Chesapeake Beach, a railway hub that became a bayside escape
Founded by the Washington and Chesapeake Bay Railway Company in 1894 as a resort destination for visitors from Washington D.C., Chesapeake Beach was once a party city. It boasted beachfront hotels, a racetrack, a casino, a bathhouse, and a 1600-foot boardwalk built over the water. With the end of the railroad era came a new identity, and today, your Chesapeake Beach vacation rental sits in a quieter, family-friendly beach community with charter fishing boats and beautiful views. Less than 3 miles square, Chesapeake Beach is the perfect little getaway.
See a vintage bathing suit before taking yours to the pool
The trains may no longer be running toward your Chesapeake Beach vacation rental, but you can still visit the old station, now the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum. The exhibits depict the thriving history and life of the railway with pictorial displays, oral histories, artefacts, and authentic period clothing. The museum also hosts events for kids and a summer concert series. When you're ready for some more watery action, try out Chesapeake Beach Water Park and its 8 waterslides, kids activity pool, waterfalls, fountains, and lagoons. You're sure to head home informed and exhausted.
Bustling, sunny summers with a rain shower or two – or ten
Chesapeake Beach lies in Maryland's humid subtropical climate zone. Hot, muggy summers, with temps hitting the high 80s and low 90s, are followed by mild to chilly winters. Rain is in the forecast year-round, so bring rain gear and a board game or two for those unpredictable summer showers. Vacationers are less likely to visit the bay in winter, when it's too cold to swim or bask in the sun, so book your rental then if you seek lower prices and more peace and quiet by the water.
Wetlands, wetlands, and more wetlands
The mild weather and water make Chesapeake Beach a hot spot for all kinds of wildlife. See some examples along the Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail. This boardwalk trail is easy to navigate and features educational plaques pointing out marsh plants, seabirds, and other features of the surrounding water and marshland. If that's not enough wetland for you, the Wetlands Overlook Park is less than 2 miles from Chesapeake Beach. The park has a pier and two gazebos where visitors can sit and relax while looking for wildlife and photographing the landscape.
How to get to and around Chesapeake Beach
Fly into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the closest airport, located 29.4 mi (47.3 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could book a flight to Easton, MD (ESN-Easton - Newnam), which is 26.5 mi (42.7 km) away.
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