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If you’re visiting the Eastern Shore in Maryland, don’t bypass Queen Anne’s County in search of the beach! Instead, stop and visit for a spell. Queen Anne’s County is a short distance from the nation’s capital and Baltimore. Kent Island is the spot to hit for those who want a special outing!
Here are some fabulous things to do on Kent Island, Queen Anne’s County:
Best Things to Do on Kent Island in Queen Anne’s County, MD
1. Admire the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Spanning from Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis and ending in Stevensville on Kent Island stands the beautiful Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The bridge is actually two bridges, one built in 1952 and the second in 1973. Each bridge is over four miles long, with a lengthy suspension section in the middle. At its highest point, the bridge ranges between 354 and 379 feet tall, allowing many large vessels to utilize the shipping lanes in and out of Annapolis.
The bridge is best admired from one of the adjacent pieces of land or, even better, from the water itself!
2. Visit a unique lighthouse.
One of the most beautiful lighthouses in the United States (I may be biased) is the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse. Built in 1875, the lighthouse is one of only twelve Maritime National Historic Landmarks. While the lighthouse still operates as a navigation tool, keepers left in 1986.
The lighthouse can be visited most Saturdays from June through mid-October, with tours departing from the dock behind the Annapolis Maritime Museum.
3. Enjoy a cruise along the Chesapeake Bay.
One of the best ways to experience the best the area offers is to book a cruise. Captain Jason on The Marylander of Maryland Fishing and Hunting can take guests to the best fishing spots, but if, like me, you’re not a fisherman, Captain Jason will show you some amazing sights.
Conditions permitting, you can approach the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, and Annapolis. If you’re looking for amazing photos, book your tour around sunset!
4. Relax at Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen & Cocktails.
Located at the foot of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, guests at Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen & Cocktails enjoy one of the best views of the Bridge. Relax in one of the wooden chairs. Show off your cornhole skills. Gather around one of the fire pits on cooler evenings while enjoying a cocktail with your friends. It’s a great all-around place to spend some time, whether eating or drinking.
5. Enjoy a sunset dinner.
Kent Island is home to a bevy of dockside and waterside restaurants. One of the best from which to enjoy the sunset is The Narrows Restaurant. It’s one of the area’s best places to enjoy crab cakes. Time your reservation to capture the sunset as you watch local boats return to the harbor for the night. Ask for a seat on the patio or near the windows for the best views.
6. Sip on a glass of wine at Love Point Vineyards and Winery.
Kent Island’s location along the Eastern Shore creates this perfect little area where wine grapes can be cultivated. Bring a book if you’d like to relax with a glass of wine along the shore. Owned by a couple who retired on Kent Island, Love Point Vineyards and Winery offers a selection of white and red wines. Pull up a chair and a glass!
7. Enjoy authentic blue crabs.
A truly authentic Maryland menu offering is the Maryland blue crab. The strange thing, to me, was that you eat it whole, with shell and all! Crabs are captured during their molting phase when their shells are soft. Restaurants prepare them by removing the non-edible parts (you don’t want to know) before frying them and serving them to customers.
8. Sip an Orange Crush.
For me, those words brought forth images of orange soda I drank as a kid (am I aging myself?). But an Orange Crush is a drink served all along the Eastern Shore. So what’s in it? The original recipe calls for the juice of a freshly squeezed orange, vodka, Grand Marnier (or an orange liqueur), lemon-lime soda (7-Up, Sprite, etc.), garnished with a slice of orange and a sprig of mint.
To make it, fill a glass with crushed ice, mix the juice and alcohol, then top with the soda before garnishing it. Of course, these days, many businesses offer more than the traditional orange flavor, so experiment with pink lemonade and other varieties of crushes!
9. Join the party at The Jetty.
If you’re looking for a dockside bar with live music on the weekends and where frozen drinks (and beer) flow freely, head over to The Jetty Restaurant and Dock Bar. Check out their event calendar to see what might be playing during your visit. Guests rave about the lively atmosphere, the avocado and shrimp ceviche, and rockfish tenders. It’s the perfect place to try one of the famous crushes, too!
10. Eat breakfast at Dessert First.
Any business that espouses eating dessert first has my vote, so I knew I’d love Dessert First Dockside Coffee before I even visited! Don’t let the name fool you, this place serves amazing coffee drinks using Rise Up Coffee, a Maryland favorite. During the summer, their coffee bar serves an amazing assortment of cold brew coffees.
Visit Dessert First for breakfast. Their rotating seasonal menu changes daily, but expect to find fresh fruit, breakfast sandwiches, and even quiches. Sit outside with your treats while enjoying dockside views. The best part is picking up a dessert to enjoy later! The lemon bar was calling my name.
11. Learn about the oyster trade.
The Harris Crab House and Harris Seafood Company are located next to Dessert First. Head over to the Seafood Company side, where you can learn about Chesapeake Bay oysters from the display. You’ll get an up-close look at the crab pots used by the company, too.
12. Get a second boost of energy at Sugar Doodles!
You’ll want a second burst of energy before watching the sunset or partying the night away. The best spot to get it is at Sugar Doodles Sweet Shop, where you can order a made-to-order coffee, and why not treat yourself to an extreme shake while you’re at it?
13. Shop!
Discovering local boutique shops is a pastime of mine! And Kent Narrows is home to several outstanding options. Looking for cute nautical decor or even ship parts? Visit Anchors & Oars. Beach lovers will find something delightful for their home or themselves (Ooops! I mean their friends) at Ophiuroidea, affectionately known as “The O.” If you’re looking for unique and trendy women’s clothing at an affordable price, check out Hope Boutique.
No matter which store you visit, you’ll bring home a fabulous gift or treat for yourself.
14. Eat all the crab cakes!
Visitors to Maryland absolutely have to try crab cakes on every occasion. A traditional Maryland crab cake includes only crab meat, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and, of course, Old Bay seasoning. Unlike other crab cakes containing fillers such as onions, peppers, parsley, or other additives, Maryland crab cakes are heavy on crab meat!
Some of the best places to try crab cakes on Kent Island are The Narrows Restaurant, Bridges Restaurant, Fisherman’s Inn, and The Jetty Restaurant and Dock Bar. Locals rave about the Stevensville Crab Shack, where their special features a crab cake and ½ lb of shrimp.
15. Spend a quiet night at the Holiday Inn Express.
If you’re looking for an affordable spot to spend the night, you can’t go wrong with booking a room at the Holiday Inn Express-Annapolis East/Kent Island. The hotel is located on the back bay, meaning that guests are away from the busier areas of Kent Island.
The hotel has a pool for those wanting to cool off after a hot day exploring the area. It is conveniently located near the boardwalk, so you can ride one of the rental bikes just down the street if you want to discover nearby areas.
16. Ride a bike along the Cross Island Trail.
The six-mile-long Cross Island Trail crosses the width of Kent Island. While you can walk or run it, one of the best ways to explore it is by renting a bike. You’ll find a bike rental station near the Holiday Inn Express. Much of the terrain is flat, making this an accessible ride for most visitors.
17. Drink a tall, cool craft beer at a unique brewery.
Entertainment, craft brews, a delicious menu, indoor and outdoor space – what more could you want in a brewery? Nothing! Cult Classic Brewing offers all of these and more.
18. Admire the crab basket Christmas Tree.
Queen Anne’s Fisherman Association lights their ceremonial crab basket tree in early December. There has been so much interest in the crab basket Christmas Tree that it grows every year, from the original one tree to three trees in 2023! The trees will be located in the Fisherman’s Village Complex next to the Kent Narrows Bridge.
19. Watch boats come in and out at the harbor.
If you’re traveling to the area with your boat, then Safe Harbor Narrows Point is the perfect destination to moor. But you don’t have to own a boat to enjoy it! Just sit and watch the different boats leaving in the morning or returning at the end of the day.
20. Ride a hot air balloon.
What better way to view an area than from above? For those unafraid of heights, Delmarva Balloon Rides is a fantastic way to explore the Eastern Shore. Riders with Delmarva get to be part of the crew, helping to inflate the balloon and packing it away at the end of the ride.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do on Kent Island, Queen Anne’s County, MD
My stay on Kent Island was way too short! While many sights can be enjoyed over a weekend, spending even more days would be better. Don’t rush to the beach without seeing Kent Island’s attractions and offerings.
Check out these other Eastern Shore posts:
- Weekend Getaway in Wicomico County, MD
- 13+ Things to Do in Easton, Talbot County
- Discover Denton, Maryland
- Howard County Weekend Adventure
I want to thank Visit Queen Anne’s County for hosting my visit. As always, my posts accurately reflect my experiences and opinions.
Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.