If you’ve never been to St Michael’s, let this be your sign. This quaint, coastal town in Maryland has a lot of highlights that you won’t want to miss if you’re looking for a summer getaway.
Locals know it for the historic lore associated with it. St. Michael’s is known as “the town that fooled the British.” According to NPS, the lore goes that townspeople fooled British attackers in the early morning of August 10, 1813, by placing lanterns higher up than the city, in treetops and on mastheads, to fool the British into thinking the city was higher than it was so they would attack the wrong target. The lore has been debated due to the fact that reports say it may have bene morning when the British arrived, thus they wouldn’t have been able to see the lights. But the story still stands and the city often flies British flags to recall this.
What To Do:
St. Michael’s is a quintessential and sleepy beach town, perfect for a relaxing day or weekend away. Go for sailing, kayaking, lounging at the spa, dinner and drinks, and make sure to visit during crab season, which starts in April and ends in November, for the peak of fresh seafood. Before you leave, don’t forget to visit the small town to go shopping for ice cream of Maryland aesthetic souvenirs.
Visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum along the waterfront for the complete history of the region’s rich maritime history.
Where To Stay:
If you’ve watched the 2005 movie, “Wedding Crashers,” you may know about St. Michael’s already. The iconic wedding scene was shot at the Inn at Perry Cabin, an award-winning hotel on the banks of the Miles River. The Inn at Perry Cabin is right on the Chesapeake Bay and offers activities meant to help you decompress, from spas to sailing to golf and more.
The Wildset Hotel is another beautiful accommodation to stay overnight, with features a restaurant we’re going to highlight in the next section. This hotel has been named one of the 25 best boutique hotels in the world, featured in Conde Nast and the Michelin Guide
Where to Eat:
If you’re looking for a delicious seafood restaurant (which the region is known for) then head to Ruse, an American Seafood restaurant that is run by Michael Correll who just received a 2025 James Beard nomination for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic. That award went to DC-local, Chef.
No matter where you go, there are two things you definitely have to try: the Maryland state cocktail made with orange vodka, triple sec, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a splash of lemon-lime soda, and, of course, Chesapeake crabs.
Crab lovers can’t skip Crab Claw, which is known for its crab sandwiches, fresh blue crab, and any and all other ways you can think of eating crab.