Pocomoke City is an historic town on the banks of the Pocomoke River. Once upon a time, “pocomoke,” thought to mean “dark waters,” was home to the Algonquin Native Americans when Captain John Smith first navigated the river as early as 1608. In the early 1700s, settlers inhabited the area, and by the 1800s, the Pocomoke area was booming with business and its shipyard. The Delmarva Discovery Center (three blocks away) provides a superb and entertaining education about the local and natural history.  Pocomoke City also has the Sturgis One Room Schoolhouse the first town Mayor Dr. Isaac Costen’s historic home (circa 1870) museum, and the Hall-Warton Memorial Garden, and the Mar-Va theater. The Lower Shore Area has many other historic towns waiting to be explored by history buffs!

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Pocomoke City has a beautiful riverside walk on the Nature Trail’s floating boardwalk through the forest and Cypress Park. Within a 50 mile radius of The River Gem are 4 State Parks, over 20 museums, the Atlantic Beaches (Assateague, Chincoteague, Ocean City), the Chesapeake Bay, 15 Rivers and Creeks, the largest marina in the State of Maryland, (Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield), numerous opportunities for hiking, golfing at 7 golf courses, fishing, crabbing, bird-watching, kayaking and canoeing, sailing and power-boating – not to mention a wide array of shopping ventures, local breweries Evolution Brewery (Salisbury), The Burley Oak Brewery (Berlin), and Oaked 110 whiskey and wine bar in Snow Hill. The Eastern Shore has its very own professional baseball team (The Delmarva Shorebirds). Tour the area to learn of local history and current festivals (www.drivethebluecrab.com).

Cycle the View Trail 100 (a 100 mile scenic bike trail winding through Worcester County)! We welcome bikers, hikers, and paddlers, who may want to investigate our local trails.

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Beaches:

The Atlantic Beaches, Chesapeake Bay,  Area Rivers and Creeks:

Chincoteague, Assateague (Home of the Wild Horses)

Ocean City, Maryland

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Smith Island (Origin of the delicious 12-layered Smith Island Cake!)

Tangier Island

 

State Parks, Nature Trails, Bird Watching:

Great Pocomoke Forest, Janes Island State Park, Kiptopeke State Park (VA), Beach to Bay Indian Trail, Deal Island Wildlife Refuge, Irish Grove Bird Sanctuary, Nassawango Creek Preserve.

NASA Wallops Island Flight Facility, whose Visitor’s Center provides public outreach.
 

The State of Maryland also has two accredited universities nearby, Salisbury University and UMES. They are both just a short drive away, and visitors to the campuses are welcome to stay at the River Gem when visiting.

 

Restaurants and Shopping:

The Lower Shore abounds with restaurants that specialize in fresh seafood (including DelMarva Blue Crabs) as well as a variety of other foods. Antique stores, shopping malls and specialty stores are also prevalent. Most notably and recently, the Dockside restaurant is open near the lovely drawbridge, a short walk from The River Gem B&B. While you are staying in town, plan to treat yourself right at Simply Sublime Massage and Bodywork salon.