Exploring Chestertown & Kent County
Washington College is located in the historic Town of Chestertown, on the banks of the Chester River in Kent County, Maryland. Downtown Chestertown is within walking distance of campus and provides our students with places to hang out, shop, eat, and more.
Chestertown Farmers Market
A weekly staple of the town, the Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday. Local vendors line High Street near Fountain Park to sell everything from fresh local-grown produce to handmade art. Take advantage of the opportunity to make some purchases for the week, or just enjoy the community hub of the market.
Local Dining
Chestertown is full of local eateries, from coffee shops and lunch spots to sit-down dining and bars, there’s no shortage of food options in town. Willing to travel out of town? Visit Rock Hall to dine overlooking the Chesapeake Bay—you may even be able to see the bay bridge from your table. Centreville has a thriving downtown restaurant scene.
Arts About Town
An outdoor sculpture tour spans Chestertown with over 20 large, contemporary public sculptures donated from the Woicke Sculpture Collection and coordinated by the Chestertown Public Arts Committee, chaired by art history professor Ben Tilghman. There are also gallery openings, staged performances, live music, and more, all in walking distance of campus.
Outdoor Adventure
Explore town via the Rail Trail—which has an entrance just off the North Commons of campus—extending from Wilmer Park to Gateway Park. Take advantage of SGA’s Bike Share program or another run by Main Street Chestertown. The Lawrence Wetlands Preserve, just off the Rail Trail, is a 8.5-acre urban nature center featuring a variety of ecosystems and wildlife. Enjoy the beaches in Betterton or Rock Hall.
Festivals and Community Events
Chestertown, and the surrounding Kent County community, holds a variety of large events and festivals throughout the year. The first Friday of each month, businesses downtown stay open late for a First Friday celebration that often includes live music.