One of the first places I got to see in Washington DC during my visit last year was the Wharf on Maine. I’d left all my gear back at the apartment I was staying in, because I was helping my friend run a few errands before the 4th of July fireworks and wasn’t expecting to do any sightseeing, but when we whipped round into the waterfront fish market, I was kicking myself for not bringing my camera. Instead, I nabbed my friend’s camera phone and snapped a few shots of this fascinating place.
The market was teeming with people buying last minute goodies for their Independence Day barbeques, and the air was distinctly pungent. The Maine Avenue Fish Market, commonly referred to as ‘The Wharf’, is over 200 years old and one of the few extant open-air seafood markets on the eastern seaboard. It feels like a carnival and is a foodie destination extraordinaire. I don’t know how many tourists make it out this way, but it’s not far from the Waterfront Metro station and is definitely worth a visit.
There were stacks of shells piled high, fish neatly arranged over shaved ice and some of the largest shrimp I have ever seen.
The octopus scared me a little
Mammoth shrimp and fresh lobster
But what I found truly eye-catching were the Maryland Blue Crabs. There were piles of them for sale, steamed and ready to snack on, and live ones in baskets which people would wheel around the corner and get them freshly steamed. Staring at the baskets, which were basking in the 105 degree sunshine, I had to fight the urge to open the lids and give the crabs a chance to dash for the water.
Run free, little crabs!
My friend also gave me a DC education in blue crab gender recognition. She showed me the underside of the crabs and explained that the ones that resembled the Capitol building were female, and the ones that resembled the Washington Monument were male.
You live and learn!
Where's my backpack? 
This looks so good and enticing. I tried to watch this crab sex thing on YouTube but my parental controls were blocking me. I guess since I’m not where you are, I’ll have to try Red Lobster.
Hilarious, Scotch, those parental controls will get you every time! Have fun at Red Lobster. 🙂
That is hilarious and so educational! Thanks for the crab education. Also: my mouth is watering.
Glad you enjoyed my little trip down to the Wharf, wanderlusttalesfromabucketlist! Definitely add it to your bucket list if you’re in the DC area. xxx Ailsa
oh my… the shrimp! Seafood heaven. Thanks for sharing this
It’s a foodie paradise, ayusvenue – my friend is a DC local, so she had her favourite vendors all picked out.
It looks so good , octopus for takoyaki 🙂
Ooh, I just looked up takoyaki, I’ve never tried it but it looks delicious! 🙂
yes it’s very good and Osaka, Japan is famous for it 🙂
Food heaven in a post, and educational too. Thanks Ailsa
I love your illustration of crab sex, and all that seafood is making me hungry, it looks like a wonderful place for a seafood lover 🙂
I would want to set them free too! I love the gender identification 🙂
Octopus is a bit scary !!!!Thanks for sharing 🙂
Wish I could go there! Eating lobster is still on my Bucket List, never had the chance yet…
Wharf on Maine is on my Bucket list!! Crab sex is so hilarious 😀
We used to as kids catch them on string with a little old chicken (that we got from the grocer), just down by the water (I’m from MD). No longer. The ones in your picture are so small compared to what we used to catch. It’s sad what’s become of the Bay.
Doesn’t it always figure that when you DON’T bring your camera you could have really used it?
I’m going to have to check out this place now that I’m home, Ailsa! I learned something new about the male and female crabs; and I’ve been eating crabs my whole life. 🙂
LOL Ailsa! Love the post and the crab sex explanation!
Maryland crabs steamed in Old Bay are the best!
Thank you, that is all, I will get off my soapbox now.
I’m sure everyone who read this will always remember how to “sex” a crab. And I’ll bet that many of us will be looking for crabs to check out! Looking at all this seafood makes me REALLY hungry!