CRUISING PORTS OF CALL

With more than 11,000 miles of navigable shoreline dotted by dozens of charming ports of call, from Havre de Grace to Cape Charles, there are more places to explore on the Chesapeake Bay than there are weekends to explore them. Here’s a taste of some of the more popular ports of call, selected for their charm, fun attractions, and wealth of accommodating marinas and restaurants. You can start to plan your cruise with a visit to ChesapeakeBay Magazine.com and click on the “Bay Places” tab.

Oxford

The charming allure of Oxford comes from the town’s delightfully serene community and waterside streets. Bordered on three sides by the Tred Avon River and Town Creek, the historic colonial port now offers visitors a museum, restaurants and biking trails bundled up in a quiet waterfront escape. While boasting several marinas, Safe Harbor, on the city’s northern point, offers boaters a chance to fuel up before grabbing a bite nearby at Capsize OXMD or Scottish Highland Creamery. Dive into the town’s storied history at the Oxford Museum and continue by putting your feet up at the enchanting Robert Morris Inn.

Chesapeake City

A highlight of Chesapeake City is that it is eminently walkable. The historic city has parks, ice cream shops, restaurants and inns. On the north side of the canal, visit Schaefer’s Canal