Havre de Grace, Maryland Travel Guide
Welcome to Havre de Grace, Maryland! Pronounced “Have-er d Grace”, this charming waterfront town sits on the banks of the Susquehanna River as it meets the top of the Chesapeake Bay. This town is known as the decoy capital of the world! Combined with the premier duck hunting, the people here love their decoys and even hold a festival for them! Havre de Grace is full of small-town charm and is home to about 13,000 residents in the surrounding area. Complete with a cute downtown shopping and eating stretch by the water, it makes for an ideal day or weekend trip to visit the many unique shores, eat the local food, and spend time by the water and out in nature. Be sure to get your Maryland blue crab fix in! Havre de Grace is within driving distance to Baltimore, Maryland (45min, 42 miles), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1hr 15min, 67), and Washington, DC (1hr 45min, 78 miles). The closest major airport is the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall.
Havre de Grace has a rich history, meaning there are plenty of museums to explore. Walk through the Maritime Museum, Lockhouse Museum, and the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum! Besides the museums, the town is home to several unique shops for visitors. Stop by Washington Street Books and Music to browse their collection of authentic movie costumes, check out all things retro at JoRetro, and go antiquing at Seneca Cannery Antiques. Be sure to stop by the Havre de Grace Farmers Market in town too! For some entertainment, enjoy the performing arts at the Cultural Center at the Opera House.
Being on the water allows visitors to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the upper Chesapeake. Stroll along the Havre de Grace Promenade, a ¾ of a mile boardwalk along the water. While you’re there, take a picture with the Friends-Concord Point Lighthouse! Continue on the boardwalk into Millard Tydings Memorial Park for short trails and a great chance to see local wildlife. For some more outdoor activities, drive to Susquehanna State Park for fishing, boating, hiking, and mountain biking. Another fun stop in the area is the Conowingo Dam. Drive across the dam and look down at the stunning Susquehanna!
In addition to cute shops and great scenery, Havre de Grace has some lovely places to eat. Stop by Goll’s Bakery to start your day with a donut and caffeinate at Concord Point Coffee. Chow down on some creole food at local favorite Blackfin Blues Creole de Graw, enjoy the crab at Water Street Seafood, or grab a bite at The Promenade Grille while out for a walk. Craft beer fan? Havre de Grace is for you. Be sure to stop by the two breweries in town, Battery Island Brewery and Market Street Brewery, and take a little drive to Hopkins Farm Brewery for brews and food trucks. For wine fans, take a trip over to Mount Felix Vineyard and Winery for a wine flight. Finish the day off with a sweet treat from Bomboys Homemade Ice Cream.
Complete your visit to Havre de Grace by staying in town. There is a big bed and breakfast culture in Havre de Grace, so consider staying at Vandiver Inn or Spencer Silver Mansion. There are chain hotels located on the nearby I-95 including Hampton Inn, Hilton, and Radisson. Looking to camp? Book a site at Susquehanna State Park. Need a whole rental to yourself? Consider booking a Vrbo. Here are some of our favorites: Houseboat for 8, Rustic Cottage for 4, and Home Downtown for 3.
Want to visit, but not sure when? Consider planning your trip to Havre de Grace during one of their many events and festivals! Come during First Fridays, held every month in the downtown area with food and merchandise vendors and live music! Havre de Grace holds several festivals every year, including the Decoy Festival, leaning into the town's decoy history. Other festivals include Oktoberfest, the Independence Day Celebration, and the Susquehanna Wine and Seafood Festival.
Whatever you’re into, Havre de Grace, Maryland has something worth seeing. We hope this travel guide gave you a glimpse into life in Havre de Grace that can inspire a future visit.
Happy Travels!
The Modern Travel Guide
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