Chesapeake Bay

[spartan1979]

Next year, both of my sons will be attending the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in northern Virginia (the 100th anniversary of Scouting and all that).

Anyhow, I suggested to my wife that it might be a good time for the two of us to take a vacation together. I suggested returning to San Francisco and the Sonoma Valley or going to Florida (and finally getting to the Nav-A-Gator) but she doesn't want to be away from home in case something happens. So I suggested visiting the Chesapeake Bay area. We'd actually only be a few hours away from the boys. She's open to that.

I figured we'd go to Baltimore (I've been wanting to go to Camden Yards) and Annapolis. Maybe we stop for a visit at the Jamboree for one afternoon and see what was going on there. Finally I thought about running over to Charlottesville and seeing Monticello. We are not going to stop in Washington this trip.

Can anybody that's familiar with the area give suggestions on places we should go and or stay? A bed and breakfast for a couple of nights might be nice.

Thanks.

[Dr.Corona]

Here's 1 vote for indeed seeing Monticello. Enjoyed it greatly!

[Hockey Mon]

You are sort of going to end up all over the place. You could probably find a nice B&B near annapolis and then you are pretty close to Baltimore (45 min or so, depending on where you stay). Getting out to Fort AP will take longer, like 2.5 hours or so, depending on where you stay. Monticello is great and looks to be about 2.5 hours from Fort AP. So, you could do a few nights in/around Annapolis, get to a game at Camden Yards, go tour the Naval Academy (where Buffet did not attend), enjoy downtown Annapolis and maybe get out on the water. Then, you could head out to VA and do Monticello and Fort AP. I'm sure there are a ton of nice B&B's in and around Charlottesville. Sorry I don't have any suggestions but an online search will probably yield a ton places to stay.

[tikitodd]

http://www.stmichaelsmd.org/index.htm

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is located in St. Michaels. There are bed & breakfasts there also.

Don't forget to feast on the steamed crabs!

[Staredge]

St Michaels was my first thought as well. Pretty little town. Museum is pretty neat, especially if something is going on.

[CindaBee]

I wholeheartedly recommend Solomon's, MD on the Pautuxent River. Great harbor, cool bars, excellent restaurants and laid back. For a special treat, head over to Sandgates Inn for crabs on the river. It's hubbys and my favorite one day drive getaway.

[Dutch Harbor PH]

It'll be summer.....it'll be hot....do what the locals do....go to virgina beach or the OBX......

[Dutch Harbor PH]

It'll be summer.....it'll be hot....do what the locals do....go to virgina beach or the OBX......

[big john]

If you're checking out Baltimore you might want to park just north of town on
interstate 83 and take the light rail into town. It only cost a few bucks and
is cheaper and less stressful than parking in town. You can park at Timonium (there
are police that patrol the lot so your car is safe and there's no fee to park) and get off
at Pratt St. That will put you right at Inner Harbor. Lots of shops and restaurants,
national aquarium, USS Constellation, USCGC Tany, a Coast Guard lightship, and a
submarine on display. Short walk to Camden Yards from there. Or get off at Camden
Yards and double back. There is also a 5-story mall across the street from Inner Harbor
right on Pratt St.

[bravedave]

I wholeheartedly recommend Solomon's, MD on the Pautuxent River. Great harbor, cool bars, excellent restaurants and laid back. For a special treat, head over to Sandgates Inn for crabs on the river. It's hubbys and my favorite one day drive getaway.

Just up the creek, don't forget Vera's White Sands. It's a "unique" marina/restaurant/resort-type place. Sadly, Vera has passed since my last visit, but the place is a trove of exotic memorabilia from her travels and adventures.

[mikemck]

http://www.stmichaelsmd.org/index.htm

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is located in St. Michaels. There are bed & breakfasts there also.

Don't forget to feast on the steamed crabs!

St. Michaels is a nice little town.

If you're near Rock Hall, be sure to stop at the Harbor Shack. The deck at Waterman's is also very nice.

[FunkHouse9]

Baltimore and Charlottesville seem to be a little far apart for my tastes. I'd probably focus my efforts on B'more and Annapolis together or Charlottesville alone. Monticello is cool but not worth that kind of side trip from Baltimore. Too long of a drive. I'd do Charlottesville on a separate trip. Go to Monticello and visit some wineries. Enjoy a relaxing time. Can't remember where I stayed though.

I recommend the Baltimore Aquarium. I remember loving that place.

[Carolinadreamin']

And just remember......going south on I-95 in the summer on the weekend is a big lesson in patience. If you do decide to do Annapolis (which I highly recommend), take 301 south which will take you right to Fort AP Hill.


I can not stress this enough - Do not attempt 95 south on any weekend in July or August......unless you are a professional.....

[SchoolGirlHeart]

I can not stress this enough - Do not attempt 95 south on any weekend in July or August......unless you are a professional.....

When it comes to driving the north/south I-95 corridor I'm just about a professional and I AVOID I-95 LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!

US-301, great advice.

I also agree that Baltimore and Charlottesville are a long ways apart for the same trip. Pick either the bay/ocean or the mountains and go with it. It's oppressively hot around the Bay in July and August. Personally I'd consider the mountains or Outer Banks.

If you do decide to stay around the Bay, Annapolis is a great stop. Take the walking tour from the Visitor's Center. And note how, ah, *shiny* Bill the Goat's brass cojones are. (If they aren't shined to Navy brass standards, underclass are in deep sh*t)

If you go to St Michael's, the Bay Bridge is a nightmare eastbound on Friday and westbound on Sunday (all of Northern VA and most of MD get to the beach that way).

If you stay in a B&B, make sure they have A/C!

If you have any interest in the Civil War, Northern VA is a goldmine. The Museum of the Confederacy and Hollywood Cemetery are in downtown Richmond and there are battlefields everywhere.