Cambridge (Maryland)

The harbor town of Cambridge was founded in 1684, making it one of the oldest cities in the state. It's seen ups and downs throughout its long history, at times a residence of choice for wealthy colonials, and not long ago a site of conflict and heavy job losses in the 60s during desegregation, racial violence, and the closing of the local cannery. It also has had several very famous residents: Harriet Tubman, Annie Oakley, and even a president of Liberia have all known the town as home. Today's Cambridge has seen rising fortunes from tourism (especially following the construction of the huge Hyatt resort) and professionals moving in who like the laid back, charming, maritime atmosphere.

• Visitor Center

  phone: +1 410 228-1000
  address: 2 Rose Hill Pl
  If you enter Cambridge from the north you will cross the Choptank River on Route 50. Your first stop is the Visitor's Center at Sailwinds Park. The staff here are available to give information about the area's history, and advice on what to see when. They also offer a self-guided walking tour of the town's historic center, or a self-guided 105-mile driving tour of Underground Railroad sites. The Center is on the grounds of Sailwinds park, which has a children's playground, picnic tables a path along the river and spectacular views of the bridge.

By car

Cambridge is about halfway between the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Ocean City on US-50, the Ocean Gateway. Maryland Ave leads right from the highway to the historic town center.

By boat

The town harbor is just up the Choptank River from the bay. The most busy marina belongs to the Hyatt; the city's marina is just north of the historic center:

• Cambridge Municipal Yacht Basin

  phone: +1 410 228-4031
  address: 4 Mill St

By plane

• Cambridge-Dorchester Airport (FAA:KCGE) is a small, regional airport with no scheduled commercial flights. Private planes park within walking distance of Kay's restaurant. Courtesy transportation to town may be available.

The town center is small and easily walked, while getting around surrounding areas will require a car or a bike (the Eastern Shore is good bike riding territory—not a hill in sight).

• Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park

  phone: +1 410-820-1668
  A pedestrian fishing pier parallels Route 50 across the Choptank river on the north side of Cambridge. You can enter the park on either side of the river but the pier is not continuous, so you can't walk all the way across the river. The pier spans 1 mile on the northern side and 1/2 mile on the southern side of the river. Fishing and crabbing are the main attractions, but there are picnic areas and sandy beaches (no swimming.)

• Harriet Tubman Museum

  phone: +1 410 228-0401
  address: 424 Race St
  A small museum dedicated to the famous African-American abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor who lived here. The museum is small—call ahead to make sure it will be open. The staff offer tours within and outside Cambridge, of places where Harriet Tubman lived, worked, prayed, etc.

• Richardson Maritime Museum

  phone: +1 410 221-1871
  address: 401 High St

• Ruark Boatworks

  phone: +1 410 221-8844
  address: Maryland Ave & Hayward St
  Though affiliated with the Richardson Maritime Museum, this is no museum—it is an active boatworks working exclusively on wooden boats and models. Visitors get to see how it's done, and can participate in model building.

• Spokott WindmillWindmill, colonial tenant house, one-room school house and blacksmith shop on display. The Lloyd Country Store Museum is open only on special occasions.

Art galleries

There is a vibrant artist community in Cambridge.

• Danny Doughty Gallery

  address: 437 Race Street
  Folk art.

• Dorchester Center for the Arts

  address: 321 High Street
  Displays, events and classes.

• Main Street Gallery

  address: 447 Race Street

• Wright's Art and Framing

  address: 111 Maryland Ave

• Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

  phone: +1 410 228-2677
  address: 2145 Key Wallace Dr
  The prime visitor attraction here is the Wildlife Drive, which visitors can drive, walk and cycle on in order to get close to the local wildlife. In addition, the Refuge has four land trails and three paddling trails, as well as hunting/fishing/crabbing opportunities. Finally, the Refuge staff and volunteers also offer a variety of environmental educational opportunities for young people at both the Refuge Visitor Center and also at the Refuge environmental education building, located at the entrance to the Wildlife Drive. If you are in the mood to see a bald eagle soaring over the Chesapeake wetlands, this is the place.

• Skipjack Nathan

  phone: +1 410 228-7141
  The wooden skipjack is the traditional sailboat of choice for Chesapeake oystermen, and remains in use to this day in parts of the bay where motorboats are not allowed. The Nathan is moored here only for pleasure, though, and offers several activities for visitors, including sailing cruises and educational programs with Chesapeake watermen.

• Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument

  phone: +1 410 221-2290
  address: 2145 Key Wallace Drive
  National monument to Harriet Tubman, abolitionist, suffragette and the best-known conductor on the Underground Railroad for having led seventy former slaves to freedom. (38 0 26'N, 76 0 07'W)

There is a good collection of shops and art galleries along High Street, Poplar Street and Race Street in the historic center.

• As Time Goes By

  address: 400 Race Street
  Antiques.

• Dragonfly Boutique

  address: 406 Race Street
  Fashionable boutique clothing.

• A Few of My Favorite Things Gourmet Gifts

  address: 414 Race Street
  Wine, cheese and chocolate. What is not to like?

• Maggie's Hatbox

  address: 510 Poplar Street
  Antiques.

• Studioworks Artisan's Shop at the Dorchester Center for the Arts

  address: 321 High Street
  Original artwork for sale by the artists in residence.

• Sunnyside Shop

  address: 500 Poplar Street
  Fairly traded and environmentally friendly jewelry, gifts and clothing.

• Bistro Poplar

  phone: +1 410 228-4884
  address: 535 Poplar St
  A pleasant spot for excellent French bistro fare in the center of town.

• Canvasback Restaurant and Irish Pub

  address: 420 Race Street
  Regional, French, Italian and Irish fare. Live music some Saturdays and Open Mic night on Wednesdays.

• The High Spot Gastropub

  address: 305 High Street
  Fresh seasonal cuisine in a pub atmosphere.

• Hot Spot Cool Eats

  phone: +1 443-225-5225
  address: 3028 Ocean Gateway
  Friendly roadside eatery featuring premium hot dogs, real soft serve ice cream, handcut beachin' fries, handmade soft pretzels. Pop shop offers unique, retro bottled sodas and teas, Smith Island cakes and various sauces, etc. Great outdoor & indoor seating. Kid and pet friendly.

• Jimmie and Sook's Raw Bar and Grill

  address: 527 Poplar Street
  Menu features seafood combined with standard American fare. Good for families or groups with varied tastes. Lunch buffets. Live music Th-Sa at 10PM.

• Portside Seafood Restaurant

  phone: +1 410 228-9007
  address: 201 Trenton St
  This restaurant has a big outdoor wooden deck overlooking the Cambridge Harbor, and serves a crab-heavy menu.

• Snapper's Waterfront Cafe

  address: 112 Commerce Street
  The menu features seafood, southwestern and Jamaican cuisine. Exotic cocktails.

• Cambridge House B&B

  phone: +1 410 221-7700
  address: 112 High St
  Located in the "1847 sea captain's manor," this is a small "green" B&B in the historic center, with period furniture, a charming garden, and is one block from the Wharf.

• Comfort Inn Cambridge

  address: 2936 Ocean Gateway
  Breakfast included, free Wi-Fi, indoor pool.

• Holiday Inn Express Cambridge

  address: 2715 Ocean Gateway
  Breakfast included, free Wi-Fi, indoor pool and hot tub.

• Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay

  phone: +1 410 901-1234
  address: 100 Heron Blvd
  This is one of the bigger resorts on the Chesapeake, and has all the amenities you'd expect, plus an on-site marina, beautiful 18-hole championship golf course, and a gigantic spa.