Overview
Crisfield is a small town in the south of Maryland's Eastern Shore, along the Chesapeake Bay, and is the state's southernmost municipality.
1 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Crisfield
J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum
The museum is dedicated to the history of the local Watermen, early Maryland Colonial history, and, somewhat jarringly, decoy carving and painting! The very worthwhile Port of Crisfield Walking Tour takes off from here, …
Janes Island State Park
This park is a real hidden gem, in no small part because you have to take a boat to get there. Miles of isolated beaches on a beautiful island on the Bay. Opportunities for kayaking/canoeing on multitudinous water trails…
Gov. J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake
It is what the name says, and it has been a delicious little festival for 30 years.
National Hard Crab Derby
Everything quirky and crabby, from shucking contests to parades to the ever consequential matter of choosing Maryland's little Miss and Mr Crustacean.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Wettest: Aug and Mar. (climate data from nearby Ocean City)
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 — 31 mi away. Directions
- OCE Ocean City Municipal Airport, Ocean City — 46 mi away. Directions
- ORF Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk — 78 mi away (major hub). Directions
Take US-50 from D.C. area, going through Easton, Cambridge, and Salisbury. At the 50/13 split take 13 and proceed past Princess Anne. Bear right onto 413 (Crisfield). From Virginia, take US-13N until you reach MD-413S.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum, Janes Island State Park
- Lunch Waterman's Inn
- Afternoon Gov. J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake, National Hard Crab Derby
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
Understand
Founded in 1666, and once the second most populous city in the state (while now having a population under 3,000!) Crisfield plays an outsized role in the Eastern Shore's sense of self. Its well-known moniker, the Seafood Capital of the World, seems a little dated, now that farm run off from the Chesapeake Watershed has devastated the regions seafood hauls, but it remains one of the principal centers of Chesapeake Waterman culture. While Crisfield is a lot less tourist-oriented than some of the charming small towns of the southern Eastern Shore—it's a gritty port town and a little rough around the edges, it's still a good visit for the authentic Chesapeake Bay culture (and is well combined with a day trip to Smith Island or Tangier), as well as some seafood dining, or the state's famous National Hard Crab Derby.
Get in
By car
Take US-50 from D.C. area, going through Easton, Cambridge, and Salisbury. At the 50/13 split take 13 and proceed past Princess Anne. Bear right onto 413 (Crisfield). From Virginia, take US-13N until you reach MD-413S.
By boat
Somers Cove Marina is the largest marina in Maryland, and has plenty of available docking, as well as public departures for Smith and Tangier Islands.
By bus
Shore Transit Route 1 connects Crisfield with Westover and Princess Anne, M-F, with stops at Somers Cove, the McDonald's, and the high school. Route 3 follows a similar route on Sundays.
By plane
There are no commercial flights available, but you can always park your private plane at Crisfield Municipal Airport.
See
See J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum
The museum is dedicated to the history of the local Watermen, early Maryland Colonial history, and, somewhat jarringly, decoy carving and painting! The very worthwhile Port of Crisfield Walking Tour takes off from here, which includes a tour of a working crab/oyster processing plant.
Do
Do Janes Island State Park
This park is a real hidden gem, in no small part because you have to take a boat to get there. Miles of isolated beaches on a beautiful island on the Bay. Opportunities for kayaking/canoeing on multitudinous water trails, fishing, crabbing, and, of course, swimming!
Events
Do Gov. J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake
It is what the name says, and it has been a delicious little festival for 30 years.
Eat
Eat Waterman's Inn
Simple but attractive, very unpretentious, and very reasonably priced, this is a great option for seafood in Crisfield. Friendly staff and great seafood at small town prices is a winning combination. Reservations recommended.
Sleep
Nearby
Smith Island
City / town · 4 listings · 9 mi away
Princess Anne
City / town · 7 listings · 17 mi away
Point Lookout
City / town · 11 listings · 26 mi away
Chincoteague
City / town · 27 listings · 27 mi away
Rural Worcester County
Rural area · 19 listings · 28 mi away
Hooper's Island
City / town · 5 listings · 29 mi away
Salisbury
City / town · 8 listings · 30 mi away
St. Mary's City
City / town · 8 listings · 35 mi away
My experience
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