Active Pursuits in Havre de Grace

Biking -- Two local shops rent bikes for about $15 a half-day. Take them along Havre de Grace's quiet back lanes or head over to the trails in nearby Susquehanna State Park. Both Biller's Bikes, 450 Franklin St. (tel. 443/502-2377), and Chesapeake Cycle and Sport, 101 N. Washington St. (tel. 410/939-8735), offer a bridge-crossing service for those who want to cross the Susquehanna to continue biking up the East Coast Greenway. Both are open Wednesday to Sunday.

Boating -- Boat ramps are at Millard E. Tydings Memorial Park, Frank J. Hutchins Memorial Park, and Jean Roberts Memorial Park. The launching fee is $8. Tidewater Marina, at the foot of Bourbon Street (tel. 410/939-0950), has transient boat slips. Experienced sailors can charter a yacht from BaySail (tel. 410/939-2869; www.baysail.net) for a weekend or a couple hours. It also has 3- to 5-day courses for everyone from beginners to advanced sailors.

Golfing -- Bulle Rock, 320 Blenheim Lane (tel. 410/939-8887; www.bullerockgolf.com), home of several LPGA tournaments, is open to the public. Be warned; it has a reputation not only for its good looks but its challenging holes.

Hiking -- Trails through Susquehanna State Park offer pretty views of the Susquehanna River, and are open to hikers, bikers, horses, and cross-country skiers. If you go by way of the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, it's possible to walk to the dam -- which is quite a sight. The huge concrete dam holds back the mighty river, reducing it to a shallow rocky bed.

Kayaking -- Chesapeake Cycle and Sport, 101 N. Washington St. (tel. 410/939-8735), rents kayaks for $30 for 2 hours. Beginning in spring 2010, they'll have a boat launch a block away on the Susquehanna.