Growing up in New Jersey was where I spent my summers the Jersey coast because the Hamptons were too much of a stretch.
But over the past two years, my family and I have traded our favorite boardwalks for long weekends on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The area, nicknamed “the new Hamptons.” Forbesis home to a city that truly stole our hearts: Easton. To me it has the feel of an upscale Hamptons town with a more relaxed atmosphere.
Plus, it’s only about a three-hour drive from my house New Jerseymaking it the perfect three day weekend getaway for my family.
This is why I think Easton is worth a visit.
We love exploring the charming city center
There are lots of cool shops in downtown Easton. Leigh Scheps
Whenever we visit Easton, we enjoy spending time in the charming yet vibrant downtown area. The first time we went there was a concert in the middle of the road. People brought lawn chairs to listen to the music, while children, like my son, played and danced along.
But even if there is no special event, we like to explore the shops. The Easton Town Center is a mini walkable town spanning several blocks with successive shops, restaurants and art galleries.
My son loved visiting Crackerjack Toys and Children’s Books. Leigh Scheps
Crackerjack Toys and Children’s Books was a hit with my 3 year old. The classic toy store, which has been around since 1979, had an extensive range of merchandise. Plus, there was a train table that kept him busy for at least 30 minutes.
For adults, there are numerous shops and art galleries to browse. Flying Cloud Booksellers, for example, is a bookstore with literary classics, popular titles and rare books for all ages.
We also visited Benjamin, a carefully curated space packed with rare tableware collections, and Curlicue’s, where home accessoriesjewelry and stationery.
There are also many good restaurants in town
We enjoyed tasting different types of meat in The Wardroom. Leigh Scheps
On our first visit to Easton, we were blown away by the number of dining options within the approximately 7 square mile area. To make sure we don’t miss some of the best spots, we decided to organize our own food crawl to sample the local staples.
I was obsessed with The Wardroom – it wasn’t just gourmet restaurants charcuterie plates on the menu, but an entire wine bar. The company has 24 wines flowing from an automated wine dispenser. We sat at an indoor table and enjoyed appetizers of meat and cheese while my son played with his sticker book.
For dinner we went a few blocks to Out of the Fire simply because it had a shaded porch, and in the summer I like to sit outside.
My husband and I share everything, so we split the Prince Edward Island mussels with spicy tomato-caper broth and a classic Caesar salad topped with hard-boiled egg yolk.
For my son, the culinary highlight was a trip to Bonheur, a café with hand-painted wallpaper, cushioned chairs and a plentiful selection of ice cream and cake. It reminded me of a place you would visit Disney world.
My son got it chocolate ice cream with sprinkles, my husband ordered the chocolate cream pie and I got coffee toffee crunch ice cream.
There are many opportunities to spend time on the water
Easton is located near the Tred Avon River. Leigh Scheps
Located on the headwaters of the Tred Avon River, Easton is a great place to visit if you want to spend time on the water. Plus, there are rivers and creeks surrounding the city, so you’re never far from the action in any direction.
Home to Maryland blue crab, redfish, oysters and mussels, fishing excursions in Talbot County are quite popular and extensive.
But if fishing isn’t your thing, there are options to rent a kayak or paddleboard from companies like Easton Cycle and Sport.
I hope to return to Easton for many years to come
Overall, Easton has the vibe of a luxurious, elegant destination like the Hamptons, but with a relaxed energy.
While we saw a lot of what makes the city so special, there are many things still on my bucket list for future visits. For example, I would love to spend time at the Prager Family Center for the Arts, which offers events, concerts, and author talks.
There is also a horse drawn carriage ride to explore the area in a fun, unique way that I know my son will love.
This charming town is a place I enjoy exploring with my family, and I hope to return for many years to come.
