St. Michaels, Maryland: An Historical Day Trip

Driving a short 90 minutes from Baltimore takes you to St. Michaels, Maryland. A quaint fishing and crabbing town that feels like a step back in time. It's a great place to enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history, culture and nautical lifestyle of Chesapeake Bay. Welcome to the largest estuary in the whole of the United States – a place of natural beauty.

Historic Town

St. Michaels dates back to the mid-1600s and is one of the oldest towns on the bay's eastern shore. It served as a trading post for tobacco farmers and trappers, later becoming the site of a famous British attack during the War of 1812. The townspeople learned of the impending attack, and dimmed the lights in their homes, hanging lanterns high in the trees beyond the town. This caused the British to overshoot and cause only a little damage. The single home hit, 200 Mulberry Street, became known as ’Cannonball House’.

Nautical History

One of St. Michaels's top attractions is the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. A place dedicated to preserving the seafaring traditions of the region. The museum sits above the water, with a large display of floating watercraft and an ongoing live demonstration of vessel restoration.

The museum includes a floating fleet and a working shipyard. Other interactive exhibits highlight recreational aspects of the bay, displaying what crab picking was like at one of the large seafood packing factories in town.

The museum also maintains an impressive collection of boats, including gun runner boats and boats handmade from logs. Climb the steps to the top of the Hooper Strait Lighthouse on the grounds to enjoy spectacular views of the Bay.

Activities on and off the Water

After visiting the historical displays, get some genuine nautical experience by taking a harbor tour or sailing on a historic boat. St. Michaels offers many boating opportunities, including fishing, kayaking and both sunset and moonlight cruises. The summer months feature additional festivities, including special festivals for classic boats, running and coastal sea glass.

If you're interested in other facets of the town's history, visit Christ Episcopal Church on Talbot Street. Built in 1672, the church offers a tour that includes silver baptismal and communion gifts from Queen Anne that date back to the early 1700s.

Watch a sunset, walk along Miles River, shop in some of the boutique gift shops and stay in a historic bed and breakfast inn. Accessible by water and by land, St. Michaels Harbor Inn, Marina & Spa offers a taste of everything with waterfront rooms fine dining and deluxe spa services.

Chesapeake Bay Cuisine

A visit to St. Michaels isn't complete without dining at one of the town's exceptional restaurants. From cafés on the harbor to crepe stands and bistros, St. Michaels' eateries provide many highly rated options to suit every palate. Indulge in freshly served soft-shell crabs at one of the shoreline’s eateries or sample a crab cake sandwich, a regional specialty. The Crab Claw is a local favorite that has been delighting diners since 1965.

St Michaels Museum

St Michaels Museum is a charming place to visit, located in a 19^th-century style home. It includes walking tours that highlight significant parts of history, such as abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ time in the area. There’s even an option to take the self-guided tour to explore the museum at your own leisure.

Memories of your visit to this quaint town on Chesapeake Bay will stay with you for a long time. Share photos of your day trip to St. Michaels with us on Instagram.