5 Reasons You Should Visit Havre de Grace in Maryland

Tucked away in Harford County is an adorable little city you've probably never heard of: Havre de Grace. Havre de Grace is located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and it is at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. Two railroads run through the city, too. You are bound to see a train or two pass by if you visit long enough.

Much of the town is full of history, and if you did not know any better, you'd believe you'd gone back in time. The streets are lined with shops and historical homes. If you live in Maryland or happen to be in the area, take some time to kick back and enjoy one of the oldest cities in Maryland. Havre de Grace has much to offer, and here are just some of the reasons you should visit.

Havre de Grace celebrates Independence Day each year for much longer than just a day. If you'd like to go to a fun carnival and see some fireworks, this is the place to be. Yes, there is lodging in the area, so you may want to stay for more than just a day if you don't happen to live in Maryland.

This year, the carnival will be at Havre de Grace from July 1st to July 5th. The parade, concert, and fireworks will be on July 5th. Since Havre de Grace is on the water, the fireworks are especially beautiful. Make sure to get there early to claim a good spot with your blanket or beach chairs. Then you can go enjoy the carnival and grab some ice cream while you are at it.

Havre de Grace has a wonderful boardwalk call The Promenade. Locals in the area love to jog on it or go for a scenic stroll. Tourists like to visit The Promenade so they can read historic facts along the way at different posts and enjoy the view of the Susquehanna River. The boardwalk is about 3/4 of a mile long with plenty to see. It sits adjacent to other tourist sites, like Tydings Memorial Park, the Maritime Museum, the Decoy Museum, and the Concord Point Lighthouse.

You are bound to see plenty of wildlife, like ducks and geese. You will also see fish swimming right up to the boardwalk as you stroll along. There are also plenty of flowers and other plant life to enjoy along the way. When you get a little tired, there are plenty of benches so you can simply kick back and enjoy the views.

What is Bomboy's? Well, let me tell you all about it. If you have a sweet tooth, Bomboy's is a family owned business that you want to visit. Not only can you get traditional home made candy at their store, you can simply cross the street to visit their ice cream parlor.

Bomboy's is located at 329 Market Street in Havre de Grace. It is the perfect escape when you want some treats. At their candy store, you can find delicious treats like chocolate shaped crabs (a great tourist treat), Milk Havre de Mints, chocolate covered pretzels, and an assortment of chocolate candies filled with creams of all types.

If you want ice cream, just look for the cow in front of their ice cream parlor, which is located across from the candy store. You can try flavors like Myrtle Turtle, Cookies Galore, and Duck Duck Goose. You can also get some traditional ice cream parlor drinks like a milkshake or root beer float. You can't beat this Havre de Grace tradition.

If you are looking to relax with a waterfront view, you can check out Tydings Memorial Park. It is pretty much a traditional park, so it is fun to wander around there. The park is over 22 acres. It has a playground, a pavilion, picnic areas, and public restrooms. You will find the entrance to The Promenade there as well.

If you are hungry, you will also find the Promenade Grill restaurant in the parking area. While visiting, you will find plenty of opportunities to view the Susquehanna River. You'll also notice the Havre de Grace City Yacht Basin while there, too. Not only are there boat slips, but it is also a spot for buying bait or getting a fishing license.

Perhaps you are not interested in visiting Havre de Grace during warm weather. Perhaps boating, fishing, and enjoying the sunny view of the river are not your thing. That is OK! Havre de Grace has many activities for Christmas, too.

When driving down the main street in Havre de Grace, you can enjoy many decorated trees during the holiday season. You can also participate in Light Up Night and watch the Christmas Parade. Santa always makes sure to visit for Light Up Night so the Christmas tree can be lit, along with a little help from the Mayor. Havre de Grace is a city that is fun all year long!

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