Hooper Strait Lighthouse, St. Micheals
ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND
Distance from downtown D.C.: 79 miles
Situated on the Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels is a small town
with an abundance of nautical charm. It has a proud history
of shipbuilding and fishing, which visitors can explore at the
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Volunteer docents provide
guided tours that spotlight the town’s history and ecology
of the bay. Also climb the short, spiral staircase to the top of
the museum’s 19th-century Hooper Strait Lighthouse for a
panoramic view of the ocean.
The best way to explore St. Michaels is on foot. Its main street
is lined with lovely shops and restaurants, including The Galley,
a family-owned restaurant with a relaxed vibe and great
brunch. Try the Bloody Mary or the slightly sweeter variant,
the Maple Mary — they’re made with a 50-year-old recipe and
rimmed with Old Bay seasoning. Relax after a busy day with
a beer at one of the town’s favorite gathering spots, Eastern
Shore Brewing.
This little town has extraordinary shopping. Come By Chance
sells elegant home decor, including graceful ceramic vases,
custom upholstered furniture, and locally crafted candles.
Hopkins Original Art showcases mixed-media artworks at a
range of price points; at the back, find a room filled wall-to-wall
with vintage records.
HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA
Distance from downtown D.C.: 64 miles
This small town saw one of the great turning points in the lead
up to the Civil War. In 1859, abolitionist John Brown led an
armed group of 21 men, some of whom were former slaves, to
overtake the federal arsenal here in hopes of igniting a slave
revolt throughout the South. The location of the raid, now
known as John Brown’s Fort, is a must-visit for history buffs.
The fort is part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park,
which spans 3,500 acres and contains more than 20 miles of
hiking trails and many historic sites.
Elsewhere in Harpers Ferry, Lower Town is popular with
visitors for its historic landmarks and Federalist and Victorian
architecture. The Town’s Inn houses two charming eateries:
the casual, grab-and-go Mountain House Cafe and Shoppe
and Hamilton’s Tavern 1840, which serves an imaginative and
diverse menu of American and international fare, from mac
and cheese to Caribbean jerk fish tacos.
BY MEGAN LEADER
TREASURES TO DISCOVER
BEYOND WASHINGTON’S BORDERS
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 60 WINTER 2019/20