Jack's hometown is a special place, but it's a bit off the beaten path! Whether you are flying in, taking a train, or live in a nearby city, you'll need to drive the final leg of your journey to get to Chestertown. Here are some tips and tools to support your travels:
By Plane: We recommend flying into the Baltimore (BWI) or Philadelphia (PHL) airports - both are an ~1.25 hour drive from Chestertown. Washington DC (DCA) is also an option!
By Train: Chestertown is 1 hour from the "Joseph R. Biden Jr." Amtrak station in Wilmington, DE.
Renting Cars, Airport Cabs, and Carpooling: Guests cannot rely on ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft to get to or from Chestertown. We recommend renting a car or scheduling a car service (here's a directory of local cab and sedan companies. Most are small fleets or single proprieters and require advanced booking by phone).
We encourage guests to carpool and split rental cars or airport pickups. This tool can help coordinate carpooling and splitting rental cars/airport cabs. Those willing to host some riders can "add" their car to the list, those looking for rides can join cars with open seats or add yourself to the waitlist.
If you have any travel coordinating questions - you can join our Wedding Planning WhatsApp Chat to communicate with us and other guests.
We have a block of rooms reserved at the Comfort Inn & Suites Chestertown for $249/night. Use this link to access our group booking portal or call the hotel at 410-778-0778 and select option 2 to get the front desk. Reference "Claire and Jack's Wedding" for the group rate. Book before 9/15/24.
There are also some AirBNB's, VRBO's, and other home rentals in the area. You'll be close to the ceremony in downtown Chestertown and close to the reception around Still Pond/Betterton. Be warned that staying in Rock Hall will be farther away and less convenient for wedding festivities.
A thriving exchange of crafts from across the county occurs each week on Saturday 8am-noon at the Chestertown farmers market. Located in historic downtown Chestertown, mere yards from the location of the ceremony in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Located on the Western tip of Kent County, Eastern Neck Island is a national wildlife refuge ideal for observing the migratory waterfowl for which the Eastern Shore has garnered international renown. Swing by Rock Hall on the way back to civilization, stopping by Waterman’s Crab House.
Also known as the Jewel of the Chesapeake, Betterton Beach is a hidden gem in Kent County. Affording views of the Chesapeake Bay and a certain secret military installment north of Baltimore. Once a tourist destination for Baltimoreans seeking respite from the summer heat, this beach has become way more chill since the cross-bay ferries stopped running in the 1960s ☹ Grab an authentic Philadelphia-style slice at Marzella’s, bring your favorite John Barth novel, and plop down for a read.
The Eastern Shore was home to monumental Black abolitionists and hubs of the Underground Railroad. Starting ~1 hour south of Chestertown, you can follow portions of the Harriet Tubman byway or the Frederick Douglass driving tour. (One of the stops, an exhibit of commemorative quilts, is on the way from Baltimore to Chestertown!) You can also visit the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Center.
