North Beach, Maryland

North Beach is a small bayfront town on Bay Avenue in Calvert County, Maryland, with a public Chesapeake Bay beach and boardwalk. The beach is a narrow strip of sand facing the bay, with shallow, calm water that is typically murky greenish-brown rather than clear, and no ocean surf. The sheltered conditions make it popular for wading and for small children, and the shoreline is short and easy to walk end to end. The bay is wide here, with views toward the Eastern Shore on clear days.

The boardwalk runs along the water's edge and is lined with shops, ice cream stands and restaurants, giving the town a throwback seaside character. A fishing pier extends into the bay, and anglers fish for species such as striped bass and croaker in season. Facilities include benches, restrooms near the beach and several nearby places to eat. The town runs a swimming season, but visitors should check the town website for swim advisories, since bacteria levels and sea nettles can affect conditions during summer.

The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, more small-town and nostalgic than lively. Weekends in summer bring day visitors from Washington, Annapolis and Southern Maryland, and the town stages festivals and concerts on the boardwalk. Midweek visits are quiet. Seating, shade and umbrellas should be brought or rented locally.

North Beach is reached by car only. It lies roughly 40 miles southeast of DC via MD-4 and MD-260, about an hour in good traffic, and weekend traffic can slow the final stretch. Street parking and municipal lots serve the beach, with paid parking sometimes applying in season. The nearby town of Chesapeake Beach has additional attractions, including a railway museum and a water park, which makes the area suitable for a full day trip from the capital.