Summer may be over, but if you’re still looking to hang on to warm weather, head to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where mild temperatures linger a bit longer. It seems easier to ease into autumn here, about 75 miles east of Washington, D.C., with the tranquil Chesapeake Bay as a backdrop. You can bike rural back roads, window-shop along the charming main streets of Easton and St. Michaels, then kick back at the end of the day with a dozen (or more) oysters on the half shell.
Where to stay
Gastronomic Getaway: The Inn at Easton. This 18th-century Federal mansion draws foodies who come to indulge in chef/owner Andrew Evans’ acclaimed Australian-influenced cuisine. Plus, its downtown location is convenient to galleries and shops. Rooms from $200 per night (weekends require a two-night stay and modified meal plan starting at $640 for two). 28 South Harrison Street, Easton; 401.822.4910; theinnateaston.com
Room With a View: Inn at Perry Cabin. Perched on the water’s edge, this luxurious colonial mansion has Laura Ashley interiors, an outdoor heated swimming pool, and a new 6,000-square-foot spa. Rooms from $330 per night. 308 Watkins Lane, St. Michaels; 866.278.9601; perrycabin.com
Where to eat
Café Classic: Bistro St. Michaels. This French-inspired restaurant fuses bistro fare with Maryland favorites like jumbo lump crab cakes with cheddar polenta. 403 South Talbot Street, St. Michaels; 410.745.9111
Notable Newcomer: Scossa. Italian-born chef Giancarlo Tondin worked for Manhattan’s Cipriani restaurants before opening Scossa in Easton two years ago. His Northern Italian cuisine (veal cannelloni or bay shrimp with cherry tomatoes and capers) is served up in a polished setting. 8 North Washington Street, Easton; 410.822.2202
Where to drink
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay: Foxy’s Marina Bar. Sip cold beer and slurp oysters while watching motorboats putter up to the marina from this dockside bar. 125 Mulberry Street, St. Michaels; 410.745.4340
Swanky Sipping: Out of the Fire. There’s a rotating selection of wines by the glass at this hip café and wine bar. Plus, you can nosh on snacks like olive tapenade or crab and corn salsa. 22 Goldsborough Street, Easton; 410.770.4777
Where to chill out
Pedal Power: St. Michaels circuit. The country roads around St. Michaels are flat and have wide shoulders, making them popular with cyclists. A great circuit is the 36-mile route from St. Michaels to Oxford, which involves taking the Oxford Ferry across the Tred Avon River, then biking to Easton and back to St. Michaels. Rent bikes at the St. Michaels Marina for $18 a day. 305 Mulberry Street; 410.745.2400
History Lesson: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Situated on the waterfront, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is worth a visit to learn about the bay and the people who make a living on it. You can tour an original 1879 lighthouse, step aboard a former skipjack— a boat used for oyster harvesting— or look inside a real crab pot. 213 North Talbot Street, St. Michaels; 410.745.2916; cbmm.org
Art-Filled Afternoon: Academy Art Museum. Located in a former schoolhouse, the Academy Art Museum in downtown Easton has a permanent collection that includes Eastern Shore landscapes, as well as rotating exhibits. 106 South Street, Easton; 410.822.2787; art-academy.org
Wine Down: St. Michaels Winery. Sample tastes of Viognier, sauvignon blanc, merlot, and pinot noir at the St. Michaels Winery, located in an old flour mill. 605 South Talbot Street, St. Michaels; 410.745.0808
