Things To Do in Chesapeake City

On the waterfront, the C&D Canal Museum, 815 Bethel Rd., at Second Street (tel. 410/885-5622), tells the story of the giant waterway running through town. The 1829 pump house (now the museum) features the largest water wheel built in the U.S. The admission is free; it's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm.

At the water's edge is Pell Gardens, a grassy park with a gazebo next to the town wharf. It's a good place to enjoy an ice-cream cone from the Canal Creamery, 9 Bohemia Ave. (tel. 410/885-3314), across the street (May-Oct).

Take a cruise aboard the Miss Clare (tel. 410/885-5088), captained by a fifth-generation resident who has plenty of stories and historical photos to share. Cruises are scheduled April through October on Saturday and Sunday.

Shopping is one of the main attractions in Chesapeake City; most stores are open from 10am until 9 or 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and until 5pm on Sunday. Winter hours tend to be more limited.

Bohemia Avenue, the major thoroughfare, begins at the waterfront with a collection of galleries offering original and local art, as well as limited-edition prints. The oldest of these, Firefly Glass Studio, 1709 Bohemia Ave. (tel. 410/504-9357), stocks stained glass in an old bank building.

Back Creek General Store, 100 Bohemia Ave. (tel. 410/885-5377), is housed in an 1861 building that's packed with gifts and a large collection of Sheila and Byers Choice items, including ones of Chesapeake City. Artist and printmaker Neil Snodgrass sells his own works at Neil's Artwork, 226 George St. (tel. 410/885-5094). His shop is open April through December.