there are not a ton of options on the canal - Delaware City Marina, Summit North, Chesapeake Inn and Schaefer’s on the canal. you could go up the elk river to tritons - about 5 miles past Chesapeake city. Or south to the Bohemia, also 5 or so miles. several marinas there. But there is nothing nearby either of those marinas. If you want to venture a little further, Northeast MD is a great little town, bunch of restaurants, shops, bars, etc. Plenty of marinas. I would say 20 miles to get over there from Chesapeake City.
are you looking for a place for second night, or first? Reason I ask, if it is second night - the city dock in Chesapeake city, right in the basin, has a few slips. They are either free, or like ten bucks a night. Or maybe free for the slip, ten bucks if you want to use the electric. I can’t remember. if I recall, you can not reserve a slip - first come first serve - But if you have a slip at the Inn for the first night, just keep an eye on the city slips and as soon as someone departs, zip over and take it? Or if you have a dingy, anchor in the basin, you won’t be the only one.
i should also mention Harbor North, right at the mouth of the elk - maybe 3 miles from the basin. It’s more of a boat yard than a marina. you will not be living in luxury there, and getting in or out at low tide may be a problem for you. And you really get rocked in the slips from passing boat traffic. But it’s close. You could probably get an uber or taxi over to Chesapeake city, and they do have a restaraunt / bar on premise; at least they did last time I was there.