Easton is as sophisticated as it is lively. Featuring a world class theater, renowned art galleries, and impeccably curated museums, Easton is the heart of the Eastern Shore’s arts and culture scene.
Delve into Downtown Easton
Downtown Easton offers ample parking, so stop and take a stroll or even a self-guided walking tour. Check out the historic courthouse at 11 N. Washington Street, which dates to 1794. Here you’ll find a statue of the abolitionist hero Frederick Douglass, who was born enslaved in Talbot County.
For a helpful overview of the county’s rich past, stop in the Talbot Historical Society, which also features an award-winning garden. Take in more of downtown with a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Several buildings from long ago still stand, opening a window into Talbot County’s far-reaching past, which dates to around 1661. Easton is home to the oldest surviving Quaker meeting house in the United States. Built in 1684, Third Haven Meeting House maintains a significant congregation to this day. You’ll find another Frederick Douglass tribute on the nearby rail trail, where a mural honors the internationally renowned author, orator, and statesman.
Discover the Eastern Shore’s Best Dining
Easton has earned a reputation as the best dining destination in the Mid-Atlantic. Enjoy fine dining, prepared by Chef Harley Peet, a 2024 James Beard Award winner, who culls the world for the finest ingredients. Taste Asian-inspired fare on a charming patio. Enjoy an eco-conscious bistro centered around a wood-fired oven or escape to northern Italy with meals artfully prepared by a chef-owner.
Dream On
Easton makes a perfect base for exploring Talbot County. Accommodations range from charming historic inns to familiar, family-friendly national hotels with pools. The Tidewater Inn, located in the center of downtown, has been welcoming guests since 1949.
Soak in Arts and Entertainment
See who is taking the stage at the Avalon Theatre. The art deco masterpiece known for its extraordinary acoustics hosts live music regularly, from big-name rock bands to downhome bluegrass, innovative jazz groups to classical quartets. For a more intimate setting, check out which emerging artist is performing in the Stoltz Listening Room. The Ebenezer Theater, housed in a thoughtfully renovated building circa 1856, hosts internationally acclaimed musical artists, along with film screenings.
View works from masters such as Rembrandt and Rothko, along with emerging artists at the Academy Art Museum, which offers free admission. You can add to your own collection from galleries dotting the streets of downtown Easton, which exhibit art from near and far.
From June through August there is dancin’ in the streets, as the Avalon Foundation presents a free outdoor concert series on Harrison Street. A flurry of painters arrive in July, just in time for the annual Plein Air Easton, the nation’s largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition.
