Active Pursuits

Just south of Rock Hall, Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, 1730 Eastern Neck Rd. (tel. 410/639-7056; www.fws.gov/northeast/easternneck), is well known to nature lovers, who flock to see migrating waterfowl all winter and the arrival of butterflies heading to South America in August and September. Like Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, this 2,286-acre wooded island, a "globally significant birding area," is a winter haven for migratory birds, including Canada geese and tundra swan. A new water trail circles the island. Waterfowl Watch, held in mid-December, takes visitors on guided tours of areas that are normally closed. The refuge has 6 miles of walking trails, an accessible boardwalk, and an accessible trail with platform. There's no entry fee.

Biking

Rent a bike for $6 an hour or $30 a day from Bikework, 208 S. Cross St. (tel. 410/778-6940). Discounts for multiday rentals are available. The shop also does bike repairs and sells kayaks.

Boating

If the Sultana (tel. 410/778-5954; www.schoonersultana.org), a reproduction 1768 schooner, is in town, call or check the website for a schedule of cruises. Two-hour cruises cost about $30, $15 for children under 12. All-day sails are $50. Reservations are recommended.

Hunting

You can take your gun for a walk at two nearby establishments: Fair Winds Gun Club (tel. 410/778-5363) manages 2,200 acres near Chestertown for goose and dove shooting in September. Hopkins Game Farm, in nearby Kennedyville (tel. 410/348-5287), has 600 acres set aside for goose, duck, pheasant, quail, chukar, and dove hunting, and 2,000 acres are set aside for deer hunting. A sporting clay range is also available. Both places require reservations.

Picnicking

Go down Water Street to find Wilmer Park, a wide open waterfront park with gazebos, shade trees, and picnic tables.