Must-Sees: Somerset County is the southernmost county in the state, as well as one of its least populous. The county seat, Princess Anne, is a great place for people interested in history to visit; the town was established in 1755, and many of its historic buildings still stand today. The most notable of these is Teackle Mansion, described as the town’s “crown jewel” by Somerset County Parks & Tourism, which now serves as a home base for the Somerset County Historical Society.
If you like seafood, visit Crisfield. It’s the southernmost town in Maryland and is unofficially known as the “Crab Capital of the World” because of its fishing industry and many seafood restaurants. It also hosts several seafood-themed events every year, like the crab-themed National Hard Crab Derby and the Tawes Crab & Clam Bake.
Smith Island is the only inhabited island in Maryland only accessible by water, so hop on a ferry or kayak and paddle on over there to try a slice of Smith Island Cake, Maryland’s state dessert.
Local Nature: Janes Island State Park is one particularly notable offering in Somerset County. It has a large population of birds, which makes it perfect for birdwatching, and sits near the Chesapeake Bay and Tangier Sound. There are spots for fishing and crabbing, as well as water trails for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
If the weather is nice, there are many beaches to visit in the area. Aside from Janes Island, there’s Wellington Beach and Park in Crisfield, Deal Island Harbor Beach on Deal Island and Raccoon Point Beach & Park in Westover. These offer clear, calm Chesapeake Bay waters and are a great place to spend a summer day.
