Dorchester County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore offers up some great ways to enjoy the winter months!

1. Go birding.

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. One of the ultimate experiences is watching a flock of snow geese swirling and soaring. Drive, bike or walk Wildlife Drive at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. MORE

2. Eat oysters.

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. MORE

3. Take a hike.

Explore one of Dorchester’s trails. 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. MORE

4. Cozy up to a fireplace.

Have a cocktail by the huge, stately fireplaces in Michener’s Library at the Hyatt Chesapeake, or head outside with a s’mores kit and toast marshmallows by the outdoor fireplace. You can also warm up by one of several fireplaces at Suicide Bridge Restaurant. Canvasback Restaurant also has a fireplace in their Coolahan’s Irish Pub.

5. Take advantage of special lodging deals.

Hotels, resorts, and vacation homes have off-season rates now. For instance, the Hyatt is offering 15 percent off and free breakfast when you use offer code GET19A when searching for available dates. If you’re a resident of Delmarva, try their Delmarvelous special, with room rates starting at $99  for stays between January and April 3, 2021. Use offer code DELMAA before February 28, 2021. MORE

6. 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). MORE

7. Find eye-popping color.

Winter colors tend to be a bit drab, so brighten your day by heading to our art galleries. In January, check out the day-glo colors of eye-popping show posters printed by Globe Poster. During its 81 years, Globe Poster created show posters for  James Brown, Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Tupac Shakur, and others. The posters now reside in museums such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the National Museum of African American History and Culture – and for a few weeks, the Dorchester Center for the Arts. (Virtual Second Saturday reception is 6pm, Jan. 9). You’ll also find beautiful art at Main Street Gallery’s “That 50’s Show/Winter Sale,” with 50 works of art under $50 and a select group of work 50 percent off. (Opening reception is Saturday January 9 from 5-8pm; inside/outside.)

8. Take the Harriet Tubman road trip.

Harriet Tubman of Underground Railroad fame was born here in  Dorchester County in the 1800s. She escaped to freedom, then risked her life again and again to come back and lead friends and family out of slavery. Today, you can learn the remarkable stories of courage of Tubman and others through the road trip known as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, with more than 30 sites on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

9. Explore from home.

If you prefer to settle in to your cozy armchair, here are some great virtual experiences of Dorchester County:

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