I am looking at Chesapeake City for a weekend getaway (from central NJ). Mainly because it is on the route of a 48-mile bike ride we are going on.

I want to know if this town really is quaint with some historic character. Is it suitable for a weekend getaway?

Since we are bikeriding we don't need daytime activities....but would like a few decent restaurants to choose from for dinner and a few shop-filled blocks for window shopping, etc.

Also, looks like the INN AT THE CANAL and the SHIPWATCH INN are two B&Bs in town. Any recommendations?

thank you for your help.

I love visiting Chesapeake City when I go to Maryland to visit family--what a neat little town it is and right on the canal where enormous ships pass through and you wonder how on earth... It really is quaint and historic and over the past several years the people there have done a wonderful job restoring their homes. It looks much better compared to when I lived there 25 years ago (oh, dear, that makes me sound old). My favorite restaurant that I go to every visit is the Bayard House

http://www.bayardhouse.com/

For lunch or dinner, can't beat it. Ask for a table, upstairs, along the windows--the restaurant is right on the canal. Across the canal is Schaeffers Canal House but I haven't eaten there in years. I will check with my mom and get back to you on that and other places to eat. There are fun antique stores, some of which are only open on the weekends and there's a crab type restaurant, whose name escapes me at the moment, that has been there forever! Friends of our family, the Kuzmols, once owned and operated the Inn at the Canal but have since sold it--I 've heard the inn is very popular and it's a beautiful property a block from the canal and quaint city park where outdoor concerts are held. Not sure about the Shipwatch Inn--again, will check with mom

Chesapeake City is very quaint and very small. It sounds like it will meet your requiremetns for a few good restaurants - I like Bayard House best, and 2 blocks of antique stores and art galleries. The bike riding is pretty easy - flat and scenic.

thank you for your comments. they are so helpful!

To follow-up, the name of the crab establishment whose name escaped me is The Tap Room--been around forever and is very popular. Another dining option worth checking out is the Chesapeake Inn. Schaeffer's Canal House is still in business directly across the canal from Bayard House. It is my mom's belief that the Inn at the Canal is the nicest of the B&B's in Chesapeake City and that a weekend is the perfect amount of time to spend there. Following is a link to CCity that you may find helpful--enjoy!

http://www.chesapeakecity.com/

Based on your feedback, I went ahead and booked a room at the Inn at the Canal. It looks lovely. The Innkeeper is making dinner reservations for us at the Bayard House.

I like the suggestion of the Tap Room too and will make it a point to stop in their for a bite to eat and a beer at some point during the weekend.

dcespesdes- thanks for your help!