11 Amazing Chesapeake Bay Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most scenic regions on the East Coast. Spanning over 60,000 square miles, the expansive watershed straddles multiple states, cities, towns, and villages. From charming waterfront communities to hidden fishing villages, the Bay offers endless opportunities for memorable day trips. Promising fresh seafood, historic landmarks, sandy beaches, and peaceful nature trails, daytrippers can look forward to enticing getaways with a few hours' drive from the city.
These destinations come packed with character, culture, and coastal charm. Ideal for families, couples, or solo travelers, each getaway offers a unique glimpse into the rich heritage and diverse ecosystems of the region. So, if you are up for an exciting adventure on the open road, here are Chesapeake Bay day trips that are worth the drive.
Gunpowder Falls State Park (30 minutes)
Gunpowder Falls State Park is an easy day trip for anyone seeking an escape from the saturated streets of Baltimore, offering a laid-back natural oasis to let loose and engage in outdoor adventures. Spanning over 18,000 acres, the recreational playground attracts all manner of activities, on land and water alike. The Hammerman Area is one of the best spots in the park, providing an expansive swimming beach and short scenic trails along the shoreline. This is close to the Dundee Creek Marina, where a boat ramp invites tourists for fun kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, and windsurfing activities.
More than 100 miles of trails run through Gunpowder Falls State Park, offering the perfect avenue to discover the park. This includes the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, which stretches about 20 miles and is perfect for jogging, walking, horseback riding, and biking.
Calvert Cliffs State Park (1 hour 30 minutes)
Calvert Cliffs State Park is a chilled-out getaway from Baltimore, Maryland, and a lovely beachside oasis where daytrippers can go to enjoy a tranquil scenery, beachcomb for shark teeth, and admire dramatic cliffs. The splendid quarter-mile stretch of sand at Calvert Cliffs Park Beach provides access to the warm waters of the Chesapeake Bay, inviting activities like picnicking, swimming, and fossil hunting for shark teeth. Before getting to the coast, there are two routes leading to the area: the shorter Red Trail and the longer Orange Trail.
These are perfect for those who want to stretch their legs and sneak in a little exercise. Another popular activity for visitors is strolling along the shoreline to photograph the stunning Calvert Cliffs, synonymous with the state park.
Kiptopeke State Park (50 minutes)
Kiptopeke State Park is a coastal gem on the Chesapeake Bay's Eastern Shore, and a mellow-paced reprieve from the crowded shoreline of Norfolk. This coastal sanctuary opens doors to an array of recreational activities with a diverse ecological habitat. Several migratory birds pass through the area, which lies along the Atlantic flyway, making it a popular destination for nature lovers. Hikers and bikers can wear comfortable shoes to explore over 5 miles of scenic trails meandering through the park. The upland Baywoods Trail is perfect for walkers, while the Mockingbird, Raptor, and Songbird trails are designed for cyclists.
Access to the vast waters of Chesapeake Bay means opportunities for a variety of aquatic fun. You can head to the South Beach for swimming, crabbing, boating, and kayaking. The site also features a fishing pier with picnic tables and lights to bait the fish.
First Landing State Park (30 minutes)
This short day trip from Norfolk blends colonial history and coastal beauty as an incentive for travelers seeking a change of scenery. First Landing State Park is the landing site of English colonists in the early 17th century and home to waterways that have been traversed by settlers, Native Americans, and 20th-century expeditioners along the Chesapeake Bay. It offers a 1.5-mile Chesapeake Bay Waterfront for swimmers, loungers, and walkers, with a blend of cypress swamps, maritime forest, lagoons, and other habitats that provide a refuge for native flora and fauna.
Several campsites in the area also offer an opportunity to sleep under the stars for those seeking a complete outdoor experience. Elsewhere, you can stop by the Chesapeake Bay Center to explore the historical landing of settlers, or take an educational tour of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center to learn about underwater life.
Elk Neck State Park (1 hour 10 minutes)
Situated a little over an hour outside Baltimore, Elk Neck State Park beckons tourists with its splendid coastal scenery, quiet atmosphere, and outdoor adventure. Covering 2,000 acres, the park features miles of hiking trails, vantage points, and campsites, and is split into four general areas. The Turkey Point Lighthouse Area harbors a 35-foot light station from 1833 and terrific views of the Chesapeake Bay. Meanwhile, those who want some fun on the water can head to the North East Beach Area for a swimming, boating, kayaking, or canoeing excursion.
The Elk River Camping Area presents over 200 campsites and cabins, ideal for those who want to be one with nature through the night.
Virginia Living Museum (40 minutes)
A forty-minute escape from Norfolk brings you this gem in Newport News, which is one of the best Chesapeake Bay day trips that is worth the drive for nature enthusiasts. The Virginia Living Museum offers a behind-the-scenes look into the state's natural heritage, with interactive exhibits highlighting the sea, mountains, forests, and wildlife. Guests can have up-close encounters with over 200 species of endemic wildlife, ranging from bobcats and bald eagles to otters. The Conservation Command Center educates first-timers on different conservation efforts designed to protect the flora and fauna.
Also, they can witness an array of recreated habitats, such as a Cypress Swamp, Mountain Cover, and a Limestone Cave. A 0.75 boardwalk mile leads to the fascinating Dinosaur Discovery Trail, which features over a dozen life-like dinosaur displays and dig pits.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (1 hour and 30 minutes)
If you are up for a historical journey exploring the region's rich and enduring seafaring heritage, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a worthwhile day trip destination from Baltimore. This magnificent site sits on an 18-acre property along the Miles River and shares interesting facts about the cultural, historical, and environmental impact of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It houses an array of interactive exhibits, featuring an assemblage of vintage vessels and a functional shipyard.
The shipyard maintains a tradition of a working waterfront and features an apprentice program where you can witness age-old boat-building techniques. Meanwhile, the Hooper Strait Lighthouse from 1879 is another important exhibit where guests can climb for sweeping views of the water.
Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum (1 hour 15 minutes)
The Chesapeake Bay takes an interesting look at the area's railway heritage in a well-preserved turn-of-the-century railway station that calls on daytrippers to skip the noise of Baltimore. The Chesapeake Bay Railway Museum takes you back to where it all began, using an interactive selection of artifacts, relics, and archives, each telling an immersive story. Guests get to learn about the vision of the founders, what they achieved, and how the railway impacted the development of the town between the early 1900s and the Second World War.
The site also features a boardwalk and a tiny electric garden, while kids can take part in a scavenger hunt. It adjoins the Chesapeake Bay Railway Trail, which provides an avenue to explore the surrounding open spaces on foot or a bike.
Susquehanna State Park (50 minutes)
It takes a 50-minute drive from downtown Baltimore to reach this recreation hub along the Susquehanna River Valley, whose mix of forest cover, rugged rocky terrain, and water access presents an array of recreational opportunities. Almost 15 miles of well-marked and maintained trails traverse the park, welcoming bikers, hikers, and equestrians to immerse themselves in the great outdoors. The Susquehanna Ridge Trail is among the most popular and offers a relatively easy 3-mile hike. Tourists can access the water at the Lapidum Boat Ramp for a fun fishing expedition, with a chance to catch bass, perch, pike, and other fish species.
Susquehanna State Park also promises history enthusiasts exciting discoveries within its territory. The area houses a fair share of historical markers offering a glimpse of the past, including the Jersey Toll House, Rock Run Historic Area, and Carter-Archer Mansion, among others.
Chrysler Museum of Art (5 minutes)
The Chrysler Museum of Art is an easy day trip within downtown Norfolk, welcoming culture vultures to explore a world-class collection of art by world-renowned artists. The center exhibits over 35,000 pieces, with many of the displays donated by Walter P. Chrysler Jr. It also boasts at least 50 galleries that showcase recognized sculptures, glass, paintings, decorative, and photography art. Notable sections include the Perry Glass Studio, a sophisticated facility on the museum complex that exposes visitors to the techniques of glassblowing, flameworking, and fusing.
With multiple educational programs and scheduled exhibitions throughout the year, it is an important cultural hub in the Chesapeake Bay region. Besides the art, guests will also want to check out the Willoughby-Baylor House and Moses Myers House, both administered by the Chrysler Museum of Art.
The Maryland Zoo (10 minutes)
If you don't have too much time for a day trip, the Maryland Zoo is the perfect escape from Baltimore's city center and ensures that you don't waste too much time on the road. This family-friendly attraction immerses travelers in the wonders of the natural world through rare encounters with exotic wildlife species in their natural habitats. It features more than 1,500 animal residents, representing about 200 species from across the globe. The sanctuary is divided into multiple sections where you can see the animals.
The award-winning Penguin Coast hosts at least 100 African black-footed penguins, which are considered an endangered species. Meanwhile, the African Journey is one of the most popular in the zoo, and is home ot the continent's most recognized wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, lions, and zebras. Finally, don't forget to check out the Maryland Wilderness, which exhibits native species, like bobcats and river otters.
Whether you are after relaxation by the beach, an expedition in the untamed wilderness, or a taste of local cultural flavor, the Chesapeake Bay region delivers unforgettable day trips just a short drive away. There is no shortage of fun opportunities to impress daytrippers in the United States, from preserved historic sites to stunning natural landscapes. With so much to explore, it's never a dull time for those looking to skip the city noise. So next time you’re craving a quick getaway, look no further than these Chesapeake Bay day trips that are worth the drive.
