Local Knowledge

Taxis

Cabs can’t be flagged in the street. There are two ranks in Easton: Bay County Taxi and Transportation Company on North Washington Street (+1 410 770 9030) and Eastern Shore services on Glenwood Avenue (+1 410 820 8431; easternshoreservices.com).

Tipping culture

Between 15 and 25 per cent is typical for good service. If you’re in a hurry, just double the tax.

Siesta and fiesta

Days start early with boating fishing trips setting sail at dawn. The bay is on the sleepier side, however, when it comes to nightlife. Locals head to dinner between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Cocktail sipping typically starts around 8pm; bars and music venues tend to close between 10pm and midnight.

Packing tips

Break out your breezy beachside best: boat shoes for sandy strolls, bike rides and crab hunts. Bring binoculars for bay-gazing.

Recommended reads

Craft some crustacean-laced delights with Chesapeake Bay Cooking by John Shields; don’t stop there with the cookery tomes, check out The Oyster Cookbook by Whitey Schmidt as well. History buffs can study the adventures of a New World pioneer in John Smith’s Chesapeake Voyages 1607-1609 by Helen C Rountree and various authors.

Cuisine

You can’t visit the bay without sampling the local catches – the Masthead on Pier Street Marina in Oxford is known for its ravishing regional fare. Steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, garlic mussels and conch fritters are high-lights (+1 410 226 5171; www.latitude38.org/masthead/mh.htm).

Regional specialities

Crabs are cooked in the same unique way across the state: steamed in water and beer, then sprinkled with Old Bay Seasoning – a flavourful combination of ground allspice, mustard and celery seeds, bay leaf, pepper, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. Couple it with an ice-cold Budweiser and crisp hush puppies like the locals do.

Currency

US dollars ($)

Time zone

Eastern Standard Time (EST); GMT -5.

Dialling codes

US country code: +1; area code for Easton and St Michaels: 410.

Do go/don't go

Starting on Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), everything gets a little busier. The influx of tourists continues until October, so if you’re looking for a buzzy bay experience plan on visiting before then. Water activities stop in November, but things don’t really start to slow down until after Christmas. Some stores in St Michaels and other waterside towns are only open during peak season and many shorten their hours as the temperature dips. Easton, however, is open all year long.