CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME MUSEUM
CBMM guests can get on the water this spring aboard cruise boat PATRIOT and a variety of historic vessels in its floating fleet, including Historic Workboat Experience cruises aboard Smith Island crab scrape Volunteer. (Photo courtesy CBMM)
ST. MICHAELS, MD – With spring in the air, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is thrilled to introduce new programming and guest enhancements, including Family Funday Sundays, Chesapeake Celebrations, and a streamlined online ticketing platform.
Returning guests and first-time visitors are invited to buy tickets for all the mission-inspired fun ahead at CBMM and aboard Patriot Cruises via the new ticketing experience at visit.cbmm.org.
The new platform makes it easier than ever to bundle experiences, including combo tickets good for two-day general admission plus a Miles River cruise or themed guided tour.
General admission is always free for CBMM members, who also receive $6 off per ticket to cruise the Miles River aboard PATRIOT. Everyone can save $2 on CBMM and Patriot Cruises tickets this year by purchasing in advance online.
All children enjoy free CBMM general admission and free tickets for Narrated Historical Cruises aboard cruise boat PATRIOT on Family Funday Sundays through the rest of the year. (Photo courtesy CBMM)
In addition to its exciting slate of annual festivals celebrating the best of the Bay and engaging programming for all ages, CBMM has added offerings to showcase our mission in action over the coming months.
On Family Funday Sundays, all children (ages 17-and-under) enjoy free CBMM general admission and free tickets for Narrated Historical Cruises aboard cruise boat PATRIOT. The first one is this Sunday, April 12, and they will continue through the rest of 2026.
This Your Museum, Your Community initiative offers an opportunity for families to explore, connect, and relax along our waterfront and on the Miles River. There are no coupons or codes needed. The free tickets can be claimed online or in person. Please note that capacity is limited for cruises, so reserving Patriot Cruises tickets in advance is recommended.
Family Funday Sundays are presented by PNC Bank and supported by PepUp.
New for 2026, CBMM’s Chesapeake Celebrations bring the Bay to life through hands-on activities, engaging presentations, and on-the-water experiences. (Photo courtesy CBMM)
CBMM is also hosting a series of Chesapeake Celebrations designed to share the history, culture, and environment that shape life on the Chesapeake through hands-on activities, engaging presentations, and on-the-water experiences with staff, volunteers, and community partners.
Included with general admission, these campus-wide celebrations on select Saturdays highlight CBMM’s mission in action with fun for the whole family. The featured themes include Chesapeake foods (Savor the Shore, Saturday, May 16), Bay recreation (Play on the Bay, Saturday, June 27), our upcoming Stories from the Shoreline exhibition (Stories from the Shoreline, Saturday, July 18), and Bay health (Love the Bay, Saturday, Aug. 15).
Chesapeake Celebrations are supported by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center under the Maryland Traditions program of the Maryland State Arts Council.
It’s a great time to plan your next visit to CBMM’s waterfront campus.
The Patriot Cruises season begins this Friday, April 10, with more than 300 cruises on the schedule through November. Guests can experience the beauty and history of the Miles River on a Narrated Historical Cruise, take in live music from some of the region’s top artists, or experience the thrill of log canoe racing from the comfort of PATRIOT.
Guests can also get out on the water via Historic Workboat Experience cruises, historic vessel charters, sails aboard 1955 skipjack Rosie Parks, and guided paddles.
The Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival returns to campus on the weekend of April 18-19 to kick off CBMM’s festival season. This spring tradition features fantastic shopping from nearly 100 exhibiting artisans, great food and drinks, live music on two stages, glassblowing demonstrations, children’s activities, and more. Head to cbmm.org/SeaGlassFestival to learn more and buy tickets.
Last month, CBMM opened its latest special exhibition, Bear Me Into Freedom: The Talbot County of Frederick Douglass, inspired by local photographer and historian Jeff McGuiness’ book of the same name.
And in the working Shipyard, CBMM’s shipwrights are in the final stages of a years-long refit of Chesapeake Bay buyboat Winnie Estelle preparing the venerable vessel for its relaunch later this year.
Check the calendar at cbmm.org/Events for more programming dates and details, including Shipyard Programs, Speaker Events, Paint Nights, hands-on workshops, and children’s programming.
CBMM members are a part of all the excitement with insider access to our campus and collection. To support CBMM’s mission as a member and discover all the terrific benefits of membership, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or druzicka@cbmm.org.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization that preserves and explores the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and makes this resource accessible to all.
Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. Learn more at cbmm.org.
