I don’t get it. Havre De Grace is steeped in history, charm, and has a few foodie gems, yet the town is under the radar. Even my wife and I didn’t understand the town the first time we visited. Several years after our first visit, all it took was a stop at The Vineyard Wine Bar to pique our interest in exploring the town’s secrets. Havre De Grace has an easy-to-find location just off I-95 for car travelers, and enjoys an Upper Chesapeake Bay waterfront where many a sailor glides into town in spring through fall.
Do not miss The Vineyard Wine Bar. This is the best wine bar I’ve found in all my travels. Joe, the co-owner, was a wine distributor for over 30 years and brings his expertise to Havre de Grace. The food is fabulous and there are 80 wines-by-the-glass! Have lunch or dinner and buy a bottle or two to take home for your cellar. For a casual lunch of comfort food, try George’s Original Fried Chicken. Eat in or take your fried chicken and side dishes to Concord Point Park if the weather cooperates. La Cucina serves good Italian fare that the locals swear by. Try Creole de Graw for seafood and Creole fare.
Bomboy’s Homemade Candy has been producing chocolates and fudge onsite for over 35 years. As soon as you walk inside their main store, the aroma of fresh-made chocolate will start working on your senses. To walk out of Bomboy’s without sweets is nearly impossible. Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum and Bayside Antiques will attract antiques shoppers. The Artists’ Emporium is said to be the largest private gallery in Maryland of visual and performing arts. Check out Washington Street Books and Music, where owner John Kilsavage has amassed over 500 Hollywood movie costumes, and quite an assortment of books (over 60,000), CD’s, and the best selection of comic books in Maryland.
Jump right into local history in pleasant spring weather by walking the park around Concord Point Lighthouse and Keeper’s House Museum. The lighthouse is open April thru October Saturdays and Sundays, offering a rare chance to walk up the stairs of an authentic 1827 aid to mariners. Near the lighthouse, find signs telling stories of the Star-Spangled Banner National Trail. When the British landed on May 3, 1813, only 20 brave locals defended the town against a superior force of 400 well-trained troops. The town was sacked and burned to the ground. Just a few buildings were spared before the British moved on to destroy the Principio Iron Works.
Other worthy museums to visit are the Steppingstone Farm Museum and the Susquehanna Lock House. The Steppingstone Farm Museum has a variety of demonstrations like blacksmithing, woodworking, wheelwrighting, and more on Sundays throughout the warm months. The grounds are open year-round if you just want to stop by for a look. The Lock House is a remnant of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal, constructed in 1836 to circumnavigate the Susquehanna River, which is non-navigable for most of its impressive length. The Lock House is worth a look and quite a good photo-op.
Near Millard Tydings Park is the Duck Decoy Museum displaying the art form of handmade duck replicas. In times past, duck decoys were made primarily to lure ducks and geese into firing range of hunters. Nowadays, you’re more likely to see this master craft displayed on a mantel than floating in water. The Maritime Museum is located near the Duck Decoy Museum, so easy to stop by both during your visit.
Two excellent inns are easy walking distance to downtown. The Spencer-Silver Mansion is one of two Union Avenue lodging establishments to consider. Built in 1896, this well-preserved Victorian home welcomes visitors and pets in the mansion’s five suites or the cozy stone cottage out back. Just up the street, the Vandiver Inn is well-known for weddings and special events, hosting more than 100 weddings a year. The inn is made up of the historic Vandiver Mansion, the Kent House, and the Murphy House. Try and time your stay for Monday Night Supper Club dinner and mingle with friendly locals who love this family-style dining event.
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