Nestled near Maryland’s Eastern Shore roughly midway between Philadelphia and Richmond, VA, Denton is a small town that leaves a big impression. Denton’s roots stretch back to the late 18th century, when a small riverside settlement — first called Pig Point, later Edentown, and finally Denton by 1791 — grew into a thriving market town and courthouse community. Its location on the Choptank River made it a hub for agricultural trade, as small cargo boats carried grain, lumber, and farm goods to larger ports downriver. Through the 19th and early 20th centuries, Denton’s courthouse green, civic buildings, and mix of domestic and commercial architecture reflected its enduring role as a regional center. Today, history remains visible in the brick facades of many of the town’s stores, houses, and churches, even as modern businesses and community events keep downtown vibrant.
For lodging, the Best Western Denton Inn — with its handsome brick facade — offers a complimentary breakfast to get your day started right. If you’re visiting in the summer, you can work on your tan right by the hotel pool before going in for a refreshing dip. Alternatively, kick back in your air-conditioned room and avail yourself of complimentary Wi-Fi and cable satellite television with HBO. Another great option is Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Easton, earning 4.8 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor and situated less than 30 minutes away from Denton.
Salisbury Regional Airport is approximately an hour’s drive away from Denton. Baltimore/Washington International Airport is the larger alternative with more commercial flights, though it may necessitate a few minutes more driving. If sublime Chesapeake Bay views are on your wish list, Oxford — Maryland’s charming tree-lined village — is a waterfront getaway roughly 35 minutes away from Denton that you don’t want to miss.
Read more: One Of West Virginia’s Best-Kept Secrets Is A Train Ride Through A Canyon You Can’t Reach By Car
Boaters and nature lovers relish Denton’s scenic riverfront
Boats are not hard to find on the Eastern Shore of Maryland – Rareamericana.com/Getty Images
A short stroll from the courthouse green brings you down toward the Choptank River, where Denton’s riverfront is both a vivid reminder of the town’s working-water past and a lively civic space today. The Wharves of Choptank J.O.K. Walsh Visitor & Heritage Center includes a wraparound deck and easy access to the water. Adjacent to it is Crouse Park, offering a fishing dock, boat ramp facilities, parking for trailers, and a riverside walking trail that’s ideal for bird-watching, with over 100 species calling the park home. Speaking of great parks, Salisbury — an endearing Maryland college city roughly an hour away — boasts 260-acre Pemberton Historical Park, which features the only original 18th century house open to the public on the lower Eastern Shore.
Paddlers and small-boat sailors are welcomed at a soft-landing area and public ramp, and nearby Choptank Marina provides moorings and services for private boats. Together, these valuable amenities make Denton appealing for anyone who wants to keep a small vessel, launch a kayak, or simply sit and observe the river traffic. Beyond recreation, the riverfront is framed by historical markers recalling Denton’s days of steamboats and cargo skiffs, seamlessly blending history with leisure. And you’ll certainly have ample living creatures in your midst. The Choptank’s marshy edges draw ospreys, herons, and seasonal waterfowl. Whether you are an avid painter or simply desiring some Instagram-worthy views, you’re in for a sensory treat guaranteed to include gentle breezes, tranquil light, and beaming smiles.
Culture and cuisine collide on Denton’s Main Street
A road sign leads drivers to Denton’s much-vaunted Historic District – refrina/Shutterstock
If you find yourself amid a bevy of brick storefronts, you’ve likely reached Denton’s Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Main Street unfurls around the courthouse green, where museums, civic life, and small businesses converge. The original courthouse, built in the 1790s and said to have resembled Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, was razed in 1895. In its place rose the current Caroline County Courthouse, which still stands proudly today surrounded by well-preserved Colonial Revival and Victorian-era homes.
The downtown also includes the Museum of Rural Life, which features full or partial dwellings that shed light on how milling and especially farming shaped the lives of Denton residents. Shoppers and foodies alike will be pleased to find cafes, restaurants, and antique stores that make perfect places to browse or grab a bite. You can enjoy scrumptious farm-to-table dishes at Caroline’s before making a great find at Moe’s on Market.
And rest assured that this town is anything but sleepy. Community events such as the annual Caroline Summerfest in August, seasonal markets, and small festivals make the green and Main Street come to life with live music, food, and more. Merely a 45-minute drive from Denton is charming Chestertown, where annual festivals and fresh Chesapeake Bay seafood give you even more reasons to love the Eastern Shore.
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