Cecil’s charms are in the details
Cecil County isn’t Gotham, it never will be; Manhattan, not a shot; Philly, Baltimore, Wilmington, Washington – they’re places we visit, not places we emulate. Cecil simply isn’t the land of hustle and bustle, it’s a place where neighbors know one another and people stop to enjoy waterfront sunsets. It’s a place where people from the cities named above, come for a little rest and relaxation.
If the outdoors is more your style, visit one of five state parks or hit the links at one of Cecil’s five golf courses. Climb into the saddle and take a trail ride or enjoy “pick-your-own” opportunities at area orchards or enjoy homemade ice cream made on the dairy farm – or perhaps an award-winning glass of wine at a local vineyard.
Take a stroll through the Victorian historic district of south Chesapeake City and enjoy waterfront dining and shopping. Watch vessels from ports around the globe as they traverse the C&D Canal and slip beneath the majestic bridge… or take your boat out from one of the 35 marinas. A mile hike through woods and fields leads you to Turkey Point Lighthouse, where you will marvel at the view of five rivers spilling into the Chesapeake Bay.
Preserving the excellent quality of life in Cecil County is a priority, with more than 25,000 acres of preserved land. Locals and visitors enjoy the festivals, farm days, and arts and craft shows – as well as fresh baked goods, eggs and vegetables from the local farms, markets and roadside stands.
Fair Hill Training Center comprises 300-acres in the beautiful 5,600 acre Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area.
Fair Hill offers visitors more than 75 miles of trails and farm roads for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Visit the historic covered bridge spanning Big Elk Creek, a favorite among anglers and photographers.
Cecil is proud to be home to several large Thoroughbred and Standardbred farms, as well as many smaller farms producing horses for racing, show and pleasure. Another “must see” is Elk Neck State Park with its 2,200 acres of scenic waterfront parkland with 10 miles of trails, a sandy beach, boating area, recreation and camping areas.
Cecil County is home to:
• Fair Hill International a three-star Olympic-level equestrian event attracting international competitors and attendees
• The Highland Gathering Scottish Games that draw thousands of spectators each year to watch traditional Scottish games and events
• Elk Landing, a key site of the area’s early transportation corridor with the original home still standing and now serving as a Living History Museum
• Five excellent golf courses – Brantwood, Chesapeake Bay in North East and in Rising Sun, Furnace Bay and Patriot’s Glen – which for the past four years has been named one of the 100 “must play” courses in the mid-Atlantic
• Milburn Stone Memorial Theatre a leading performing arts center
• Elkton Eclipse vintage baseball team in the style of the 1860s
• Fair Hill Races offering a day of fun for families at Fair Hill and the only Steeplechase race in the United States with pari-mutuel betting
• Elkton the original “marrying town” or Gretna Green, now a Maryland Main Street community and one of the state’s Arts and Entertainment Districts with free concerts, galleries, studios, museums and festivals
