Havre de Grace sits at the bend where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Take advantage of the confluence, grab your fishing gear, and set out to catch some pike, perch, herring, catfish, carp, or one of several types of bass at the heavily wooded Susquehanna State Park.
Back in town, work up a sweat—and try not to fall overboard—with a yoga class on a stand-up paddleboard. BeachBee Yoga and SUP offers 90-minute, seasonal private SUP yoga classes, but if you’re not coordinated enough yet to balance on the water, Yoga Studio 723 offers seasonal yoga classes alongside the river.
With an abundance of sea birds, waterfowl, and other aquatic creatures, it’s worth exploring the river beyond the immediate shoreline. Rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards from the Havre de Grace Marine Center or take a guided kayak tour with Kayaking Made EZ Maryland Kayak Tours to dive into the town’s riverside history and environment.
Looking for a challenge? Head over to the BaySail School of Sailing for introductory through advanced sailing courses, all accredited by the American Sailing Association. If you already know how to sail, skip the class and fill out an application on their website to rent one of their 22-foot keelboats.
If you prefer to stay dry, numerous antiques stores, beauty spas, and co-op shops brimming with home décor and edible goodies dot the main streets. Dozens of regional artists display their paintings, handmade jewelry, and multimedia wares at Arts by the Bay Gallery. A hodgepodge of kitsch and niche nostalgia awaits both the teetotaler and the alcohol aficionado at Bahoukas Antique Mall & Beer MuZeum.
Or buy a $6 ticket to the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum to learn about not just the region’s intertwined hunting and coastal histories, but also the carved and painted faux waterfowl used both as hunting tools and folk artworks. Events diving deeper into that history are held throughout the year, including the Annual Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival, held for the 40th time from April 29 through May 1 this year.
EAT
Java By The Bay will supply your morning fix with over two dozen coffee flavors. Peruse the display of midcentury memorabilia while you wait for your beans to roast, and then head down the street to Goll’s Bakery for one of their flaky, thick cinnamon buns.
Need a stronger sugar buzz? Walk to the intersection of Market and Girard streets and dip into Bomboy’s Homemade Ice Cream for a generous scoop of peanut butter crunch. Or cross the street to its sister store, Bomboy’s Homemade Candy, for a cluster of cashews and caramel between disks of milk chocolate they call a “jumbo crab.” (Either way, snap a picture with the giant cow-shaped bench inside the ice cream shop.)
STAY
A handful of guest houses, bed-and-breakfasts, and attractive home rentals are available in and around the town center. Full of Victorian charm and warm hospitality, the Vandiver Inn is a light walk away from the waterfront and the restaurants along North Washington and St. John streets.
Feature image courtesy Explore Havre de Grace
This story originally ran in our May issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
