Things To Do in Havre de Grace
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Havre de Grace Attractions
Lots of visitors to Havre de Grace come just for the water views -- which you can see from the promenade, the parks, and several restaurants. The Millard E. Tydings Memorial Park has room for a picnic, or you can bring your fishing rod to the Frank J. Hutchins Memorial Park. The .5-mile promenade takes pedestrians (and bikers before 10am) along the southeast edge of town. It starts (or ends) at the Concord Point Lighthouse and winds through wetlands and along the shore to Tydings Park. Along the way, stop at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum or the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum.
The town boasts six small museums and historic sites: four in town and two on the outskirts. They take only an hour or two to walk through, and admission is downright cheap. In fact, an adult can visit all six for less than $20. Hours are limited to the weekends, except the decoy and maritime museums, which are open daily.
Tour & Boat Rides -- The Skipjack Martha Lewis (tel. 410/939-4078; www.skipjackmarthalewis.org), docked at Tydings Park, offers cruises on most weekends from May to mid-October. Summer visitors can learn about sailing one of the last skipjacks on the bay -- the 1955 boat is still a working girl, spending her winters dredging for oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Oyster dredging trips are available in November or December. Call for reservations. The Mississippi riverboat Lantern Queen tel. 410/939-1468; www.lanternqueen.com) offers dinner and sunset cruises from its dock at Hutchins Park, at the foot of Congress Avenue. Call for reservations and sailing schedule.
- Landmark
Concord Point Lighthouse
This stout 36-foot-tall lighthouse at the headwaters of the bay has been watching over sailors since 1827 -- it's one of the oldest continuously operating lighthouses on the East Coast. - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Mount Felix Winery
Wines produced at this family-owned establishment pay homage to historical figures from the area, including John Adlum, the father of American viticulture. - Park/Garden
Rock Run Historic Area at Susquehanna State Park
Sure, this is a great park for hiking along the Susquehanna River, climbing the hills, and riding a bike or horse along the miles of paths through the forest -- but the historic area is worth a visit, too. Start at the Jersey Toll House (now an information center for the park) for…
Havre de Grace Shopping
Havre de Grace's shops are about 7 blocks north of the promenade. Though it can be a pleasant walk along tree-lined Union Avenue or Market Street, it might be worth driving the short distance if it's a sultry day. Parking is free but limited to 2 hours.
Antiques shops dot Franklin and Washington streets. For furniture, stop at Bayside Antiques, 232 N. Washington St. (tel. 410/939-9397). Decoy fans will want to stop at Vincenti Decoys, 353 Pennington Ave. (tel. 410/734-7709). Chocolates are made on the premises at family-owned Bomboy's Home Made Candy, 329 Market St. (tel. 410/939-2924; www.bomboyscandy.com) and ice cream is served in their shop across the street. Pencilworks Gallery, 201 St. John St. (tel. 410/942-0040), offers the creations of local artisans, including jewelry, photography, and paintings.
