A few weeks ago I wrote about several things you have to do if you want to hop on a plane for international travel. But there are also many day and weekend destinations that you can reach with a one-or-two-hour drive from your house near the beach. One getaway thats especially scenic and fun is a trip to Tilghman Island, located just a few minutes from downtown St. Michaels . Thats where our Second Street neighbor, Stacey Chandler, traveled earlier this month.
Getting there:
Staceys key objective for her trip to Tilghman was relaxation. She got off to a great start with an easy drive up the Delmarva Peninsula that took less than two hours. After briefly touring St. Michaels historic downtown, she and her companion crossed a drawbridge to the island, which was worlds away from even the mild hustle and bustle shes accustomed to in Lewes.
Checking in . . .
We stayed at The Wylder Hotel, which was like staying in a wonderful old house, Stacey said. You walk in to what feels like a grand living room. Our suite was known as The Widows Walk. We reached it by going outside the main hotel, then walking up steps to a rooftop. It was beautiful done up in navy blue and white with nautical touches everywhere, including a partial view of the water.
The Wylder does indeed look like a quaint country estate. Its fashioned from a circa 1898 boarding house for watermen working the Chesapeake Bay. Today its quite grand, taking up 9 acres of the island, which is only three miles long. The hotel property houses a restaurant and bar, a grand lawn for croquet and other games, a firepit, saltwater pool, and a private marina with 25 boat slips, where you can arrange charter fishing trips.
Enjoying the relaxing vibe . . .
One of our favorite places on the island was The Country Store, which had everything from t- shirts to groceries to sandwiches to liquor. The people who run it are super friendly and fun to talk to. They also love dogs and wont blink if youre joined by yours, without a leash.
Stacey and her friend also enjoyed sitting back in Adirondack Chairs offering a view across the lawn toward the docks, where they watched numerous oyster boats coming in with their catches.
The last thing I wanted to do was pick up my phone. It was just so nice to relax and do almost nothing.
Dining on local seafood, in style . . .
Ticklers Crab Shack & Restaurant and Bar Mumbo are both located at The Wylder. The menu at Ticklers spotlights fresh seafood, including whatevers brought in by the docks. , and a bar that promises at its web site to welcome fellow adventurers, city slickers, boaters and fun locals.
Because Stacey travelled mid-week in April the restaurant wasnt open, which created the opportunity to go back over the bridge to St. Michaels.
Its like a slightly larger version of downtown Lewes, she said. With boutique shops and restaurants. On our last trip we had a wonderful lunch at Awful Arthurs . . . this time we went to Theos, which is also in an old house, with dark wood and cool chandeliers and great food.
After browsing the shops and taking in more water views they returned to Tilghman, which really feels like a world away because its so remote. You definitely wont go there for the night life. You go to unplug and relax.
With shopping and sightseeing all around . . .
One big takeaway from hearing about Staceys trip is that a jaunt to St. Michaels and Tilghman Island offers a variety of experiences that could appeal to different people in your family. Checking in to the Wylder, the Black Walnut Point Inn, the Knapps Narrows Inn, or the Lowes Wharf Marina Inn will almost certainly enable you to get a good nights sleep prior to sightseeing and shopping in St. Michaels downtown.
While youre there, check out the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the St. Michaels Maritime Museum, and the motorcycles, trucks and vintage cars at the Classic Motor Museum.