Culinary Treasures Itinerary

Have a leisurely, nostalgic breakfast at Iron Rooster, known for homemade pop tarts and breakfast all day. Then perk up with some local joe from Rise Up Coffee, an Eastern Shore original, before heading to the United States Naval Academy Museum and Crypt of John Paul Jones, father of the U.S. Navy. Feast your taste buds at some of the best seafood restaurants in Annapolis, part of Maryland’s Crab & Oyster Trail, like Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs, or Pusser’s Caribbean Grill. Indulge your sweet tooth at the award-winning Annapolis Ice Cream Company.

Spend the afternoon learning about Maryland’s rich, African-American cultural heritage at the Banneker-Douglass Museum, or set sail in the “Sailing Capital of the World” on excursions with Schooner Woodwind Annapolis Sailing Cruises, Watermark Tours, or on a Chesapeake Bay Storyteller tour. Then spend the night at one of the State Circle Historic Inns such as Historic Inns of Annapolis or The Maryland Inn.

Start the day with a charming breakfast at Old Mill Café or Little Market Café. Pop into eclectic boutiques along Main Street such as A Journey from Junk, Hi Ho Silver Co., Maxine’s Antiques/Collectibles, or Precious Gifts. For lunch, head to Syriana Café for authentic Middle Eastern fare in the historic Walker-Chandler building, dine in pastoral elegance at Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant, or feast on fajitas at La Palapa Grill & Cantina. Animal-lovers can’t miss the petting zoo at Clark’s Elioak Farm, where you can also pick up fresh farm produce. Then, you’ll understand why Maryland’s Trail System is Second-to-None once you’ve hiked one of the many trails or river walks in Patapsco Valley State Park. After working up an appetite, dig into authentic Korean cuisine at a number of well-known and off-the beaten path restaurants and cafes along Route 40 – designated as "Korean Way". Alternatively, only 10 minutes from Ellicott City, Turf Valley offers excellent dinner options, like the steak-lover’s Grille 620, Manor Hill Brewing, or Facci Ristorante for homemade pasta. Nearby Turf Valley Resort is the perfect landing spot for weary travelers.

Charge up for a full day with coffee from Birdie’s Café. Experience local agricultural history at Carroll County Farm Museum, with exhibits of 19th-century farm equipment and buildings. For lunch, head to Rocksalt Grille for local seafood, O’Lordans Irish Pub & Restaurant for classic Irish pub food, or Ying Thai Cuisine. If wine is to your taste, you’ll be at home on the Carroll Wine Trail. Enjoy a patio picnic overlooking the vineyard at Old Westminster Winery, and expand your palette in their Tasting Room. More of a beer-and-’za kind of occasion? Check out the Pub Dog Brewery and try one of their premium house beers, homemade rootbeer, and gourmet personal pizzas. When it’s time to crash, stay the night at the Best Western Westminster, Days Inn by Wyndham, or the Boston Inn.