Despite the inevitable scares that come with the end of summer rapidly approaching, August is one of the best months in the Chesapeake Bay. But don’t get too caught up in summer traffic —you have one month left to pack in as much summer fun as possible. Better get a move on.
1. Make it a crab night by the water. While everyone has their favorite or known spot, here are a few that will give you reason to travel the Chesapeake to try a new one. On the north end of the Chesapeake,
Schultz’s Crab House was named an “America’s Classic” by the James Beard Foundation in 2017. That doesn’t happen often for a joint that still uses cafeteria trays.
Across the bridge in Kent Island, Harris Crab House is one legendary crab restaurant. Offering an all-you-can-eat steamed crab special during the week makes this a place worth getting to know.
In southern Maryland, Captain Billy’s gives great sunset views with generous portion. Don’t leave behind desert, the corn fritters with sugar and honey are a specialty.
Seafood markets can be a great option for meals and Cockrell’s Creek Seafood & Deli in Reedville, VA is no exception. Although it only offers lunch, the dining views put you in the center of the docks as crabbers bring their days catch in.
2. Nothing more picturesque than a Chesapeake wedding. August begins the wedding planning for 2019 and
The Wedding Experience has shows in VA, MD and DC to showcase the next trends in bridal fashion and wedding glitz.
4. Can’t wait for 2021’s America’s Cup (currently held by New Zealand)? Check out the Deal Island Skipjack Races & Island Festival. Deal Island is on the MD side of the eastern shore by the VA state line. Did you know that a Skipjack is the primary boat used for harvesting oysters from the Chesapeake Bay? Go check it out!
5. World class kids places including National Aquarium, Chesapeake Planetarium, and Virginia Rock Gym will keep the mind and body engaged during those long days.
6. Every town around Chesapeake has a restaurant that offers $1 oysters. Before you partake in that offer, learn about oysters and help restoration efforts at the
Maryland Oyster Restoration Center Every Sat in August. FYI, there are only 5 kinds of oysters!
7. There's nothing more entertaining than Dragon Boats! At the Solomans Island Dragon boat festival you can cheer on a fleet of 40 foot boats to the beat of Chinese drums. This event is very kid and family friendly.
8. Labor Day Weekend fun is in visit Maryland's southernmost town. See 400 blue crabs compete in one of the most celebrated crustacean events in America, The
National Hard Crab Derby & Festival in Crisfield, MD includes a parade and evening concerts.
9. Help the bay by entering in the Paddle for the Bay race at Sarah Constant Beach Park in Norfolk. You can choose 3 miles or 6 miles of paddling to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
10. Cooking straight from the source is the next generation of food. With its fertile soil, the Chesapeake Bay region has some of the best farmland. Farm to Chef Maryland is a unique culinary competition that pairs 30 chefs with 30 local farms to create unforgettable dishes for over 300 attendees. Bon Appetit!
11. Chesapeake Bay sounds include wildlife, boats, parades, sports fans, and the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival. Labeled one of the best festivals for Jazz, this festival adds the energy to Labor Day weekend.
12. As Chesapeake residents we have been waiting all year for these 2 words…. Seafood Festival! In Cambridge they call it the Seafood Feast-I-Val and the event benefits the Rescue Fire Company. This All You Can Eat event is August 11th.
13. Explore 130 different artists on the first Sunday in Annapolis. This continues past summer but gives everyone a reason to visit Annapolis and check out the Naval Academy, sailboats and the Maryland State Capitol after the events this year.
14. ZZ Top, Goo Goo Dolls, Ziggy Marley and SOJA lite up the stage at American Music Festival at Virginia Beach. With additional boardwalks, the event is offering every music genre.
15. If there’s a rainy day, there’s always reminiscing with movies that have been filmed on Chesapeake Bay side of the Eastern Shore.
Runaway Bride – Berlin, MD. Berlin's Main Street and some of the outlying areas were altered to become the fictitious town of Hale, Maryland.
Wedding Crashers - The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels.
Failure to Launch used scenes from Oxford, St. Michaels and New Castle.
Clara’s Heart features scenes from St. Michaels as well as Easton
Dead Poets Society was nearly entirely filmed in Delaware, with the main location being St. Andrews School in Middletown.
Mission Impossible III – Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
Jacob I Have Loved – Crisfield, MD
