If you ever find yourself around Chesapeake Bay, and you wonder what to do, don’t worry, we got you covered! This article can serve you as a guide to the beautiful estuary that has many wonderful places to go visit. We will tell you about the historical monuments and the gorgeous parks you should absolutely go to.
Enjoy reading and enjoy exploring the Chesapeake Bay!
Historical Monuments
Let’s start off with the historical monuments of Chesapeake Bay. We want to tell you which destinations are the most popular, but we also want to include some lesser-known ones, so you can get a taste of authentic sightseeing.
Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Historic Park, Chesapeake, VA
This is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Chesapeake Bay located in the city of Chesapeake, Virginia. The Battle of Great Bridge was fought at that site and it’s considered the earliest land battle of the Revolutionary War in Virginia.
The battle was fought on December 9 1775, and it was a remarkable victory for the colonial troops that were mostly made of private militias. The museum tells the detailed story of the heroic battle and much more. You can find out about the Ethiopian Regiment, a regiment of black slaves who fought for the Royalists in order to gain their freedom from the colonists.
Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD
Fort McHenry is a must-go site for every single American, because it played a key role in the War of 1812. Fort McHenry was built between 1798 and 1800 on the site of Fort Whetstone. It was named after James McHenry, who is a co-signer of the United States Constitution.
On the morning of September 13, 1814, Fort McHenry was bombarded by the British Navy led by Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane. The bombardment continued for 25 hours, but neither side was successful in the attack. The British gave up and left, which saved Baltimore Harbor from their attack.
Francis Scott Key witnessed the battle from a nearby ship and he was so impressed by it and by the massive American flag “welcoming” the Brits that he wrote the song “Defence of Fort M’Henry”, which eventually turned into “The Star-Spangled Banner”, the American anthem.
C & D Canal Museum, Chesapeake City, MD
This museum located in Chesapeake City, Maryland, tells the story of the famous canal that connects the Delaware River with the Chesapeake Bay. It goes without saying that you should see the magnificent canal, built in 1829, first. The museum itself was built a few years later in 1837.
However, it wasn’t serving the purpose of a museum then, but a site to place the engines that provided water for navigation between Chesapeake City, MD and Delaware City, DE.
Parks and Recreation
If you want to truly indulge in the beauty of Chesapeake Bay, you should go to one of its many gorgeous parks.
Point Lookout State Park, Scotland, MD
Point Lookout State Park is a combination of a beautiful natural park and an important piece of American history. While you can relax on the beach or observe the wildlife, you can also learn a lot about the Civil War.
Point Lookout is the site of a former prisoner of war camp to hold Confederate soldiers. Before the war, it served as a post for lookout for naval attacks, hence its name. At one point, a private militia was defending the site, but unfortunately, it was no match for the British army that occupied it during the War of 1812.
Calvert Cliffs State Park, Lusby, MD
The Calvert Cliffs State Park is a natural monument in Lusby, Maryland. It’s named for the cliffs that were formed approximately 15 to 18 million years ago. What’s even more fascinating about this state park is that it has uncovered many fossils belonging to animals such as the fearsome megalodon and the ancestral members of the whale family.
Flag Ponds Nature Park, Lusby, MD
Flag Ponds Nature Park is another fantastic park in Lusby, Maryland. It has glowing reviews online due to the many activities it offers. For example, you can use the beach to have a picnic and you can even swim there.
What’s more interesting is that you can go fossil hunting and you can even bring a metal detector. You can also go there to hunt animals, but you need a special permit for that. Flag Ponds Nature Park is also perfect for birdwatching and nature study.
Franklin Point State Park, Shady Side, MD
The Franklin Point State Park in Shady Side, Maryland, is the perfect place to relax and just enjoy the beautiful sceneries in front of you. The park is situated on a peninsula, which offers many great hiking options. What’s more, you can observe the wildlife and also go kayaking.
Keep in mind that you can’t camp there and that the park is locked, so you’d have to request access by contacting the park authorities.