Farm Market on Marion Road. One of the most popular eateries in Crisfield is the Fisherman's Grille, serving local seafood and providing waterfront dining on Spruce Street.
Onancock, Virginia
Onancock, Virginia, was described as "the gem of the Eastern Shore" by Captain John Smith in the 1600s. Today, with a population of just 1,169, it continues that tradition. Chartered as a port in 1608, the town sits on the harbor along Onancock Creek, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
The Eastern Shore Watermen's Museum and Research Center on College Avenue helps to preserve the heritage and encourage the future of watermen in the Onancock area. Ker Place, the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society on Market Street, has been described as the finest example of Federal architecture on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The sprawling structure contains a museum, library, and archaeology lab.
Onancock's downtown area features unique art studios and galleries, such as Karen Tweedie Jewelry Design Studio on Turner Street and Ten Good Sheep on College Avenue. The North Street Market sells wine, cheese, coffee, tea, and other necessities. Local seafood and farm goods can be enjoyed at the Charlotte Hotel and Restaurant on North Street. The North Street Playhouse, the only year-round live theatre on Virginia's Eastern Shore, is also a popular gathering spot for residents and visitors.
Chesapeake City, Maryland
Chesapeake City in Southern Cecil County, Maryland, has just under 800 full-time residents, adding to its small-town charm. The town lies on the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, a 14-mile-long working commercial canal connecting the Chesapeake Bay to the Delaware River. Today, you can watch ocean-going vessels sailing through the canal on a daily basis.
Founded in 1839, the community of Chesapeake City grew up around the newly-finished canal. It shares the town with a variety of wildlife, including but not limited to bald eagles, deer, turtles, snakes, flounder, catfish, and bluefish.
Chesapeake City's Historic District is listed on the National and Maryland Historic Registries. Today, art galleries, shops, and eateries occupy the Victorian buildings still standing. A map of the downtown area is available on the town's website to help you find places such as The Mercantile at Back Creek on Bohemia Avenue and South Side Styles on Bohemia Avenue. Many dining options have waterfront views, such as Bayard House and Shaefer's Canal House, both of which serve local seafood.
The town's community feeling is demonstrated through its events and activities, such as the summer concerts held in Pell Gardens, the downtown park. These weekly musical events bring the townspeople together and also attract visitors to Chesapeake City.
Cape Charles, Virginia
Just north of Virginia Beach in Northampton County is the small town of Cape Charles, with a population of 1,178. The beach town draws visitors, but not as many as some of the better-known beaches, such as Virginia Beach, giving it more of a small-town feel.
Cape Charles' Town Beach is the only public beach on Virginia's Eastern Shore that is free to visit. The beach is on Bay Avenue, in the town's historic district. Be sure to visit the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge on Seaside Road. Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, photography, hunting, and wildlife watching are all popular pastimes here. Entrance is free, unless you need to use the boat ramp, which carries a $10 fee.
The downtown area of Cape Charles encourages a feeling of community and closeness. Shops and art galleries, such as At Altitude Gallery on Mason Avenue and Beach Market on Stone Road, cater to the needs of residents and visitors. When you get hungry, stop by The Shanty on Marina Road, which serves local seafood in a waterfront setting.
Festive Fridays, occurring on Fridays from Thanksgiving through Christmas, presents evening events for the whole family in the town's downtown area. These events bring the village together and foster the close-knit atmosphere.
Smith Island, Maryland
One way that you can tell that Smith Island is a tightly-knit island is the fact that this archipelago in the Chesapeake Bay, 12 miles off the shore, is only accessible by boat. You can get there by ferry from Crisfield in about 40 minutes. Just 202 people live on the island, and they share their own unique dialect dating back to the island's settlers from Cornwall, Dorsett, and Wales in the 1700s.
Smith Island is really a collection of three towns, Ewell, Tylerton, and Rhodes Point, known for their own history, culture, and connection to the water. The beauty of Smith Island's marshy waterways and wildlife can be fully experienced through the various water tours offered on the island. These include tours of the island, Sunset Cruises, Pelican Rookery Tours, and Historical Waterfront Tours.
Visitors to Smith Island can also enjoy paddling water trails. When you get hungry, try the delectable Smith Island Cake, Maryland's official dessert, at Smith Island Bakery on Caleb Jones Road in Ewell. To sample local seafood, visit Bayside Inn, on Smith Island Road in Ewell.
North East, Maryland
With 4,085 residents, North East is a charming village at the head of the North East River, connecting to the Chesapeake Bay. While the town attracts thousands of tourists during boating season, it remains a close-knit community year-round. The town was settled by the English in 1658, but Shawnee and Susquehannock Indians lived there long before settlers arrived. Memorials to these tribes can be found in North East today.
The Turkey Point Lighthouse, located at the southernmost point of the Elk Neck Peninsula, is one of North East's most notable attractions. Dating back to the early 1800s, it can be reached via a 1.6-mile hike through the 2,370-acre Elk Neck State Forest. Along the way, be on the lookout for eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey in the Raptor Viewing Field.
Every July 3, North East hosts a Salute to Veterans. This festival includes food, fun, and music, and culminates with, a popular and impressive fireworks display at dusk. It draws scores of townsfolk and tourists to the tiny town.
The town's downtown area is full of shops and antique galleries, such as Kathy's Corner Shop, Silver and Sassy, and 5 & 10 Antique Market, all on Main Street. Seafood restaurants are a highlight of the downtown area, and include Woody's Crab House, Steak and Main, and The Nauti Goose, offering waterfront dining.
Visit These Close-Knit Towns Any Way You Can
Whether you must travel to these close-knit towns by boat or by vehicle, make sure to visit them any way you can. Towns such as Smith Island, Maryland, and Tangier Island, Virginia, are only accessible by boat. Other towns like Chesapeake City and Cape Charles can be easily reached by car. They each share an interconnected, warm community that defines what it really means to be a close-knit town. Visitors to these towns will experience that intimacy first-hand.
