Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Cambridge, MD

Near the mouth of the broad Choptank River, Cambridge is a charming town with a notable maritime essence. The history of this community is closely linked to aquatic trades, including oystering, crabbing, and boatbuilding.

Harriet Tubman (c. 1822-1913), renowned as the most prominent “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, was born into slavery near Cambridge. After her escape in 1849, she undertook many courageous returns to the Eastern Shore, facilitating the liberation of approximately 70 enslaved individuals.

Visitors may explore various sites throughout Dorchester County along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, including the remarkable visitor center at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park.

This national park resides within the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, a vast marshland that serves as a critical route for fall waterfowl migration.

1. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park

In 2013, coinciding with the centennial of Harriet Tubman’s passing, 480 acres of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge were designated as a National Historical Park.

The visitor center, costing $22 million, opened in 2017 and consists of four barn-like buildings, reminiscent of refuges Tubman utilized during her journeys.

Windows provide views of a landscape that has remained largely unchanged since Tubman’s era, with the buildings featuring zinc cladding that will naturally weather to symbolize the ongoing healing since the Civil War.

The main exhibition includes interactive displays focused on themes such as the Underground Railroad, the contemporary relevance of Tubman’s work, and her early life, family, and faith, all set against the backdrop of the Choptank River.

2. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Cambridge serves as the access point to an expansive marshland, often referred to as the “Everglades of the North.” Covering nearly 29,000 acres, the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge showcases diverse habitats, including tidal wetlands, freshwater lakes, forests, open fields, and farmland.

Established in 1933 as a sanctuary for waterfowl, the refuge becomes a spectacular site for bird migration each late fall, primarily frequented by Canada geese, but also hosting swans, cranes, and over 20 species of ducks.

Bald eagles are present year-round. Although birdwatching opportunities diminish in summer, this season is optimal for exploring the intricate waterways (insect repellent may be advisable), with rental services offered by entities like Blackwater Adventures.

3. Downtown Cambridge

Cambridge’s historic center, located along Race Street, Poplar Street, and High Street, is rich in culture, featuring museums, exceptional dining options, and many intriguing side streets.

Among these is Christ Episcopal Church, which, despite the current Gothic Revival structure dating to 1883, has hosted a congregation since 1692. The cemetery is the resting place for no fewer than five Maryland governors.

The charming brick-paved High Street culminates at the waterfront to the east.

At 206 High Street is the remarkable Italianate Dorchester County Courthouse (1854), noted as the site where Harriet Tubman’s niece Kessiah and her two children escaped from the auction block in 1850.

Numerous indicators of Cambridge’s maritime history are displayed, from paintings of schooners in gallery windows to exhibits showcasing boatbuilding craftsmanship at the Richardson Maritime Museum.

Dining opportunities in downtown Cambridge are primarily situated along Race Street and Poplar Street, offering a variety of cuisines including modern American, pizza, pub fare, breakfast options, Indian, BBQ, Mexican, and steak.

4. Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center

Located along the Harriet Tubman trail, this well-curated museum provides insightful information through detailed displays and a short film detailing Tubman’s life.

Visitors can learn about her upbringing, deep religious convictions, the injuries sustained in her youth, her first escape to Philadelphia in 1849, and the numerous returns she made to rescue family and friends from the Eastern Shore.

In 2019, the museum gained attention for a poignant mural on its exterior wall. The mural, depicting Tubman in a rowboat with an outstretched arm, was created by artist Michael Rosato and commissioned by the Dorchester Center for the Arts.

5. Visitor Center at Sailwinds Park East

Strategically situated near the Choptank River Bridge, the visitor center for Dorchester County welcomes visitors traversing the Delmarva Peninsula.

The Visitor Center at Sailwinds Park East features an eye-catching design resembling a giant sail, reminiscent of a schooner.

This center serves as a valuable resource for information and materials such as maps and brochures, while also functioning as an attraction. The facility contains exhibits about Cambridge and Dorchester County across two levels.

Outside, visitors can enjoy a lighthouse-themed playground, a fountain in honor of the Grand National Waterfowl Association, a peaceful garden with native plants, an amphitheater for events, a riverfront beach area, and a mile-long boardwalk.

6. Richardson Maritime Museum

Wooden boatbuilding is a craft that has flourished on the Eastern Shore for over 300 years, and this museum, housed in a historic bank building on High Street, recounts its story.

The Richardson Maritime Museum is named after esteemed local boatbuilder, James B. Richardson.

The primary exhibit pays homage to regional artisans with a comprehensive display of preserved boatbuilding tools ranging from planes to saws.

Additionally, visitors can explore a remarkable collection of miniature models representing various sailboats found in the Chesapeake Bay, including pungys, bug eyes, and skipjacks, all of which have historically contributed to the local economy through oystering.

7. Heritage Museums and Gardens of Dorchester

The headquarters of the Dorchester County Historical Society is located on a peaceful residential street in Cambridge.

The centerpiece of this site is the Meredith House, constructed around 1760, showcasing artifacts and furnishings that reflect domestic life in the county through the ages.

Additionally, the Neild Museum focuses on rural life in Dorchester County, featuring a combined wheelwright and blacksmith shop, a stronghouse from the 1700s, and curated herb gardens.

The Robbins Heritage Center covers other local trades and historical aspects, highlighting the canning industry, trapping, hunting, timbering, Native American history, and the War of 1812 in Dorchester County.

8. Blackwater Adventures

The expansive sheltered waters surrounding Cambridge provide a marvelous outdoor playground suitable for activities such as kayaking, jet skiing, fishing, powerboating, and other aquatic pursuits.

Blackwater Adventures, located at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, provides all necessary resources to capitalize on this exceptional environment.

Rentals are available for kayaks, paddle boats, bicycles, catamarans, and stand-up paddleboards, along with more powerful watercraft. Guided bus tours and comprehensive paddling and biking excursions are also offered.

9. Harriet Tubman Birthplace Marker

Within the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, visitors may pause to reflect at one location believed to be Harriet Tubman’s birthplace.

The precise date and location of Tubman’s birth have been challenging to ascertain. In 2021, the presumed site of her father Ben Ross’s cabin was uncovered further west in Peter’s Neck.

However, along Greenbrier Road to the east, there is an inviting spot within a picturesque landscape, where visitors can pull off the road to ponder Tubman’s legacy.

A marker has been placed at this site, complemented by an informative sign detailing Tubman’s early life, the experiences of African Americans in mid-19th century Dorchester County, and the origins of the Underground Railroad.

10. Spocott Windmill

The only post mill in Maryland is located a few miles west of Cambridge, near Gary Creek, and is part of an outdoor museum featuring numerous historical buildings dating back to the 19th century.

The original windmill, which could pivot to face any direction in response to the wind, was constructed in 1852 and collapsed during a blizzard in 1888.

The current Spocott Windmill stands as an accurate replica, crafted by the local boat builder Jim Richardson, who is also known for the Richardson Maritime Museum.

Since its establishment, several historic buildings have been relocated to this site, including a doctor’s office, colonial cottage (c. 1800), country store, and a one-room schoolhouse (c. 1868).

11. Long Wharf Park

Continuing north on High Street leads you to the Choptank riverfront, once a hub for thriving river trade, where oystermen landed their catch.

Long Wharf Park, situated by the Cambridge Yacht Basin, has the capacity to accommodate remarkably large vessels.

Served as a floating monument to the oyster industry, the skipjack Nathan of Dorchester is docked beside Long Wharf Park, allowing for public sailing excursions, charters, and special events during the summer.

The park is also the venue for the Cambridge Farmers’ Market held Thursday afternoons from May through November.

12. Choptank River Lighthouse

A beloved landmark in Cambridge is a replica lighthouse accessible via a pier adjacent to Long Wharf Park.

The Choptank River Lighthouse, completed in 2012, recreates a historic screwpile lighthouse that was operational in the area until its dismantling in 1964.

Primarily funded by local donations, the lighthouse project spanned over two decades and now functions as a small museum open to the public from May to October.

Visitors can enjoy stunning views and explore exhibits that document the maritime history of Dorchester County.

13. Dorchester Center for the Arts

Located on Cambridge’s Historic High Street, this vibrant community arts center operates as a non-profit organization.

Established in 1970, it serves the entire Eastern Shore community by providing exceptional gallery exhibitions and a variety of classes suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Exhibitions at the Dorchester Center for the Arts typically last for one month and showcase the work of local and regional artists.

In addition to annual shows geared towards members and youth, themes explored in past exhibitions include art therapy, textiles, Harriet Tubman, model boats, African American quilts, and beyond.

The gift shop also deserves mention as a unique venue for purchasing handmade crafts along High Street.

14. Bill Burton Fishing Pier

Long stretches of the old Emerson C. Harrington Bridge have been preserved as a promenade and fishing pier on both banks of the Choptank River.

The pier, accessible across the river at Trappe, is formally known as the Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park.

The Emerson C. Harrington Bridge, dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935, runs parallel to a modern bridge completed in 1987.

On the Cambridge side, the pier spans half a mile and is an ideal location for walking, jogging, crabbing, and fishing activities.

Commonly caught fish species in the Choptank include striped bass, perch, croaker, catfish, and sea trout. At the time of compiling this list, the pier was temporarily closed to the public.

15. Gerry Boyle Park

Another location providing access to the Choptank riverfront in Cambridge is Gerry Boyle Park, found at the terminus of Great Marsh Point.

This public park offers a boat ramp, two soft launch areas, a playground, pavilion, walking paths, fishing sites, and a small beach.

The natural setting is captivating, making it an ideal spot for witnessing sunrises and sunsets or enjoying Cambridge’s Fourth of July fireworks.

Furthermore, the park serves as a route for the internationally recognized Ironman Maryland triathlon held in September and the Ironman 70.3 Eagleman triathlon in June.