At the close of my last post, I left you at Paradise Grille at the end of Main Street. However, that does not mean that I covered all the
places in North East. Not in the least. I am going to try to mention another
dozen places almost all within three miles of the center of town. Even after covering
these attractions, there are still plenty more places that I have never visited
and cannot review honestly, so don’t feel slighted if you are one of the
unmentioned.
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| Nauti Goose |
Today’s narrative is for a car or bike ride, not for
walking, so if you parked in in the northern part of town, you might have to
retrieve your vehicle of choice before continuing here. Head south on 272 (the only direction you
can go when you leave Paradise Grille) you will see signs on the right for NautiGoose pointing towards Cherry Street. It is a quiet road with a couple of speed
bumps (that the signs call humps) to deter those with a lead foot from
bothering the neighborhood. Almost at the end, which is only about a quarter of
a mile, you will see some short pilings wrapped with ropes marking the parking lot of the Nauti Goose. This is the undisputed best waterfront view from a
restaurant in North East. Check the website for their hours and menu as it is
subject to change.
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| Upper Bay Museum |
Before you get back in your car, look to the right of the
restaurant and notice a walkway that meanders along the waterfront. This is the
North East Town Park, partially funded by Program Open Space of the State of
Maryland. Fishing here along the rocks and on the docks is free and no one
needs a license. An elliptical walking trail winds through the park in front of
the water, down around picnic pavilions, the Upper Bay Museum and the Boat Builders School, along a parking lot and then aside the road that leads into
the park. Plenty of events are held here each year including the annual Cecil County WineFest, Salute to Veterans, car shows, charity fundraisers, marathons, and so
on. It is a great place to bring the family for a picnic in front of the water
of the top of the Chesapeake. If you have a kayak or canoe, you can launch it
from the park and explore the waterways along the Northeast Creek.
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| Captain Chris' Crab Shack |
Once back in your car, head south again down 272 (Now called
Turkey Point Road) and watch for a small place on the right about two miles
down called Captain Chris’ Crab Shack. If you like Maryland crab, a visit to
this stop is well worth your time. Sit out under umbrellas on picnic tables
with your feet in the sand and enjoy all you can eat crabs with corn on the cob and buckets of beer. I would recommend checking on their Facebook page as he
does sell out when business is hopping or when the crab harvest is slow. An
interesting note is that folks have been telling me that they love the clam
strips here – but I have never tried them yet. Maybe next time I go…
Our last stop on Turkey Point Road lies just another two
miles down on the right and is a well-known place in religious circles, Sandy Cove. Here people come by the busloads for weekend retreats, church banquets,
family reunions, etc. The property is impressive with its position overlooking
the water of the top of the Chesapeake Bay. Their website has plenty to offer
all year around and from what I hear, the visitors love the chance to enjoy the
place and get away from it all.
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| Sandy Cove Aerial Shot |
From the intersection of Sandy Cove Road and Turkey Point
Road, you might as well head south and check out the rest of the peninsula.
After a couple of miles the road narrows and makes a sharp turn to the right.
Slow down and watch on the right for a unique church called Harts United Methodist Church with outdoor seating overlooking the rolling fields and
eventually the waters of the Upper Chesapeake Bay. I know they have festivals
and special events but for their schedule you would have to watch the North East Sign Board at the entrance to town.
As you continue towards Turkey Point – the end of 272, you
will pass signs for Boy Scouts, Sandy Hill Retreat, and North Bay Adventure Camp. These are private organizations with beautiful properties that serve the public
in various forms. Elk Neck State Park starts on the left with a boat ramp and
then has various entrances with plenty of signs pointing you in the direction
for each of the entrances.
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| Elk Neck State Park |
Finally, you will meander through a small community
called Chesapeake Isles and into the last park entrance to the Turkey Point Light Station. The
road runs along the top of the cliffs on the Northeast River side. Park your
car and walk the trail out to the lighthouse. It is only about a mile and an
easy walk or bike ride. Watch for eagles and osprey that soar on the updrafts
from the cliffs. The lighthouse is very striking as you near the end of the
trail and if you timed it right, you can climb up into the tower now that it is
totally revamped. Continue past the lighthouse and walk to the edge of the
cliffs. Here is a good spot to drop a blanket and watch the water down below.
Ocean going ships make their way up the Chesapeake Bay into the Elk River and
pass into the C and D Canal. Sailboats dance over the waves on windy days and
fishing boats are always to be found. We come here several times a year to
enjoy the park in the various seasons. There are pleasant trails that wind
through the park and one takes you down along the water’s edge but there is a
bit of a hike to get back up to the parking lot. I am not sure how long the trails along the top of the cliffs will stay open to the public as they are
eroding fast from all the foot traffic and normal weather. I do enjoy this park
and highly recommend it to anyone in the area who wants to get outside and
enjoy a magnificent view of the top of the Chesapeake Bay.
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| Chesapeake Bay Golf Club |
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| Turkey Point Lighthouse |
Now that you have a little exercise under your feet, you can
enjoy the drive back towards North East. At just about 11 miles, you will
notice a sign on the right for Chesapeake Bay Golf Club. Turn in and follow the
signs up through the development of pretty homes to the parking lot. Although I
don’t play golf, this is a beautifully maintained property with rolling hills
and just a beautiful backdrop. The restaurant on the property, the Blue Heron Grill overlooks the greens and is a great place to eat. I have gone a couple of
times and enjoyed their salads and sandwiches, but they have plenty more on the
menu.
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| Tome School |
Drive again towards town, slowing down to the posted 25 mph
as you head into the corporate limits and make a right onto Thomas Ave, a block
before the fire station. You will drive past the Tome School on the right. This
is a private school started in 1869. Here is a direct quote from their website,
“The Tome School’s roots lie in the vision of Jacob Tome (1810-1898), a
merchant, banker, and philanthropist who lived most of his life in Cecil
County, Maryland, and desired a means to give back to the community. He set out
to create a school that would offer the finest of education to students willing
to undergo its regimen, regardless of their families’ ability to pay the cost.
His commitment to this vision was so passionate that he donated much of his
considerable wealth to the creation of Tome.” I can personally vouch for this
school and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be sure their child gets
a good education and is prepared for success in college.
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| Weaver's Liquors |
So now you can continue on after that bit of history and
follow the road out to Route 7. Make a quick left and then a right onto
Mechanics Valley Road. Follow it up to Route 40 and make a right but get over
into the left turning lane as soon as you can. Watch on the left for a bright
yellow sign saying, Weaver’s Discount Liquors. Here you will find what their
sign says is the largest Discount Liquor Store in Maryland. Check out their
“boat” of wines for extra special prices while you are there. They stock just
about everything you could want and if they don’t, just ask one of the friendly
guys in their purple shirts and they will order it for you. I love coming here
for the friendly conversation as well as the good deals.
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| Milburn Stone Theater |
If we step away from food for a minute, there is an
interesting venue in the northern stretch of North East at the Cecil College
that deserves a mention in this post. The Milburn Stone Theater brings cultural
entertainment to our community with nine to ten interesting plays each year
performed in their plush auditorium. Parking is free and simple, unlike the
popular theaters in Baltimore and Philadelphia where you end up spending unholy
amounts of time looking for a way to park your car and then have to pay almost
as much as your theater ticket. Milburn has a busy schedule so be sure to check
their calendar. It’s fun to plan a fun evening of theater and then eating out
in North East; you will not be disappointed.
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| UnWined Restaurant Bar and Wine Shop |
Heading back south towards downtown North East, you will
pass through the big box retail area, over route 40. Watch on the left for a
small strip of stores just opposite the entrance to Lowes and West Marine.
UnWined is a family run restaurant that serves a surprising variety of wines,
fun cocktails and a hefty beer selection. Their chef prepares local ingredients
daily, including fresh bread. My favorite part of UnWined is their menu of
mouthwatering small plates like Bacon and Leek Tart or Crab Napoleon or Bacon wrapped
Scallops… Who needs to order an entrée when you can enjoy these delicacies? The
Methvane family has worked tirelessly to bring their restaurant to the forefront
of eating in North East by also offering full wine tasting events every few
weeks. Do yourself a favor and stop in on any afternoon or evening except
Monday.
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| Bella Pizza Ristorante |
So, I bring this narrative to a close by bringing you back
into North East where you will inevitably have to stop at the light in front of
the Black Pearl. Turn your head away from the almost naked mermaid and look to your
right down Route 7 west and notice Bella Pizza. This is for all you Italian
food lovers who want hand tossed pizza, cheesy lasagna or eggplant parmesan,
hand-cut French fries or calzones among other classic offerings. This is the
North East classic pizzeria Italiana and they are open seven days a week. If
you want a break from the chain stores, come in here and first smell and then taste
their freshly made old-style pizzas. Their calzone is big enough for two and
comes with a tomato sauce that contrasts perfectly with the cheesy goodness.
I hope I leave you satisfied at least temporarily as I will
be back to describe more places nearby that I enjoy here in North East
Maryland.
