Have you ever caught yourself dreaming of a more relaxed lifestyle? Where the neighbors still wave hello when you pass by. Or of small town parades and fairs. This is the eastern shore. As soon as you enter, you can tell things a just a little bit different, a little more open, a little more laid back. It’s the kind of place where you want you kids to grow up, and where you will want to retire to at the end of the day.

Queen Anne’s County is the gateway to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Located 10 Miles from Annapolis, 34 miles from Baltimore, and 66 miles from Washington DC, entertainment and weekend excursions are easy and ideal. On the other hand it is only and hour and a half away from Ocean City, and right next door to Dover which houses Dover International Speedway. And don’t forget that Delaware has tax free shopping!

Looking for something more local? Queen Anne’s County is home of the Prime Outlets located between Rt. 50 and Rt. 301, only 15 minutes from the Bay Bridge! And don’t forget about the down town shopping! Stevensville and Chestertown provide some of the best Downtown shopping experiences around with everything from antiques and crafts, to clothes and books..

Schooling in Queen Anne’s County is the number one concern of parents that want to live here. The local public schools of Queen Anne’s County rank in the top 15 percent of all county systems state wide. From Kindergarten all the way to 12th grade, children are receiving the best of education. High School students are given an edge when it comes to preparing for life after school. With the option to choose from many different fields to major in from Accounting and Business Management, to Cosmetology and Fine arts, to Welding and Auto mechanics, students are given the opportunity to learn skills of specific industries and given opportunities to become licensed in many fields of construction. To learn more about public schools in Queen Anne’s County, please visit the Queen Anne’s County Public Schools’ website.

Continuing education is also something that the Eastern Shore is proud of. Chesapeake College is located at Wye Mills and has been part of our community for 40 years and counting. Chesapeake offers two year degrees with a few four year degrees available. This community college is an excellent start on the right foot when it comes to continuing education. Also nearby is Washington College located in Chestertown. Washington College is a four year private liberal arts college that has had a record of excellence for over 200 years and is the tenth oldest college in the nation. Queen Anne’s County is also within commuting distance with several other fine and accredited schools such as St. Johns College in Annapolis, the University of Maryland in Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel Community College.

You will appreciate the attitude of preservation of our existing natural surroundings. Queen Anne’s County has tradition in farming and fishing and has built it’s community around such ways of life. Our community is very active in keeping the Chesapeake Bay and it’s waterways clean and restoring and preserving natural wetlands that is habitat to many endangered plants and animals. Our farming community is also active in taking care of the land and preserving our natural surroundings. Our farmers keep up to date with the latest technology and farming techniques to help limit the impact to the land. Hunting is also a major part of the Eastern Shore lifestyle. Our hunters are passionate about their sport and are often active in helping to preserve the wooded habitats. Hunting is just as much about preserving the populations as the experiences and the lessons gained while out in the wilderness. For more information on the preservation of land and natural habitats visit the Queen Anne’s County Planning And Zoning website.

The great outdoors is another way to enjoy Queen Anne’s County. There are three parks nearby that are great for camping, hiking, picnics and many other nature activities including horseback riding and canoeing. Wye Oak State Park, Tuckahoe State Park, and Wye Island Wildlife Refuge are great places to take the kids and enjoy the simple things in life. Kent Island also boasts a six mile paved Cross Island Trail that’s great for hiking, running, and biking. The trail runs from the Chesapeake Bay to Kent Narrows and goes through meadows, canopied forests, field, and marsh. Follow the trail all the way to the Chesapeake Exploration Center that offers information, maps, and interactive exhibits. Other outdoor activities available to you in Queen Anne’s County are golfing, fishing, boating, and hunting. For more information on the parks on the Eastern Shore, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.

Queen Anne’s County is rich in its history as well. The Kent Manor Inn was originally built in 1651 by Mr. Thomas Wetherall. Since then it has added onto by Alexander Thompson just prior to the Civil War. The in was restored in 1987 and now serves as an Inn and a four star restaurant, however still has it’s historical aspects from the different time eras in which it was constructed upon. Stevensville Train House connected Stevensville with the rest of civilization. It carried goods to the shore to be shipped up to Baltimore, and carried imported goods back to towns in Queen Anne’s County and Delaware. It also helped bring mail to and from these areas as well. The Old Wye Mill is one of the few original mills made in Maryland. The fact that this mill still works and is run for demonstrations makes it even rarer. Queen Anne’s Museum of Eastern Shore Life will give you a glimpse in what it was like to live on the eastern shore back in “the good old days”. The museum is run completely by volunteers and is open From May to October, 1pm-4pm, Saturdays and Sundays. With a focus on agricultural and maritime activities, the museum is a must see for historical buffs, those who wish to reminisce, or the just plain curious. For more information on these sites and others, please visit the Historic Sites Consortium of Queen Anne’s County website.

Reasonable business costs make it affordable to operate businesses in Queen Anne’s County. Combine that with a steadily growing population that provides clientele, workers and endless growth potential, you can see why it is a smart move for business and young entrepreneurs. For more information on businesses in Queen Anne’s County, please visit the Queen Anne’s County Department of Economic Development website.

As you can see, the Eastern Shore lifestyle is a combination of many aspects of life. The Eastern Shore is growing, but at the same time is keeping all of the ambiance and charm of years past. Words can not describe the wonderful quality of life and the opportunities we have here, so we invite you to come see for yourself just how great this area will be for your new family home.