Updated Jan. 23, 2025

Dorchester County on Maryland's Eastern Shore offers up some great ways to enjoy the winter months! Get out of the house and make a weekend of it with these 10 ideas we rounded up for you. Remember that our hotels, resorts, and vacation homes have off-season rates now.

The 2025 Cambridge Ice & Oyster Festival was Jan. 17-18. Photo by Jill Jasuta.

1. Chill out at Eastern Shore-centric events.

There’s nothing like experiencing a place through its unique events, and Dorchester County has some great happenings this winter!

• National Outdoor Show, Feb. 21-22. Truly a slice of classic Dorchester County culture, the National Outdoor Show features world championship muskrat skinning, muskrat dishes on the menu, contests from turkey calling to log sawing, and much more celebrating the outdoors.
• Eagle Festival, March 15. Dorchester County’s Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge – home to some 150 eagles during the winter – celebrates this regal bird with a family-friendly day of eagle prowls, close-up looks at birds of prey, nature-inspired crafts, and more.

4. See birds soar.

Grab your binoculars and look to the skies, the waters, and the fields for views of bald eagles, tundra swans, ducks of many types, Canada geese, snow geese, great blue herons, and more this winter. One of the ultimate experiences is watching a flock of snow geese swirling and soaring – something that happens only in the winter around here (See video above). Drive, bike or walk Wildlife Drive at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which hosts about 150 bald eagles during the winter. Join a free Guided Birding Tour with Blackwater Jan. 26, February 9, February 16, March 9, March 23. Be sure to join in the Eagle Festival on March 15. Or combine birding and Underground Railroad history through a Birding the Tubman Byway outing on Jan. 30, March 13, and April 24, 2025.  Learn more and check out the Dorchester Birding Guide. Also, here are some tips for winter birding from the Chesapeake Bay Program. BONUS: Join a Night Sky Tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and see planets, their satellites, star clusters, colorful multiple star systems, gaseous nebulae, and distant galaxies in real time!

"Take My Hand" mural by local artist Michael Rosato – at the Harriet Tubman Museum & Education Center in Cambridge. Photo courtesy Maryland Tourism.

2. Take the Harriet Tubman road trip.

Harriet Tubman of Underground Railroad fame was born here in Dorchester County in 1822. Her life story is much more fascinating than you may have learned in a history textbook as a kid. Her bravery and selflessness will inspire you. Take the scenic road trip known as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, with more than 30 sites on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

A few of Dorchester County's wild oysters

3. Warm your belly with oysters and... muskrat?!

This time of year you have your choice of local oysters – both wild harvested and farmed. You'll find oyster specials in many of our restaurants – oysters on the half shell,  fried oysters, oysters Rockefeller, oyster stew, and more!  Enjoy dine-in or carry-out; you can even take home oysters in the shell or already shucked direct from the harvester.  Learn more.

This is also muskrat season – long a traditional dish here in Dorchester County. A handful of local restaurants, including Cindy's Kitchen in Cambridge and Mom -n- Pop's in Hurlock serve up occasional muskrat specials. You can also get a taste of muskrat at the National Outdoor Show Feb. 21-22. If you're feeling ambitious, pick up some muskrat to cook yourself. Check with Choptank River Crab & Oyster Co. or Kool Ice & Seafood.

Duck carver Ron Rue's re-created workshop at Dorchester County Historical Society

5. Step back in time.

Learn about Dorchester County and regional history at the Dorchester County Historical Society and their museum campus. Step into an authentically built Native American longhouse at Handsell Historic Site in Vienna, where you can stroll the grounds and learn about three cultures that have lived and worked on the land over the centuries. Make exploring Dorchester history a treasure hunt for the family by taking our self-guided Passport Tour!

Hiking in Dorchester County - Egypt Road Park, Cambridge

6. Take a hike.

Explore one of Dorchester's trails while the weather is cool and free of bugs. There are four walking trails at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Or try an off-the-beaten-path trail, such as the one at Robinson Neck Preserve on Taylors Island. Learn more.

Dorchester Women's Mural - Cambridge, MD - Photo Courtesy Bridget Cimino

7. Wander the Chesapeake Mural Trail.

Dorchester County is now home to more than 20 murals! Experience the fun of getting to the next mural, and learn a bit about Dorchester County's history while you're at it. There's also an audio guide that highlights the murals created by local (and nationally known) artist Michael Rosato. Learn more about the murals.

Fireplace ready for s'mores at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort in Cambridge. Photo courtesy Hyatt Chesapeake.

8. Cozy up to a fireplace.

Sip on a cocktail by the huge, stately fireplaces in Michener's Library at the Hyatt Chesapeake Resort, or grab a s'mores kit to toast marshmallows at their outdoor fireplace. You can also warm up by one of several fireplaces at Suicide Bridge Restaurant.

Dorchester County offers excellent deer and waterfowl hunting.

9. Go hunting.

Dorchester County is known for excellent waterfowl and deer hunting on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Here you’ll find adventure, challenge, and reward in hunting a range of ducks, snow geese, Canada geese, turkey, and deer (including the elusive sika deer). Arrange for a guide.

Screenshot of 360 Tour at Bucktown General Store.

10. Explore from home.

If you prefer to settle in to your cozy armchair, here are some great virtual experiences of Dorchester County to inspire your in-person visit in warmer weather:

• The waterfowl cam at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
• Take a virtual tour of some of our sites and attractions, including the Choptank River Lighthouse, the Harriet Tubman Museum, and the Dorchester County Historical Society.
• Our three audio guides on the Chesapeake Mural Trail, Downtown Cambridge, and Pine Street
• The Harriet Tubman Byway audio guide
• Videos from the Tubman Visitor Center, including the 16-minute introductory film, "Soldier of  Freedom." and virtual ranger tours.