Experience the Top of the Chesapeake Bay in Harford County, Maryland

Located in downtown Havre de Grace, stay at one of Harford’s quaint bed and breakfasts such as the Vandiver Inn, Spencer-Silver Mansion, or White House, which all have historical elements. Once  settled in, begin with a short walk towards the water,  making your way to the The Vineyard Wine Bar, best known for their “606” Red Wine and any of their delicious salads or flatbreads to start, followed by their dinner entrees, which are personally and artfully designed by the head chef. 

Take an evening stroll down Washington Street on your way back, where you can spot a few of the murals along Harford’s Mural Trail.  For a night cap, stop in for a pint at Battery Island Brewing Company, which is one of the eleven stops along Harford County’s Libation Trail. 

Start your day with breakfast at the Bed & Breakfast or a blast from the past at the Vintage Café for a hearty breakfast. Choose from a savoury breakfast omelette or a stack of decadent pancakes.

After breakfast, head to Tydings Park for a walk along the Havre de Grace Promenade. Check out the Birds of the Chesapeake wooden carvings along the Promenade dock to see the waterfowl of Maryland. Take in the beautiful views of the water along the way as you arrive at the Concord Point Lighthouse and Keeper’s House. Be sure to schedule a time slot for a tour, including getting to the top of the lighthouse that has stunning views of the Susquehanna Flats. Built in 1927, this is the second oldest lighthouse, located where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Susquehanna River. Learn the history of Irish-American immigrant John O'Neill and the important role his fifteen-year-old daughter played in saving his life, much of which took place in or nearby the lighthouse.

After your tour, continue making your way down the Promenade until you reach the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, just a five-minute walk away. Havre de Grace, known as the Decoy Capital of the World, celebrates the unique American folk art of decoy carving, which is the heritage of Havre de Grace and Upper Chesapeake Bay. The Decoy Museum houses one of the finest collections of working waterfowl decoys from the Chesapeake Bay and around the country. 

Schedule a tour of the Hosanna School Museum in Darlington, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hosanna School was the first public school in Harford County built for African Americans in 1867, two years after the conclusion of the Civil War. Learn of the African American history throughout Harford County and the preservation of this history today through Harford’s museums.

As you venture further into Harford County, drive into Fallston, Maryland for a bite of paradise at Uncle’s Hawaiian Grindz. Savour authentic poke and various traditional Hawaiian dishes. Or, take a short drive to Pairings Bistro in Bel Air for a unique atmosphere that blends Mediterranean and Belgian cuisine with a touch of Chesapeake flair that pairs perfectly with their assortment of artfully chosen wines.

After lunch, spend a few hours at beautiful Ladew Topiary Gardens, one of the top five topiary gardens in North America. Experience the award-winning topiary gardens that consist of 250 acres of topiaries, a butterfly house, historical Manor House, and charming Cafe Courtyard.

Continue your travels with a tour of the Liriodendron Mansion, which is the historic home and estate of Dr. Howard Kelly, one of the four founding physicians of Johns Hopkins Medical College. Afterwards, choose to dine in a cosy and contemporary atmosphere at One Eleven Main or The Local for elevated American cuisine with a seasonal menu that uses locally sourced ingredients for their dishes.  

Gear up for a day of outdoor recreation and get some body fuel with a savoury or sweet crepe from the award-winning Sunny Day Café on Bel Air’s Main Street.

Get ready for a day of experiencing Harford’s nature in one of its most notable parks – Rocks State Park. While in Rocks State Park, hike up to the tallest point which is 190 feet above Deer Creek, known as the King and Queen Seat. This natural rock allows the perfect location to take in the breath-taking views of nature. On your trek down the trail, veer off to a separate pathway that will lead you to the discovery of Kilgore Falls, where you can see the second highest vertical waterfall in Maryland. The waterfall may look familiar as well, as it was featured in Disney's Tuck Everlasting.

For the thrill seekers, head to Churchville for the best views of Harford County from up in the air! Whether you want to add to the over 1 million jumps Skydive Baltimore has performed, or overlook the county and Bay in a hot air balloon trip with Light Flight Balloons, Inc, these activities are sure to take your breath away!

Make your way back to Havre de Grace for a beautiful night of waterfront dining at the Tidewater Grille. Savour the flavour of Harford’s surf and turf delicacies paired with a refreshing beverage.

On the final day, take advantage of the boutique and unique shops in Harford County. Whether you choose a piece of art from Arts By The Bay, an antique from Bahoukahs, a one-of-a-kind collector’s item from Washington Street Books, an artifact from the past at Jo Retro, modern women’s fashion at Apricot Lane Boutique and vintage inspired retail store, Tommy’s on Main.

On your way out of Havre de Grace, be sure to stop at Bomboy’s Homemade Candy for mouth-watering fudge or Broom’s Bloom Dairy for lunch and a cow-to-cone ice cream sundae.

If you have some extra time before heading home, stroll down Main Street in one of two Arts & Entertainment Districts, Bel Air and Havre de Grace, for boutique shopping, art galleries, murals and public art pieces. For a list of events taking place, check out Visit Harford’s event calendar.

Harford County, Maryland has beautiful outdoor vistas, a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, a diverse food scene and history that is ready to welcome you.