Easton, Maryland, recently earned a spot on Country Living’s list of America’s 10 Best Small Towns, and it’s easy to see why. With its charming downtown, rich history, and vibrant arts scene, Easton offers a perfect blend of small-town warmth and modern amenities, making it a must-visit destination on the Chesapeake Bay. Easton and other favored towns on the Shore have also previously been spotlighted by renowned publications like Travel & Leisure, The New York Times, Forbes, Vogue, and more! This comes as no surprise to us, as we cherish the Eastern Shore lifestyle—complete with breathtaking water views, delicious seafood, and endless activities.
Check out the Country Living article below to see why we love our small town so much. If you’re interested in exploring homes in Easton and the surrounding areas, contact our experienced agents to discover what shore living is all about.
The below information comes directly from Country Living’s article “These Are America’s 10 Best Small Towns for 2025“ written by Sarah Zlotnick
EASTON, MARYLAND
The center of the Eastern Shore’s arts and culture scene also delights with fine dining.
Contrary to what Wedding Crashers may have you believe, Maryland—specifically Maryland’s Eastern Shore—is not just crab cakes and football. That’s especially true in Easton, the charming brick building-lined seat of Talbot County, where you’ll more often spend an afternoon in an art gallery than out on the field, and foie gras and French galettes are just as likely to grace your dinner menu.
The destination dining scene that has recently captured attention is largely courtesy of Paul Prager’s Bluepoint Hospitality Group, which includes epicurean market The Wardroom, fresh-ingredient-focused restaurant Sunflower and Greens, gourmet ice creamery Bonheur, and more. Flourishing alongside are a fresh crop of art houses (Spiralis, TRA Gallery), performance venues (the Avalon and Ebenezer theaters), and antiques shops (Foxwells Antiques, Easton Antiques and Art Gallery). The just-opened Market at Dover Station showcases small businesses and independent artisans, and, each July, Plein Air Easton takes over the streets with the largest—and some say most prestigious—juried plein air painting competition in the U.S. “Easton was the best-kept secret,” says TJ Hindman, owner of mid-century modern furniture and art gallery The Modern Bulldog. “But we’re being discovered!”
American history is also a major part of the draw. Born into slavery in Talbot County, statesman Frederick Douglass is honored with multiple murals and a statue outside the courthouse, and a four-part driving tour offers glimpses into his early life and accomplishments. Also enlightening: a self-guided tour of Easton’s Hill Community, established long before the Civil War as one of the oldest free Black neighborhoods in the U.S.
