Small-town history has always held a particular interest for me which is one of the reasons I love North East so much. A quaint town at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, North East is only 50 miles from Baltimore and Philadelphia and a quick 20 minute drive from the towns of Havre de Grace and Chesapeake City.
Throughout North East’s early history, the North East River played a crucial role. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area provided abundant hunting and fishing grounds for early Native Americans. Captain John Smith’s expedition reached North East in 1608 while mapping the Chesapeake Bay. Soon after, European settlers from Delaware and Pennsylvania began moving south into the area while settlers from Virginia and other parts of Maryland began arriving by water. The North East River was at the center of the town’s early prosperity; numerous mills were built along its shores, fish were caught in abundance, and farms flourished. By 1850, the town was fully incorporated.
For this recent outing my copilot and I opted to make the drive from Baltimore rather than arrive by boat given the unpredictable spring weather. We decided to visit Elk Neck State Park first, only 15 minutes past Main Street, and hike to the Turkey Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1833 and sits on a 100-foot bluff at the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Elk River. The hike to the lighthouse is about a mile and a half roundtrip on a gravel path through the woods. If planning to visit on a weekend, be warned that the small parking lot often fills to capacity – plan to hike early in the morning, after 6 p.m., or anytime during the week when the crowds are down. Luckily for us, we made the hike on a drizzly Saturday and had the place to ourselves. Despite the rain, the view from the cliffs was spectacular.
After the chilly hike we headed back to Main Street and rewarded ourselves with the house special, crabcake sandwiches, and Blood Marys at Woody’s Crab House. Each table was covered with brown paper and crayons, which we soon discovered were not just for the kids. Many a table of adults could be seen with a beer in one hand and a crayon in the other while awaiting their meals.
Later in the afternoon we took a stroll down Main Street which is lined with various eateries, specialty shops, and antique stores. At Beans, Leaves, Etc. you can grab a latte or bag your own specialty tea; I opted for a summer sampler from the Eastern Shore Tea Company. Attached is Bookseller’s Antiques which has everything from antique bikes to, you guessed it, books. You can find homemade fudge at North East Chocolate & Gifts and unique, fun jewelry at The Silver Buckle. The Cat’s Pajamas features eclectic pieces from local artists, including paintings, photography, and even terrariums. Main Street even boasts a tackle shop and a tasting room for the Turkey Point Vineyard.
Just outside of town you’ll find numerous marinas and boat supply stores. If traveling by boat, consider the Nauti-Goose Restaurant or The Wellwood Club for a hearty seafood meal with a great view. The historic Wellwood is a waterfront restaurant on the North East River featuring indoor and outdoor seating, live music in the summer months, and crabs all year long. The on-site River Shack is open from May to October and is all about steamed crabs and cold beer. You can tie your boat up at the restaurant marina or opt to take a water taxi ($5 roundtrip) from Jackson Marine, McDaniel Yacht Basin, or Bay Boat Marina. The Nauti-Goose, also on the North East River, features ample car parking and boat docking. Choose between the two outdoor decks, five bars, and upstairs dining room for a waterfront dining experience that can’t be beat. Just past the Nauti-Goose you’ll find the North East Community Park. The 13-acre waterfront park features walking paths, a playground, picnic tables, and even offers license-free fishing from the shore.
The Community Park is also home to the Upper Bay Museum, open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Saturdays and Sundays. The museum is free to enter and houses a large collection of hunting, boating, and fishing artifacts native to the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors can trace the history of the waterfowl hunter and follow the progress of boating and fishing on the Upper Bay, along with one of the country’s best collections of marine engines. Whether traveling by land or by sea, North East is well worth the visit. You could easily spend the whole day exploring the town or you could simply stop in for lunch. Even on a rainy day in March we managed to have a great time.