Smith Island, off the coast of Maryland and about an hour's boat trip from Crisfield, is actually three islands - Tylerton, Ewell, and Rhodes Point. A trip there is a step back in time, to when fishing villages were a way of life for many people. Tylerton is unique in today's world in that the people there live in some ways just as they did a hundred years ago. They are some of the friendliest, most accommodating people anywhere. The Drum Point Market is a must-visit - best crabcakes anywhere! And the Inn of Silent Music - how many accolades can you think of? Linda & Rob, the owners, are wonderful hosts who seem to have thought of everything. This was our 4th time there (having been there with the previous owners, who also were terrific), and we enjoyed our visit immensely. Jasmine, their big black lovable canine, was an added treat. (She's really almost human.) The food was 4-star, both the dinner and the breakfast. We look forward with great anticipation to our next visit.

If you are looking for a quiet, scenic place, you will love this place. The inn itself was very nice, very comfortable. The food, seafood, is as good as it gets. We were blown away by the meals, and the caring, attention to detailed hosts, Rob and Linda, and of course Jazmine the dog.

During our weekend stay,we were treated to am inproptu tour by a local waterman of his soft crab business, a wonderful boat ride w/ an 85 year old waterman to the town of Ewell, and my wife was asked to play piano in the local Methodist Church for the Sunday evening service! I think we met and spoke w/ 30 of the 59 local residents. Also, if you wish, arrangements can be made to do a day on the water w/ a local waterman, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.


This is a place and a way of life that is slowly disappearing. Very quiet beautiful and very friendly place. If you enjoy that sort of thing along w/ a desire to meet people you won't meet anywhere else, you will love this place.

PS..I read the review above by the musician that did not care for the place...You don't get it..

This is a very diffierent type of vacation, not for everyone but if you are looking for quiet, beautiful views and love being on the water, this place is great. Not to mention the gourmet cuisine-I will never eat crabs anywhere else again but in Md. they were so good. Rob and Linda (and their dog Jasmine) are wonderful hosts and it really felt like we were visiting friends. And meeting the different local personalities was amazing. Recommended - go to the pelican nesting area, we hired a captain to take us, with another guest at the inn. Advice-take lots of bug spray.

My husband & I went there for a reconnection weekend. I had never been on a boat before and was uncomfrotable about doing this but Capt. Jason was great- very friendly, knowledgeable, and was a pro. On the way over, we met our future rommates that were also staying there. Very interesting group to me as I am a quilter and I was surrounded by 4 other women of the same! I was impressed by the quietness and quaintness of the town. Maps on the side of the building to help should you get lost. The one store in town was colorful. I had never eaten a "Poor Boy" before and will probably never again, but it was an experience I wouldn't mind repeating.
The food was outstanding. Linda & Rob outdid themselves on almost every meal they made. The books scattered throughout the house were amazing. My personal favorite were the abundant quilts throughout. I, too, made the mistake about the windows open when a storm hit. My disappointment was we felt very odd man out sort of thing and couldn't accomplish what we set out to do.
The rooms were charming- very eclectic to a degree but comfortable. Linda turned down our beds at night, left a light on, and even had chocolates and mints waiting on the pillows. Rob's shed was full of things to do so we borrowed the canoe and set sail for an adventure in how not to paddle a canoe with 2 people working in opposite directions. We ended up right on the edge of the Chesapeake with me screaming for God to save me. At night when we ate supper on the enclosed porch, it was very ambient and peaceful, watching the sunset and the boats out on the bay. we got a lot of great pictures and had an experience in the cemetery whcih we will never forget.
If you don't know how they bury their dead at sea level, they put cement almost like coffin tops on the graves to keep them down when the waters come. We had to walk on top of these things to look for the family names we had been seeking and were covered in mosquito bites in less than 5 minutes. Word to the wise- bring bug spray and lots of it. You'll leave feeling like you were at a 5 star resort, only it's not anywhere near the price. I didn't think I would enjoy it, but now I am asking when we can return. P.S. THERE IS NO BEACH!