Salisbury

Day Trips

Start your day with a locally roasted coffee and a freshly baked pastry at Bruno’s Patisserie, soaking in the Victorian storefronts nearby. Wander along Main Street to admire turn-of-the-century architecture and pop into boutique shops for unique handcrafted souvenirs. Chat with friendly locals at the Visitor Center to pick up maps and insider tips for your Salisbury adventure.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Bella’s, sampling Chesapeake crab cakes paired with a crisp Eastern Shore salad. Join a guided walking tour to learn about Salisbury’s founding, its role in the Underground Railroad, and historic landmarks like the Amos Claggett House. Spend some time in City Park, feed the geese by the lake, and snap photos of the century-old trees.

Dine riverside at The Waterfront Hotel’s bistro, savoring freshly caught rockfish with a glass of local white wine. As dusk falls, take a leisurely stroll on the John Deere Trail by the Wicomico River, enjoying firefly displays on warm evenings. Cap off the night with live acoustic music at Quazy Tiki Bar, mingling with fellow travelers and locals.

Head to the Ward Museum to witness the world’s largest collection of carved waterfowl decoys and learn about this unique American folk art. Join a curator-led gallery talk to understand the historical significance of decoy making on the Eastern Shore. Try your hand at a decoy-painting demonstration station and leave with a personalized art piece.

Break for lunch in the museum café, sampling Maryland crab soup alongside a fresh garden salad. Attend a hands-on sculpting workshop to carve your own miniature waterfowl under expert guidance. Explore the museum’s rotating exhibits featuring contemporary wildlife artists and rare antique decoys.

Stroll through the adjacent Salisbury University arboretum at sunset, marveling at the vibrant fall foliage or spring blooms. Enjoy dinner at a nearby farm-to-table restaurant such as Jimmie & Sook’s, where seasonal produce takes center stage. End the evening with a star-gazing session in the arboretum, guided by a local astronomy enthusiast.

Tour Poplar Hill Mansion, a beautifully restored Federal-style estate with original woodwork and period furnishings. Hear tales of 19th-century life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore from an engaging costumed interpreter. Wander the manicured gardens and learn about heirloom plants once cultivated on the property.

Picnic on the mansion’s front lawn with gourmet sandwiches from a local deli, enjoying river views. Walk over to Waterfront Park to watch sailboats drift by, then rent a pedal boat for a gentle spin on the Wicomico River. Visit the nearby Veteran’s Memorial Sculpture Garden to pay respects and reflect on Salisbury’s community spirit.

Dine at a waterfront seafood grill, feasting on steamed shrimp and hush puppies as the sun sinks into the river. Join an evening kayak tour departing from the park’s dock for a moonlit paddle along the shoreline. Conclude the night roasting marshmallows at a public riverside fire pit for a cozy Maryland marshmallow roast.

Begin at the Wicomico County Museum to explore local artifacts, photographs, and exhibits tracing regional agricultural heritage. Participate in a genealogy workshop to uncover your own family’s Eastern Shore roots. Browse the gift shop for locally made jams and historic photograph prints.

Head to Salisbury Zoo for an animal encounter, feeding giraffes or watching red pandas play. Attend the zookeeper talk to learn about conservation efforts for endangered species. Cool off with ice cream from the zoo’s snack bar while observing tropical birds in the aviary.

Drive to a laid-back tavern like Julian’s Bar & Grill for a burger and local craft brew. Catch an outdoor summer concert or movie screening in City Park’s amphitheater. Finish the evening with a nighttime stroll through Milburnie Road for charming holiday lights (seasonal) or a quiet moonlit walk.

Depart early for a scenic drive to Cambridge and board a narrated ferry to explore the Choptank River area. Spot ospreys and herons at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge as you glide past marshes. Snap photos of historic lighthouses standing sentinel over the bay waters.

Enjoy fresh-caught oysters and clam chowder at a waterfront shack, accompanied by panoramic bay views. Rent paddleboards or a small skiff for an up-close journey through tidal creeks. Learn about the bay’s ecology from a local waterman who demonstrates traditional crabbing techniques.

Return to Salisbury for a riverside dinner at The Cannery, tasting locally smoked fish and seasonal veggies. Relax on their outdoor patio with lanterns overhead, listening to the gentle lapping of the water. End the night sampling craft cocktails infused with regional herbs at a speakeasy-style bar.

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at Graham’s Landing before grabbing kayaks at Triton Kayak Company. Paddle downstream beneath towering sycamores as morning mist rises off the water. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles sunning themselves on fallen logs.

Pull ashore for a beachside picnic featuring deli platters and fresh fruit from the Salisbury Farmers Market. Explore hidden coves and secret channels along the river’s edge, guided by a local naturalist. Learn about native flora and fauna, from wild azaleas to bald eagles perched overhead.

Bring your kayak back and unwind with fish tacos and margaritas at a nearby Mexican cantina. Stroll along the wooden boardwalk near downtown, spotting illuminated art installations after dark. Toast marshmallows over a beach bonfire organized by a local adventure club.

Visit Choptank Orchard to pick your own apples, peaches, or berries depending on the season. Take a tractor tour of the fields and learn about sustainable farming practices. Sample freshly pressed cider and homemade jam at the farm store.

Join a cooking demonstration led by a local chef using produce you just harvested. Prepare and savor dishes like peach-glazed chicken or heirloom tomato bruschetta with fresh basil. Take home personalized recipe cards and a basket of farm-fresh goods.

Dine beneath twinkling lights at an orchard’s outdoor long-table feast, enjoying live bluegrass music. Savor family-style portions of roasted root vegetables, artisanal cheeses, and fruit-filled desserts. Wind down with a glass of hard cider or mead brewed on-site while watching fireflies flicker in the twilight.

Stop by the Poppleton Gallery to admire works by Eastern Shore painters and sculptors. Participate in an interactive watercolor workshop led by a local artist. Visit neighboring artisan studios crafting pottery, glass, and textiles.

Lunch at ECO City Farm and visit their educational farm plots and demonstration gardens. Attend a live poetry reading or storytelling session in a cozy café overlooking the fields. Browse an indie bookshop specializing in regional authors and history volumes.

Catch a performance at the Civic Center or a jazz night at a downtown lounge. Sample small plates and craft cocktails while listening to talented local musicians. Conclude with a leisurely moonlit walk past illuminated murals in the Arts District.

Drive out to Assateague Island National Seashore to watch wild horses grazing near the dunes at sunrise. Hike along beach trails admiring coastal grasses and birdlife like piping plovers. Take a guided ranger talk about the delicate barrier island ecosystem.

Set up a beach blanket for shell-collecting and a picnic of sandwiches and lemonade. Swim or boogie board in the gentle Atlantic surf and relax under striped beach umbrellas. Rent bicycles to explore more remote sections of the island away from crowds.

Return to Salisbury and dine at a waterfront seafood shanty, tasting freshly steamed littlenecks and corn on the cob. Head to a beachfront bonfire event (seasonal) to roast marshmallows and share stories under the stars. If weather permits, join a stargazing program focusing on constellations visible over the Atlantic horizon.

Begin with a gourmet brunch at Salt & Fork, sampling chia seed parfaits and smoked salmon Benedict. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of a local microbrewery to learn about grain-to-glass brewing processes. Enjoy tasting flights of IPAs, stouts, and seasonal ciders.

Attend a hands-on cooking class where you master Maryland classics like crab imperial and Smith Island cake layers. Visit a nearby vineyard or cidery for a picnic lunch between the vines and orchard rows. Shop at a specialty gourmet market for fine chocolates, coffee, and regional preserves to take home.

Host your own DIY seafood boil at a rented riverfront cottage, complete with king crabs, corn, and potatoes. Toast your 10-day adventure with local craft beers or a bottle of Eastern Shore rosé. Gather around a fire pit for final reflections, toasting marshmallows and planning your next Maryland journey.