Saint Michaels

Saint Michaels is a harbor town on Chesapeake Bay with a waterfront lined by sailboats and fishing vessels. Historic buildings, shops, and restaurants sit directly along the docks and piers, creating a working harbor atmosphere that has endured for centuries.

The town gained fame during the War of 1812 when residents hung lanterns in trees outside town to trick British cannons into overshooting their targets. This incident shaped its reputation as a place of maritime tradition and local ingenuity.

The town grew as a working waterfront where watermen made their living from the bay, and that connection to the water remains visible today in how locals and visitors move through the harbor and docks.

The town is flat and easy to explore on foot, with most attractions reachable within minutes of the water. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, when weather is warm and waterfront activity is most active.

Local shipyards once built Baltimore Clippers, fast schooners that dominated early maritime commerce and were known for their speed and design. These vessels represented cutting-edge construction techniques of their era.

Location: Talbot County

Inception: 1804

Elevation above the sea: 3 m

Website: http://stmichaelsmd.org

GPS coordinates: 38.78360,-76.22220

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:00