> IF YOU GO

Where to stay

Vandiver Inn 301 S. Union Ave. 410-939-5200 vandiverinn.com This 18-room downtown bedand-breakfast was built in 1886 by Maryland politician Murray Vandiver as a wedding gift to his wife. It remains a popular venue for weddings. Its communal areas encourage guests to socialize. Rooms have king or queen beds and specials start at about $130 (U.S.) per night.

Where to eat

Vintage Cafe 114 N. Washington St. 410-939-1333 vintagecafehdg.com While the whole town evokes a sense of nostalgia, this mother-and-daughter-run diner actively would make you feel like you were an extra in a black-andwhite sitcom if the room wasn’t so orange. Look for standard breakfast and lunch options in large portions. Your server might highly recommend the cheesy potato side dish. Lunch entrées from $6.50, breakfast a la carte options from $2.50.

Lagom

209 N. Washington St. 410-939-4956 lagomhdg.com Many of the restaurants in the city specialize in a crab-centric menu you would expect of anyplace on the water in Maryland, and some of those are here, too. But after getting the rundown on the city’s connection to waterfowl, I targeted this place because there was duck on the menu. Expect to hear a glowing report about their signature Buffalo Brussels sprouts. Entrées from $12.

What to do

The Marinas 723 Water St. 410-939-2161 hdgmarinecenter.com If you want to get out on the water, this is the place to rent a kayak (starting at $40 for three hours) or a standup paddleboard ($30 for two hours). This is also the home of the Black-Eyed Susan, a paddlewheel boat that’s mostly reserved for private charters, but does some public cruises.

Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House

817 Conesteo St. 410-939-5780 thelockhousemuseum.org It’s worth more than the price of admission (it’s free) to see the working model of a Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal lock raise or lower a tiny barge and have the canal’s early economic importance passionately explained.