Getting away — to come back together
By WP Creative Group
In Wicomico County, Md., families will find history, culture, nature — and most importantly, a chance to reconnect after a long, hard year.
For more than a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has put family travel on hold, and the wanderlust Americans are feeling is real. Eighty percent say they’ve recently been dreaming about (or planning for) travel. More than 75% describe their state-of-mind around travel as simply: “ready.” And this summer, Americans will finally get their chance to hit the road again as public health groups give domestic travel a green light.
But it’s not just the novelty of travel Americans are missing right now. Sixty percent of Americans say their first trips will revolve around friends and family, reflecting a collective desire to make new happy memories and experience the joy of simply being together.
In Wicomico County, Md., the charming hub of the Delmarva Peninsula, families can have it all: the thrill of exploring and discovering new places and passions, but also the profound joy of reuniting with loved ones. Centrally located about two hours from major cities like Washington D.C., Baltimore, Norfolk, and Philadelphia, Wicomico County is bursting with culture, history, food, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, giving families a safe and convenient base for some much-needed togetherness.
“Wicomico County is a great location where people can get together with their family,” said Vanessa Junkin, marketing and public relations manager for Wicomico County Tourism. “For some people it’s been probably a year or more since they’ve seen each other. So, it’ll be really exciting for everybody to reconnect.”
Choose your own adventure, family style
Whether you are planning a reunion with grandparents who haven’t hugged their grandchildren in more than a year, or a quick weekend getaway with your immediate household, Wicomico County fits the bill.
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay on Maryland’s scenic Eastern Shore, the area appeals to history buffs, art enthusiasts, foodies, and naturalists galore — and crucially, for residents of the DMV area, it’s all close to home.
“It definitely feels like a getaway, even if it’s not far away,” said Junkin. “There are just so many attractions here and many of them are no-admission or low-admission.”
One of those low-cost, escape-from-it-all destinations is the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, a one-of-a-kind museum that boasts the world’s largest public collection of antique decoys. In many ways, it is almost like a microcosm of what Wicomico County has to offer, rooted in local artistic traditions and culture, while also deeply connected to the natural environment.
“It’s sort of three museums in one. It’s part art museum, it’s part nature center, and it’s part history museum,” said Kristin Sullivan, executive director of the Ward Foundation, Inc.
Wooden bird decoys were originally used by hunters who placed them into marshes or water to attract live prey, but they’ve become a cherished form of folk art, Sullivan explained — and a truly treasured Maryland tradition. But the museum also features the work of artists who have pushed the form forward, creating lifelike sculptures and beautiful interpretive pieces that capture the essence of different bird species, Sullivan said.
“Just outside the museum, we have a nature trail that runs along a pond and it’s just a beautiful place to walk around in the summer,” she added.
Another must-do for sports enthusiasts who’ve missed the experience of live games over the past year is to cheer on the Delmarva Shorebirds, the area’s minor league baseball team. The team has taken steps to ensure fans are safe while enjoying a game in the cozy, family-friendly Arthur W. Perdue Stadium — but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of fun to be had. This season, the Shorebirds will have 16 giveaway nights, as well as 14 evenings of fireworks.
And families with young children may be particularly drawn to the Salisbury Zoo, which features more than 100 species native to Australia and North, Central, and South America in a beautiful park-like setting. Guests can check out everything from the Red Necked Wallaby to the Indian Peafowl — and admission is free, which means parents and caregivers will have plenty of room left in their budget for a day of shopping and dining in downtown Salisbury or a trip to one of the area’s three craft breweries or waterfront winery to unwind and catch up.
When it’s time to settle in for the night, families can choose from a wide range of accommodations, from hotels and bed and breakfasts to three campgrounds, two of which are along the water. Parents and kids can greet the mornings together, breathing in the smells of sea and summer.
A chance to reconnect
While there are certainly plenty of family-friendly attractions in Wicomico County, its core appeal may be bigger than any one place — from the breathtaking scenery where established and budding bird enthusiasts alike can spend hours spotting more than 300 species, to the sense of Eastern Shore hospitality that pervades every interaction.
“People are just really friendly here!” said Junkin. “There’s a good sense of community, and visitors will feel that warm, community vibe.”
Even getting to and around Wicomico County is memorable, Junkin added, as families weave through historic colonial towns on the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway — recently expanded and named an All-American Road. Or hop on the free Whitehaven Ferry, the oldest continuously operating ferry in the United States. The ferry traverses a short trip across the Wicomico River, and for a few moments will make families feel as though they’ve been transported back in time.
Because after a long, hard year, nothing is sweeter for families than coming back together and enjoying the simple things, like hugging a grandchild. Or taking a dusk-time stroll on a sandy beach. Maybe it’s catching up over a great meal of raw oysters and other seasonal seafood, or learning something new about the past — and doing all of it together.
“It’s such a peaceful environment,” Junkin said. “But there’s also so much to do.”
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