Chesapeake City, Maryland

At a Glance

Located on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal which connects the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, this historic town offers great shopping, fine dining and elegant B&B’s in a quaint, victorian setting.

The town is “split in half” by the canal, which is not only used by commercial shipping vessels heading to and from the port of Baltimore, but also pleasure craft touring the bay. The Chesapeake City Bridge, which spans the canal and joins the two halves of the city, is tall enough for merchant vessels to pass beneath. Shipwatching is a fun passtime here.

Places to Stay

Chesapeake City has several extremely nice Bed and Breakfasts on both the South and North sides of town. Each one has a different “flavor”, and all are top rate–with friendly innkeepers and lovely surroundings.

Places to Eat

Chesapeake City boasts several wonderful restaurants for seafood lovers (and landlubbers alike). On the south side, The Bayard House, The Chesapeake Inn, and The Yacht Club all boast first rate fare for lunch and dinner. Also for those who love Maryland Crabs and beer, the Tap Room on the south side fits the bill. Breakfast, light lunch and dinner are also available at the Bohemia Cafe, housed in what used to be the Chesapeake City Post Office many years ago. Be sure to ask for Wernie’s Austrian specialties!

Places to Go

The C&D Canal Museum houses the huge waterwheel and engines which ran the old loch system on the canal in the last century.

Several quaint shops are tucked in the historic district of the south side, including art galleries, collectible and antique shops. Most of the town’s buildings on the south side are on the Maryland Historic Register, dating to the early-mid 1800’s. The quaint homes and businesses are period maintained, with signs on the houses listing dates and names of historic owners. Printed tourist guides are available in all the shops.

This area of Cecil County is noted for its beautiful, rural scenery and lovely thoroughbred farms. Bring your bicycles and cameras! Other historic towns are sprinkled within driving distance, as well as several marinas for access to the freshwater rivers on the upper bay.

Getting Around

Chesapeake City can be reached easily from I-95 using the Elkton exit to Route 40, then south on Rt 213. Look for exit signs approaching and after crossing the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal bridge. Signs point the way into town. On the south side, George Street and Bohemia Avenue run parallel to the bridge, ending at the canal. All businesses and restaurants on the south side are accessed from these streets. Parking is limited due to the historic nature of the streets, but there is parking under the bridge a short walk from anywhere, and the stroll is a very pleasant one. On weekends, catch a ride on one of our horse drawn carriages to and from the parking areas.

Check out the town website for event dates!

CityGuide Links

Need more? Try these links for additional information about Chesapeake City.

The I-95 Exit Information Guide
“Flat out, the single best website for auto travelers on the Net” — Yahoo’s Internet Life Magazine.

Chesapeake City, Maryland
A traveler’s guide to Shopping, Lodging and Dining in Historic Chesapeake City, Maryland.