11 Best Things to Do in Edgewater, MD

© Historic London Town and Gardens

Historic London Town and Gardens stretch for 23 acres along the banks of the South River, preserving Anne Arundel County's social and cultural history, archaeology, and horticultural practices. The unique attraction is located at the site of the former London Town settlement, which was founded in 1683 and served as a major colonial epicenter for nearly a century. Its only remaining historic structure, the 1760 William Brown House, is preserved today at the site, along with a plethora of reconstructed replica buildings and town structures. Visitors can explore the National Register of Historic Places-listed district and learn about civic life in the town and archaeological efforts to uncover its history through exhibits within its Visitor Center. Several historic gardens are also showcased, highlighting native trees, ornamental flowers, and medicinal plants.

839 Londontown Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-222-1919

© The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is a unique environmental education and research facility located along the banks of the West and Rhode Rivers in Edgewater, just off the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay. The 2,800-acre research center is overseen by the prestigious Smithsonian Institution, operated out of Washington, D.C. It was established in 1964 following the donation of lands once used as a dairy farm by Baltimore resident Robert Lee Forrest. Visitors can learn about coastal zone ecosystems, including the estuary and wetland habitats of the Chesapeake Bay region, through a variety of exhibits and open programming events hosted at the center throughout the year for visitors of all ages.

647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 443-482-2200

© Adam's Ribs Edgewater

Adam's Ribs Edgewater is the original location of Chesapeake Bay favorite grill Adam's: The Place for Ribs, originally opened by the Bagdasian family in 1965. Today, the restaurant operates six locations throughout the Maryland area, including additional locations in Annapolis, Kent Island, and Severna Park. Diners can enjoy excellent nightly dinner and happy hour specials, including deals on newly-released and local craft brews. Neighborhood pub fare served up throughout the week at lunch and dinner includes favorites like skewered barbecue shrimp and ribs platters, ahi tuna steaks, and famed baby back ribs drenched in the restaurant's signature barbecue sauce. Clever sandwiches are also served, including Maryland crab cake sandwiches, available alongside shareable appetizer selections like crab dip pretzels and fresh-baked mozzarella balls.

169 Mayo Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-956-2995

© South River Boat Rentals

South River Boat Rentals are the leading luxury yacht charter service on the Chesapeake Bay, offering half-day, single-day, and weekly rental charters for relaxing sailing on the region's beautiful waters. The company, which is based out of Edgewater, has been privately owned and operated for over 25 years and is dedicated to high-quality customer service and smooth rental operations. Destination cruises are offered for large groups, featuring catering packages and customizable itineraries for team building workshops, bachelorette parties, and other special events. Individuals can also rent powerboats, sailboats, and fishing charters for the day for exploration of the lovely waters of the Chesapeake. Watersports equipment is available for vacationers, along with inner tube and wakeboard rentals.

2802 Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-956-9729

© Sail Away Catamarans

Sail Away Catamarans is a top-rated sightseeing company operated by Annapolis residents Tommy Smith and Amy Michaud, offering day excursions to explore the beautiful waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The duo bring decades of experience in the sailing industry to all luxury catamaran tours, which are available as half-day, full-day, or weeklong rentals. Day excursions include sunset cruises on the Bay, showcasing the romantic ambiance of the region's nightly sunset spectaculars, and So Maryland-style crab feasts and sails, which offer inclusive dining packages at the famed Kentmoor Restaurant. Overnight stay packages in Annapolis and Saint Michaels offer Sunday brunch and champagne cruise add-on experiences. Sailing instruction courses are also offered for beginner and advanced students, including ASA certification courses.

64a Old South River Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-956-9323

© AR Workshop Annapolis

AR Workshop Annapolis is a unique DIY studio experience that offers opportunities for creating custom home decor by hand from a variety of raw materials. The studio is run by designers Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff of popular design company Anders Ruff, which has evolved from a trendy Etsy store into a fully branded e-commerce platform offering party styling services, online stores, and hands-on workshop experiences. Today, the duo operate more than a hundred franchise locations of their concept across the country, including a location in Edgewater servicing the Annapolis region. Instructor-led workshops let participants let their creativity loose and create home decor pieces such as framed signs, wood-plank signs, lazy susans, and canvas tote bags.

15 Lee Airpark Dr #300, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-891-2913

© The Twisted Bead and Rock Shop

The Twisted Bead and Rock Shop was opened in 2010 as a bead shop, but has quickly grown to become one of the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area's top jewelry-making destinations. The store's inventory is home to more than 100 lovely types of tumbled stones for jewelry design use, along with a plethora of natural crystal varieties, including quartz, calcite, and amethyst stones. Wire, chain, and leather is also sold by the foot, along with all the tools makers could need to create beautiful jewelry pieces. New Age home decor and design pieces for sale include Himalayan salt lamps, chakra pendants, and palo santo wood. Jewelry design workshops are offered for community members and visitors, including workshops led by local guest artists.

9 Lee Airpark Dr, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-956-5529

© The Old Stein Inn

The Old Stein Inn is a delightful Annapolis area restaurant following in the tradition of authentic German dining destinations, serving up classic German fare alongside a wide variety of craft and imported European beers. The restaurant is helmed by married duo Ursula and Karl Selinger, who immigrated to the United States from Neustadt an der Weinstrasse in Germany's Rhineland Pfalz district. Delicious traditional German entrees include favorites like Bavarian-style bratwurst, bauernwurst, and weisswurst, served up alongside favorites like spätzle, sauerbraten, and schnitzel cordon bleu. An outdoor biergarten taps at least ten German imports at all times, paired with local craft brews. Authentic German music is showcased throughout the week at the biergarten, while local bands and acoustic musicians are highlighted at the restaurant's Bier Bär.

1143 Central Ave E, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-798-6807

© Chad's Bar-B-Cue

Chad's Bar-B-Cue is a delicious barbecue joint in Edgewater known for its lively atmosphere and high-quality customer service. It was founded by restaurateur Chad Sargent, who brings nearly three decades of experience in the culinary industry to his operations, having learned from top chefs in Annapolis and Baltimore. All spice rubs are crafted onsite, prepared specially for slow-smoked meats that are prepared to order with homemade barbecue sauces. Delicious menu items include favorites like tender smoked baby back ribs, smoked local kielbasa links, Carolina-style pulled pork, and pull-apart half chickens drenched in Alabama white barbecue sauce. Homestyle sides like pickle fries, sweet potato caramel fries, and Southern cornbread pair with over 55 craft beer and cocktail selections.

158 W Central Ave, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-956-7774

© The All American Steakhouse and Sports Theater

The All American Steakhouse and Sports Theater is a unique concept steakhouse opened in Edgewater in 2003 by restaurateurs Brock Anderson and George Jones. The family-friendly steakhouse strives to offer gourmet steakhouse experiences on a budget, with most entrees costing $30 or less. All steaks are wet-aged for 45 to 70 days before being cut and dry-aged for an additional week by in-house butchers. Diners can enjoy favorites like baby back ribs, sirloin steaks, and mesquite-grilled chicken breasts smothered in signature sauces like teriyaki, parmesan peppercorn, mushroom marsala, and steakhouse barbecue. Sizzling fajitas are also served, along with pasta dishes, artisanal burgers, and shareable appetizers like barbecue chicken potato skins.

139 Mitchells Chance Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-956-4494

© Vocelli Pizza

Vocelli Pizza opened its first location in 1988 in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mount Lebanon. Today, the restaurant chain offers more than 100 franchises throughout the United States, overseen by restaurateur Varol Ablak. Signature pizzas are available for takeout, delivery, or dine-in, large enough to share with the entire family. Diners can choose from favorites like Meat Magnifico pizzas, topped with capicola, bacon, pepperoni, and ham, or spring veggie pizzas, filled to the brim with mushrooms, green peppers, ripe tomatoes, and black olives. Decadent gourmet pizzas include barbecue chicken pizzas, Philly cheesesteak pizzas, and white cheddar macaroni and cheese pizzas. A variety of Italian and American entrees are also served, including favorites like chicken parmesan and meatball marinara platters.

20 Mayo Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037, Phone: 410-956-1818