The city of Havre de Grace, Maryland, offers miles of waterfront for visitors to enjoy. Maritime history is prominent in the city. The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum tells the story of the area’s maritime history and the Havre de Grace Environmental Center provides information on the Lower Susquehanna River habitat. Known as the “Decoy Capital of the World,” Havre de Grace has an extensive collection of hand-carved Chesapeake Bay decoys. While originally created to lure hunters, these hand-carved Chesapeake Bay decoys are now considered works of art.
This historic town was the primary stop on the Eastern Route of the Underground Railroad. From there, slaves traveled to Pennsylvania and New York for safe havens. In Maryland, Havre de Grace was a popular stopping point for slaves traveling to the North. In Pennsylvania, Havre de Grace was the primary port of call for many escaped slaves traveling from the South. Other towns along this route included Chester County and Lancaster County.
Near Havre de Grace, Maryland, visitors can explore Susquehanna State Park, which is located along the northern shoreline of the Susquehanna River. Combined with Palmer and Rocks State Parks, Susquehanna is a popular outdoor recreation area. The town also contains the restored Jersey Toll House and 1804 Carter-Archer Mansion, which are both open to the public. For visitors who love history, the state park has plenty to offer.
To learn more about the history of the town, explore the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum. This museum features an environmental center, educational exhibits, and a working boat shop. If you have children, you can take them to the Children’s Corner. A three-quarter mile boardwalk along the waterfront offers great views of the Susquehanna. Nearby, the City Yacht Basin offers restrooms and a playground.
In addition to historic attractions, Havre de Grace offers fun for children and their parents. Local parks offer activities for two-legged visitors and pets alike. Families can take their children to the plastic lighthouse tower at Tydings Park. All the museums are suitable for children. Steppingstone Farm Museum is an outdoor living history museum that recreates life in the 1880s-1920s. The town also offers two theaters with children’s programs.
Havre de Grace is accessible by car and public transportation. Nearby U.S. Route 40 runs east-west through the town, providing direct access to Baltimore. Maryland Route 155 connects Havre de Grace to Interstate 95. Minor highways include Maryland Route 7 and Route 490. You can also take a boat to visit the town’s harbor. You can also take a day trip from Havre de Grace to neighboring cities.
If you are looking for a place to grab a delicious bite to eat, you can visit the historic Main Street District. Home to the second oldest lighthouse in Maryland, Concord Point Lighthouse was built in 1827 and served as a beacon to sailors in the Upper Chesapeake Bay for 148 years. The restored lighthouse is open to the public on weekends from April to October, but is closed on Tuesdays.