4 Exciting End-of-Summer Getaways Around the South

3. Easton, Maryland

Architecture and waterfront in Easton, MD

Just across the Chesapeake Bay from Virginia, Maryland’s Easton boasts a welcoming air that evokes Southern hospitality in a state that rides the border of the Mason-Dixon Line. A strong sense of community as well as an appreciation of the outdoors, the arts, and history beckon visitors to stay a while.

Tidewater Inn and ice cream cone
Left: Local landmark Tidewater Inn sits on a site that has been a hotel since 1891. Right: Enjoy a midday snack or afternoon tea at Bonheur Pie & Ice Cream.

The Tidewater Inn provides luxe accommodations and a locally inspired menu at Hunters’ Tavern, where chef Raymond Copper’s Snapping Turtle Soup is a must-try. Guests can opt for a more intimate ambience a few blocks away at Tidewater House, a recently refurbished 1874 mansion.

A church and a statue of Frederick Douglass in Easton, MD
Left: Beautiful churches and other structures in a variety of styles complement historic monuments in downtown Easton, an area that’s easy to traverse on foot. Right: A commanding statue on the courthouse lawn honors native son and renowned author and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Explore fun shops like Curlicue gifts and interior designer Jamie Merida’s Bountiful Home décor emporium. Sunflowers & Greens bistro is ideal for lunch; for dinner, try its upscale sister restaurant Bas Rouge, where chef Harley Peet’s offerings are informed by the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay and nearby farms. At Out of the Fire, chef and owner Amy Haines’s regionally sourced menu includes pizza, fresh seafood, and free-range meats. 

Photography by William Dickey

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