Things to Do

Cruisin’ the Great Talbot County Loop: Stop 2 – Oxford

Oxford early morning waterfront view

The picture-perfect town of Oxford offers a graceful waterfront and is home to brick-lined streets anchored by history and great restaurants.

Get Moving

Biking couple with a map in Oxford.

Oxford is located on the banks of the Tred Avon River, making this the perfect place to explore by water. Local vendors will meet at your launch site with a rented paddleboard, kayak, or inflatable boat. Land lovers can rent bikes to explore the town on wheels. While you pedal, you can embark on the Oxford Museum’s audio tour of the town, which chronicles life from the 18th and 19th centuries and tells the story of founding father Robert Morris. It even includes a visit to the free Water’s Edge Museum, which celebrates the founding Black families of America through artwork.

Relax on the Waterfront

Call it the unofficial town square—Oxford Town Park is where dogs scamper on the lawn, kids pump their legs on swings, friends set up picnics, and couples comb the beach. Wade into tranquil waves at The Strand Beach, a family (and dog) friendly spot that fronts some of the most beautiful historic homes in town.

Dine Well

Guests dining at Doc's Sunset Grille at sunset in Oxford, Maryland.
Oxford is one of the best places to dine by the water and catch a spectacular sunset.

From relaxed party vibes with cocktails and live music, to a popular crab deck, Oxford’s waterfront restaurants offer the perfect perches to catch a sunset.

Book a Historic Stay

Oxford Town Clock

For a quaint and quiet stay, Oxford is the perfect setting. There’s even a quiet getaway just for adults with its own stretch of beach. Author James Michener wrote much of his famous novel “Chesapeake” in Oxford.

Ferry Across the Water

The Oxford Bellevue Ferry on the Avon River.

Departing Oxford can be an experience all its own, as you cross the Tred Avon River aboard the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, which first began operating in 1683. Cars, pedestrians, and cyclists can travel aboard. As you head to your next destination on the Great Talbot County Loop, you are guaranteed beautiful water views accompanied by osprey swooping overhead.

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Next: Cruisin’ the Great Talbot County Loop: Stop 3 – St. Michaels

Endless fun

Other Things to Explore in Talbot County.