It’s hard to imagine when you’re stuck in rush hour traffic on the Washington Beltway or creeping bumper to bumper through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel that the serene small towns of the Chesapeake Bay are just a short drive away.

Maryland’s Eastern Shore is far removed from the urban corridor of the Mid Atlantic coast. Its Southern roots run very deep. This was one of the areas first colonized by the British and its people embraced the bucolic plantation culture that thrived prior to the Civil War.

Those who remain there live close to nature and move at a slower pace. Much of the work, culture and recreation revolves around the dominating body of water we call the Chesapeake Bay. Here a just a few of the interesting places to consider for a Chesapeake Bay vacation:

St Michaels calls itself the Heart and Soul of the Chesapeake Bay and few would argue it. It’s surrounded by water and sits about half way down the long arm of water. Enjoy an enthralling living history lesson in a picturesque storybook town that offers plenty of shopping, dining and activities for all.

Tilghman Island, the Pearl of the Cheasapeake is all about the water and the people who make their living from it. Rent a dory, go crabbing, fish with the locals on a charter boat, take a sunset sail on an authentic skipjack, visit the Waterman’s Museum and eat oysters fresh out of the Bay.

Easton Maryland is the arts and cultural center of the Eastern Shore with more history than anyone can absorb in one weekend. There are fairs, festivals, concerts, exhibits, openings, receptions, plays and other special events going on year round. There’s also antique shopping galore and fresh seafood wherever you turn.

You can easily see all three of these interesting and attractive towns in just one long weekend on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. What are you waiting for?

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If you’re planning a trip to or through Maryland, check out this great stash of information on all 31 of the Maryland Scenic Byways brought to you by the Maryland State Highway Administration.

There’s a free printable online brochure for each route. They are organized by region, making it easy to find the roads suitable for your journey. Expect photos, maps and detailed information, including how you can enjoy these scenic roads as alternatives to busy highways. You’ll get plenty of unexpected ideas on how to keep your road trip educational, interesting and fun.

Many of the car tours have historic significance – everything from prehistoric Indian trails through Civil War times. Others take you through areas of natural wonder and scenic beauty, such as Deep Creek Lake in the western part of the state. Don’t drive through Maryland without taking advantage of this great resource.