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Lodging

Pet-friendly: The Tidewater Inn may be “only” just over 50 years old, but the tall ceilings, fireplaces, dark mahogany woodwork, and 18th-century reproduction furniture give off the air of a fine old hotel. There are 114 Federal-style guest rooms and an outdoor pool. The inn caters to hunters in the fall, as it has since being built in 1949. Hotel staff will arrange duck-hunting guide services, early morning hunt breakfasts, and kenneling of hunting dogs. Pets are not allowed in the rooms, but the inn has its own kennel, available to guests at no charge. (101 E. Dover Street, tel. 410-822-1300 or 800-237-8775, www.tide­waterinn.com, $$)

The Inn at Easton is in a Federal mansion that was built in stages in a period from 1790 to 1894. Modern comfort awaits guests inside, where antiques are paired with a vibrant paint scheme, and all rooms have been restored with private baths. The menu in the dining room changes every three weeks and utilizes fresh, local ingredients. The ­experience is of a fine European hotel and restaurant. (28 S. Harrison Street, tel. 410-822-4910 or 888-800-8091, www.theinnateaston.com, $$$)

The Bishop’s House Bed & Breakfast is the 1880 home of former Maryland Governor Philip Frances Thomas and later, the Episcopal bishop until 1955. There are five large rooms with private baths, and bicycle rentals available. Note: The house will be closed January-March, 2003 for renovations. Children 12 and over welcome. (214 Goldsborough Street, tel. 410-820-7290 or 800-223-7290, www.bishopshouse.com, $$)

Chaffinch House is a beautifully restored and colorfully decorated 1893 Queen Anne Victorian in the historic district. There are six rooms, period furnishings, hardwood floors and a wrap-around porch. Children under 12 with prior approval. (132 S. Harrison Street, tel. 410-822-5074 or 800-861-5074, www.chaffinchhouse.com, $$)

John S. McDaniel House is an 1865 Victorian with six spacious guest rooms in the heart of the historic district. Full gourmet, multi-course breakfast served (always with a vegetarian option). Children are welcome. (14 N. Aurora Street, tel. 410-822-3704 or 877-822-5702, www.bnblist.com/md/mcdaniel, $$)

Pet-friendly: Days Inn Easton allows pets with a nightly charge of $12. (7018 Ocean Gateway, tel. 410-822-4600, 800-DAYS INN, $$)

Information

Town of Easton, tel. 410-822-0065, www.eastonmd.org.

Talbot County Office of Tourism, 11 N. Washington Street, tel. 410-770-8000, www.tourtalbot.org.

Event

People from all around the country “flock” to the Waterfowl Festival, the second weekend in November, for a wildlife art sale of paintings, sculpture, decoys, photographs and crafts in 18 sites throughout the town. There are retriever, shooting and fly-fishing demonstrations, goose and duck calling contests and a decoy auction. (tel. 410-822-4567, www.waterfowlfestival.org)

TRIVIA: There’s an indoor alley you can walk through to take a shortcut from Washington to Harrison streets. It’s the only wooden sidewalk in Easton. Along the way are a deli, antiques shops and an art gallery.

TIP: Easton shops close at 5 pm sharp, even on weekends.

Trip Journal: Dorchester County

Driving south on Route 50 from Talbot County, you’ll cross the Choptank River and enter into Dorchester County. Visitors are immediately greeted by a spectacular, giant white sail, grounded on the south shore. This is the home of the county’s new visitor center. The ­expansive river views and the massive children’s playground make the visitor center alone worth a pleasant pit stop.

Nearby Cambridge is a weekday town, busy with the business of being the county seat, but in 2002 a brand new Hyatt Regency opened on Route 50. It’s further indication that Dorchester County is well on its way to being a tourist destination, rather than a stop on the way to somewhere else.

This isn’t your typical small town getaway, with Victorian inns and hip boutiques lining Main Street. Dorchester County is an enclave of unique historic and natural attractions, including the