Weekend Getaways: Havre de Grace, MD - The Gathering Place
By Stephanie Avent
Collectors, art lovers, outdoorsy types, maritime buffs, and decoy enthusiasts take notice: in just about an hour and a half’s drive, you can travel to Havre de Grace, a town bursting with wonderful shopping, food, history, activities, and best of all, friendly folks (perhaps they are the reason it has been dubbed “the meeting place,” as they make fantastic hosts). Located in Harford County, about 50 miles north of Annapolis off Interstate 95, the charming waterfront town is at the mouth of the Susquehanna River on the Chesapeake Bay.
A town rich in history (it was almost named the nation’s capital, but lost out to D.C. by a tiebreaking vote), Havre de Grace dates back to the mid-1500s, when it was included on a map of the Bay. John Smith’s exploration of the area in 1608 produced recorded details of the city. The Lower Susquehanna Ferry began crossing the river in 1695 and continued successfully for the next 170 years. During the 19th century the town experienced a small industrial boom, with bigger businesses including DuBois Lumber Company and the Seneca Cannery. The 20th century brought nationally acclaimed thoroughbred racing to Havre de Grace at the Graw racetrack, a space now used by the Maryland Army National Guard.
Today the town is enjoying a new revitalization and there are plenty of great reasons to meet and spend your weekend there. Lodging choices begin the list. Stay at a historic inn or home, a Victorian bed-and-breakfast, guest suites, cottages, or nearby hotels. Sleep late and have a big breakfast—Havre de Grace encourages folks to take it easy. Stroll through the streets of the downtown area, where you will come upon one unique shop after another where you can find: old and rare books, Christmas ornaments, crafts, unusual gifts, collectibles, artwork, decoys—and antiques, antiques, antiques (some shops have multiple floors and rooms just overflowing with hidden treasures).
There are many dining options too: gourmet (Aquatica), waterfront (MacGregor’s and the Tidewater Grille both have great views and lots of good seafood), steak (Ken’s Steak & Rib House), Italian (La Cucina), pubfare (Coakley’s)—you name it, they have it. Stop for a spot of tea at the lovely Heritage Tea Room or, if you have a sweet tooth, visit Bomboy’s Home Made Candy—just the smell of chocolate wafting through the air is enough to make your taste buds perk up.
Maritime-related fun ranges from a visit to the Havre de Grace maritime museum to a cruise of the upper Bay on the skipjack
Martha Lewis, one of the few remaining working dredge boats that make up the Chesapeake Bay oyster fleet. Visit the Susquehanna Lockhouse Museum or take an outing on the
Lantern Queen, a 140-passenger paddlewheel riverboat that offers sightseeing, sunset dinner, and specialty seasonal cruises, among others. See decoy carving at its finest at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum or tour the Concord Point Lighthouse.
Outdoor activities are plentiful and start on the water. Transient slips for visiting boats are available at the Tidewater Marina and so are daysailer or yacht rentals from BaySail. Kayaking is a very popular pastime as well and Havre de Grace has many water trails with picturesque views, thriving waterfowl, and great fishing—the town was named one of
Field and Stream’s top 25 fishing spots in 2004.
For those who don’t have sea legs but want to have some outdoor fun there are numerous parks (including Susquehanna State Park and Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway), hiking trails, Bulle Rock (a five-star rated golf course), and the Promenade (a 3/4-mile boardwalk) for a leisurely riverside stroll.
Indeed, Havre de Grace offers something for everyone—and it makes for an easy weekend escape. See for yourself why “the meeting place” keeps visitors coming back.
How to Get There
From Annapolis and points West, follow Route 97 North to the Baltimore Beltway. Take the Interstate 895 North Harbor Tunnel Throughway, which becomes Interstate 95 North. Merge onto Maryland 155 East towards Havre de Grace.
From points on the Eastern Shore, follow Route 301 North to U.S. 40 West/Pulaski Highway and follow to Havre de Grace.