Guide for visitors

Dorchester county heart of the chesapeake

OutdOOrs • histOry & culture hOmegrOwn gOOdness

visitOr infO • events • maps

Dorchester county, MarylandtourDorchester.org 800.522.toUr

Start here.With its sail soaring 100 feet in the air, the Dorchester County Visitors Center is easy to find. Come for information about the area, exhibits, restrooms, a playground overlooking the river, and a boardwalk. Open daily, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. at 2 Rose Hill Place in Cambridge, near the Malkus Bridge over the Choptank River. Also visit us at TourDorchester.org for hotel and restaurant listings, museums, events, and more.

Welcome!

hoopers Island

In Dorchester County on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, delight in beautiful views of the water. Go on an outdoor adventure and savor fresh seafood. Discover the legends who lived here, and enjoy our Eastern Shore charm. We think you’ll find a lot to love in the Heart of the Chesapeake.

TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

Published by Dorchester County Tourism, 2 Rose Hill Place, Cambridge, MD 21613. TourDorchester.org. 800.522.TOUR, 410.228.1000. Uncredited photos courtesy of Dorchester County Tourism. Designed by Jill Jasuta, jilljasuta@verizon.net. Printed by Delmarva Printing. © Dorchester County Tourism

‘Nature on the throne of her glory’ That’s what Time magazine called Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. No wonder. The refuge’s 27,000 acres offer stunning vistas, incredible sunsets, waterfowl, and wildlife. Eagles, herons, egrets, and endangered Delmarva fox squirrels all make their homes here. As a wintering area for migrating ducks and geese using the Atlantic Flyway, Blackwater draws nature lovers all year long. The refuge made the list of Top Spots for Pros in Outdoor Photographer magazine.

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Outdoors

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BicyclingFlat terrain, quiet roads, and spectacular scenery make for terrific bicycling throughout the county. A growing number of cycling events and triathlons draw thousands each year, but cyclists of all ages and skill levels enjoy the ride. Bring your own bicycle or rent one here. Visit TourDorchester.org for details.

Blackwater National Wildlife refuge

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v look for this symbol for free guides on topics such as cycling, boating, birding, and Harriet Tubman. To order a guide, email info@TourDorchester.org or download it from TourDorchester.org.

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TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

BirdingHome to a major stop on the Atlantic Flyway, Dorchester is host to more than 250 species of birds, including bald eagles (Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge has one of the nation’s largest breeding populations), ospreys, hawks, herons, egrets, and 20 species of ducks. See a list of birding spots at TourDorchester.org.

BOatingDorchester County offers more than a dozen marinas and more than 20 free boat ramps. The largest marina is the Municipal yacht Basin in Cambridge; it’s a short walk from the historic downtown. See a list of marinas at TourDorchester.org.

On the water Whether you’re sailing, paddling, or fishing, be sure to experience our many waterways up close. Don’t own a boat? Join a skipjack sail, cruise on a paddlewheeler, or rent a boat here. Browse the options at TourDorchester.org.

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Outdoors

sailing on the choptank river

fishing & huntingAnglers find rockfish, croaker, white perch, and more in our waters. For hunters, there’s duck, goose, turkey, and white-tailed and sika deer. For hunting outfitters and fishing charters and info, go to TourDorchester.org.

gOlfDorchester’s golf courses include River Marsh at the Hyatt, which made Golf Magazine’s list of the 10 best public golf courses in Maryland.

paddlingWith meandering waterways and dramatic marshland, Dorchester offers plenty to explore, whether you’re paddling a kayak, a canoe, or a stand-up paddleboard. For outfitters, go to TourDorchester.org.

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TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

Dorchester’s heroinesSome remarkable heroines have called Dorchester County home, including famed Under-ground Railroad “conductor” Harriet Tubman, sharpshooter Annie Oakley, and 19th century political pioneer Anna Ella Carroll, the secret member of President lincoln’s cabinet who provided military strategy during the Civil War.

Birthplace Of harriet tuBmanUnderground Railroad “conductor” Harriet Tubman was born and grew up in Dorchester County. it was from here that she escaped from slavery in 1849. She returned a documented 13 times to lead other enslaved people to freedom through a secret network of people, places, and routes known as the Underground Railroad.

To experience the Tubman story, take the Finding a Way to Freedom Self-guided Driving Tour along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. Highlights include the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center and the Bucktown Village Store.

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History & Culture

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Bucktown Village store on the tubman Byway

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The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center are to be constructed near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. it is anticipated that groundbreaking will take place in 2013, honoring Tubman’s achievements 100 years after her death.

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TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

heritage Of land and seaEstablished in 1669, Dorchester County is one of Maryland’s oldest. in the past few hundred years, the lands here have been an agricultural, seafood, and canning powerhouse; a hub for boatbuilding; and home to thriving communities of Native Americans, African Americans and Colonial settlers. More Maryland governors hailed from these parts than anywhere else besides Baltimore City. Dorchester served as the setting of James Michener’s epic novel Chesapeake.

A range of self-guided walking tours and driving tours, river excursions, museums, and more help you experience Dorchester’s rich stories and history. For ideas on places to go and things to do, visit TourDorchester.org and click on History.

Of schooners and skipjacksWhile our waterways are home to more recreational boats than workboats these days, you’ll still see watermen and women gathering crab and oyster harvests. We celebrate our maritime heritage during the Schooner Rendezvous in October, a race of skipjacks (Maryland’s state boat) in September, and public skipjack sails on the Nathan of Dorchester. learn more about our maritime history at Ruark Boatworks and the Richardson Maritime Museum.

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History & Culture

cambridge schooner rendezvous

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the artsThere’s a vibrant community of artists and galleries in Dorchester County. Downtown Cambridge has art galleries featuring a range of interesting work— contemporary multimedia, folk art, traditional Chesapeake landscapes, decoy carving, and more. For current exhibits, visit CambridgeMainStreet.com.

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TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

plein-air artist

From seafood to produce to wineBe sure to sample the local bounty while you’re in Dorchester County. We’re known for our fresh and delicious Maryland blue crabs, oysters, and rockfish (some say our seafood is second to none). Our local farmers bring us everything from sweet corn and tomatoes to wine and bison.

Enjoy the local tastes by dining out, by stopping at a produce stand, or by coming to an event such as the Seafood Feast-i-val, the Taste of Cambridge Crab Cook-Off, or the strawberry, peach, and apple festivals.

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Vintage sign artist Kevin Davidson, Country Store gallery, Cambridge

layton’s Chance Winery, Vienna

Bistro Poplar, Cambridge

Waterman with Maryland blue crabs

locally grown watermelon

Homegrown Goodness TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

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Vintage sign artist Kevin Davidson, Country Store gallery, Cambridge

Fun all year longFor a quiet county, Dorchester hosts an incredible range of events. From the National Outdoor Show in February (with both muskrat skinning championships and the Miss Outdoors pageant) to Taste of Cambridge (with a crab-picking contest and a crab cook-off), Dorchester comes together for fun all year long. For highlights, turn to page 20; for the full calendar, go to TourDorchester.org.

hyatt regency chesapeake Bay resort, cambridge

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Visitor Info

where tO stayWith its natural beauty and friendly pace of life, Dorchester County makes a great getaway. you’ll find cozy bed and breakfasts, a campground, vacation rentals, and a four-diamond waterfront resort. For descriptions, visit TourDorchester.org.

where tO wine & dineMany of our restaurants are waterside—and some are accessible by land and by boat. Discover down-home meals and sophisticated restaurants tucked away in small towns. Our restaurants’ crab cakes have garnered raves in Southern Living and USA Today. For locally produced wine, head to layton’s Chance, a family-owned winery and vineyard. Browse descriptions of the dining options at TourDorchester.org.

taste of cambridge

special deals: find deals on lodging and dining at tourDorchester.org. our website also offers listings of accommodations, restaurants, shops, and more.

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TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

Endurance eventsDorchester has become an increasingly popular place for cycling, running, and triathlon events. it’s also a great spot to train—or just to have fun. The largest events include the Six Pillars Century Cycling Event, the Eagleman ironman 70.3 Triathlon, and the Wild goose Chase Women’s Cycling Event. Other 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and cycling events round out the calendar. View the full list at TourDorchester.org (click on Outdoors).

sunnyside shop, cambridge

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Visitor Info

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where tO shOpFrom antique stores to boutiques to country stores, you’ll find treasures old and new, traditional and contemporary. Many of our small businesses are independently owned and offer one-of-a-kind items created by area artists and artisans—not to mention friendly, old-fashioned customer service.

toursEnjoy walking tours in historic communities, driving tours to quaint waterfront villages and islands, and tours by boat—all in the Heart of the Chesapeake. Tour themes range from watermen and crabbing to Harriet Tubman to historic churches. For details, go to TourDorchester.org and click on Tours. Tour guides are available to help you plan your itinerary; call 800.522.TOUR for details.

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eagleMan Ironman 70.3 triathlon

TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

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TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

By the Season

SPRiNg EVENTSSpocott Windmill Day (Apr. 21, 2012)

Beckwith Strawberry Festival (May 12, 2012)

Antique Fly-in (May 19, 2012)

All year long, historic downtown Cambridge hosts Second Saturday fun when shops and galleries stay open late with specials and free receptions. For details, visit CambridgeMain Street.com.

Antique Fly-in

sprINg hIghlIghts: Return of the osprey • Cambridge historic tours (April-October) • hiking at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge • picnics at Layton’s Chance Winery

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SUMMER EVENTSNanticoke Jamboree (June 23, 2012)

Taste of Cambridge (July 14, 2012)

Cambridge Classic Powerboat Regatta (July 28–29, 2012)

Peach Festival (Aug. 11, 2012)

Seafood Feast-i-Val (Aug. 11, 2012)

Anna Ella Carroll Day (Aug. 25, 2012)

Native American Festival (Sept. 15–16, 2012)

Summer Send-Off: Blues, Brews & BBQ (Sept. 15, 2012)

sUMMer hIghlIghts: Public sails on the skipjack Nathan of Dorchester • blooming of marsh hibiscus • local sweet corn, tomatoes, and other goodies at produce stands and farmers markets • Free tours of Horn Point Laboratory • Tuesday Evening Sailboat Races on the Choptank River

Summer Send-Off: Blues, Brews & BBQ

full events calendar at tourDorchester.org.

TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

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By the Season

FAll EVENTSChesapeake Film Festival (Sept. 21–24, 2012)

Crabtoberfest (Sept. 21–23, 2012)

Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race (Sept. 22, 2012)

Dorchester Center for the Arts Showcase (Sept. 23, 2012)

East New Market Heritage Day (Oct. 6, 2012)

Sailwinds Park East Kite Festival (Oct. 14, 2012)

Beckwith Apple Festival (Oct. 20, 2012)

Schooner Rendezvous (Oct. 20–21, 2012)

Dorchester Center for the Arts Showcase

fall hIghlIghts: local crabs at their plumpest and tastiest • fishing for rockfish and white perch • oyster fritters and oyster stew • Canada geese on the move

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WiNTER EVENTSChristmas Train garden (Dec. 1–30, 2011 and 2012)

Cambridge-Dorchester Christmas Parade (Dec. 3, 2011; Dec. 1, 2012)

Small Town Christmas (Dec. 10, 2011; Dec. 8, 2012)

Vienna luminaries and House Tours (Dec. 17, 2011; Dec. 22, 2012)

National Outdoor Show (Feb. 25–26, 2012)

Eagle Festival (March 10, 2012)

Christmas Train garden

WINter hIghlIghts: Dramatic winter sunsets • great bird-watching (snow geese, tundra swans, eagles, canvasback ducks, more) • cozying up by a fireplace

for events marking the bicentennial of the

War of 1812, visit tourDorchester.org.

TourDorchester.org 800.522.TOUR

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