Watch Elf Classic Yacht Race aboard Winnie Estelle

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md. is offering a special cruise aboard the 1920 buyboat Winnie Estelle to watch the 8^th annual Elf Classic Yacht Race, taking place on the Miles River in St. Michaels, Md. on Saturday, September 29, 2018. The annual race is sponsored by the Classic Yacht Restoration Guild and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

The Elf Classic Yacht Race spectator cruise will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. so that passengers can view the beginning of the race. Participation is limited, with advanced registration needed at bitly.com/watchelf.    

The September 29 race features a 19th century traditional yacht racing start, beginning with a captains meeting on land, followed by the boom of a cannon, signifying each captain’s mad dash to a tied-up dinghy, or tender. Next, the captains row out to their moored vessels and waiting crews, before tying up their tenders and raising anchor, with up to 30 yachts racing on the Miles River in a cloud of sail.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and making this resource available to all. Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevancy, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

Celebrating another season aboard Patriot Cruises

Patriot Cruises will begin another season running 7 days a week on May 13th, 2017, departing daily at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, additional times on the weekends (11am and 4pm). In addition, the Island Music Cocktail Cruises will resume on Saturdays from 5:30-7:00pm but will cruise on both Memorial Day Saturday and Sunday. Check out our updated schedule and to buy tickets online go to www.patriotcruises.com.


Imagine experiencing the beauty of St Michaels from the Deck of The Patriot, a replica of a 1930's Steam Ferry while being immersed in the history of 300 year old mansions, the people who lived here and the amazing wildlife. 

The area is steeped in history dating from before the American Revolution. The ambience of the colonial and Victorian-era charm is unmistakable and can be enjoyed throughout your visit.

The 75 minute cruise on the Patriot, The winner of the Best Party and Event Cruise of the Bay by What's Up Eastern Shore Magazine, will teach you the history of St Michaels and the ever changing Chesapeake Bay. We will see beautiful 300 year old Mansions and learn their history, we will even see the Waterfront Mansions seen in the Movie "The Wedding Crashers. We will also focus on the varied wildlife on the Miles River.

The Patriot is home docked at The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum next to the World Famous Crab Claw Restaurant. Please park in the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Parking lot. Leave the Parking lot and follow the crabs painted on the ground to the red brick walkway. The Patriot ticket booth is on the harbor outside of the Museum entrance.

The Patriot is also available in the evening for private charters, including weddings, parties, reunions and much more, starting as early as 4:00 pm on weekdays and 6:00 pm on weekends. 

Charter prices include the vessel and appropriate crew for the times and services contracted, embarking and disembarking from the Patriot’s berth in St. Michaels. Charters can accommodate up to 149 guests including caterers.