5 Great Reasons to Visit Chesapeake City, MD

1) Historic Town & Architecture

History of Chesapeake City, MD

Although settled in the 1600s (by Europeans), it wasn't until after the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C&D Canal) was built in 1829 that the town began to expand. As ship traffic increased through the canal, the town grew from three buildings on the south bank of the canal to a busy commercial community. In 1849, the town expanded to the north bank of the canal. For 75 years afterwards, the city prospered.

What's in a name?  Originally, Chesapeake City was named Village of Bohemia, or Bohemia Manor, by colonist Augustine Herman in the 1600s. It was changed to Chesapeake City in 1839 after the C&D Canal was built.

In 1927, the C&D Canal was dredged to a sea-level waterway which meant ships no longer had to stop for the locks in Chesapeake City. This began the decline of the town's bustling economy. Now, Chesapeake City is a quiet town instead of the busy commercial stop it once was.

While visiting, stop by the small Chesapeake City Museum to learn more about the town and see artifacts from early settlers. 

19th-Century Architecture in Chesapeake City

As you walk through the town, you'll notice many of the buildings built during the 1800s are still intact. Chesapeake City's historic downtown on the southern bank of the canal is on the Maryland and National Historic Registries.

These well-preserved 19th-century buildings give the town a charming vibe. As you walk around, you'll see plaques on some of the buildings. These signs usually tell you when the building was built and sometimes include its name and original owner.

2) Cruises and Boating Life

As Chesapeake City is located along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, it's a great spot to get out on the water on a boat. Plus, if you're sailing your own boat or yacht, you can dock in several marinas located right in town.

Chesapeake City Cruises

When you visit Chesapeake City, taking a cruise along the C&D Canal is a fun way to take advantage of the being right on the water. A couple of companies in town offer sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, mimosa brunch cruises, etc. You can also book private cruises for events, such as birthday, bachelorette, and wedding rehearsal parties.

Decide which cruise is right for you and book online: 

Chesapeake City Ferry Service

Don't have time for a cruise but still want to ride a boat on the C&D canal? Then, I suggest a ride on the Chesapeake City Ferry. Running from April 15 - October 15, the ferry connects the south and north sides of the town and takes only 5-7 minutes one-way. 

3) Ben Cardin C&D Canal Trail

For almost two centuries, the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal has been a vital water passage on the US East Coast. This 14-ft long, 450-ft (137 m)-wide and 35-ft (11 m)-deep ship canal connects the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River. Once completed, it cut the water route between Philadelphia and Baltimore by 300 miles (483 km). 

One way to soak in the views and appreciate the C&D Canal is to cycle the Ben Cardin C&D Canal Trail. This paved 15-mile (24-km) pathway runs along the canal from Chesapeake City to Delaware City. The trail is mostly flat and has beautiful water views. If you don't have your bike with you, you can still walk along the trail to soak in the views.

If you're interested in this trail, I recommend this article on the C&D Canal Bike Trail in Chesapeake Living for an in-depth look and tips.

Building the C&D Canal

Although the idea of a canal in this area was first conceived in the 1600s, it did not become a reality until the early 1800s. In 1824, over 2,600 laborers began to dig out the canal with hand tools, such as picks and shovels, for 75 cents per day in wages.

When it first opened in 1829, the C&D Canal was 10 feet (3 m) deep and 60 feet (18 m) wide with 4 locks. Coastal barges, schooners, and steamboats regularly passed through the canal. In 1927, the C&D Canal was dredged to a sea-level waterway so that ocean-going vessels could pass through the canal. Now, more than 25,000 vessels pass through the canal each year. 

4) Waterfront Dining and Maryland Crab Cakes

One of the best things about Chesapeake City's location on the C&D Canal is its waterfront restaurants. Pop in for a waterfront lunch to watch the ships sail up and down the canal. Or, enjoy the evening with a cold beer, delicious food, while watching the sunset over the canal. 

Most of the restaurants in Chesapeake City offer a delicious variety of seafood and land dishes. However, I was most thrilled to see crab cakes on the menu when we visited Schaefer's Canal House last summer.

Maryland Crab Cakes

Whenever I visit eastern Maryland, crab cakes are a must-order.  If you can resist the call of fresh lump crab meat seasoned perfectly with spicy Old Bay seasoning and just enough filler to hold it all together, then you're a stronger person than I am! Other crab dishes to try are the Maryland Crab Soup or Maryland Crab Dip.

Pro Tip: Order the Crab Cake Sandwich instead of the entrée. It's usually half the price and the same amount of crab cake. It just doesn't come with the entrées sides.

Chesapeake City Waterfront Restaurants

Pro Tip: If you're sailing on the canal and wish to stop for a bite to eat, you can pull right up to a couple of these waterfront restaurants and dock your boat.

5) Eclectic Boutique Shops

Although a small town, Chesapeake City has a few eclectic boutique stores that shoppers might enjoy browsing while visiting. Many of these shops are located in the historic buildings, so it's also a good excuse to check out the interiors of these buildings.

Chesapeake City Shops 

Here are a few shops to check out as you wander through town:

Pro Tip: On a hot summer day, grab some gelato at the Canal Creamery and head across to Pell Gardens Park - a waterfront park in the historic district - to enjoy it.

Other Articles You Might Enjoy

Here are some other articles you may find useful if planning a trip in the area:

Happy travels!