WHY GO: Romantics will find that the things to do in Kent Island – and throughout Queen Anne’s County Maryland – hit the high notes when it comes to an amorous getaway. That’s because the Island – and most of Queen Anne’s actually – is touched by the Chesapeake Bay, or surrounded by its waters.
Queen Anne’s County MD has the distinction of sitting almost within reach of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, offering one chief reason to stay: a sunset the likes you’ve never seen before. But of course, there’s so much more.
Carved out of the easternmost part of the Delmarva Peninsula, Queen Anne’s County includes the 7 miles long and 4 miles wide Kent Island (which is not in Kent County, as would be assumed), often overlooked (and driven over) by travelers heading to the ocean on the western side of Delmarva.
For a mellow, quick escape, stop, stay a night at a lovely boutique hotel, check out one of the region’s last oyster shucking houses, kayak through unusual sea grass, and of course, dine on crab cakes overlooking the Chesapeake Bridge at sunset. (The latter chosen as one of the Best Places in Maryland to Pop the Question).
Discover Queen Anne’s secrets on this low-key but glorious Getaway.
Queen Anne’s County is on our list of 17 Best Romantic Getaways in Maryland. Check it out for more adventures with your loved one.
Things to Do In Kent Island MD And Greater Queen Anne’s County
VISIT: Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor’s Center, Chester
Get your Queen Anne’s County MD bearings, grab some brochures, peruse the small museum, and climb the observation tower at the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor’s Center for a bird’s eye view great views of Chester River. This ribbon of water separates Kent Island (in an area called The Narrows) from the Delmarva Peninsula, Grasonsville, and Ferry Point Park.
There are several cool things to see in a tiny exhibit that highlights a rare collection of Duck Stamps, decoys, and the products that put this area on the map: pumpkins, corn, crabs, oysters, sea turtles, ducks, tobacco, and rockfish.Open daily 10-4, free.
TOUR: Harris Seafood, Grasonville (Next door to Harris Crab House)
Try to snag a tour of Harris Seafood. If owner, Jason Ruth, is around, he might be able to escort you. This is an under the radar and unscheduled, but educational, few minute traipse though a working seafood processing and distribution facility.
“Unofficial Tour”
This unofficial “tour,” is really a behind the scenes look at people working hard. And, a hard look at how we get our crabs, oysters, and soft shell clams.
Jason Ruth started hop-to-ing here when he was 13 years old – when it was W.H Harris Seafood. He subsequently purchased the wholesale business (but not the property, which also extends next door to Harris Crab House) when W.H. retired in 2004.
Since then, Ruth has expanded the business. He buys oysters from companies all over the East Coast, has them shucked in-house, and sells them to grocery stores and restaurants. In fact, Harris is one of the very last “shucking houses” in Maryland. Watching dozens of these master shuckers in action is something to see.
About 65 watermen deliver a total of between 300-400 bushels a day to the back dock, where chairs are provided for tourists who want to watch the boats. Along with oysters, Harris Seafood also sells crabs (some cooked, to grocery stores like Wegman’s), and soft shell clams. Even if Ruth is not here, find your way to the back deck and watch the watermen at work.
HIKE/KAYAK: Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC), Grasonville
With 510 acres on a migratory route, CBEC turns into a waterfowl wonderland in the fall – a magnet for wildlife photographers. (In fact, the Wildfowl Trust of North America is CBEC’s governing agency). Primarily an educational research and restoration organization, CBEC also features a “Green” Classroom and Visitor’s Center and acres of land open to the public.
There are four miles of flat, though muddy, hiking trails, with observation towers and duck blinds and a Raptor Rehabilitation Center on site, but if you really want to experience “Marshy Creek” – plan to rent a kayak (some hauling involved) or take a guided kayak tour ( about 2 hours).
Marshy Creek is brackish, inviting both salt water loving jellyfish, and fresh water ducks and geese to feed and float among its unique water grasses. With no development around, this is a tranquil paddle. Check website for kayak rental and guided tour dates and fees.
SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR: Historic Stevensville on Kent Island
Most people come to Historic Stevensville to for dinner or for the adorable bakery, Peace of Cake, but stay a bit to learn something.
Follow this Historic Stevensville self-guided walking tour to best see the buildings that provide a great and storied background of this small Kent Island burg. The buildings are open with docents on the first Saturday of each month from May-November from 12-4.
Stop into the circa 1877 Stevensville MD Post Office, and you’ll receive a letter, highlighting the history of this mini-town, from a P.O box set up as it would have looked when the post office was in operation.
After the Post Office, head over a couple of blocks to the “Cray House,” built in 1809 by a ship’s carpenter named Denny. (Cray was the last to live here).
When the preservationists took over the Cray House, they discovered that termites had demolished most of the wood. So, in 2003, the home was rebuilt exactly as it had been the first time – with unique Post and Plank construction specific to the Tidewater Region.
The Historic 1880 Christ Church served a community of immigrants, many from Germany and Spain. Its mish-mash of Queen Ann and other architectural styles is worth seeing, and though no longer operating as a church, it can be used as such for weddings.
EXPLORE: The Kent Narrows
This is the name given to the ribbon of water that separates Kent Island from the Delmarva Peninsula. It’s where you’ll find a concentration of chain hotels and restaurants (see below for both).
HIKE: Terrapin Nature Park
There are three miles of trails in this 276-acre Terrapin Nature Park on the Bayfront. The 3.25 mile Oyster Chaff Walking Trail takes you from wildflower meadows, through tidal marsh and sandy beach front. You’re bound to see waterfowl, muskrats, and other marine life. The view of the Bay Bridge from here is stunning.
BIKE: Cross Island Trail
The 6.5 mile Cross Island Trail cuts across Kent Island from Terrapin Park to the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center at Kent Narrows. According to the website, “The trail wanders through farmlands, meadows and woods accented with ornamental trees. Flanked by park benches, the trail crosses several creeks with wooden bridges, offering a spectacular view of waterfowl and wetlands. Portable toilets are available year round.”
SIP: Love Point Vineyards
Love Point is the aptly named area of Kent Island MD that marks the mouth of the Chester River where it exits into the Chesapeake Bay, and the perfect setting for a winery. You don’t even have to love wine to feel your bliss at Love Point Vineyards – the views are so stunning in and of themselves. But, come to savor the fruit of the vine, join a yoga class, enjoy a special wine pairing dinner, or any other event throughout the year. Check website for event dates and times – and tasting room hours.
STOP/PHOTO OP: Queen Anne’s County Courthouse, Centreville
The oldest Maryland courthouse in continuous use sits on a pleasant town green surrounded by historic buildings, and is worth a stop on your way out of town.
Best Restaurants in Queen Anne’s County MD
EAT: Libbeys Coastal Kitchen
Hemingway’s is closed for good. But, in its place, Libbeys Coastal Kitchen opened in 2022. It’s the first place you see as you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and therein lies its popularity. But it’s the sunset that will knock your socks off. When that ball of fire descends down through the bridge girders, the whole Bay seems aflame. No wonder photographers come here just for this reason.
EAT: Knoxie’s Table
Located at the Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, Knoxie’s Table is the haut-cuisine standout in a crab shack world. With patrons coming from DC and Annapolis, it’s a destination restaurant on it own, with innovative, well-plated dishes like Baked Wild Rockfish with Crab Risotto, Free Bird Chicken Picatta over Spinach Linguine, and great craft cocktails. If you’re a large group, you can fit 24 in the stunning “Decanter Room” at no extra cost.
EAT: Kent Narrow Restaurants
If all you crave is a local crab no-frills dinner, try any of these Kent Narrows icons. Harris Crab House, The Narrows Restaurant, Fisherman’s Crab Deck, Fisherman’s Inn Restaurant, Bridges Restaurant, Jetty Restaurant and Dock Bar – all offer variations of crab-dining in a popular boating and marina area of Kent Island.
Where to Stay in Queen Anne’s County MD
STAY: The Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
A destination luxury boutique hotel in a busy wedding venue? Yes. And don’t scoff. The Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club is the real deal, with upscale witty décor, 54 rooms, an innovative house-garden-to-plate restaurant, great Market for both gifts and meals, full service spa, and cruising bikes for use while there.
The full service marina, while on the property, is not part of it. Yet, many a boater will dock there and arrange to stay steps away at the Inn.
First Impressions of Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
The Inn is not right on the waterfront. That area, the “Waterfront Campus,” is reserved for the wedding facilities down by the beach, But you get long views of the Bay from the top (4th) floor. This is all to say that if you’re expecting a beachfront property, don’t be disappointed when you drive up.
The ICBBC is, however, a beautiful, friendly, immaculate boutique hotel, with all kinds of amenities and more.
The Market, on the main floor, is a popular community and business meeting spot, where suited up men and women sit at butcher-block tables, laptops open. This was partly by design, as The Market offers free wi-fi. But the degree and swiftness of its popularity caught managers by delightful surprise.
Even if you are not attending one of three or four weddings going on at the same time at the Waterfront Campus, you can jump on a cruising bike (free use for guests) and explore the property.
On non-wedding days, all guests are free to use the beach or take a bottle of wine to the roof deck above the banquet hall and enjoy the sunset.
Guest Rooms
Guest rooms, dressed in the colors of bark and milled wood, are clean and spacious. Each is outfitted with ample outlets, voluminous dreamy bedding, and immaculate bathrooms with contemporary tiles in glass showers.
Food
Here, staff says, “strong food and beverage supports the hotel, not the other way around.” Chefs at both The Market and Knoxie’s Table forage for micro-greens and other veggies at the on-site garden.
The Market serves up fantastic Breakfast Bowls, sandwiches, quiche, “artesian” soups, and lighter fare for breakfast and lunch.
Knoxie’s is the haut-cuisine standout in a crab shack world. (See review above under “Best Restaurants” in Queen Anne’s County MD).
Amenities
The Spa
The Spa is a beautiful space with botanical theme, using local ingredients, and twists on traditional Spa Therapies – such as a Hot “Stone” Massage with rounded cakes of Himalayan Salt that also exfoliate.
Beach
Feel free to go when not in use by wedding guests.
Fire Pit
This Fire Pit one of the most welcoming ever, surrounded by hops gardens.
Charters
Staff will help guests arrange Charter Fishing or Sunset Cruise.
Market Gift Shop
Find everything from t-shirts to Old Bay Flavored Chocolates.
Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club is so romantic, we included it on our Best Romantic Hotels in Maryland post.
STAY: Kent Narrows Chains
Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, and Hilton Garden Inn are all located there.
Thanks for he great article on our region.
We are the official destination marketing organization for the Kent Narroews Waterfront Region. We are hoping you’d be kind enough to add our website to your list.
Kentnarrowsmd.com
Facebook is /kentnarrows
Or search Kent Narrows Waterfront!
Thanks!
Best Regards,
Gigi Windley
Executive Director Kent Narrows Development Foundation
Is there such a thing as a soft shell CLAM?
I imagine you meant soft shell crab.
Joan I think they are referring to steamers. Which I believe are sour shelol clans.
“Queen Anne’s County has the distinction of sitting almost within reach of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge,”
Honey, here’s a little heads up;
Queen Anne’s Co. starts ON the Bay Bridge!
You forgot our golf courses( from county owned to PGA ), marinas, state park & arboretum AND ( infamously ) the location of the Russian ‘vacation compound’.
FYI, Kent Island is just slightly larger than Manhattan, but we don’t have all those tall buildings and a LOT less people!!
No – there actually are “soft shelled clams.” I was surprised as well, but verified the fact.
Check out our Kent Island Beach Houses to stay and play by the Bay too!
KIBeachHouse.com