Eastern Shore Travel Guide

The Eastern Shore of Maryland is home to some of the coast’s most beautiful natural areas, including the island of Assateague and a spectacular National Seashore that’s one of the last homes of America’s wild horses. There’s plenty of other wildlife to see here and at other nature areas near the shore, so pack hiking shoes. Formerly a rural area, the Eastern Shore used to be somewhere people only drove through, but in the last decade or two much of the coastal property has been bought up and historical old houses and towns have been beautifully restored. Many of the farming areas remain, however, and chicken and grain are still some of the main sources of income for Eastern shore residents. Pop into one of the little coastal towns for some of the best crab cakes you’ll ever come across or visit Ocean City, a modern and busy resort town. With quite a different feel from the rest of the area, Ocean City is worth a visit for an afternoon of snacking, shopping, and letting loose on the boardwalk. And don’t forget to try some seven-layer Smith Island Cake before you leave the shore – it’s a regional specialty.