Growing up in New Jersey, I spent my summers on the Jersey Shore because the Hamptons felt like too much of a schlep.
For the past two years, though, my family and I have traded our favorite boardwalks for long weekends on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The area, which has been nicknamed the “new Hamptons” by Forbes, is home to a town that’s really stolen our hearts: Easton. To me, it has the polish of an upscale Hamptons town with a more laid-back feel.
Plus, it’s only about three hours from my home in New Jersey, making it the perfect three-day weekend getaway for my family.
Here’s why I think Easton is worth a visit.
We love exploring the charming downtown area
When visiting Easton, we love spending time in the charming but lively downtown area. The first time we visited, there was a concert in the middle of the road. Folks brought lawn chairs to listen to the music while kids, like my son, played and danced along.
But even when there isn’t a special event, we love exploring the shops. The Easton Town Center is very much a mini walkable city spanning several blocks with back-to-back stores, restaurants, and art galleries.
Crackerjack Toys and Children’s Books was a hit for my 3-year-old. The classic toy shop, which has been around since 1979, had a sprawling assortment of merchandise. Plus, there was a train table that kept him entertained for at least 30 minutes.
For adults, there are countless shops and art galleries to peruse. Flying Cloud Booksellers, for example, is a bookshop offering literary classics, popular titles, and rare reads for every age.
We also visited Benjamin, a curated space brimming with a rarefied collection of tableware, and Curlicue’s, which sells home accessories, jewelry, and stationery.
There are lots of great restaurants in town, too
During our first visit to Easton, we were blown away by how many dining options there were within the roughly 11-square-mile area. To make sure we didn’t miss out on some of the best places, we decided to create our own food crawl to sample the local staples.
I was obsessed with The Wardroom — not only were there gourmet charcuterie boards on the menu, but an entire wine bar. The business has 24 wines that pour out of an automated wine dispenser. We sat at an indoor table to enjoy appetizers of meats and cheeses as my son played with his sticker book.
For dinner, we ventured a few blocks over to Out of the Fire, simply because it had a shady porch, and in the summer, I love to sit outside.
My husband and I share everything, so we split the Prince Edward Island mussels with spicy tomato-caper broth and a classic Caesar salad topped with hard-boiled egg yolk.
For my son, the culinary highlight was a trip to Bonheur, a café with hand-painted wallpaper, cushioned seating, and abundant ice cream and pie selections. It reminded me of a place you’d visit in Disney World.
My son got chocolate ice cream with sprinkles, my husband ordered the chocolate-cream pie, and I got coffee-toffee crunch ice cream.
There are lots of opportunities to spend time on the water
Located at the headwaters of the Tred Avon River, Easton is a great place to visit if you want to spend time on the water. Plus, there are rivers and creeks surrounding the town, so you’re never far from the action in any direction.
Home to the Maryland blue crab, rockfish, oysters, and clams, fishing excursions within Talbot County are quite popular and extensive.
But if fishing isn’t your thing, there are opportunities to rent a kayak or paddleboard with companies like Easton Cycle and Sport.
I hope to return to Easton for many years to come
Overall, Easton has the ambiance of a high-end, elegant destination like the Hamptons, but with a laid-back energy.
Although we’ve seen a lot of what makes the town so special, there are lots of things that are still on my bucket list for future visits. For example, I’d love to spend time at the Prager Family Center for the Arts, which offers events, concerts, and author conversations.
There’s also a horse-drawn carriage ride to tour the area in a fun, unique way that I know my son will love.
This charming town is a place I genuinely enjoy exploring with my family, and I hope to return to for many years to come.
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