Visitor Guide
Somerset — Visitor Guide
Top attractions, trails, food and drink, history, seasonal activities, and everything you need to plan your visit to Somerset, Maine.
🧭 About Somerset
Gateway to Smith Island, Maryland's Last Offshore Community
Somerset County is Maryland's oldest county and its quietest corner of the lower Eastern Shore, built around Crisfield — the self-proclaimed 'Crab Capital of the World' — and the ferry dock that leads to Smith Island, the state's last inhabited offshore island. It's a place defined by water: Chesapeake crab houses, a historic skipjack fleet, and Maryland's official state dessert baked fresh on an island you can only reach by boat.
⭐ Top Attractions
Smith Island Ferry
A roughly 45-minute passenger cruise from Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield to Ewell on Smith Island — Maryland's last inhabited offshore island, reachable only by water.
Somers Cove Marina
The largest single marina on the Chesapeake Bay and the only one owned and operated by Maryland DNR, with 515 slips at the heart of Crisfield's waterfront.
Janes Island State Park
A 3,160-acre state park adjacent to Crisfield with a mainland section for camping and boating, plus a boat-access-only island section with eight marked water trails.
Princess Anne Historic District
The county seat's authentic collection of Federal and Victorian architecture, little altered by modern development.
Teackle Mansion
A neoclassical mansion built between 1802 and 1819 for merchant Littleton Dennis Teackle, now home to the Somerset County Historical Society and open for tours.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
A historically Black land-grant university in Princess Anne founded in 1886 as Princess Anne Academy, on an 1,138-acre campus.
🥾 Trails & Outdoors
🍺 Food & Drink Trails
Linton's Seafood
Crisfield seafood processor and restaurant serving steamed blue crabs and local seafood
Smith Island Baking Company
Home of authentic Smith Island Cake, Maryland's official state dessert, with a Crisfield location open year-round
Somerset County Cake Trail
An 11-stop tourism trail across the county built around Smith Island Cake bakeries and vendors
🏛️ History & Heritage
J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum
Exhibits on Chesapeake watermen, the crab and oyster industry, and decoy carving, at Somers Cove Marina
Teackle Mansion
An 1802-1819 mansion with period rooms, run by the Somerset County Historical Society
Smith Island Cultural Center
Exhibits on island history and watermen culture in Ewell, Smith Island
🗓️ Seasonal Guide
Spring 🌸
Janes Island State Park's water trails open up for kayaking as the marsh comes back to life after winter.
Summer ☀️
Smith Island Cruises runs full seasonal service, making summer the prime season for a day trip to Smith Island.
Fall 🍂
The National Hard Crab Derby takes over Crisfield on Labor Day weekend with crab races, a parade, and fireworks, alongside the Deal Island Skipjack Race and Festival.
Winter ❄️
Smith Island Cruises pauses for the season, making winter the time to explore Princess Anne's historic district and Teackle Mansion indoors.
🗺️ Plan Your Visit
Source: Maryland Mountain Side — Official Allegany County Tourism