Walking or Biking
"Nice People Live Here!" You've reached the end of Rt. 20; only the Chesapeake Bay is beyond. Experience the relaxed spirit our visitors report washes over them as they enjoy our town.
We take our time around here and so should you. Some of our streets have sidewalks but many do not, which is part of our charm. While walking and biking throughout our town, please be safe by walking off to the side, biking single file, and obeying traffic laws. It's best to cross the street at the corner whenever possible and look both ways for oncoming vehicles. Drivers, please SLOW DOWN (follow the posted speed limits) and be considerate of the walkers, runners, and cyclists. And put the phone away. You came to RELAX, so please enjoy the sights, don't just speed by!
While walking, driving or just being in Rock Hall you will probably notice that most people wave in some form or another often lifting their hand off the wheel of their car, nodding their head, or with a true wave if they are not driving. It’s very appropriate for you to initiate or return the wave.
Rock Hall is delightfully charming to explore on foot or by bike. The terrain is basically flat. A person can stroll, jog, power walk, or bike the Town’s main perimeter, known as “the loop” by local Rock Hall'ers, or head out of town by bike for a more invigorating ride.
Your Guide to Doing the Rock Hall "Loop"
Start your journey at the Rock Hall Visitors Center located in the Rock Hall Village at the corner North Main and Rock Hall Avenue/Rt. 20 - at the blinking light. (Restrooms are located at the Village).
Remember, pets must be leased and you are responsible for cleaning up after them. Bicycles are not allowed on our sidewalks and please use bike racks when possible. Thank you.
Be sure to visit all the shops within the Rock Hall Village before heading off!
Hungry? Grab an ice cream at Get The Scoop, or, on weekends, enjoy a delicious donut treat at Grammy's Goodies. And who can pass up a slice of pizza? Stop in at That Place on Main!
Stroll down Main Street and explore our many shops and specialty stores for confectionery treats, quilting necessities, unique gifts, clothing, photography, and more.
Browse through The Green Heron (men's attire, gifts and more), Stuff at Cinnamon by the Bay, and across the street, Nauti Blue Cottage for unique gifts and accessories; be sure to inquire about artist exhibits and classes at The Studio on Main Street (in the back of Nauti Blue Cottage).
Stop by The Mainstay, our first class performing arts venue, to see what musical artists are on stage while you are in town.
Enjoy a drink at The Rock Hall Brewing Company (formerly the Old Oars Inn) now beautifully restored and reopened as a brew pub!! And coming soon, Main Wine - a wine bar (next to Bay Breeze Inn II).
At the intersection of Main & Sharp Street (Rt. 674), satisfy your sweet tooth at Sweet Cheeks or grab a bite to eat at Java Rock. Don't forget to pick up a treat for your favorite pet at Cricket's Pet Supply!
Take a left onto Sharp Street and visit Fresh Start Food & Garden featuring local produce and meats, plants, baked goods, specialty groceries, deli, gifts, and more. Next stop, Hickory Stick, a delightfully unique boutique with gifts, women's apparel, jewelry, bath, body, and home accessories all with a nautical flair.
Returning to Main Street, turn left and check out the Quilting Store before turning right onto Chesapeake Avenue which takes you toward the harbor. Along the way on the harbor side is the Rock Hall Clam House, originally used as a clam and oyster shucking house.
At the intersection of Chesapeake Avenue & Sharp Street is Waterman’s Crab House Restaurant & Dock Bar. Interested in a relaxing cruise on the Bay? The home dock of Blue Crab Chesapeake Charters is here as well!
Rock Hall Landing Marina has slips on the harbor side as well as accommodations at the Mariners Motel and other amenities for slip holders & transients. Just past the Rock Hall Marine Railway & Supply Store, turn left onto Bayside Avenue.
Bayside Avenue parallels the Harbor. The public bulkhead will be on your left. Cruisers can tie up at the bulkhead for the day. Be sure to check out the statue of Captain Stanley Vansant by Kenneth Herlihy. A bit further on Bayside Avenue you’ll pass Bayside Landing Park, our town/county dock, public boat launch area, and public swimming pool. On the harbor, Harbor Shack Waterfront Restaurant beckons you for a cool drink and good food. (If you walk down Walnut Street, on your left, you’ll find North Point Marina overlooking the jetty and the Chesapeake Bay).
Continue on Bayside Avenue. Take a left onto Bay Road, possibly our shortest street (240 ft), go right at the end onto Beach Road where you can take a break from walking and enjoy our beach. Dip your toes in the water or have a seat on one of the benches and take in an exquisite view of the Chesapeake Bay. Looking northwest you will see the industrial stacks of Baltimore (13 miles away) on the far shore. Down the Bay is the northern tip of Kent Island, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and Annapolis beyond in the distance.
The beach is the best location to enjoy the sunset. Many folks gather here for sunset viewing and evening chats. Swimming is always at your own risk. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
At the end of Beach Road head straight across onto Lawton Avenue, passing Gratitude Marina and many charming bay front homes. Stroll the short distance (.2 miles) to Swan Creek Marina (overlooking Swan Creek). Return back down Lawton Avenue.
Turn left onto Rock Hall Avenue (Rt. 20) to continue 1.3 miles to town. A short detour on Coleman Road brings you to the Blue Heron Oyster House & Inn for a quick drink and some good food. Back on Rt. 20, walk out on the marsh dock for a wildlife vista at Blue Heron Park, across from Muskrat Alley - a great breakfast stop in season! Check out the Haven Point Gallery, then Osprey Point Marina and Haven Harbour Marina along your way. The Waterman’s Museum is a very interesting self-guided tour (get the key at Haven Harbour's Marine Store) depicting the life of a waterman in days gone by.
Further down you will pass Liberty Street on the right where our post office is situated just 2 blocks down. Across from Liberty Street (and on your left) is our library and the Flying Decoy Bar & Grill.
At the blinking light you'll see the statue of Old Salt (a tribute to our watermen) on your left. In the shopping area across the street is Bayside Market our local grocery and spirits store, a self-serve laundromat, and Blue Claw Consignment.
Well done! You've completed the 'official' Rock Hall Loop - about 3.2 miles!
More shops and services line Rock Hall Avenue/Rt. 20: The Little Lemon Leaf Diner, Peoples Bank, Rock Hall Liquors & Deli, Shore Stop Convenience Store & Gas, Dollar General, West Marine, and Walgreen’s.
Further down Rock Hall Avenue/Rt. 20, you'll find Sara's Garden for unique gifts and spectacular flower arrangements, Ford's Restaurant, ACE Village Hardware & Garden Center, Rock Hall Lumber, American Rock Hall Service Center, and Larry's Outdoor Store.
Leaving town are Selkie Books and Reuwer Boat Works on your left.
Bike Trek “Eastern Neck Nature Ride”
Be sure pack your binoculars, plus a snack and water so you can spend some time chillin’ out at our Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a very nice, flat ride, approximately 16 miles round trip.
Start South on Main St…Passing Chesapeake Avenue.
On your left you will pass St. John’s Catholic Church (at the corner of Catholic Avenue).
Continue straight passing Boundary Avenue on your left (Note: this is where Rock Hall Town proper ends).
Pass Green Lane on your right (Haven Harbour South is at the end of this lane) and Harborview Farms just beyond. If you'd like, make a right onto Allens Lane - a quiet little country road which dead ends at the Bay (distance is .63 miles).
Pedal along passing farmland, homes, and The Inn at Huntingfield Creek (B&B). Further down, you will pass Bay Shore Campground on the right overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.
The road will bend slightly left at Trumpington Manor - Circa 1648 and listed on the National Register. The grand manor house is difficult to see from the road, however, it is noteworthy as you cycle by.
Around the bend you will come to Eastern Neck Boat Rental just prior to the bridge that puts you onto Eastern Neck Island.
The many short hiking/nature trails on Eastern Neck Island are well marked as are the roadways leading to the Butterfly Garden Trail, Ingleside Recreation Area, the Park Headquarters/Visitor's Center, and more. Take your time and investigate the Refuge enjoying the scenery and wildlife while checking out the vast array of migrating birds, especially in the spring and fall.
At the end of Eastern Neck is a Historical Marker that marks the site of WICKLIFFE, home to the Wickes family. Click below for more information about Captain Wickes.
Keep your eyes open so you don’t miss seeing some of our bald eagles. Butterflies are a sight to behold in season.
FYI … there are restrooms at the Park Headquarters/Visitor’s Center.
Enjoy your stay, maybe walk a path to the Bay, have a snack, then cycle back to Rock Hall.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 CAPTAIN WICKES & WICKLIFFE | 137 KB |
| OLD SALT, article in Chesapeake Bay Magazine, July 2023 | 567.56 KB |
 BIKE SAFELY | 447.39 KB |
| Low Speed Vehicles | 123.05 KB |
