Discover Havre De Grace

Havre De Grace lies at the mouth of the Susquehanna River, where it flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse, museums and historic buildings offer different ways to explore the history of the water and the region. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip, these themes can help you decide what matters most to you: maritime history, art and culture, or activities on the river?

Lighthouse and the History of the Waterways

Concord Point Lighthouse stands right at the mouth of the river, where the Susquehanna flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Built in 1827, it served as a navigational aid for 148 years. During seasonal opening hours, admission to the lighthouse interior and the Keeper’s House Museum is free. Check the seasonal opening hours before your visit.

The Lock House tells another story of the waterways. While the canal was in operation from 1840 until the 1890s, the house served both as the home of the lockkeeper and their family and as the toll collector’s office. These two functions show how closely residential life and administration came together at this historic site.

Museums: Craft, Nature and Regional History

The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum preserves the traditions of waterfowl hunting and decoy making in the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the region’s ecological heritage. On display are carved decoys, historic hunting boats, sinkboxes and folk art. The collection thus brings together handcrafted objects and hunting history with a look at the region’s natural heritage.

Two exhibits at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum offer different historical perspectives. An interactive exhibit about the Underground Railroad covers the greater Havre de Grace area. Another exhibit on the John Smith Trail and the Susquehannocks invites visitors to discover life in the Upper Bay 400 years ago. The focus is therefore on both the history of the Underground Railroad and a much earlier period.

The Havre de Grace Visitor Center offers historical and interpretive information, as well as exhibits. It complements the museums’ specialized themes with further insights into the region’s history and interpretation.

Culture in a Historic Theater

The Cultural Center at the Opera House was built in 1870. Its historic theater hosts live music and performing arts events. This makes the venue both a building with a specific construction date and a place for music and stage performances. For travelers interested in culture, it offers a different perspective on Havre De Grace than the exhibits on maritime and regional history.

The River and the Trail as Active Ways to Explore

The Joe K. Trail is a free, self-guided 1.5-mile loop. Its length and loop format give you a clear point of reference when planning a route. The Susquehanna River offers opportunities for kayaking and canoeing, extending all the way to its mouth at the Chesapeake Bay. Access to the Susquehanna Flats begins at Millard Tydings Memorial Park in Havre de Grace. The trail, river activities and access to the Flats offer different ways to shape your stay.

Keep Opening Hours in Mind

The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is open year-round, seven days a week; holiday closures are listed separately. By contrast, the free admission to Concord Point Lighthouse and the Keeper’s House Museum is available during seasonal opening hours. If these places are part of your travel plans, take their respective hours into account when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Monkton, Edgewood, Forest Hill, Aberdeen, Abingdon, Pylesville, Bel Air, Belcamp

For the regional travel overview: Harford.