Stagecoach to Motorcoach – Traveling the Old Post Road View All ItinerariesDownload Itinerary PDFThis tour will take you from the Upper Chesapeake Bay to the Brandywine Valley. You will travel through the ages of the region, from historic mills, charming small towns and manor homes to modern-day destinations. This tri-county region was a bustling transportation route during the colonial era and beyond. Wares and travelers arrived at and departed from the ports and traveled along dusty roads. Even the country’s founding fathers often rode their steeds along the Old Post Road. Today, the shared transportation route is I-95, offering easy access to the fabulous regional attractions. PARTNERS: Cecil County Tourism, Visit Harford and the Greater Wilmington CVB DAY 1: 10:30 – 2:35 Historic Havre de Grace The picturesque town of Havre de Grace received its current name from a colonial visitor – the Marquis de Lafayette. Located on the Susquehanna River at the top of Chesapeake Bay, it reminded him of a town in France named Le Havre. Citizens embraced the new name, which means Harbor of Grace. In 1789 during the nation’s first meeting of Congress, leaders were tasked with selecting a town to become the U.S. capital. Havre de Grace received one vote shy of a place called Washington DC. Historian Mike Dixon will share the town’s history and connection to the Old Post Road. He’ll accompany visitors to museums which preserve and interpret the important heritage and culture of the decoy and maritime industries of the town. 10:30 – 11:30 Decoy Museum Havre de Grace is known as the Decoy Capital of the World. Step back in time to learn about the Susquehanna Flats and why flocks of birds descended on the area. 11:45 – 12:45 Lunch at MacGregors Restaurant Dine in the heart of downtown. 12:45 – 1:30 Shopping Take time to explore this fascinating city on your own. Voted one of the Best Small Towns in America. 1:30 – 2:30 Maritime Museum Explore the history behind the mystery of the role of water in our nation’s past. Learn the role the waterway played from early settlers to the underground railroad to today and beyond. Where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. 2:35 Depart town 2:35 – 3:00 Drive past Rodgers Tavern & Principio Furnace along the Old Post Road 3:00 – 3:30 Best Western ~ North East Inn 3:30 Depart hotel 3:45 – 5:20 “Taste of North East” – Main Street This waterside town experienced settlement as early as the 17th Century. The Northeast River and Old Post Road played a significant role in its early years. Native Americans traded their wares, mills were built, and farmers and fishermen prospered. Residents and visitors once arriving by horseback or stagecoach, now arrive via boats and cars to visit the vibrant small town. Shops filled with gifts, fashions, antiques, and specialty foods surround award winning local restaurants along a friendly Main Street. The first stop is Port House Grill for a delicious sample. Wander south for a few blocks on Main to enjoy shopping and sampling along the way. 5:25 Bus departs from historic St Mary Anne’s Church, Main Street 5:45 – 7:15 Dinner at The Wellwood Restaurant Enjoy a delicious group-friendly “Crab Feast” for seafood and non-seafood lovers alike, at an eatery with fascinating heritage! 7:20 – Depart 7:35 Hollywood Casino Perryville – Free slot-play and sweet munchies (departure time for Best Western TBD) DAY 2: 7:00 – 8:30 Breakfast at hotel 8:35 – Depart 9:00 – 9:30 Fair Hill Learn about a prestigious new equestrian event – “Maryland 5* at Fair Hill”. It’s one of only two of its kind in the USA, and seven world-wide 9:30 – Depart 10:15 – 12:30 Hagley Museum Take a journey through the historic DuPont Company’s impressive black powder complex and the first Du Pont family home, gardens, and office in the United States. The Hagley tour will illustrate what makes Hagley unique—black powder yards, a machine shop that demonstrates early industrial ingenuity, a water turbine that brings eight-ton iron roll mills to life, and a black powder explosion. The tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Barn to see the covered wagon and other vehicles that would have traveled the Old Post Road. Tour guests will hear from speaker and Hagley Historian, Lucas Clawson, during lunch. 12:30 – 1:40 Lunch at Hagley 12:50 – Depart 2:30 – 5:20 Historic New Castle Experience the charm and beauty of colonial New Castle located on the Delaware River. This captivating town, founded in 1651 is steeped in history. In 1682 William Penn came ashore at New Castle to take control of the colony of Pennsylvania. In 1704 he granted the “Lower Three Counties” (today’s Delaware) independent status. New Castle became the colonial capitol of Delaware, but in 1777 the state moved the capital to Dover. Today the town is a popular place to live, work, and visit. Tour guide Mike Connelly will talk about its importance as a colonial transportation hub and guide the group to historic buildings. Tour includes: Visitor Center at the Arsenal Court House Amstel House Dutch House Immanuel Church Read House Strand, wharf & battery 5:20 – Walk to Jessop’s 5:30 – 7:30 Dinner at Jessop’s Tavern & Colonial Restaurant The Colonial themed tavern, named after its original owner – Abraham Jessop, represents the English, Dutch, Belgian, and Swedish presence in the region. 7:30 – Depart 8:00 – Homemade sweet treat from the farm, at Best Western (Kilby Cream Ice Cream) DAY 3: 7:00 – 8:15 Breakfast & Check out – Best Western 8:20 – Depart During the ride to Mt Harmon, step-on guide Wayne Hill will provide narrative about a destination we don’t have time to visit. The tiny but fascinating town of Port Deposit has a unique and abundant heritage. 9:25 – 10:40 – Mt. Harmon Plantation This beautiful 200 acre waterfront plantation and nature preserve, circa 1700s, is located at what old maps called – World’s End. Travel back in time as you ride along a tree lined, two mile lane, winding through the woods and past farm fields. Tour guide Paige Howard will share the plantation’s heritage with a tour of the manor house, colonial kitchen, slave quarters, boxwood garden, and more. This special destination is a hidden heritage gem! 10:45 – Depart 11:15 – 12:15 Walking tour of Chesapeake City Author and professor David Healey, will lead a walking tour of this picturesque, 19th Century village along the banks of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. When the new nautical route was built, it sparked the creation of a town. As shipping ensued, houses and businesses sprung up along the shorelines. Today this scenic town is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a tourist destination with waterfront restaurants, historic bed & breakfast inns, and shops. Ships and pleasure vessels from around the globe pass through the canal and slip beneath the town’s majestic bridge on their way to ports near and far. 12:15 – Go inside Chesapeake Inn’s ballroom Pick up box lunches and visit the restroom 12:30 – Depart for BWI