Talbot County Travel Guide 2021

O F F I C I A L T R AV E L G U I D E O F TA L B O T C O U N T Y, M A R Y L A N D

Escape to

CHESAPEAKE

SEAFOOD From the Bay to the Table

ALL-AMERICAN

ROAD TRIP Explore by Bike or by Car

SMOOTH

SAILING

Discover More

by Water

Guilford & Company fine jewelry • antique & estate w w w.guilfordandcompany.com

101 North Talbot Street, St Michaels, MD • 410-745-5544

The Hamptons of the Chesapeake Bay

Your Fairytale Wedding DISTINCTIVE ESTATE RENTALS

Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism 11 South Harrison Street Easton, Maryland 21601 410-770-8000, fax 410-770-8057 TourTalbot.org Talbot County Council Chuck F. Callahan Frank Divilio Pete Lesher Corey W. Pack Laura E. Price County Manager Clay B. Stamp Director of Economic Development and Tourism Cassandra M. Vanhooser Administrative Assistant Candace L. Harris

443-786-7220

Assistant Tourism Coordinator Marilou Russ Contributing Writers Jeff Holland, Mark Mobley, Andrea Poe Lead Photographer Mark Sandlin Cartographer Mark Cohoon

TidewaterVacations.com

TidewaterWedding.com

sI land Vibes Await You

On the Cover The Crab Claw Restaurant in St. Michaels, Md. Photo by Mark Sandlin

produced and published by

CHESAPEAKE BAY MEDIA, LLC 601 Sixth Street Annapolis, Maryland 21403 410-263-2662 www.ChesapeakeBayMedia.com Chief Executive Officer John Martino

foxysharborgrille.com

410.745.4340

Chief Operating Officer & Publisher John Stefancik Executive Vice President Tara Davis Creative Director Jill BeVier Allen

Waterfront Dining Event Spaces Fresh Cocktails Craft Beer Live Music

2 Talbot County Travel Guide

Production Manager Patrick Loughrey Graphic Designer Tiffany Bowen The 2021 Talbot County Travel Guide is provided as a service by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

Every effort has been made to make this publication as accurate as possible. The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism assumes no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions, if any, contained herein.

2021 Talbot County Travel Guide © 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

THE AVALON

100 YEARS

THEATRE

of music, performances, events, and smiles. Here's to 100 more.

The Avalon's Stoltz Pavilion

The Avalon Theatre

This is the work of the

The Stoltz Listening Room

410-822-7299 boxoffice@avalonfoundation.org avalonfoundation.org

July 11-18, 2021

Call for 2022 dates.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 3

wylderhotels.com

WATERFRONT DINING · LODGING · WEDDINGS · RETREATS WATERFRONT DINING · LODGING · WEDDINGS · RETREATS

THE THE TILGHMAN TILGHMAN ISLAND ISLAND INN INN TIL GH MAN ISL AN DI N N. COM TIL GH MAN ISL AN DI N N. COM

4 Talbot County Travel Guide

Immerse yourself in Immerse yourself in complete relaxation complete relaxation at a getaway that's at a getaway that's just a drive away. just a drive away.

THE TILGHMAN ISLAND INN THE TILGHMAN ISLAND INN 21384 COOPERTOWN ROAD 21384 COOPERTOWN ROAD TILGHMAN ISLAND, MD 21671 TILGHMAN ISLAND, MD 21671 INFO@TILGHMANISLANDINN.COM INFO@TILGHMANISLANDINN.COM (410) 886-1170 (410) 886-1170

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

Contents 6

16

ALL-AMERICAN

TALBOT COUNTY’S

34

38

CELEBRATE

SMOOTH SAILING

ROAD TRIP

BLACK HISTORY

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

TERRIFIC SEAFOOD

EXPLORING BY WATER

24

21 WAYS

TO MAKE MEMORIES

44

HOW TO GET TO TALBOT COUNTY

Talbot County Travel Guide 5

ALL-AMERICAN

ROAD TRIP O

ne of America’s most beautiful stretches of road weaves through the heart of Talbot County.

The Chesapeake Country All-American Road, a 400-mile scenic byway that ambles through the Eastern Shore, showcases Talbot County’s miles of tidal shoreline, verdant fields and forests, and vibrant small towns. The spine of the byway follows U.S. Route 50 through much of the county, but sidetracks will take you to right to the water’s edge for spectacular Chesapeake views.

Bring your bike, too, since cycling is one of the most peaceful ways to explore this uniquely beautiful area. Pick up a copy of the Talbot County Bike Trails Map —or download it at TourTalbot.org — for routes that lead you to points of interest, from historic sites to waterfront vistas.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the road!

6 Talbot County Travel Guide

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 7

} Easton Farmers Market

WYE MILLS START

Start your journey in WYE MILLS , a small village anchored by the Old Wye Mill, a water-powered grist mill that still grinds flour the way it did in the late 17th century. Kids will love the hands-on activities, while adults will want to bring home a few bags of wheat flour, cornmeal, or buckwheat.

Drive through the quaint town to admire historic homes, large shade trees, and the Old Wye Church, a 1717 clapboard beauty topped with a bell tower. You’ll also find the diminutive Wye Oak State Park, a delightful spot to explore and picnic.

At the time it was felled during a thunderstorm on June 6, 2002, the namesake Wye Oak was the country’s largest white oak and was believed to be more than 400 years old.

A cloned sapling was planted in its trunk on June 6, 2006.

Continue a few miles to EASTON , the sophisticated center of Talbot County. You’ll be captivated by the diversity of historic homes lining the entrance into town, ranging from stately Federal-era mansions to colorful Victorians to charming Sears cottages.

Downtown Easton is in the midst of a renaissance. Check out the Prager Building, a former 19th century hotel that is home to some of Easton’s finest restaurants, a wine shop, and a cheerful juice bar. Directly across the street you’ll find the Talbot County Courthouse, which looks very much as it did when it was built in 1794.

8 Talbot County Travel Guide

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

Pause to explore the leafy grounds where you’ll find a spectacular bronze statue of Frederick Douglass, a Talbot County native who was born enslaved and returned a free man to share a message of hope and human rights.

Throughout town you’ll discover boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and a distinctive artsy vibe. At the Academy Art Museum, a small gem that focuses on American and European masters, visitors have a chance to do something rare — get up close to extraordinary works by artists like Rembrandt, in a private setting without crowds.

As for live music, there are few better venues than the Avalon Theatre, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022 and ringing in our own era’s Roaring 20s. You can catch top-tier acts inside the restored art deco theater and check out emerging artists in the Stoltz Listening Room, an atmospheric lounge, and in a soaring outdoor pavilion.

} Talbot County Courthouse, Easton

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Easton makes a perfect base for exploring Talbot County.

Accommodations include charming historic inns, family-friendly hotels with pools, and a stately hotel at the center of town that’s been welcoming guests since the 1940s.

EASTON

Talbot County Travel Guide 9 } Downtown Easton

ST. MICHAELS

You’re likely to spot wild turkey and white-tailed deer dashing from forest to fields as you travel U.S. Route 33 to reach ST. MICHAELS, just 10 miles away. You will also catch a dazzling glimpse of the Miles River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, as you cross over the Oak Creek Bridge at Newcomb.

St. Michaels earned American glory when it thwarted an attack by the British Army during the War of 1812. Today you’re more likely to find yachts and powerboats than battleships, but the harbor itself remains virtually unchanged.

This lively waterfront town has colorful historic buildings and dozens of locally owned shops and galleries.

The town’s many food options range from classic crab decks to fine dining restaurants and everything in between. This is an ideal place to set off on the water by booking a boat ride or renting a kayak or paddleboard. You can also walk or cycle the paved St. Michaels Nature Trail, a rail-trail that features such charming highlights as a covered bridge.

At the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, an 18-acre waterfront campus details the cultural and environmental history of the Chesapeake Bay region. Here you can visit a working boatyard and climb to the top of a retired and relocated lighthouse to see what life was like for the brave keepers who once lived here.

St. Michaels has dozens of choices for visitors who want to stay overnight, including short-term rentals, historic inns, marina-front rooms, and a world-renowned resort complete with golf, tennis, and a spa.

10 Talbot County Travel Guide

} Shore Pedal & Paddle, St. Michaels

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

} Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels

} St. Michaels Harbor

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 11

WATERFOWL WATERFOWL WATERFOWL WATERFOWL $20$20$20

Proceeds from the Festival support waterfowl and wildlife conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region.

WATERFOWLFESTIVAL.ORG | 410.822.4567 TICKETSTICKETS TICKETS

Tickets, event schedule and MORE at WaterfowlFestival.org!

NOVEMBER 12–14, 2021 NOVEMBER 12–14, NOVEMBER 12–14, 2021 2021 TICKETS NOVEMBER 11–13, 2022 NOVEMBER 11–13, 12–14, 2021 2022 FOR ALL$ NOVEMBER 11–13, 2022 FOR ALL FOR ALL 20 THREE DAYS THREE DAYS THREE DAYS NOVEMBER 11–13,®2022 FOR ALL ® ®

FESTIVAL FESTIVAL FESTIVAL FESTIVAL

Kick-off the holiday shopping season at the Chesapeake Marketplace. You’ll find gifts and stocking stuffers for everyone on your list—the art lover, the hunter, the fisherman and the gourmet!

®

THREE DAYS

Find our app at the iTunes and Android store

The best callers travel to Easton from all over the world to compete in these “Super Bowl” contests.

in Historic Easton, Maryland in Historic Easton, Maryland in Historic Easton, Maryland in Historic Easton, Maryland

Take the whole family to experience the Kid’s Fishing Derby, Retriever and Fly Fishing Demos. Watch in awe as the Birds of Prey take to the skies!

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Tempt your palate and wet your whistle as you experience all the craft brews, wines and delicacies of the Eastern Shore.

TASTE THE CHESAPEAKE!

Experience the nation’s best wildlife painters, sculptors, carvers and photographers exhibiting in numerous downtown pavilions and galleries.

WILDLIFE ART SHOW

WORLD WATERFOWL CALLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Browse the best in sporting gear and experiences and try out a waterfowl call at the Sportsman’s Pavilion—perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Buy Sell Swap Exhibit features decoys, Americana folk art and hunting memorabilia; the Harry M. Walsh Waterfowl Artifacts exhibit is a mini-museum tracing the unique history of waterfowling.

EASTERN SHORE SPORTING AND HUNTING TRADITIONS

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING

WILDLIFE ART WILDLIFE SHOW ART SHOW WILDLIFE ART SHOW

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WORLD WORLD

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in Historic Easton, Maryland

FESTIVAL

best callers travel to world to The compete in these world to in compete world to compete these in these Easton from all over the “Super Bowl” contests.

“Super Bowl” contests.

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®

NOVEMBER 12–14, 2021 NOVEMBER 11–13, 2022

iTunes and iTunes Android store iTunes and Android store and Android store Find our app at the iTunes and Android store

FOR ALL THREE DAYS

$20

Tickets, eventTickets, schedule and schedule MORE at and WaterfowlFestival.org! event MORE at WaterfowlFestival.org!

Tickets, event schedule and MORE at WaterfowlFestival.org!

WATERFOWL

TICKETS

Proceeds from the Festival support waterfowl and| wildlife conservation efforts inefforts the Chesapeake Proceeds from| the Festival support waterfowl andconservation wildlife conservation in Bay the region.

Chesapeake Bay regio Proceeds from the Festival support waterfowl and in efforts the Chesapeake Bay region.

ERFOWLFESTIVAL.ORG 410.822.4567 WATERFOWLFESTIVAL.ORG 410.822.4567 WATERFOWLFESTIVAL.ORG | 410.822.4567 Tickets, event schedule andwildlife MORE at WaterfowlFestival.org!

Proceeds from the Festival support waterfowl and wildlife conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region.

WATERFOWLFESTIVAL.ORG | 410.822.4567

12 Talbot County Travel Guide 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

TILGHMAN ISLAND Drive on about 13 miles to TILGHMAN ISLAND , an authentic waterman’s village that’s truly a world apart. Separated from the mainland by a drawbridge, the island is less than 3 square miles and is flanked by the Chesapeake Bay and the Choptank River.

Many residents still crab, fish, and oyster for a living the way generations have before them. The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum celebrates the contributions of the working watermen and offers insight into the island’s maritime identity.

} Great Blue Heron

} Knapps Narrows Drawbridge, Tilghman Island TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

The best way to soak up the serenity of this unique place is to stay in a waterfront room at one of the island’s relaxing inns. You can also plan a fishing excursion and dine on the freshest seafood in both upscale eateries and casual crab shacks.

Heading back out of town you will pass historic farmhouses and stands of old growth trees, where you may spot a fleet-footed fox darting across a field. Instead of heading back to Easton, turn onto Route 329, still part of the scenic byway. It's a shaded country lane that wends its way to a crossroads called ROYAL OAK . You’ll want to check out an antique shop that’s bursting with affordable treasures from clocks to garden urns.

Talbot County Travel Guide 13

Continue 3 miles along a quiet country road where bald eagles perch high in loblolly pines until you reach the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, the oldest privately owned ferry in the United States. This is the most atmospheric way to get to your next destination, the town of OXFORD . Cars are permitted on the small ferry, which crosses the Tred Avon River, a beautiful stretch of water where you have a good chance of seeing osprey swooping for fish.

OXFORD

} Morris Street, Oxford

Within minutes you will land in the heart of Oxford.

This picturesque place with brick sidewalks, white picket fences, and exquisitely preserved historic homes also has a lively town dock and working marina. In the tiny downtown, the Oxford Museum chronicles life in the 18th and 19th centuries. There’s also a popular general store and a beloved bookshop specializing in mysteries.

As for restaurants, this town is a foodie magnet, known for waterfront eateries and chef-driven culinary experiences that attract a celebrity clientele, from politicians to hip hop artists. You can stay overnight in waterfront cabins, private short-term rentals, and historic inns, one of which George Washington patronized with a fellow signer of the Constitution.

14 Talbot County Travel Guide

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

TRAPPE END

Conclude your road trip by taking Route 333, a peaceful two-lane road that weaves through gentle countryside, until you reach Easton and connect with Route 50. Follow this highway an easy 8 miles to TRAPPE , nestled at the southernmost tip of Talbot County.

Trappe is a small town with a big heart. Excellent restaurants (one housed in a historic bank) anchor the historic main street, where you can see the childhood home of Baseball Hall of Famer Frank “Home Run” Baker.

This is a fine place to do some outdoor exploration.

Country roads that spoke from town are prime cycling turf and the Bill Burton Fishing Pier south of town on the Choptank River is where you can join local anglers in pursuit of the Chesapeake Bay region’s famous catch.

} Log Canoe Races, Tred Avon River

Antiques on

Talbot W h e r e t h e P a st M eet s t he P r es ent Nautical / Decoys Oyster Plates / Cans Jewelry / Sterling Furnishings Home Décor Americana

211 N. Talbot St

St Michaels, MD 21663 410-745-5208

AntiquesOnTalbot.com TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 15

TALBOT COUNTY’S TRIFECTA OF

TERRIFIC SEAFOOD With more than 600 miles of shoreline, there’s no doubt you can count on fresh-from-the-bay seafood in Talbot County. The Chesapeake Bay’s holy trinity — crabs, rockfish and oysters — reign supreme here.

Dishes featuring these delicacies can be found on every menu, from our down-home crab shacks to our fanciest bistros.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 17

BED & BREAKFAST & WEDDINGS & CRAB FEASTS & LONG WEEKENDS & SO MUCH MORE

BLUE CRAB Crab is king along the Chesapeake Bay, and Talbot County is the heart of crab country. Few can resist the sweet, delicate meat that’s produced only by blue crabs. Why blue? They’re so named because Bay crabs have a blueish tint when pulled from the water. They take on a red hue when cooked.

410-822-0605 hummingbirdinneaston.com

Half the fun is cracking open crabs with a wooden mallet and maneuvering a sharp knife to release their meat. From April to October, you can buy bushels of crab at seafood markets or you can order them by the dozen at restaurants, where they will generally be doused with a good coating of Old Bay Seasoning.

Crab also shows up in soups, salads, and crab cakes — even cheese dip.

ROCKFISH Referred to elsewhere as striped bass, rockfish is a year-round treat in Talbot County. The Chesapeake Bay happens to be the spawning ground for up to 90 percent of these fish, making the area’s waterways prime trolling territory.

kilnborncreations.com

18 Talbot County Travel Guide

This large, iridescent fish is distinguished by its thick run of black stripes.

Since rockfish has a mild flavor and a firm bite, it’s often served simply grilled with a wedge of lemon. However, it’s not uncommon to see rockfish paired with another of the Bay’s bounty, topped with lump crabmeat or stuffed with creamy crab imperial.

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

AGED BALSAMIC REDUCTIONS INFUSED EVOO EVOO FROM AROUND THE WORLD HONEY • MAPLE SYRUP OLIVES • BITTERS • SALTS CHOCOLATES • JAMS • CURD

Crushing it for 9 Years

olivins.com

OYSTERS Forget what you’ve heard about enjoying oysters only during months with the letter R in them. Thanks to modern oyster farming techniques, these bivalves are available all year long. Generations of oystermen have tonged for them in the brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The tradition continues today as local watermen harvest the uniquely sweet and plump oysters in Talbot County’s waterways.

The best way to savor the flavor is to order them shucked and served straight up.

However, in Talbot County you’ll have a chance to sample them many ways — in a creamy Eastern Shore stew, tucked inside savory pot pies, broiled with bacon and spinach Rockefeller style, fried and dipped in cocktail sauce. Local chefs like to create novel combinations, so keep your eyes peeled for unique presentations like roasted oysters with a dollop of Pernod-fennel cream.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 19

Fried Oysters

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes INGRED IENTS 1 pt. oysters, shucked 1 c. corn flour (not cornmeal) 1 c. pastry flour* 1 Tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning Vegetable Oil for Frying METHO D OF PREPAR ATION Combine dry ingredients and sift twice to insure equal distribution. Dredge shucked oysters in dry ingredients and shake off excess. Heat oil to 325 degrees in a cast iron skillet or other heavy bottomed frying pan. Place oysters in oil and fry to golden brown, turning once. Serve hot. *May substitute either a scant c. of all-purpose flour with 2 Tbsp. cornstarch added to fill the cup measure, or ½ c. each of cake flour and all-purpose flour combined.

Cook’s Notes: The secret to successful frying is to preheat the oil to the proper temperature using a thermometer, fry in small batches, and let the oil recover to the proper temperature between batches. Don’t fiddle with the oysters while they are cooking. Let them cook on one side, then turn to finish.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Stephen Mangasarian, Banning’s Tavern in Easton, Maryland.

INGREDIE NTS 1 lb. jumbo lump crab meat 1/3 c. mayonnaise 11/2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning 21/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1/2 tsp. chopped tarragon 1 Tbsp. chopped Italian parsley 1 tsp. lemon juice Zest from half a lemon 1 egg 1/8 c. + 2 Tbsp. panko bread crumbs ¼ c. panko breadcrumbs to dip finished crab cakes METHOD OF PREPARATION Mix together mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay Seasoning, tarragon, parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg. Fold in crab meat and bread crumbs and let rest for 1 hour before shaping into four equal cakes. Dip shaped crab cake in panko bread crumbs on both sides. Sauté in olive oil and finish in a preheated oven 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes. Serves 4.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Mark Salter, The Robert Morris Inn in Oxford, Maryland.

20 Talbot County Travel Guide

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

MORE BOUNTY FROM THE BAY Try some of these lesser-known treasures from our waterways.

BLACK DRUM Available spring through autumn, this fish has a flaky, mild flesh.

CROAKER This fish is caught mostly by amateur anglers and is so named because it makes a croaking noise.

FLOUNDER A master of disguise, this flat fish buries itself on the bottom of the Bay and changes color to blend in. It’s often served sautéed to make the best of its mild, sweet flavor.

SEA TROUT A favorite among chefs throughout the Mid-Atlantic, these tasty fish visit the Chesapeake from spring through fall. } Doc’s Sunset Grille, Oxford

FOODIE DESTINATION Talbot County is acclaimed for its extraordinary restaurants, which run the gamut from waterfront dining to handsome inns and casual pubs to tasty food trucks. You’re sure to find exactly what you’re hoping for no matter your mood. You can also take home a taste of the Chesapeake Bay’s finest, thanks to the many seafood markets that serve local catch and, in season, bushels of blue crab.

SKATE Closely related to rays and sharks, this fish has cartilage instead of bones. Skate wing is often sautéed in brown butter and served at fine dining restaurants.

Named one of the Best Small Towns in America, Easton, Maryland is called home by over 16,000 people, and visited by many more throughout the year. The commercial hub of the Mid-Shore, Easton is known for its vibrant culinary and arts communities and its historic downtown.

LEARN MORE VISIT DISCOVEREASTON.COM

22 Talbot County Travel Guide

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The Trippe Gallery

Paintings Sculpture Photography

23 N Harrison St~Easton 410-310-8727 thetrippegallery.com

Long & Foster. For the love of home™.

The No. 1 Real Estate Ag gency from the Bay to o the Beach

Long & Foster Eastern Shore Find us at www.LongandFosterEasternShore.com

St. Michaels Sales Office 109 S Talbot St Easton, MD 410-7 745-0 0283

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Easton Sales Office 28380 St. Michaels Rd Easton, MD 410-7 770-3 3600

Cambridg ge Sales Office 507 Courtt Lane Cambridg ge, MD 410-2 221-8 8000

Den nton Sales Office 24131 Shore Highway Den nton, MD 41 -4 479-1 1200

Talbot County Travel Guide 23

21

} Honeymoon Bridge, St. Michaels

21 WAYS

to make memories Got a week, weekend, or just a day?

Talbot County is filled with sweet surprises

Modern travel continues to change, but the abundant charms and unparalleled hospitality of Talbot County remain the same. This is a vibrant place where you can relax, recharge and refresh along the Chesapeake Bay. Whether you arrive by car, boat or plane, you’ll find lots to do, see, hear, and taste while you’re here.

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EMBRACE ROMANCE Stroll our streets hand in hand, book a couple’s massage, take a champagne cruise, and dine on the waterfront. If it’s time to make things official, Talbot County is a premiere wedding destination — Wedding Crashers was filmed here!

SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM Sample a tasty frozen treat at one of our irresistible ice cream parlors. In Oxford, you’ll find Scottish Highland Creamery, which rotates 600 homemade flavors. In Easton, Storm & Daughters Ice Cream is a family favorite, while Bonheur Ice Cream & Pie is an elegant European-style parlor that creates rich ice cream with an egg custard base. When in downtown St. Michaels, make a stop in Justine’s Ice Cream Parlour or JoJo’s Cupcakes & Cream, both within easy walking distance of the waterfront.

CATCH A CONCERT Take in top-tier talent at Easton's Avalon Theatre, which is celebrating its centennial in 2022. Our pubs, restaurants and waterfront decks also offer live music. And when events resume again, don’t miss the

} Scottish Highland Creamery, Oxford

Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival in June and the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival, where you can listen to performances by some of the finest musicians in their fields. Check the QR code for updates.

4

SOAK IN HISTORY

Talbot County is teeming with history, marking America’s march though time from indigenous settlements to modern industrialization.

Each town has its own historical museum that details life as it has been lived for centuries. You can take self-guided walking or driving tours that capture the highlights. Check out the QR code to see our maps.

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CATCH THE FERRY

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GEAR HEADS UNITE!

7

BACK TO NATURE

8

BOTTOMS UP

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HIT THE LINKS

Travel back in time on the nation’s oldest privately operated ferry. The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry was officially established in 1683, and over the years has been powered by sail, sculling, rowing, steam, and the modern diesel engine. It operates from mid-April until mid- to late October, and is the perfect way to see the scenic Tred Avon River.

Check out classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and farm equipment at the Classic Motor Museum of St. Michaels.

This campus with three handsome buildings showcases a rotating roster of vintage vehicles, many dating from before World War II. In Easton, you can visit a wooded 70-acre campus belonging to the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Engine Association, which displays vintage agricultural and industrial equipment.

From bald eagles to white-tailed deer, and the Delmarva fox squirrel to nesting osprey, Talbot County has abundant wildlife. You can hike trails at the 400-acre Pickering Creek Audubon Center, or visit the 25-acre waterfront park at the Bill Burton Fishing Pier in Trappe for an up-close look.

Tipple in a trio of tasting rooms—Eastern Shore Brewery, St. Michaels Winery, and Windon Distilling —all located on the same block in St. Michaels. You can also see how the magic is made with tours of their facilities. At the Triple Creek Winery in Cordova, enjoy a tasting of local wines, buy bottles to take home, and attend fun events like a balloon festival at the pretty vineyard.

Your swing’s the thing at a pair of excellent golf courses that deliver challenging holes and gorgeous scenery. Hog Neck is a public course on 255 rolling acres in Easton. Links at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels is a Pete Dye-designed course with waterfront vistas and a clubhouse featuring state-ofthe-art simulators. } Triple Creek Winery, Cordova

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} Oxford-Bellevue Ferry

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ART DIVE Appreciate art in one of our many galleries and at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, where the permanent collection includes American and European masters. Art studios around the county are open to the public, giving you a chance to meet the artists.

And Talbot County hosts two of the country’s leading art events, the Plein Air Easton Competition and Arts Festival in July and the Waterfowl Festival in November.

} Plein Air Festival, Easton

JEFF SWENSEN

11

BOOK A BOAT Experience the majesty of our waterways. Book a ride aboard a boat in Oxford, St. Michaels or Tilghman Island for scenic sails, narrated cruises or educational excursions on skipjacks and other traditional vessels.

} Sail Selina II

12

FOOD BEYOND SEAFOOD Our reputation for exceptional eats extends well beyond seafood. Talbot County is a foodie favorite thanks to its incredible variety — from innovative chef-driven menus to comforting down-home dishes, including award-winning BBQ. There’s also a thriving roster of restaurants offering tasty global cuisine.

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13

PADDLER’S PARADISE

14

SAY AAAAHH TO THE SPA

15

Paddle our beautiful waterways in a kayak, in a canoe, or atop a paddleboard.

There are plenty of places to launch, so bring your own or rent one while you’re here — both Easton and St. Michaels have well-stocked shops. You’ll love soaking in the serene scenery of our gentle waters.

Book a facial, massage, body scrub, acupuncture, or other treatment in one of our pretty day spas, salons or, full-service spas, like Linden Spa at the Inn at Perry Cabin, which has a steam room and pool.

GET BUZZED Fuel up with a fresh brew!

Organic fair trade, small batch coffee is roasted right in Easton behind Rise Up Coffee Roaster’s laid-back cafe. You can also hit their drive-thru kiosk in St. Michaels. And should you fear jonesing for this delicious coffee when you get home, grab a bag or two of beans to go.

16

CYCLE BACKROADS Bring your bike or rent one in Easton or St. Michaels to immerse yourself in the charms of Talbot County. Country lanes weave through the pristine landscape — a perfect backdrop for cycling. Themed biking trails will lead you to natural, cultural, and historical highlights of the area.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 29

Discover the restful escapism you’ve been seeking at The Wildset

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17

DIG INTO DECOR AND DESIGN

You’ll discover inspiration for your home in our many design and decor shops, which run the gamut from chic modern to authentic antiques and everything in between. Prowl our stores and talk to our top-tier designers about your upcoming projects.

19

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BY THE DOCK OF THE BAY

At the expansive Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, you can see a floating fleet of vintage Bay watercraft and shipwrights using traditional methods to build and restore wooden boats.

The Apprentice for a Day program teaches guests about such topics as boater’s safety and engine maintenance.

GO FISH Cast a line for rockfish, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, sea trout, and more in Talbot County’s waterways.

The Talbot County Department of Parks and Recreation operates 29 public landings. And you can hire a charter boat captain to explore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 31

There’s something for everyone!

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Exhibitions Art Classes Lectures Children’s Programs Special Events

21

SAVVY SHOPPING Browse locally owned, beautifully stocked boutiques in our small towns and villages. Whether you’re looking for jewelry or jackets, handbags or hat racks, there’s a shop for you. Looking for a particular nautical book or maybe a mystery? A toy to take home? You’ll find them all in Talbot County.

ATTEND AN EVENT

Plan to party! Talbot County loves a great get-together and events abound in a typical year. COVID-19 has restricted many of the area’s annual events, but people here are resilient. Once it’s safe again, you can count on celebrations roaring back better than ever.

106 South Street Easton, MD 21601 410-822-2787

academyartmuseum.org

TILGHMAN ISLAND COUNTRY STORE Your one-stop shop for fresh-baked goods, local art, carry-out foods, beer, wine, liquor & groceries

5949 TILGHMAN ISLAND RD TILGHMAN ISLAND, MD 410.886.2777

32 Talbot County Travel Guide

} Waterfowl Festival, Easton

410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

Chesapeake Nocturne, oil by William Storck

T he Fine st of Fine Ar t } Talbot Street, St. Michaels

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

9 S out h Har r is on St re et, E aston 410-770-9190 troikagallery.com

Talbot County Travel Guide 33

CELEBRATE

BLACK HISTORY YEAR ROUND

Talbot County is one of the best places in the United States to take a deep dive into African American history. It’s the birthplace of Frederick Douglass and also the site of The Hill Community in Easton, one of the oldest free African American neighborhoods in the United States.

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THE JOY OF JUNETEENTH Juneteenth is a June 19th emancipation commemoration that began in Texas in 1866.

In 2011, the Academy Art Museum and the Frederick Douglass Honor Society partnered to create Easton’s first Juneteenth celebration, a tradition that continues today.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

} Frederick Douglass Statue, Easton

Talbot County Travel Guide 35

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS Famed orator, author, statesman, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Talbot County in 1818 and jailed in Easton after a failed escape attempt.

Today you can visit the Talbot County Courthouse grounds, where a bronze statue of Douglass stands. He gave a speech there when he came back as a free man and national hero.

The recently dedicated Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe, located a few miles from his birthplace, encompasses 107 acres of pristine land that looks very much the way it would have when Douglass was young. Visit FrederickDouglassBirthplace.org to access four driving tours that trace his path from early childhood through young adulthood to his fight for freedom and triumphant return.

FREEDOM ON THE HILL Nestled in the heart of historic Easton, The Hill Community dates back to 1788. The exact reason this neighborhood is called The Hill has been lost to the mists of time, though it’s thought to be a reference to its elevated position, be it terrestrial, spiritual, or perhaps both.

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} The Hill Community, Easton

An archeological excavation of The Hill Community that began in 2012 has unearthed artifacts such as cooking utensils, toys, and coins that have helped flesh out what life was like for those who lived here through the centuries. You can view the home of a Buffalo Soldier who fought for the Union during the Civil War. Interpretative panels detail highlights throughout The Hill, and you can explore the neighborhood by accessing a comprehensive walking tour, which is available at TheHillCommunityProject.org.

WHERE ART AND CULTURE MEET Opened in 2021, the Water’s Edge Museum celebrates the founding Black families of America through artwork. The gallery includes representations of daily life and family gatherings, as well as work in agriculture and maritime activities. Located within The Oxford Think Tank, the fully accessible museum has free admission.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

THE TOWN FOR UNION SOLDIERS Visit Unionville, which is part of the Civil War Trails system.

The village was founded by free Blacks and ex-slaves after a wealthy Quaker carved up his plantation, allowing Union Army veterans to establish a community. Eighteen Black soldiers who served in the Union Army are buried here in a small cemetery. This tight-knit community of about 50 homes is nestled along a country lane less than five miles from Easton. Many of today’s homeowners are descendants of the original landowners.

Talbot County Travel Guide 37

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SMOOTH SAILING HOW TO TRAVEL TALBOT COUNTY’S WATERWAYS

C

enturies ago, native people carved canoes from poplar logs and used them to cross the rivers of what would become Talbot County, rivers emptying into the brackish estuaries that weave among tendrils of field and forest into the Chesapeake Bay. To this day, Talbot County is far more easily navigable by water than by road — its hidden gems accessible whether you’re paddling a kayak, powering a cruiser, or exploring under sail.

Modern-day watermen and women ply these waters with their powered workboats and the few remaining skipjacks, harvesting the bounty of the Bay to be sampled fresh at local restaurants.

Now that recreational sailboats and powerboats with fiberglass hulls have come to outnumber wooden workboats, and roto-molded plastic kayaks have replaced dugout canoes, Talbot County’s waterways have opened up to nautical adventurers of all sorts.

The rivers and creeks here are remarkable for their pristine beauty and tranquility. This is where you go to get away. Where you get to ogle magnificent waterfront estates, some dating back to colonial times. Where you get to spot eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and the thousands of migrating winter waterfowl: Canada geese, snow geese, tundra swans, and myriad diving ducks.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 39

DINE

DOCK

DR EA M

DISCOV ER

Step back in time and experience the tranquil small town village drenched in history, and home to the oldest privately owned ferry in the United States. Walk or pedal our tree-lined streets, visit the shops and museums, enjoy restaurants and discover the best homemade ice cream.

more than a ferry tale.

PORTOFOXFORD.COM 40 TourTalbot.org Talbot County Travel | 410-770-8000 Guide

410-770-8000 Talbot County | TourTalbot.org Travel Guide

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BY POWER AND BY SAIL For cruising sailors and powerboaters, St. Michaels has long been considered the premier destination on the Chesapeake Bay. Its historic charm, its walkability, the delightful array of choices for dockage and dockside dining, and its proximity to Annapolis and Baltimore make it a must for any summer itinerary.

Docking at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum brings the added grace of hanging out among traditional watercraft in the shadow of the Hoopers Island screw-pile lighthouse, with the aroma of crabs steamed in Old Bay in the breeze. It is the essential Chesapeake experience.

Oxford runs a close second, a bit more compact with its one tree-lined main street rolling down the narrow peninsula between the Tred Avon River and Town Creek, but it is just as charming. It’s well blessed with marinas and an inviting variety of dining opportunities.

Knapps Narrows at Tilghman Island is yet another popular stop-in spot, and home port for many of the county’s working watermen and women. There are several marinas, inns, and waterfront restaurants, plus a number of places on the island worth taking the time to visit. At Dogwood Harbor on Harris Creek, you’ll find a collection of some of the last working skipjacks afloat, including the Rebecca T. Ruark.

One of the few traditional vessels listed as a national historic landmark, this skipjack was built in 1886 on nearby Taylor's Island and has been dredging for oysters nearly every season since. Captain Wade H. Murphy bought her in 1986 and offers sailing excursions when conditions allow.

Knapps Narrows also provides a convenient shortcut between the open Bay and the Choptank River. Just outside of the narrows on the Bay side, you’ll see Poplar Island, an ongoing project by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland Port Administration designed to restore one of the Chesapeake’s many disappearing islands.

This one covered 1,100 acres on the hydrographic chart of 1847, but erosion caused by storms, climate change, and sea-level rise shrank it to 5 acres of soggy marsh by 1993.4

INSIDER’S TIP Old salts will tell you to keep a weather eye out on the western horizon, the direction from where most of the summer storms come charging across the Bay. Free smartphone apps can provide up-tothe-minute radar scans, providing plenty of time to duck into one of Talbot County’s many protected anchorages before the first gust of wind can blow your ball cap overboard.

} Oxford TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 41

Since then, engineers have outlined the 1847 margins of the island with a high wall of riprap, and they’re filling it in with silt and sand dredged from the ship channel between the Bay Bridge and the entrance to Baltimore Harbor.

SECRET HIDEAWAYS The real allure of Talbot County waterways, however, lies not in the populated villages, but in the isolated anchorages, which abound in the rivers and creeks.

Head up Eastern Bay and there, tucked behind Bennet Point, you’ll find the idyllic Wye East River, which forms the county’s northern border. Just inside the mouth, the river opens up onto the protected Shaw Bay, where local musicians hold a floating concert on the first Saturday after Labor Day every year to benefit the Eastern Shore riverkeepers.

Heading down Eastern Bay, there’s Tilghman Creek just inside Rich Neck at the mouth of the Miles River.

Before you get to St. Michaels, you can duck into Long Haul Creek on one side of the river or Leeds Creek on the other. Hunting Creek is just upriver from there. In these placid spots, you’ll find protected anchorages surrounded by fields and forests and shorelines dotted with graceful waterfront estates.

} Easton Point

Sail around Black Walnut Point at the southern tip of Tilghman Island and into the Choptank River to discover even more hidden gems like Harris Creek, Broad Creek, and the Tred Avon River. Head up the wide mouth of Broad Creek, graced with a multitude of quiet anchorages, like the one in Balls Creek near the tiny waterman’s village of Neavitt, and Leadenham Creek, where you’ll find the charmingly named Baby Owl Cove. Further up Broad Creek, you’ll run into San Domingo Creek, where you can visit St. Michaels through its “backdoor.”

POWERED BY PEOPLE While Talbot County’s waterways are wonderful for powerboats and sailboats, they provide even more opportunities for exploration with people-powered canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Smaller watercraft can roam freely along the miles of Talbot County’s shoreline, in shallow water and marshes where larger boats are limited by the depths of their keels.

There are dozens of put-in sites where you can launch your car-top boat, and Talbot County presents some of the best in their St. Michaels and Tilghman Island 42 Talbot County Travel Guide

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} Knapps Narrows, Tilghman Island

water trails maps. These trails provide excursions ranging from quick loops in protected coves to longer cruises along the open Bay shoreline. Pick one that fits your time frame and go exploring, whether you’re an experienced paddler or still trying to figure out which pointy end goes first.

Printed on glossy waterproof paper, the maps are available both online and at the Talbot County Visitors Center in Easton. Each trail includes driving directions to the launch site, the distance covered, and the suggested time allocation, along with cautions about the tidal currents, wind, weather, and the boat traffic conditions you can expect to encounter.

A separate water trail guide, this one published by the National Park Service’s Chesapeake Gateways and Waterways Program, shows how to access Tuckahoe Creek on Talbot County’s eastern border. Section 5 of the Choptank and Tuckahoe Rivers Water Trails Map Guide covers the Tuckahoe from Hillsboro Landing to Covey’s Landing.

The water trail maps are an excellent source of other information you can use to plan your explorations of Talbot County’s rivers, creeks, and Chesapeake Bay shoreline, time and again.

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

SMALL CRAFT SAFETY No matter how experienced you are in a small boat, it’s vital that you wear a properly fitting personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. Invest in a lightweight inflatable PFD that’s comfortable to wear however hot it might get.

Never paddle alone, and it’s a good idea to let someone back home know your float plan.

Keep an eye out for the weather — you can usually tell a summer storm is on its way when you see dark clouds piling up over the western horizon. Always head for shore the minute you see lightning or hear thunder. Make it a habit not to paddle away from shore farther than you can swim back.

Another vital safety tip is never paddle in cold water.

Water as warm as 60 degrees can still lead to dangerous hypothermia. The biggest threat if you tip over is not just the cold water, but the gasp reflex when you first fall in. Sucking in a lungful of water can ruin an otherwise perfectly wonderful day on the Bay. If you enjoy coldweather paddling, invest in a dry suit.

Talbot County Travel Guide 43

GETTING HERE

Visitor Information At the Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism, we’re ready to help you plan your trip. Our website offers the most up-to-date information available. You can also call or stop by the Talbot County Visitors Center, at 11 S. Harrison Street in Easton.

We’re open from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturday during special events . We’ve got the latest on lodging, dining, things to do and so much more.

Talbot County Visitors Center, 11 S. Harrison St. Easton, MD 21601, (410) 770-8000

TALBOT COUNTY & THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

The Crab Claw 304 Burns Street, St Michaels, MD 21663

410.745.2900 www.TheCrabClaw.com

REQUEST YOUR FREE M APS Like to bike? Then you’ll love the FREE Talbot County Bicycle Map. It tells you where to ride, to rent and get repairs. It’s your guide to seeing farms, forests, historic sites, water views and wildlife from your saddle.

The Tilghman Island and Bay Hundred Water Trails Map is your guide to navigating the watery paradise at the western edge of Talbot County, along the incomparably beautiful Chesapeake Bay.

Do you Kayak? Canoe?

Paddleboard? If so, you will LOVE the St. Michaels Water Trails Map, which is a guide to Talbot County sights, a reminder of safe boating practices, and a diary for recording your paddling exploits.

All maps are available online at www.TourTalbot.org or by calling 410-770-8000.

You may also pick up the maps at the Talbot County Visitors Center at 11 S. Harrison St. in Easton.

JUST MINUTES FROM THE BEST FISHING AND CRUISING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY HAS TO OFFER.

- 20 room inn - Full service marina & boatyard - 75 slip basin - Daily, weekly & monthly slips - Complimentary continental breakfast - WiFi - Courtesy car and bikes - 750 ft. floating dock - Reasonable fuel prices

MARKER FIVE RESTAURANT 410-886-1122

KNAPP’S NARROWS DREDGED

800-322-5181 • www.KNAPPSNARROWSMARINA.com

TRANSIENT GROUPS WELCOME

TOWN CENTER TOWN CENTER Welcomes You to St. Michaels

Welcomes You toto St. St. Michaels Welcomes You Michaels

CHESAPEAKE CHESAPEAKE BAY BAY OUTFITTERS OUTFITTERS shore shore style style resort resort clothing clothing

114 S TALBOT STREET 114 S TALBOT STREET 46 Talbot County TravelMD Guide ST MICHAELS, ST MICHAELS, MD

CHESAPEAKE

SPROUT SPROUT

cafe cafe & & bakery bakery

CHARISMA CHARISMA

women’s women’s clothing clothing

PROVIDENT RECLAIMED PROVIDENT C RECLAIMEDSPROUT furniture & home decor BANK cafe & bakery wo furniture 410-770-8000 | BANK TourTalbot.org BAY & home decor

By Land

By Water

By Air

Talbot County is on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, eastsoutheast of Washington, D.C. We’re approximately 90 minutes from both Baltimore and Washington, but travelers must cross the 4.3-mile-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge outside Annapolis, the longest continuous over-water structure in the world.

From the bridge, just follow U.S. Route 50, the Eastern Shore’s main thoroughfare, which runs right through the heart of Talbot County.

With more than 600 miles of shoreline, Talbot County is a boater’s paradise. Not only does the western edge of the county touch the Chesapeake Bay, but five major rivers —the Wye, Miles, Tred Avon, Choptank, and Tuckhoe—either border or run through the county.

And when you get here, we have many boatyards and marinas to service your needs, from fuel and supplies to docking and repairs — or just hanging out with fellow skippers.

Though there’s no commercial air service, Easton/Newnam Field Airport (ESN) provides access for aviation enthusiasts, corporate pilots, and local businesses. Constructed for use by the military during World War II, today Easton Airport is one of the busiest general aviation facilities in Maryland, linking Talbot County to the entire country and to the world.

The airport is just two miles north of downtown Easton. To learn more, visit www.eastonairport.com.

DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN EASTON Annapolis, MD Baltimore, MD Dover, DE New York, NY Norfolk, VA Ocean City, MD Philadelphia, PA Richmond, VA Trenton, NJ Washington, DC Wilmington, DE

TALBOT COUNTY

41 miles 71 miles 45 miles 201 miles 185 miles 76 miles 109 miles 181 miles 147 miles 72 miles 85 miles

CHARISMA

omen’s clothing

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 47

STRONG COMMUNITIES. EMPOWERED The numbers tell the story in Talbot County. Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a little slice of heaven, and Talbot County sits right at the heart of it all.

We’re rich in recreational opportunities, from biking and sailing to fishing and hunting, plus we have a culinary tradition second to none. Best of all,

1 # 1 # 2 # 3 # 4 #

LOWEST REAL PROPERTY TAX IN MARYLAND PER CAPITA IN STATE ARTS FUNDING Maryland State Arts Council LOWEST INCOME TAX IN MARYLAND BUSIEST GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT IN MARYLAND BY FLIGHT OPERATIONS FRIENDLIEST TOWNS IN AMERICA (EASTON) Expedia.com

48 Talbot County Travel Guide

5 # 6 # 7 # 7 87 #

HEALTHIEST COUNTY IN MARYLAND County Health Rankings BEST PLACES TO GET A MORTGAGE IN MARYLAND Smart Asset AMERICA’S BEST SMALL TOWN CULTURAL SCENE (Easton) USA Today AMERICA’S BEST SMALL COASTAL TOWNS (St. Michaels) USA Today ACRES ZONED INDUSTRIAL & READY FOR DEVELOPMENT AT NEW BUSINESS PARK 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

BUSINESSES. INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS. this is a great place to do business. We have a hub of diverse businesses, close to Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, and our educated workforce is ready and willing to go to work for you. Call us today.

Opportunities await in Talbot County.

NEW YORK, NY 195 MILES PHILADELPHIA, PA 110 MILES

BALTIMORE 59 MILES

WASHINGTON D.C. 73 MILES

"

WILMINGTON, DE 65 MILES

TalbotWorks.org | 410-770-8000 NORFOLK, VA 185 MILES

TourTalbot.org | 410-770-8000

Talbot County Travel Guide 3

TALBOT COUNTY is home to some of the most beautiful and historic small towns in America. Explore our culinary treasures, one-of-a-kind boutiques and elegant inns. Or bike, kayak and sail the Chesapeake Bay. Plan your escape today! 410-770-8000 | TourTalbot.org

EASTON • OXFORD • ST. MICHAELS • TILGHMAN ISLAND

4 Talbot County Travel Guide

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