Visiting Kent County

Summer breezes are calling for a maritime adventure in a magical setting. The Chesapeake Bay, Sassafras River and Chester River are enchanting waters on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Whether it’s via wind or motor, a boat can take you anywhere you want to be—including, away from it all.

Americans are aching to get outside and go experience something serene. Summer travel plans may not be typical this year, so cars—and boats!—are going to be some of the best ways to explore. Perhaps it’s time to try something new and go on a true adventure where you can make your own memories with family or friends and define your own space.

As the season changes and you look for opportunities to enjoy the beautiful spring weather, remember that outdoor adventures and sustainable eco-travel abound in Kent County, Maryland. This picturesque area of the Chesapeake Bay has plenty of room to explore without crowds. Kent County is known for its uncompromised nature, a slew of outdoor activities to enjoy it with, a love of sustainable cuisine (available for take-out and delivery if needed), environmentally friendly lodging—and it’s all paired with sweeping river and bay views.

The benefits of eating locally sourced food are well lauded, from increased flavor and freshness to reduced waste, transit pollution and fuel consumption. Islanders naturally realize these advantages as their geographical limitations demand resourcefulness of everything the environment offers.

While Kent County, Maryland, isn’t technically an island, it is nearly surrounded by water. Native tribes and early settlers thrived on its bounties from the sea and its fruitful soil. Fortunately, their traditions of self-reliance continue to prosper with residents today.

A patchwork of green, yellow and brown covers a landscape surrounded by large swaths of silvery-blue glinting like a mirror for the sun; ribbons of jade and teal weave through clusters of lush green groves; and quaint towns where life is easy and offer fountains and flower gardens by which to rest.  This is Kent County, Maryland, from a bird’s-eye view. With a landscape this inviting, it’s no wonder the area is a haven for birds, waterfowl and butterflies.

Chestertown, located in Kent County, Maryland, thrives with historical significance, lively festivals, a vibrant art and cultural scene, eclectic shops, charming inns and diverse restaurants. It’s also home to Washington College, the 10th oldest liberal arts college in the country—which is named after former President George Washington.  Since its founding in 1782, the college’s influences have continued to flow through Chestertown like the waterways that surround it.

Grab those wooden mallets because it’s time to chase down the delicate, sweet seafood flavor of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab, and in Kent County, Maryland, the supply is plentiful and the tradition of celebrating the season is lively.

Callinectes sapidus or “beautiful, savory swimmers” have shades of blue mainly on their legs and claws, and some specimens, though rare, are entirely blue. No matter the amount of blue, these crabs harvested from the Chesapeake Bay promise sweet, delicate meat.

Everyone deserves a vacation, including your pooch, and Kent County, Maryland, is the perfect place for your furry friend to wag its tail and enjoy the refreshing breeze of this waterside community. The area has plenty of pet-friendly lodging, restaurants, parks and stores for them to explore...

Founded in 1642, Kent County, Maryland, is in itself a virtual museum of American history—from Native American and colonial settlements to the development of important ports and African American progress. Venture anywhere within this charming area and you’re surrounded with reminders of its historical, maritime, agricultural and civic significance, and you won’t want to miss these 10 richly diverse museums.

When the excitement of the holidays fades, banish the wintertime blues with an outdoor adventure to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Kent County, Maryland. Just a day trip from Baltimore, Philadelphia and D.C., Eastern Neck Island has nearly 2,300 acres of natural beauty cozied between the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay.

One of the 500-plus refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, Eastern Neck Island is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Whether under the water, on the water, on land or in the sky, its efforts provide sanctuary for a myriad of life forms. With more than 240 species of birds, including bald eagles, hawks and osprey, tundra swans, Canada geese and other migratory types, it’s a veritable birding haven. Animal lovers will enjoy the diversity of amphibians and reptiles, including diamondback terrapins with their intricately decorated shells and mammals like the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, white-tailed deer, red fox, beaver, raccoon and more.

The wonderful thing about Chestertown is its living, thriving community and that its architecture celebrates the town’s vibrant evolution over the centuries. The National Register of Historic Places describes the variety of architectural styles to be seen here.

When you visit the picturesque sites in Kent County, Maryland, you’ll want to keep your camera ready for unique selfies, breath-taking sunsets and large-format landscapes.

When you say, “I do,” you want the event, like the lyrics of the everlasting love song, to be unforgettable—not only for you and your future spouse but also for your guests. One way to make it memorable is to take the ceremony somewhere extraordinary. But, go easy on your guests and leave the passports at home because Kent County, Maryland, nestled along the Chesapeake from Baltimore, is convenient and yet remote enough to offer an idyllic and stress-free destination wedding experience that will forever shine in your mind.

From theatrical performances to world-renowned musicians, you’ll find it all in Kent County. A destination for live entertainment, Kent County brings together its unique history and culture in its local theaters. Come enjoy Kent County’s thriving arts scene for yourself. Check the calendar and reserve tickets for a show, because experiencing the Arts in Kent County, Maryland is sure to make your trip to the Upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay a memorable one.

There’s a thrill when you see it—when there are so many geese sweeping down on a marsh, their calls can be deafening, and their wings eclipse the sky. The expanses of river marsh and fields that make up the bulk of Kent County are right along the Atlantic flyway, a migratory funnel that siphons 29 species of waterfowl including geese, ducks and swans by the thousands. These birds fly up to 1,600 miles from their Arctic breeding grounds to here, where they spend the relatively mild winter feeding on underwater grasses, clams, mussels and fields of corn.

It’s hot and you want to get away for a couple of days to a quiet spot not too far away, where you can play in the water with your kids without the crowds. Where do you go? Take a tip from history. Try a place that’s an hour’s drive closer to Baltimore and Annapolis than Ocean City. Instead of the Atlantic Ocean, dip your toes in the cool, fresh water of the Chesapeake Bay at one of the historic beaches in Kent County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Believe it or not, a few of the earliest recipes for ice cream comes from the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, dating back before the American Revolution. One of the most popular recipes in those days was oyster ice cream. It was sort of an oyster stew frappe.

While that sounds as improbable as it does unpalatable, many of the favorite flavors served at Kent County’s numerous ice cream parlors and restaurants are equally quirky but undeniably delicious. One ice cream flavor in particular— Bourbon and Bacon— lures one couple from New Jersey to drive down every year on their anniversary to savor its delights.  Read more..

Kent County, Maryland offers a unique and peaceful wedding destination on the Upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay sure to surprise eager brides and grooms-to-be. If you are embarking on a wedding planning adventure, take a moment to learn why a Chesapeake Bay wedding might be exactly what you want.

If you are a history lover who enjoys travel that can be infused with rich historical experiences, Kent County is your next dream destination. Nestled into a perfect spot on the Upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, this waterfront destination features remarkable highlights sure to pique the interest of any history buff. Surrounded by the preserved natural beauty of sweeping fields and stunning water views, a history buff cannot help but feel the familiar desire to explore stories of the past, and in Kent County, that desire is sure to be satisfied. Walk the tree-lined brick sidewalks of one of the oldest Mid-Atlantic ports of entry. Explore monuments and museums at your own pace, and without the rush of busy crowds. Immerse yourself in the history of Kent County.

Kent County, Maryland lies on the scenic Chesapeake Bay peninsula less than a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Annapolis and Northern Virginia. This historic town, known for quaint shops and restaurants, charming tree-lined streets and sweeping water views is home to distinguished wine and spirit purveyors.

Only two hours from Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Annapolis and Northern Virginia, serene and quiet Kent County, Maryland, occupies a scenic peninsula, where the Chester and Sassafras Rivers flow into the Chesapeake Bay. The oldest mid-Atlantic port of entry, historic Chestertown lies along the banks of the Chester River. Named among the state’s most significant arts communities by the Maryland State Arts Council, arts and entertainment abound here, as do War of 1812 sites along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. Rich with beautiful scenery and diverse activities, here are 15 things you didn’t know about Kent County...