A chocolate meringue pie is reason enough to hit the brakes on a beach drive. Add goats, a fenced playground, and fields where you can snip your own flowers.
Suddenly the detour starts to look like the main event.
This Eastern Shore farm market is run by a family that has worked the land for seven generations. The shelves carry fresh produce, baked goods, homemade soft serve, and frozen soft shell crabs.
Yes, crabs and pie in one stop.
I like how it feels made for Maryland families who need a stretch break. Kids can burn off car energy outside.
Grown-ups can grab lunch, dessert, and dinner for later.
I believe the best road-trip stops make you forget you’re on a road trip. So what makes this one worth pulling off the highway before Ocean City?
A Farm Market Worth Leaving The Highway For
Out in Dorchester County, Emily’s Produce sits along a country road near Cambridge, Maryland. It’s a produce market, but calling it only that undersells the place.
Inside, you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, ice cream, sandwiches, and snacks. Outside, there are animals, play spaces, and seasonal pick-your-own fields.
That mix explains why families heading to and from the beach make a point of stopping. Some travelers mention making it a regular stop on the way back from Ocean City.
The farm holds a 4.8-star rating across more than 700 Google reviews. That’s a lot of happy people for a spot surrounded by fields.
Friendly staff get mentioned more than anything else, which tells you something. A warm hello matters when everyone in the car is cranky and hungry.
The grounds come across as tidy and well kept, with a barn and seasonal decorations. Clear signage helps first-timers figure out where to go.
Think of it as a farm stand, bakery, lunch counter, and mini adventure rolled together. It’s the kind of stop that turns a ten-minute break into an hour.
Nobody will complain about that, especially once dessert enters the picture.
Seven Generations Of Dirt Under The Fingernails
Seven generations is a long time to keep anything going. Emily’s Produce comes from a family farm that has stayed in the same hands for that long.
That kind of history shows up in the details. Visitors describe a sense of pride and family tradition the moment they come through the door.
Framed pictures on the walls add to that homegrown feel. It’s less like a store and more like a family scrapbook you can shop in.
The farm also has a reputation for caring about how things are grown. Mentions of sustainable practices come up when people talk about the owners.
Local partnerships are part of the story too. Berries from the farm are used by a nearby Eastern Shore business, which is a nice bit of neighbors helping neighbors.
For Maryland families, that matters. Buying here means supporting a farm that has fed the region for generations.
Kids may not care about lineage, of course. They care about goats and ice cream, and that’s fine.
Still, it’s fun to tell them the strawberries in their hands come from a farm older than their great-great-grandparents. Some of them might even be impressed for a whole minute.
Save Room For The Chocolate Meringue Pie
Chocolate meringue pie has a way of ending arguments about whether to stop. At Emily’s Produce, it gets called out as one of the standout desserts.
The bakery case goes well beyond one pie, though. Baked goods come up again and again when people talk about this market.
Donuts earn special praise, with apple cider donuts getting their own fan club. They’re described as light rather than heavy, which is great news before a long drive.
Sweet potato biscuits also make an appearance. They feel very Eastern Shore, and they travel well in a car.
Sourdough bread shows up on the shelves too. Grab a loaf and dinner at the beach rental is half solved.
The smart move is buying dessert for now and dessert for later. Pie for the cooler, donuts for the back seat.
Baked offerings likely change with the seasons, so selection may vary. Check what’s out when you arrive and pick fast.
Hesitation is risky when a car full of kids has spotted the pastry case. Good luck walking out with just one thing.
Soft Serve That Turns A Pit Stop Into A Treat
Hot car, hot day, cold ice cream. That’s a formula that has never failed a family road trip.
Emily’s Produce serves homemade soft serve, and plenty of visitors call it a highlight. One summer traveler said it hit the spot on a hot morning, which sounds like a perfectly reasonable breakfast.
Flavors rotate, and apple pie ice cream has been a past favorite. Birthday cake has shown up on the menu too.
Not every opinion is glowing, to be fair. One visitor found the texture lighter than expected, so taste for yourself.
Slushies are another option on warm days. A peach slushee has been mentioned alongside lunch, and peach anything feels right on the Eastern Shore.
The outdoor seating makes it easy to enjoy a cone without dripping in the car. Your upholstery will thank you.
Flavors and availability can shift by season. Ask what’s on the board before the kids lock in their choices.
Then find a shady seat, watch the goats, and let the drive wait a little longer. Ocean City isn’t going anywhere.
Lunch, Steaks And Soft Shells For The Cooler
Sandwiches might be the sneaky reason to stop. Emily’s Produce serves lunch, and people talk about it as warmly as the desserts.
The Angus burger has been a family favorite. A chicken salad sandwich and a sausage lunch have also gotten shout-outs.
Then there’s the freezer section, which is where things get fun for beach renters. Frozen soft shell crabs are on hand, along with steaks like a Delmonico cut.
Soft shells from a farm stand? That’s peak Maryland right there.
The market also sells beef, pork, and chicken. Take-and-bake meals round things out for nights when nobody wants to cook.
Picture showing up at the rental with dinner already handled. That’s a vacation win before you unpack the beach chairs.
On the drive home, the same logic applies. Stock up so the first night back doesn’t mean takeout again.
Bring a cooler if you’re planning to shop the freezer. Menus and frozen selections can change, so it’s wise to check before counting on a specific item.
Strawberries, Peaches And Produce Picked Close To Home
Sweet, big, and juicy is how people describe the strawberries here. That’s a strong opening act for any produce market.
Fresh produce is the heart of Emily’s Produce, and it shows across the seasons. Strawberries, blueberries, and peaches get the loudest praise.
Sweet corn and tomatoes are summer staples too. On the Eastern Shore, that combo practically counts as a regional identity.
Greens like spinach and scallions turn up on the shelves. So do melons, and one visitor said you could smell them in the air.
Much of what’s sold is grown right on the farm. That shortens the trip from field to fruit bowl.
For families headed to a beach rental, it’s an easy grocery stop. Fresh fruit beats gas station snacks by a mile.
Availability follows the growing calendar, naturally. Strawberries come early, peaches arrive later, and pumpkins show up in fall.
Check what’s in season before you make a special trip for one item. Then grab more than you think you need, because berries vanish fast in a car.
Pick-Your-Own Fields That Change With The Calendar
Nothing tires out restless kids like a field full of berries. Emily’s Produce offers seasonal U-pick, and families come back for it year after year.
Strawberry picking is a spring favorite. Blueberry picking follows, and pumpkin picking takes over in the fall.
The flower fields might be the prettiest surprise. Visitors have called the U-pick flowers some of the best they’ve seen.
A past setup gave you a cup and scissors to clip your own bouquet. Pricing may change, so confirm the current cost at the counter.
It’s a lovely souvenir for a beach trip. Fresh flowers on the rental table beat a plastic seagull keychain.
Teachers bring school groups here for picking field trips, too. The process gets credit for running smoothly, even with crowds of little ones.
A corn maze has also been part of the farm’s lineup. Seasonal attractions shift, so check before promising it to anyone.
Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dusty. And maybe pack a snack, though the market sits right there if someone gets hungry mid-row.
Goats, Swings And A Fenced Playground
Goats are the unofficial greeting committee here. They’re one of the most talked-about features at Emily’s Produce.
Kids can feed some of the farm animals, which reliably beats screen time. Piglets, ducks, and turkeys have also been part of the farm crew.
Free swings and toys sit near the outdoor seating. That alone buys parents a few peaceful minutes with a sandwich.
A special playground opens for a small fee. Teachers specifically praise it for being fenced in, which every parent of a runner appreciates.
Games and activities have been offered for a modest per-person cost in past seasons. Fees can change, so ask when you visit.
Toddlers through grandparents can find something to enjoy. Grandpa feeds goats, the toddler swings, and everyone wins.
Animal schedules and play areas may vary with weather and season. A quick check ahead saves disappointment.
Honestly, it’s the perfect antidote to hours buckled in a car seat. Let them run, let them laugh, and let them smell faintly of goat for the rest of the drive.
A Covered Picnic Spot Made For Big Groups
Lunch tastes better with a breeze. Emily’s Produce has a large covered eating area, plus a nice outdoor seating space.
That shelter matters on Eastern Shore summer days. Shade is a gift when the sun is blazing over flat farmland.
Big families and school groups fit easily. Teachers describe it as perfect for field trips, which means it can handle a crowd.
Parents who chaperone reportedly enjoy the day as much as the kids. They grab lunch, browse the shop, and make an outing of it.
The overall atmosphere feels clean and welcoming. Even the restrooms earn compliments, which is high praise on a road trip.
It’s a relaxed place, not a fussy one. Sticky fingers and loud giggles fit right in.
Folks traveling solo or as couples still find it charming. Gardeners especially love wandering among the cut flowers.
Bring a little patience on busy weekends, as popular farms can fill up. Then grab a table, spread out your haul, and enjoy a meal with a view of the farm.
Hours, Address And Timing Your Beach Detour
Timing is everything with this stop. Emily’s Produce is open Thursday through Sunday and closed Monday through Wednesday.
Thursday and Friday hours run from 9 am to 6 pm. Saturday and Sunday run from 9 am to 5 pm.
That schedule lines up nicely with weekend beach traffic. Friday departures and Sunday returns both work.
You’ll find the market at 2214 Church Creek Rd, Cambridge, MD 21613. It’s a short hop from Route 50 territory, the classic path to the Maryland beaches.
The drive out has a lovely rural feel. Fields and open sky do a lot of work calming down a carload of travelers.
Nearby, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center makes a meaningful pairing. Some travelers stop at both in one outing.
Prices are generally considered fair for farm-fresh goods, though some find treats on the pricey side. Budget a little extra for impulse pie.
Hours can shift with seasons and holidays. Check before you go, especially early or late in the year.
Why This Stop Earns A Spot On Every Beach Run
Some detours feel like chores. This one feels like part of the vacation.
Emily’s Produce packs a lot into one stop. Pie, soft serve, lunch, frozen soft shells, fresh berries, flowers, goats, and a playground all share the same farm.
The warm welcome might be the real secret ingredient. Friendly staff top the list of what people remember.
For Maryland families, it’s a chance to support a seven-generation farm close to home. That’s pride you can taste.
Little ones get room to run. Adults get dinner sorted and dessert boxed up for later.
Is every treat perfect for everyone? Probably not, and tastes always vary.
But a 4.8-star average from hundreds of visitors speaks loudly. People keep coming back, and some happily drive over an hour to do it.
Next time the beach traffic slows near Cambridge, consider pulling over. Grab a slice of chocolate meringue pie and say hi to the goats.
Then tell us your own favorite Eastern Shore stop. Every proud Maryland local seems to have one, and this farm might just become yours.
