How many guests does The Bayside Escape sleep?

Up to 24 guests across 6 bedrooms and 5 queen sleeper sofas. Sleeping breakdown: 1 King, 4 Queens, 4 Twins, and 5 Queen sofa sleepers (all in the main house).

Is The Bayside Escape pet-friendly?

Up to 2 dogs, $150 per stay. No cats.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is at 4 PM and check-out is at 10 AM. Early check-in and late check-out are not available — back-to-back bookings require full turnaround time.

How do I book The Bayside Escape directly?

Book direct at thebaysideescape.com: there's no platform service fee, you earn 8% back in Bayside Rewards credit on every stay, and you deal with the owner directly.

What is the cancellation policy?

Full refund if you cancel 14 or more days before check-in. For a stay 14 or more days away, a 30% deposit is charged at booking and the remaining 70% balance is auto-charged 3 days before check-in; closer in, the stay is paid in full at booking. Inside the 14-day window, the booking is non-refundable.

Is parking available at The Bayside Escape?

Yes — the driveway accommodates 10 cars, including space for boat trailers.

What is the Flex Barn at The Bayside Escape?

The Flex Barn is a 1,600 sqft multi-use space included free with every booking. It features 16-ft ceilings, a 16-ft sliding barn door (drive-in capable), and rubber flooring. Perfect for yoga, corporate workshops, indoor games, movie nights, or gear storage. It is not a sleeping space — all sleeping is in the main house.

Blog/Fourth of July on the Chesapeake Bay: A Big-Group Summer Holiday

Trip Ideas6 min read· June 2026

Fourth of July on the Chesapeake Bay: A Big-Group Summer Holiday

There may be no more all-American way to spend the Fourth than on the water with the people you love — crabs on the table, kids in the shallows, and a big sky going pink at sunset. Hooper's Island delivers exactly that, minus the boardwalk crowds. Here's how to plan a Fourth of July your whole group will remember.

The playset in the backyard at The Bayside Escape

Peak season on the Bay

Early July is the heart of summer on the Chesapeake. It's peak blue-crab season, so a Fourth of July crab feast is right on time — pick up live crabs nearby, steam them with Old Bay, and spread the table out back. There's a small swimming beach on the island, a short drive away, and the water's warm for it this time of year. Panfishing off the shoreline across the road is easy and fun for kids, and the long days stretch the holiday out from morning to evening cookout.

The all-day backyard holiday

The beauty of a house for the Fourth is that the party never has to leave home. Fire up the grill, set up lawn games in the yard, let the kids run between the water and the play area, and keep a cooler stocked all day. With six bedrooms and room for 24, the whole family — or the whole friend group — can be together without anyone crammed into a hotel room. Naps for the little ones, shade for the grandparents, and a kitchen big enough to feed everyone.

Sunset over the Chesapeake Bay from The Bayside Escape on the Fourth of July

Sunsets, stars, and fireworks

As the day winds down, the Bay does its thing — a wide-open western sunset over the water, followed by some of the darkest, most star-filled skies on the Eastern Shore. The house even gets in on the holiday: its permanent programmable exterior lighting shifts to a festive red-white-and-blue pattern for the Fourth (on ordinary nights it glows a warm amber after dark). Many nearby towns put on Fourth of July fireworks; check local listings near your dates for times and the best viewing spots. Whether you catch a town display or just toast the holiday from the deck under the lights and stars, it's a fitting end to the day.

Book your Fourth by the Bay

The Bayside Escape sleeps 24 on the Chesapeake Bay in Fishing Creek, MD — crabs, kayaks, a big backyard, and sunset over the water. Create a free account and get $100 toward your first direct booking. Holiday weeks book early.

Create account and claim $100 Check your dates

Plan-ahead tips

Book early. The Fourth is one of the most in-demand summer weeks — reserve well ahead for a big house.
Stock up in Cambridge (about 29 miles) on the way in — groceries, drinks, and cookout supplies before the holiday rush.
Order crabs ahead for the feast; local seafood moves fast around the holiday.
Pack water gear and sun protection — life jackets, water shoes, sunscreen, and shade for the yard.
Check fireworks listings for nearby towns once you know your dates.