Top Things To Do in Chesapeake City, MD

Chesapeake City is a small town with no railroad or traffic lights located on the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal, one of the world’s busiest commercial shipping canals. This small town makes for a great day trip by car or is a wonderful stop for boats traveling the east coast or on the Great Loop. Prepare to enjoy a low-key day enjoying the C&D Canal and the town’s local history, while eating some great meals with waterfront views.

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Table of Contents

Map of Chesapeake City, MD

Throughout this guide, we mention several places of interest that we have saved on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. Once you’re in your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then “Saved Maps.” These Chesapeake City, Maryland, points of interest will appear.

Things to do in Chesapeake City, MD

When we visited Chesapeake City, we were anchored in the harbor on our boat. We were planning our crossing of the Delaware Bay and were held in Chesapeake City for a couple of days due to weather. We were able to get off the boat and enjoyed getting to know what makes this small town special.

Take a stroll around the Chesapeake City Historic District

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, enjoy walking around the town’s 19th-century architecture and cute town center. Browse the local shops, which sell clothing, hand-made items, jewelry, art glass, pottery, gifts, home decor, specialty food, and more!

Chesapeake City Museum

The Chesapeake City Museum chronicling Chesapeake City’s history with documents, artifacts, clothing, maps, and much more. This museum has a lot of original documentation that shares the city’s history. The Chesapeake Bay Museum is open on Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

C&D Canal Museum

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the C&D Canal Museum! Since Chesapeake City’s location is so closely tied to the C&D Canal, it would be unfortunate to visit and not learn about this historic waterway. The museum has exhibitions explaining the original steam operated locks, construction of the canal, and the canal’s history. It’s open from 7 am to 3:30 pm from Monday to Friday, 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Admission into the museum is free. We recommend taking 1-2 hours to explore the museum.

Explore the C&D Canal by Boat

You can take your own boat down the canal, which is what we did, or you can take a tour boat. The Chesapeake City Ferry takes passengers from one side of the canal to the other from April to October. The ferry schedule is posted at the Ticket Office and throughout town. The ferry is a great option to take if you want to explore the northern side of the canal.

Alternatively, there are two local companies that offer tours of the canal:

MV Bay Breeze runs April through October and offers canal tours serving wine and fresh crab. Tours leave from Schaefer’s Canal House on the north side of the canal.

Chesapeake City Water Tours offers sunset cruises and private parties, with rides lasting from one hour to 90 minutes. Tours leave from the Public Dock in Back Creek on the south side of the canal.

Pell Gardens

This waterfront park is a great spot to watch boats come into the Back Creek anchorage. Sit on one of the park benches and enjoy the views. You might even see a wedding happen while you’re visiting.

Kayak in Back Creek

Explore the small creek adjacent to Chesapeake City. You might spot wildlife, including Osprey, Otters, Herons, and Bald Eagles. The area has no kayak rentals, so this is only possible if you have your own kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

Ben Cardin C&D Canal Trail to Michael Castle Trail

This 15.4-mile point-to-point trail takes an average of 4 hours and 38 minutes to complete and is great for walkers, runners, and bikers. The trail is located on the north side of the canal, so if you’re staying in Chesapeake City, you can travel over the Augustine Herman Highway Bridge to get to the start of the trail or take the ferry across the canal. Bikes are allowed on the ferry. When heading east (starting near Chesapeake City), there’s a bathroom facility about 2/3 of the way. The trail ends in Delaware City, Delaware.

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History of Chesapeake City, MD

Originally called Bohemia Avenue, the city was renamed in 1829 to Chesapeake City when the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal was created. Chesapeake City’s history is closely tied to the construction of the C&D Canal.

The C&D Canal is a 14-mile long, 450-foot wide, 35-foot deep canal was formed when a Dutch settler, Augustine Herman, saw the need to connect the Delaware River with the Chesapeake Bay in the 17th century. Building a canal to connect the two bodies of water would improve the economic viability of the area. At the initial time of construction, Chesapeake City had only 3 buildings at the southern bank.

The canal began construction in 1824 by the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company and required a system of four locks operated by steam-operated waterwheels. The canal was finished in 1829 and was operable until 1919 when President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned a feasibility study, which led to the removal of the locks and widening canal for larger ship traffic. The city grew into a busy commercial hub that catered to the passengers and shippers.

Over the next fifty years, the canal was widened and deepened four times, leading to its current size of 450 feet wide and 35 feet deep. The current canal keeps boats in protected, short-cut, instead of having to go into the Atlantic Ocean around the Delmarva peninsula. Each canal expansion and removal of the locks caused a decline in the town’s economic prosperity.

Today, Chesapeake City has a population around 800 and visitors can enjoy a close up view of ocean going vessels that transit this canal.

Where to Eat and Drink in Chesapeake City, MD

Food

Schaffer’s Canal House – This restaurant is located on the northern side of the Canal. They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner with a view of the C&D Canal. The menu features several seafood options, burgers, and a seasonal menu that changes with the seasons.
Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina – The restaurant has a two level deck overlooking Back Creek. The top floor is the restaurant and the lower floor is the bar. The restaurant serves seafood, steaks, pasta, pizza, and bar food.
Prime 225 – If you’re not in the mood for seafood, this boutique steakhouse offers many great upscale options.
Bayard House Restaurant – this historic home was turned into a restaurant and has a waterfront view on its porch. Their menu features seafood items and weekly specials.

Drinks + Breweries

Bayheads Brewing Company – A local brewery with a great beer selection and full cocktail menu!
The Tap Room – The local bar with a good beer selection and old fashioned steamed crabs. Cash only.

Coffee + Sweets

Cafe on the Bay – A great local spot for coffee, quick breakfast dishes, and laid-back brunch.
Canal Creamery – The local ice cream shop has picnic tables out front and a view of the canal.

Annual Festivals + Events in Chesapeake City, MD

Chesapeake City has a lively events calendar with annual festivals and small-town events. Events include a Sip and Stroll, St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Pub Crawl Antique Car Show, Shakespeare in the Park after Dark, Lighted Boat Parade, Holiday Candlelight tour, and much more. With monthly events, there’s sure something to join in and get a more local experience.

When to Visit Chesapeake City

Chesapeake City is a popular stop for boaters in the spring and fall as boaters make their way north out of the hurricane zone and a popular stop for loopers in May and June as they make their way north.

How much time do you need in Chesapeake City, MD

Chesapeake City is a small town with small-town charm and is meant to be enjoyed at a slow pace. You can enjoy many of the town’s attractions and learn about its history all in one day, or you can spend a weekend if you plan on biking the 15+ mile Ben Cardin C&D Canal Trail to Michael Castle Trail.

Getting To + Around Chesapeake City, MD

Chesapeake City

The nearest airports are Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which is a fifty-minute drive away, and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), which is a one-hour fifteen-minute drive away.

If traveling on land, we recommend traveling to Chesapeake City by car, but there are buses and trains in the region. We love using Rentalcars.com for our rental car needs.

Where to stay in Chesapeake City, MD

There are a few options for places to stay in Chesapeake City, including some super cute bed and breakfasts and some waterfront vacation rentals conveniently located in town.

Hotels

You can also check for vacation rentals through VRBO, like this Waterfront Cottage on the C&D Canal or this popular Airbnb, The Chandler House.

Campgrounds

There are few campgrounds within 20-30 miles away. You can find nearby campgrounds on Campspot.

What to Pack in Chesapeake City, MD

Chesapeake City is a small town with small-town charm. We recommend layers so you can comfortably adjust when walking around town or going into museums that might be cooler. Pack for a causal getaway with comfortable shoes to walk around the historic downtown and along the canal.

Read What to Wear on a Boat next!

Boater’s Guide to Chesapeake City, MD

How to Approach

The C&D Canal has a strong current! It’s important to check the local tides so you can plan your travels accordingly. Many boaters travel from Cape May, New Jersey, through the Delaware Bay and Delaware River to the C&D Canal to get to the Chesapeake Bay or vice versa. The Chesapeake City shares these recommendations:

Slack Water

The current throughout the Canal changes its direction approximately at the times of low and high tide at Chesapeake City. The flow is eastward during the interval from low to high tide at Chesapeake City, and westward from high to low tide.

Maximum Currents

Maximum eastward and westward current velocities at Chesapeake City, Summit Bridge, and Railroad Bridge occur about 2 ½ hours after the times of low and high tides, respectively, at Chesapeake City.

Relations of Canal Currents to Delaware River Currents

During the first half of an ebbing current in the Delaware River, the current in the Canal is flowing in a westward direction.
During the last half of an ebbing current in the Delaware River, the current in the Canal is flowing eastward.
During the first half of a flooding current in the Delaware River, the current in the Canal is flowing eastward.
During the last half of a flooding current in the Delaware River, the current in the Canal is flowing westward.

Download the free Waterway Guide App to locate marinas, services, anchorages, free docks, navigation alerts, bridges, locks, and more!

Free Docks

Chesapeake City Free Dock is located at the entrance of Back Creek on the west side is for transient boaters. The dockage is free and limited to 24 hours; water is $10 and electric is $15. To pay for your overnight stay, pay at Town Hall (108 Bohemia Avenue) using the mail slot in the back door. If they’re closed, there are envelopes to put your deposit into and put into the mail slot. They also accept cards on their website.

Rates for dockage, water, and electric in Chesapeake City as of 2022.

Check out our Great Loop Anchorages and Free Docks Spreadsheet with 600+ anchorages!

Anchoring

This is the one and only anchorage on the C&D Canal. Anchoring is limited to 72 hours, so it’s best to time your arrival and departure accordingly. For more information, we recommend checking out the reviews on Active Captain.

Pivot anchored in the Chesapeake City anchorage.

There are two dinghy docks available. One is at the west side of Back Creek in the corner, and the second is at the C&D Canal Museum, where the boat ramp is. Please be sure to tie your dinghy out of the way of boat ramp traffic.

Marinas

Schaefer’s Marina – Priced at $2/foot from May through November and $1.50 during December through April. Water costs $10, 30 amp power is $9/plug and 50 amp power is $19/plug. Reservations can be made on Snag-A-Slip. Since this marina is located on the C&D Canal that has a strong current, it’s important to check the local tides so you can plan your arrival accordingly.

Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina – Priced at $3/foot Monday through Thursday, $3.50/foot Friday through Sunday, and major holidays are $4.50/foot. Reservations can be made on the Dockwa app. If the marina is full, they have a Chesapeake Inn water taxi to bring you from the anchorage to their Inn. Their facilities have boater restrooms, showers, electricity, water, and more available.

Use our Referral Code 450ZMS3 for a $15 discount on your Dockwa reservation!

Provisioning, Hardware, and Marine Supplies

There are no conveniently located provisioning, hardware, and marine supply stores near Chesapeake City, Maryland. The closest stores are about 4.5-5 miles or 8-15 minutes’ drive north.

Wifi

Thanks to Chesapeake City Tourism, free Wi-Fi is available. We had decent T-Mobile coverage during our stay. The Chesapeake City Public Library is located 1/4 mile south and has wifi available.

Check out our blog post on Boat Internet!

Travel Tips for Chesapeake City, MD

If traveling to Chesapeake City by boat, it’s important to time your arrival and departure based on the weather and currents. The anchorage has a 72-hour limit, so if traveling north from the Chesapeake Bay, it’s best to plan your weather window accordingly. You’ll want to have a weather window in sight since you won’t be able to stay too long in the harbor, so plan to arrive a day or two early.

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