1. Dorchester County Visitor Center

Information and Orientation for the Journey

Overlooking the Choptank River, the Dorchester County Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin your byway adventure. Inside the center, an exhibit provides background information on Harriet Tubman and Underground Railroad activity in the area. Knowledgeable staff can assist you in planning your tour and will provide information on events, accommodations, dining opportunities, shopping, and outdoor experiences.

In 1608, English Captain John Smith met Native Americans here when he explored the Chesapeake Bay. As the colony flourished, so did demand for cheap labor. In 1664, the General Assembly codified a system of slavery that for 200 years supported an economy based on the labor of enslaved workers. In time, Dorchester’s proximity to free states made it a hotbed of Underground Railroad activity, until emancipation came to Maryland slaves at the end of the Civil War in 1864.

Please visit the Dorchester County Office of Tourism’s website at VisitDorchester.org to learn how to make the most of your time while in Dorchester County, including information on local lodging, dining, events, history, shopping and more.