Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Salisbury, MD

  • Published 2023/02/23

Although Salisbury has a small-town vibe, it is the biggest city on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

It also has plenty to keep tourists entertained for a day or two.

Salisbury is one of the state’s most renowned communities with a rich long history from 1732.

The Pemberton Historical Park combines history and nature, while the Salisbury Zoo houses various incredible animals.

Salisbury also has the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art for those fascinated by birdwatching and artwork.

Discover the best things to do in Salisbury, MD.

Explore the Poplar Hill Mansion

Exterior of Poplar Hill Mansion

Morazan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Poplar Hill Mansion was a manor house established in the 18th century, which had progressively evolved since 1732.

The museum tells the tale of the Federal Period in American history through the belongings of the manor’s residents circa 1805.

The historic property contains original hardware and brass locks; it’s also known for its external embellishments like the bull’s-eye and Palladian windows, including its exquisitely carved woodwork.

After undergoing extensive renovation, the Poplar Hill Mansion is now a museum and event venue.

Check out early 1800s furniture, learn about period-accurate medicine, and visit exhibits on living in America’s early history.

Go Shopping at the Country House

Have you been to The Country House?

They are more than a rural shop, with approximately 1,951 square meters of retail space.

They carry a variety of curtains, linens, wall décor, flowers, and accessories, including purses, baskets, jewelry, lanterns, pillows, and glass bottles, among other things.

Customers from across the country visit the Country House.

Get your friends together and explore the Country House.

Check Out Carved Birds at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art

The Ward Foundation was founded in 1968 to foster wildfowl artistry and conserve the history of Lem and Steve Ward, Eastern Shore decoy artisans.

The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art is in the heart of the Atlantic Flyway, near Schumaker Pond.

The Ward Museum on the waterfront features artisans who carved birds as artistic expression and hunting gear.

Through discovering artwork, nature, and traditions, museum programs bring individuals of different ages altogether.

Learn more about why tourists love this well-known tourist attraction.

Take a Look at Different Animals in Salisbury Zoological Park

The Salisbury Zoo in Salisbury, Maryland, was established in 1954 when the city brought several zoo animals on permanent display in City Park.

Improvements done in the 1970s led to the current state of the Zoo.

You can find species endemic to North, Central, and South America there.

The Salisbury Zoological Park improves people’s quality of life by creating a welcoming, peaceful environment where educational and recreational possibilities combine via participation and contact.

The Zoo emphasizes wildlife awareness and protection of the environment through its animals, employees, volunteers, and park-like setting.

Although the Salisbury Zoo is a small facility, its free admission is one of its best features.

The paved roads and raised boardwalks improve the accessibility of the Salisbury Zoo.

Watch Baseball at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium

Exterior of Arthur W. Perdue Stadium

Gregory Koch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Arthur W. Perdue Stadium is a baseball stadium and home to the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Low-A East affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

The stadium houses the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame, named after Arthur Perdue, the founder of Perdue Farms.

The team and stadium are icons of the Eastern Shore since they’re the only professional sports team and arena in the area.

The stadium, which seats 5,200 people, was inaugurated in 1996.

As Salisbury’s second-largest seating arena, it also hosts concerts and other events.

A modern video board, a 360 wrap-around deck, and several other enhancements have improved the audience experience.

They have also made Arthur W. Perdue Stadium the premier spot on the eastern shore for fun and family entertainment.

Customize a Burger at Back Street Grill

Back Street Grill is a full-service bar and restaurant in Salisbury, MD.

The place has become famous for its pleasant service, affordable food, and family-friendly environment.

The Reeves family owns and operates Back Street Grill.

In 1989, Mark and Leslie Reeves purchased their first restaurant, Market Street Inn, where their build-your-own menu became famous.

They provide a variety of appetizers, soups and salads, dinners, and sandwiches.

Build your sandwich or burger by selecting your bread, cheese, meat, and other ingredients.

Check out this well-known cafe and satisfy your appetite for delectable cuisine.

Shop and Dine at the Centre at Salisbury

The Centre at Salisbury is a large retail mall.

It’s also the only one within sixty miles.

The warmth of a community motivates them to go above and beyond and make every shopping experience memorable.

Go shopping at H&M, American Eagle, Pandora, Bath & Body Works, Express, Sunglass Hut, and Victoria’s Secret.

Some of the eateries in The Centre at Salisbury include Your Pie, Ruby Tuesday, Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and Red Lobster.

Drop by the Centre at Salisbury and discover excellent deals.

Visit the Seasons Best Antiques Mall

Season’s Best Antiques is a 50-dealer antique mall.

It debuted in downtown Salisbury in 2002 inside a famous 1912 shirt manufacturing building converted into a clothes boutique.

You’ll find approximately 10,000 square feet of treasures, antiques, and fascinating and unique products.

The Third Friday open house, held in conjunction with downtown Salisbury’s Third Friday festival, is a monthly highlight of Season’s Best in Salisbury.

Between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the third Friday of the month, the store offers free food and wine with a seasonal theme, and the vendors present special deals of 10 to 30% discounts.

The Season’s Best mall presents a terrific attraction from the Delmarva peninsula or a quick stop at the beach.

Likewise, weekend flea markets are also near both locations.

Bring Your Kids to CoCo’s Funhouse

CoCo’s Funhouse has a wide range of inflatables for the kids to enjoy.

They can bounce down the slides or navigate the challenging obstacle course.

It is a massive 7,500-square-foot facility with giant inflatables, party rooms, a gigantic soft-play jungle gym, an arcade, foam blocks, a concession stand, and more.

They also have fun, convenient, and affordable birthday packages for your child’s big day.

CoCo’s Funhouse provides safe, clean, and nutritious entertainment for children aged 2 to 10.

These activities are excellent for their coordination, keeping them active, and it’s also a fun way for them to meet new people.

Step inside and join the party, where you may leap, climb, roll, and laugh till your stomach hurts!

Go for a Walk at the Pemberton Historical Park

Exterior of the Pemberton Hall at Pemberton Historical Park

Ammodramus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pemberton Park lies on Pemberton Drive in Salisbury, Maryland, right off Route 50.

Hike 4.5 miles of Maryland trails, experience the beauty of nature, and engage in environmental science, history interpretation, or special event programs on the park’s 106 hectares.

You can find trail guides displaying different environmental aspects, bird and plant pamphlets, and unique event lists in the contact facility near the parking lot.

Hiking the paths will expose you to diverse habitats, flora, and fauna specific to the Eastern Shore.

There are a few places on the Eastern Shore where you may study tidal and freshwater marshes, freshwater lakes, highland pines, hardwoods, and meadows, all in the same spot.

Combined with Pemberton Park’s historical significance, this environmental focus adds to its appeal for study and leisure.

Walk in the Woods at Leonard’s Mill Pond

You can find a serene area to kick back and appreciate the beauty of a tranquil stream behind the Wicomico County Tourist Center.

For convenient access to either side of the stream, bridges link the two sides.

When the striped bass is in season, the stream becomes deep enough for fishing.

The pond offers more than just a walk through the woods; you can also enjoy a magnificent canoe/kayak path.

Leonard’s Mill Pond emanates a sense of seclusion and calm leisure since private residences flank it on both sides.

This Pond is a Trophy Bass Management Area with excellent largemouth bass and bluegill fishing.

Play Golf at Nutter’s Crossing Golf Course

Nutters Crossing, 25 miles from Ocean City, is an excellent place to play a round of golf.

Beautiful greens designed to USGA criteria run over moderately sloping hills, past eight water hazards, and through a maze from over 50 bunkers.

Nutters Crossing is consistently rated as one of the best-kept courses in the area.

It features two contrasting layouts: the front side, which is an open space, allows players to let loose on the tee, whereas the back side, which meanders through forests, is a challenge of accuracy.

Don’t let the short distance from the back tees fool you.

This course will test even the most experienced golfer with water on a dozen holes.

You can also relax at their colonial brick clubhouse, which includes dining.

Treat Yourself to Italian Cuisine at Fratelli’s Italian Restaurant

Fratelli’s Restaurant, where Italy meets America, serves historic delicacies on the Eastern Shore.

Authentic Italian cuisine comes out of the kitchen with flair, presented in a relaxed and elegant setting.

People in southern European towns have enjoyed each dish’s refined taste centuries ago.

You can choose from various appetizers and main courses, including handmade pasta, fish, chicken, and more.

Satisfy your Italian food cravings with delectable shrimp scampi or chicken parmigiana, which also come with bottomless salad and breadsticks.

Indulge your thirst with traditional Chianti or any of Fratelli’s superb wines, and satisfy your sweet tooth with their famous handmade cheesecake or tiramisu.

Each meal teems with care and authenticity, delivered with grace and efficiency.

They guarantee that you will want to return to Fratelli’s as soon as you get back home.

Buy a Beer at Evolution Craft Brewing Co. & Public House

Evolution Craft Brewing makes excellent beer.

Their beers complement outstanding food, whether the food served in their restaurants or food you prepare at home.

You can also upgrade your beer experience.

Open a can, bottle, or keg of your beloved eVo beer with your pals.

For the ultimate culinary innovation, you may even build your preferred combos.

Visit this well-known eatery for a great meal with friends or family, as their top-rated beers pair perfectly with their outstanding dishes.

Relax and Wander the Schumaker Pond Park

Schumaker Park is a lovely 11-acre woodland park tucked gently along Schumaker Pond’s shoreline.

The park is vast and tiny at the same time, making it ideal for a public gathering or a quiet, informal excursion.

The pavilion, situated on the hill overlooking the water, can easily accommodate family gatherings or business picnics.

A big barbecue and shelter are next to the pavilion, making it much easier to barbecue on the spot.

A playground featuring swings, slides, and riding toys is at the park’s far end.

Likewise, you can find a narrow beach beside the pond and a lengthy pier for fishing downhill from the forested area.

Watch Live Shows at Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Interior of Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A top entertainment venue in Salisbury, Wicomico Youth & Civic Center is a great spot for local events, shows, and concerts.

Built in 1980, the arena is home to many live shows, including Broadway Plays, live music, trade shows, and many more.

The 30,000 square feet arena with a 42-foot high ceiling can seat up to 6,000 people for concerts and events.

It also holds sporting events with high-tech audio-visual equipment.

So, when you’re in town, be sure to check out the local shows happening at Wicomico Youth & Civic Center!

You can find the center on Glen Avenue.

Get Your Coffee Fix at Rise Up Coffee

Time-honored coffee in a laid-back atmosphere?

Yes, you can have both at Rise Up Coffee, which uses locally roasted and organic coffee beans.

The coffeehouse serves artisanal coffee, including latte, espresso, Americano, cappuccino, cortado, and more.

It also serves tea, breakfast meals, as well as iced and frozen beverages.

Also, if you like making your own coffee at home, Rise Up Coffee sells its signature organic coffee in different roasts.

So, whether you’re starting your day or you’re simply getting your coffee routine in the afternoon, Rise Up Coffee is your place to be!

Take the Kids to Ben’s Red Swings

The iconic Ben’s Red Swings is a community playground built by the locals in memory of a little boy named Benjamin Layton.

Layton, 4, passed away in 2002 after a battle against leukemia and had told his parents that he wanted red wings as an angel when he dies.

His parents then made efforts to build a playground in Ben’s honor, which was completed in just a week and opened in 2004.

The playground features slides, sandboxes, bucket swings, a playhouse, and a picnic area—all are highlighted and painted in red.

Your little ones will love the playground features at Ben’s Red Swings, especially since it’s located in a shady area in the city, next to Salisbury Zoo.

Follow the Public Art Walking Tour

A map with color-coded icons marks the Public Art Walking Tour, which allows you to take a closer at the art displays in the district.

The public art features murals, painted utility boxes, and sculptures with artists’ descriptions.

These art displays aim to bring the community together, as well as to draw many tourists to visit the city.

It also supports local artists to promote their works.

You can get a map of Salisbury’s Arts & Entertainment District for the Public Art Walking Tour at the Downtown Salisbury Visitor Center.

Drop by the Downtown Salisbury Visitor Center

One of the best first stops in the city is the Downtown Salisbury Visitor Center on North Division Street.

New visitors can learn more about the city, get information about the best tourist attractions, and ask for the best travel itinerary.

You can ask for a map or a brochure to help you with getting around the city.

If you drop by the Downtown Salisbury Visitor Center, there could be a fun local event happening in the area.

So, give it time to pay a visit, and get closer to the city’s main spot!

Final Thoughts

In Salisbury, Maryland, you may enjoy the beautiful countryside, sophisticated brewing, and great outdoor activities.

The city flourishes when it comes to cultural happenings downtown since it’s also a local art hotspot, with several galleries and art shops.

You’ll also discover something fascinating and likely pretty entertaining in downtown Salisbury.

Visit this tourist attraction and have some fun; you will not be disappointed.

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