Burger at Ruse
Credit: Cecile Storm
DON’ T MISS
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum has 18 acres featuring waterfront displays and interactive exhibits. Watch ship restoration in action at the museum’ s working shipyard. Attend the Apprentice for a Day workshop, learning a variety of nautical skills. The museum also offers tours on historic vessels and hosts special events throughout the summer.
OVERNIGHT OPTIONS
The St. Michaels Harbour Inn welcomes guests to enjoy 52 lovely rooms and suites, along with a rejuvenating full-service spa. Located right in the heart of town, the charming Wildset Hotel is housed in three beautifully renovated historic homes, each offering 34 rooms that beautifully showcase Chesapeake style. Your stay comes with delicious breakfast, plus fun extras like complimentary bike rentals and s’ more kits for cozy evenings around the fire pit. Another wonderful downtown choice is The Old Brick Inn, featuring 20 inviting rooms across three thoughtfully restored buildings. Both breakfast and parking are included in the rates, making your stay even more convenient.
WINING AND DINING
The Crab Claw is a top spot for all things crab. This spacious eatery seats 350, both indoors and outdoors. Keep in mind that it doesn’ t accept reservations and can get crowded on summer weekends. At Ruse restaurant, Chef Ruse, who has been nominated for a James Beard Award, uses local ingredients from watermen and farmers to create seasonal menus. The focus is on seafood and wood-fired dishes, with a raw bar as well. Another local favorite is Gina’ s Café, known for its tacos and margaritas.
POINT LOOKOUT STATE PARK, MD.
Distance from IAD: 108 miles; from DCA: 80 miles
THE SCENE
The park’ s location on a peaceful peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River conceals its turbulent history as a Confederate prison camp and an Army hospital for Union soldiers.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the swimming beach is the perfect spot for a day at the beach. You’ ll find picnic tables, barbecues, playgrounds, and showers. The 710-foot pier has fishing spots marked out. You can rent canoes at the park store. Birders love Point Lookout too— expect to see everything from shorebirds to eagles to songbirds.
DON’ T MISS
Be sure to check out the newly renovated Point Lookout Lighthouse. This historic structure, built in 1830, has seen several expansions, including a major overhaul in 1927 that turned it into a two-family duplex. Although it closed in 1966, visitors can still explore it during the park’ s hours of operation. Currently closed for renovations, the Civil War Museum and adjacent nature center are expected to reopen in 2026. The museum explores the site’ s history as a federal hospital, dating back to 1862. The following year, after the Battle of Gettysburg and until the war’ s end in 1865, over 50,000 Confederate soldiers were imprisoned here, with an estimated 4,000 losing their lives.
OVERNIGHT OPTIONS
The park’ s 143 wooded campsites, including some with hookups and electricity, will be closed for repairs in 2025, but most are expected to reopen in 2026. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to a year in advance. If you’ d rather stay nearby, consider the Quarters at Pier450, about six miles from the park. This beach-chic motel, built from a former fishing camp, features eight rooms with luxury amenities and has been open for five years. For a more traditional inn experience, try the eight-room Swanendele Inn, located just 800 feet from the Chesapeake Bay and St. Jerome Creek shoreline. The hot breakfast is included in the rates. If you’ re in the Piney Point area, 12 miles from the park, check out the Island Inn & Suites, situated on the St. Mary’ s River. The continental breakfast is included in the rates, and you can even rent bicycles for some extra fun.
Point Lookout State Park
Credit: Maryland GovPics
WINING AND DINING
The park has a store that stocks up on essentials like snacks, drinks, and camping gear. You can also grab a bite at the summer food concession in the park’ s South Beach area. In Piney Point, Ruddy Duck Seafood & Alehouse serves seafood alongside stunning water views. POV Restaurant at Pier450 offers a unique fine-dining menu in a setting that’ s both indoor and outdoor, right by the water. Be sure to try the crab and corn soup.
SUMMER 2025
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