Harford County, Maryland is a destination that truly has a little something for everyone. Despite being just a short drive away from both Baltimore and Washington DC, this beautiful region in Maryland feels a world away from any big city with its charming small towns and beautiful countryside. Here’s everything you need to know about our recent getaway in Harford County and how to plan your very own visit!
Stay:
Situated in the heart of Havre De Grace, Maryland you will find the Vandiver Inn. Housed in a historic Victorian style mansion, this traditional bed and breakfast offers a unique experience transporting guests back in time while still offering the comfort of modern day amenities and luxurious touches. During our stay we booked the Murphy House, A cottage on property that offers a private entrance and a charming studio styled space. This room even featured a luxurious soaker tub in the bathroom (such a great perk)!
Each morning guests can choose from a grab and go breakfast or a delicious hot breakfast served inside the main home. Central location in town makes for easy walking proximity to plenty of local shops and eateries, so its a perfect starting point to explore from! Perhaps the sweetest touch at this stay- each evening the garden lights up with fire pits and string lights making for an especially magical and cozy ambience.
Things to See and Do
Exploring Havre De Grace
Concord Point Lighthouse and Keeper’s House:
Situated on the end of Havre de Grace’s beautiful waterfront promenade, this iconic lighthouse is the second oldest in Maryland dating back to 1827. Tours are offered each weekend by volunteers, check out their website for hours and more details!
Havre De Grace Waterfront Promenade:
The lighthouse is the perfect starting point to the 1 mile walking trail on the water! (Especially beautiful to visit at sunrise or sunset)!
Downtown Shopping:
Checking out some of the locally owned shops and boutiques around town is a must! A few of our favorites include Blue Heron Gifts, JoRetro and Bahoukas Antique Mall & Beer Museum. If in the market for a quick caffeine hit, pop into Concord Point Cafe for a cozy, local coffee shop while your in town!
Waterfront Dining:
For delicious fresh seafood and beautiful waterfront views try out Havre De Grace local favorites – Water Street Seafood or MacGregor’s! We dined at both spots and highly recommend trying them both during you visit if you have time!
Hit The Trails at Rock State Park:
Venturing to the more rural side of Harford county you’ll find a truly special Maryland hidden gem, Rock State Park. Featuring 855 acres of unspoiled forest land and 3.5 miles of hiking trails this park is an excellent place to get some fresh air and explore Marylands great outdoors. Whether you choose to take on the hike to King and Queen Seat or opt for the quicker hike to Kilgore Falls you’re sure to fall in love with everything this beautiful state park has to offer. PS: Scenes from Disney’s Tuck Everlasting Movie were shot at Kilgore Falls!
Discover Historic Downtown Bel Air
Otherwise known as ‘The Heart of Harford’ this historic and charming downtown is known for its many locally owned boutique shopping options and delicious eateries. Here are a few spots around town I recommend checking out while you explore:
Shop Local:
There are SO many cute shopping options in downtown Bel Air, a few of our favorite locally owned shop finds included The Nest on Main, Farmhouse on Main and Apricot Lane Boutique!
Bel Air Art Walk:
Stroll through historic Bel Air on a self guided art walk and experience the 20+ pieces of beautiful public art sprinkled around town. Find the map and all the details by clicking here!
DIY Candle Making: For a fun and unique activity head over to Aroma Candle Studio situated conveniently in the heart of Downtown Belair! Unleash your inner mad scientist with this fun and creative experience and take home a custom scented candle made entirely by you!
Downtown Eats: Whether it be for lunch or dinner you absolutely must dine at Black Eyed Suzie’s while visiting Bel Air! This restaurant serves up delicious modern comfort food and features all of the Maryland classics, including quite possibly the best crab dip I have ever tasted. This spot is not to be missed!
Planning on taking the trip? Check out my video feature guide covering all of the spots mentioned on Stays and Getaways Instagram! For more ideas on things to do check out Harford County Tourism’s official website!
This blog post was part of a hosted visit and paid partnership with Visit Harford, MD. All recommendations and reviews remain genuine, these opinions are my own.
Maryland: Open for Discovery
