This Is The Most Hospitable Town In Maryland

Easton, Maryland, is a town with a strong reputation for its quirky local festivals, ranging from fire-and-ice events to those celebrating waterfowl. Not only does it have a fantastic calendar of events throughout the year, but it also keeps community members involved through art workshops and theater performances. That community spirit carries over into the town’s two farmers' markets, which showcase local agricultural and artisan groups year-round. Even the local art museum gets everyone involved by hosting public workshops! Easton also has some pretty great neighbors, like St. Michaels to the west. So, let’s dive into why this Maryland town is such a mood-lifting destination.

More Than Just Your Average Street Fair

Easton’s upbeat spirit is always on display at its many festivals throughout the year. Even in the winter, the town’s atmosphere stays warm during the Chesapeake Fire & Ice Festival, which features dozens of ice sculptures throughout the downtown district, along with live sculpture demonstrations, live music, and a fire trail. During the summer, locals and visitors spend the hotter weather outdoors during the Plein Air Easton, the largest juried plein air painting competition in the US. Fifty-eight juried artists are selected from across the country each year to create a masterpiece outdoors!

The Waterfowl Festival is quite unique as well, taking place in the fall and raising money for wildlife and habitat conservation. A few activities during this event include a waterfowl-calling competition, dock-dog competitions, a world-renowned art market, and live demonstrations covering a wide range of topics.

Farmers Markets & Shops

Easton values its farmers, artisans, and vendors, as evidenced by its many markets and shops. The Easton Farmers Market is a town staple, occurring each Saturday morning. In addition to shopping for crafts, baked goods, and produce, attendees can enjoy live music at this lively event. Thursday through Saturday, you can stop by the Amish Country Farmer's Market. Operating since 2007, this space features a collection of more than 20 vendors, many of which sell Amish foods, furniture, and gifts. Nearby, you can also search for the perfect gift at Arrae, a gift boutique, or Flying Cloud Booksellers, an independent bookshop that sells a curated collection of fiction and non-fiction best sellers.

A Small Town With A Big Appetite

You are going to want to arrive in Easton with an appetite, because the food here is as warm and welcoming as the town itself. If you are in need of a morning pick-me-up, you can start your day at Weather Gage, a local coffee shop that serves espresso, drip, pastries, cake, cookies, and more. For lunch, you can enjoy some hearty burgers or barbecue from Rude BBQ, which serves an extensive list of specialty burgers, wings, barbecue sandwiches, smoked brisket, ribs, and much more. You can finish off the day with an Eastern shore-style meal from Hunter’s Tavern, which is located within the hospitable Tidewater Inn. Here, guests can savor fresh seafood dishes like cream of crab soup, baked oysters, grilled scallops, and tuna tartare.

Museums, Theaters & Galleries

Easton hosts several notable art institutions, including an art museum, a historic theater, and galleries that foster a collaborative local art community. The Academy Art Museum is open six days a week and consists of five galleries with rotating exhibits, an active art studio that offers classes to the public, and a performing arts room that hosts lectures, performances, and film screenings. A few of the upcoming classes you can attend in the studio include photography, pastel, printmaking, and painting workshops. The Avalon Theatre almost always seems to have events going on as well, ranging from comedy acts and lecturers to classical music quartets and rock bands. If you are looking to take home a piece of art with you, rest assured that there are plenty of galleries that will invite you in! The Troika Gallery is a great one to check out, publicly open between Thursday and Monday, exhibiting fine and classical works.

An Optional Extension For Your Itinerary

After such a friendly visit to Easton, you might find yourself hesitant to head back home. Fortunately, it is easy to extend your trip to another nearby town! St. Michaels is one of the best neighboring options, situated just a 15-minute drive west of Easton. This town is particularly eager to share its maritime history, home to sites like the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Several interactive exhibitions are available to explore, along with seasonal excursions aboard the museum’s seasonal Patriot Cruises.

Lasting about 70 minutes, these narrated tours pass historic waterfront mansions and local wildlife habitats. After your cruise, you can conclude the day with a delicious meal from Chesapeake Landing, a seafood restaurant that is loved by locals, operating for over 30 years and serving favorites like Maryland Crab Cakes, fresh fish of the day, and crab imperial.

A Place That Continues To Prioritize Community

Known as the Cultural Capital of the Eastern Shore, Easton offers hospitality like no other. Even with a population of about 17,000, this Maryland town has built a strong reputation as a friendly town. Head out and get ready to explore this little community for yourself. Community can feel hard to come by at times, but Easton continues to foster it. So, it won’t take long to understand what makes it so special!