Overview
Cambridge is a small town of 10,000 on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland's Eastern Shore.
8 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cambridge
Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park
A pedestrian fishing pier parallels Route 50 across the Choptank river on the north side of Cambridge. You can enter the park on either side of the river but the pier is not continuous, so you can't walk all the way acro…
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
The prime visitor attraction here is the Wildlife Drive, which visitors can drive, walk and cycle on in order to get close to the local wildlife. In addition, the Refuge has four land trails and three paddling trails, as…
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument
National monument to Harriet Tubman, abolitionist, suffragette and the best-known conductor on the Underground Railroad for having led seventy former slaves to freedom. (38 0 26'N, 76 0 07'W)
Visitor Center
If you enter Cambridge from the north you will cross the Choptank River on Route 50. Your first stop is the Visitor's Center at Sailwinds Park. The staff here are available to give information about the area's history, a…
Harriet Tubman Museum
A small museum dedicated to the famous African-American abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor who lived here. The museum is small—call ahead to make sure it will be open. The staff offer tours within and outsid…
Richardson Maritime Museum
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 27°F. Wettest: Aug and Mar. (climate data from nearby Magnolia)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SBY Salisbury Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport, Salisbury — 34 mi away. Directions
- DOV Dover Civil Air Terminal/Dover Air Force Base, Dover — 51 mi away. Directions
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore — 53 mi away (major hub). Directions
Cambridge is about halfway between the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Ocean City on US-50, the Ocean Gateway. Maryland Ave leads right from the highway to the historic town center.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $125–$125 a night (typical $172), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$170, mid-range ~$250, comfortable ~$290.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Visitor Center, Richardson Maritime Museum
- Lunch Portside Seafood Restaurant
- Afternoon Dorchester Center for the Arts, Skipjack "Nathan of Dorchester"
Day 2
- Morning Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument
- Afternoon Ruark Boatworks, Main Street Gallery
Day 3
- Morning Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Harriet Tubman Museum
- Afternoon Spokott Windmill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The harbor town of Cambridge was founded in 1684, making it one of the oldest cities in the state. It's seen ups and downs throughout its long history, at times a residence of choice for wealthy colonials, and not long ago a site of conflict and heavy job losses in the 60s during desegregation, racial violence, and the closing of the local cannery. It also has had several very famous residents: Harriet Tubman, Annie Oakley, and even a president of Liberia have all known the town as home. Today's Cambridge has seen rising fortunes from tourism (especially following the construction of the huge Hyatt resort) and professionals moving in who like the laid back, charming, maritime atmosphere.
See Visitor Center
If you enter Cambridge from the north you will cross the Choptank River on Route 50. Your first stop is the Visitor's Center at Sailwinds Park. The staff here are available to give information about the area's history, and advice on what to see when. They also offer a self-guided walking tour of the town's historic center, or a self-guided 105-mile driving tour of Underground Railroad sites. The Center is on the grounds of Sailwinds park, which has a children's playground, picnic tables a path along the river and spectacular views of the bridge.
Get in
By car
Cambridge is about halfway between the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Ocean City on US-50, the Ocean Gateway. Maryland Ave leads right from the highway to the historic town center.
By boat
The town harbor is just up the Choptank River from the bay. The most busy marina belongs to the Hyatt; the city's marina is just north of the historic center:
Place Cambridge Municipal Yacht Basin
By plane
- Cambridge-Dorchester Airport (FAA:KCGE) is a small, regional airport with no scheduled commercial flights. Private planes park within walking distance of Kay's restaurant. Courtesy transportation to town may be available.
Get around
The town center is small and easily walked, while getting around surrounding areas will require a car or a bike (the Eastern Shore is good bike riding territory—not a hill in sight).
See
See Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park (formerly Choptank River Fishing Pier)
A pedestrian fishing pier parallels Route 50 across the Choptank river on the north side of Cambridge. You can enter the park on either side of the river but the pier is not continuous, so you can't walk all the way across the river. The pier spans 1 mile on the northern side and 1/2 mile on the southern side of the river. Fishing and crabbing are the main attractions, but there are picnic areas and sandy beaches (no swimming.)
See Harriet Tubman Museum
A small museum dedicated to the famous African-American abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor who lived here. The museum is small—call ahead to make sure it will be open. The staff offer tours within and outside Cambridge, of places where Harriet Tubman lived, worked, prayed, etc.
Art galleries
There is a vibrant artist community in Cambridge.
Do
Do Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
The prime visitor attraction here is the Wildlife Drive, which visitors can drive, walk and cycle on in order to get close to the local wildlife. In addition, the Refuge has four land trails and three paddling trails, as well as hunting/fishing/crabbing opportunities. Finally, the Refuge staff and volunteers also offer a variety of environmental educational opportunities for young people at both the Refuge Visitor Center and also at the Refuge environmental education building, located at the entrance to the Wildlife Drive. If you are in the mood to see a bald eagle soaring over the Chesapeake wetlands, this is the place.
Do Skipjack "Nathan of Dorchester"
The wooden skipjack is the traditional sailboat of choice for Chesapeake oystermen, and remains in use to this day in parts of the bay where motorboats are not allowed. The Nathan is moored here only for pleasure, though, and offers several activities for visitors, including sailing cruises and educational programs with Chesapeake watermen.
Do Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument
National monument to Harriet Tubman, abolitionist, suffragette and the best-known conductor on the Underground Railroad for having led seventy former slaves to freedom. (38 0 26'N, 76 0 07'W)
Buy
There is a good collection of shops and art galleries along High Street, Poplar Street and Race Street in the historic center.
Eat and drink
Eat Portside Seafood Restaurant
This restaurant has a big outdoor wooden deck overlooking the Cambridge Harbor, and serves a crab-heavy menu.
Sleep
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My experience
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