Saint Michaels is a lively Eastern Shore waterfront community
Saint Michaels retains much of its historic charm from its origins as a 17th-century Eastern Shore seaport and still draws visitors from around the region to its landmarks and cruises on Miles River. Buyers can search for historic homes that are steps away from public marinas and local establishments on Talbot Street serving drinks, dinner or groceries. “It’s similar to Tilghman Island, but the price point for homes is higher in Saint Michaels,” says John McGlannan, a Talbot County resident and Realtor with Meredith Fine Properties. “It’s also better known and more established as a tourist destination, with more commercial businesses.” Popular nearby commuter areas include Easton and Salisbury, while Washington, D.C. is about two hours from town.
Trails, boating and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Saint Michaels Nature Trail is a paved mile-long path through San Domingo Tidal Creek, popular for a walk or bike ride. Clint S. Bradley Park is connected to the trail and features a playground, gazebo and picnic tables. Boating is popular around the area, and residents can dock their vessels at Saint Michaels Public Boat Ramp in the harbor. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum hosts exhibits and artifacts detailing the community’s history in fishing and crabbing.
Historic single-family homes and waterfront options
Buyers can find Cape Cods, ramblers, Colonial Revivals and coastal cottages along quiet village streets. Some properties in the historic downtown district date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when the town was a prominent shipbuilding hub in the region. Single-family homes are priced between $500,000 and $2.5 million, varying by location, square footage and age; waterfront homes typically fetch the highest prices and start around $1 million. Potential homebuyers should be advised that the community has a major flood risk due to storm surges, and many residents opt to buy flood insurance.
Saint Michaels history and landmarks
Due to its unique history and ornate, centuries-old architecture, the town has become a popular destination for visitors around the region. During the War of 1812, British ships sought to attack the town’s shipyards during a nighttime raid. The attack did minimal damage to the community, as locals had dimmed their lights and set lanterns in the trees away from town, giving Saint Michaels the nickname “the town that fooled the British.” History buffs can take walking tours downtown to see landmarks like the Cannonball House, a Federal-style home that was hit with British cannon fire. The Maritime Museum offers Patriot Cruises, a historical tour along the Miles River.
Talbot Street hosts markets and eateries
Talbot Street is the main commercial strip in Saint Michaels. Locals can grab groceries from the Village Shoppe or order pub grub and draft beer from the Talbot Street Tavern. There are also several spots to sample local vintages , from St. Michaels Winery and Bordeleau Winery to Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, a regional chain. Patrons can also enjoy a seafood dinner with waterfront views at establishments like The Crab Claw in the harbor. Over in Easton are retailers like Walmart and Lowe’s, as well as chain grocery stores like Giant and Weis Markets.
After school programs with Saint Michaels Middle High
Talbot County Public Schools is the main district serving Saint Michaels. Students can attend Saint Michaels Elementary School and Saint Michaels Middle High School, which both have B-ratings from Niche and are both on the same campus. The Maritime Museum collaborates with Saint Michaels Middle High School with Rising Tide, an after-school program that teaches kids woodworking skills and educates them about the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Commuters can reach Easton, Salisbury or D.C.
Easton is a 10-mile drive east of Saint Michaels along Talbot Street, which takes around twenty minutes. “It gets more from tourism than from fishing and crabbing, but there are workboats out of Saint Michaels,” McGlannan says of the local economy. “As far as commuting, there’s more jobs in Easton, especially because it’s a bigger town.” Easton is also home to Memorial Hospital, the nearest medical center. Salisbury is a 57-mile drive east, which takes a little over an hour, and the city is the site of Salisbury Regional Airport. The nation’s capital is 80 miles away, or about a two-hour drive, depending on traffic.
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Maxwell Olarinde
