Will be going to Annapolis for a day and a day touring the west shore of the Delmarva peninsula (seeking charming fishing towns.)

I don't know much about the area, Give me some ideas what to see and do and where to eat.

Thanks.

Anyone?

Maybe daytime works better

Check out Chestertown, Oxford and St. Michaels. You might want to check out a guide book from the library to get some ideas.

artsbabe,

This is a last minute trip, no time for libraries.

I kinda got the feeling from the web, that the town's you mentioned are the charming ones.

Any other info is appreciated.

Thanks.

St Michaels is cute -- lots of little stores and shops and on the water. Smith Island is nice, but that might not work fo such a spur of the moment deal as u take a boat to get to it. Rock Hall MD is supposed to be charming. u could check that out. Have fun!

I've only been to Annapolis once (which I enjoyed very much for its "early 13 colonies" feel) and don't have much advice except to say one highlight for me was eating at the Middleton Tavern in Annapolis. The seafood was fine there, but truly it was more for the experience of eating/having a beer in the same locale that George Washington slept in and Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson ate and drank. Unlike many such places, this one didn't seem to especially trumpet this fact but wonderfully enough just seemed a regular restaurant that served Annapolitans then and is still serving regular Annapolitan citizens now.

Enjoy your trip, whatever you decide! Daniel

How's your geography? Do you mean Eastern Shore or Western? St. Michaels, Chestertown, Rock Hall and Oxford are all on the Eastern Shore. I like of all these places but don't really know much about the western shore, other than Annapolis. Here's a map that shows the western shore: http://www.baygateways.net/map_westernshore.cfm

good luck

Well, OP asked about the western shore of the Delmarva penninsula, which would be on the east side of the bay.

As Artsbabe notes, the "Western Shore of the Delmarva Peninsula" is invariably called the Eastern Shore (as in "of the Chesapeake Bay").

In Annapolis, there are boat tours of varying lengths that leave from the harbor (though I'm not sure their "season" started yet). The Naval Academy is cool. The harbor area and the streets leading up the hill from it are nice to walk around, with lots of old houses... many from colonial times and some of them museums. Restaurants galore on the harbor, along Main St, and along West St in the first block from Church Circle. See the Maryland State House too. Everything I've mentioned is a very easy walk from the harbor.

Here's a map:
http://www.wpsoa.org/images/annapolis.gif

Fodor's doesn't have anything online for this city or area, though they do publish a book combining Maryland and Virginia that covers Annapolis.

At risk of mentioning a rival company, Frommer's has an online section on Annapolis (mostly what's in their Maryland/Delaware book) which seems very useful:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/annapolis/

Nothing wrong with hearing from people online here and elsewhere, but I don't think it's a full substitute for doing some research beforehand. For places to eat, go to the Chowhound website.

That eastern shore thing was a bit confusing, now I get it.

Thanks to those who replied, that's some good information and links. I'll study it later at the hotel.

I already have my restaurants picked for Annapolis (Ports of Call and Grumpys thanks to discounts on restaurants.com).

I will try to stop in at the Middleton Tavern also, based on daniels tip.

I need moderate priced restaurant recommendations for the 'Eastern Shore'.

Also which Eastern Shore town or two is the most memorable for a quick look-a-round.

Thanks again.

I think everyone has given you suggestions, but if you want it spelled out, go to Oxford and then take the ferry across the Tred Avon River and go to St. Michaels, or vice versa.

For the quick, one-stop Eastern Shore experience, go to St. Michaels, tour the Maritime Museum, and eat at the Crab Claw on the harbor next to the museum.

In Annapolis, go to the Visitors' Center (on West St, half a block from Church Circle, on the right).

For what it's worth, I've worked in Annapolis for 30 years, but have never heard of either Ports of Call or Grumpys!

Sorry I sounded so snippy. But the "Eastern shore" lingo is important to get down so you can be understood by locals.

Sounds like you have good suggestions already, but I'd add thatif you like seafood, a classic place to "bang crabs" like a local is Harris Crab House which is just over the Bay bridge in Kent Narrows. Especially good if its a nice day and you can sit outside at lunch.

http://www.harriscrabhouse.com/

In Annapolis, for moderate priced eats and good beer, I like Rams Head Tavern.

In Oxford the place to go was always the Robert Morris Inn for crab cakes, but I believe the restaurant portion of the inn has closed.
Good luck