St. Mary's Peninsula Guidebook
Sightseeing
This is a great place for kids and adults alike. Learn about marine life and Chesapeake Bay history here. Conveniently located in Solomon's Island.
89 locals recommend
Calvert Marine Museum and Drum Point Lighthouse
14200 Solomons Island Rd SThis is a great place for kids and adults alike. Learn about marine life and Chesapeake Bay history here. Conveniently located in Solomon's Island.
Historic St. Mary's City offers an immersive experience where people learn about Maryland's first settlers and the first Catholic peoples to come to colonial English colonies. Great water views, a replica of the Dove ship, and walking paths. Highly recommend a visit!
16 locals recommend
Historic St. Mary's City
18751 Hogaboom LnHistoric St. Mary's City offers an immersive experience where people learn about Maryland's first settlers and the first Catholic peoples to come to colonial English colonies. Great water views, a replica of the Dove ship, and walking paths. Highly recommend a visit!
St. Mary's Peninsula is steeped in Naval aviation history and innovation. Learn about it, and see some state of the art aircraft at the Pax River Naval Air Museum. If you're there on a weekday, you very well could see real jets flying around. As we say in these parts, it's an airshow everyday around Pax River.
45 locals recommend
Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
22156 Three Notch RdSt. Mary's Peninsula is steeped in Naval aviation history and innovation. Learn about it, and see some state of the art aircraft at the Pax River Naval Air Museum. If you're there on a weekday, you very well could see real jets flying around. As we say in these parts, it's an airshow everyday around Pax River.
This world-class sculpture garden is a great place for kids and adults alike. Wander the forest along paths and discover various pieces of art. There are a lot of pieces from the Hirshorn Museum in DC here. There’s also a childrens’ play area and interactive exhibits around the garden. This is mostly an outdoor thing, so don’t go when it’s raining.
70 locals recommend
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
13470 Dowell RdThis world-class sculpture garden is a great place for kids and adults alike. Wander the forest along paths and discover various pieces of art. There are a lot of pieces from the Hirshorn Museum in DC here. There’s also a childrens’ play area and interactive exhibits around the garden. This is mostly an outdoor thing, so don’t go when it’s raining.
Another farm favorite, during the fall season (look online and check availability/dates), families are able to traverse the corn maze and pick out pumpkins from the pumpkin farm. **Fall season only!**
Bowles Farm Corn Maze
22880 Budds Creek RdAnother farm favorite, during the fall season (look online and check availability/dates), families are able to traverse the corn maze and pick out pumpkins from the pumpkin farm. **Fall season only!**
Piney Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1836, is the oldest lighthouse on the Potomac River. You can visit a small museum, walk around the park, and head to the top of the lighthouse for a photo opp. This is a quick stop if you’re in the area; a good pre-dinner activity (before you go to the Ruddy Duck or Chief’s!)
26 locals recommend
Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park
44720 Lighthouse RdPiney Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1836, is the oldest lighthouse on the Potomac River. You can visit a small museum, walk around the park, and head to the top of the lighthouse for a photo opp. This is a quick stop if you’re in the area; a good pre-dinner activity (before you go to the Ruddy Duck or Chief’s!)
Located in the Potomac River and only accessible by boat, this 62 acre park contains a memorial cross dedicated to the memory of the first Marylanders who landed here before going to what would become St. Mary’s City. Visitors can also visit a replica of Blackistone Lighthouse. Boat tours to historic St. Clement's Island are offered on a daily schedule, April - October. Call the St. Clement's Island Museum (301-769-2222) for more information and schedule of operation.
8 locals recommend
Saint Clements Island State Park
38370 Point Breeze RoadLocated in the Potomac River and only accessible by boat, this 62 acre park contains a memorial cross dedicated to the memory of the first Marylanders who landed here before going to what would become St. Mary’s City. Visitors can also visit a replica of Blackistone Lighthouse. Boat tours to historic St. Clement's Island are offered on a daily schedule, April - October. Call the St. Clement's Island Museum (301-769-2222) for more information and schedule of operation.
Nature trails & hikes
Kid friendly hike to the Chesapeake Bay where you can search for (and find!) shark teeth and fossils.
102 locals recommend
Calvert Cliffs State Park
10540 H G Trueman RdKid friendly hike to the Chesapeake Bay where you can search for (and find!) shark teeth and fossils.
Easy to moderate hiking trails with views of the water throughout. This is also a great place to relax on the beach with some beautiful Southern Maryland viewscapes.
14 locals recommend
Myrtle Point Park
24050 Patuxent BlvdEasy to moderate hiking trails with views of the water throughout. This is also a great place to relax on the beach with some beautiful Southern Maryland viewscapes.
State Park offers a great hiking/biking loop that's about 7.5 miles around the lake. Do a part of it or go around the whole thing! We see lots of families and adults alike on this trail.
9 locals recommend
Saint Marys River State Park
21250 Camp Cosoma RdState Park offers a great hiking/biking loop that's about 7.5 miles around the lake. Do a part of it or go around the whole thing! We see lots of families and adults alike on this trail.
Neighborhoods
A boardwalk, this island’s small size, shops and restaurants, and plenty of parking make this a fun half-day adventure, including grabbing some food and beverages.
18 locals recommend
Solomons
A boardwalk, this island’s small size, shops and restaurants, and plenty of parking make this a fun half-day adventure, including grabbing some food and beverages.
Leonardtown has a cute, small-town-of-a-yesteryear feel mixed with a place that’s growing a lot. Head down to the wharf for a picnic or quick walk around the pier. If you’re feeling sprightly, you can walk up the hill and into the square to continue your exploration. We drive up the hill (ha) and park on or around the main square. There are side streets with restaurants and shops. This is another half-day, pre-meal adventure.
29 locals recommend
Leonardtown
Leonardtown has a cute, small-town-of-a-yesteryear feel mixed with a place that’s growing a lot. Head down to the wharf for a picnic or quick walk around the pier. If you’re feeling sprightly, you can walk up the hill and into the square to continue your exploration. We drive up the hill (ha) and park on or around the main square. There are side streets with restaurants and shops. This is another half-day, pre-meal adventure.
Beaches
15 minute drive. Serene views of the Patuxent River. One of our favorite beaches!
14 locals recommend
Myrtle Point Park
24050 Patuxent Blvd15 minute drive. Serene views of the Patuxent River. One of our favorite beaches!
15 minute drive. Nice beach along the Patuxent River. There's a nice area to canoe and kayak. This one has a small fee to go in. There are picnic tables for use right next to the beach.
Snow Hill Park
26582 S Sandgates Rd15 minute drive. Nice beach along the Patuxent River. There's a nice area to canoe and kayak. This one has a small fee to go in. There are picnic tables for use right next to the beach.
35 minute drive. From Elm's Beach, you can usually see across the Chesapeake Bay to the Eastern Shore. This beach is slightly larger than Myrtle Point and Snow Hill but further south. A good one as well!
6 locals recommend
Elms Beach Park
19350 Back Door Rd35 minute drive. From Elm's Beach, you can usually see across the Chesapeake Bay to the Eastern Shore. This beach is slightly larger than Myrtle Point and Snow Hill but further south. A good one as well!
50 minute drive (Southernmost point of Maryland!). This whole state park is a popular fishing and camping destination. The beach is a little smaller, but there's a neat lighthouse and some short walking trails. Go early in the spring and summer, because it reaches capacity! (If you want to chill/play in the sand, would recommend Myrtle Point, Snow Hill, or Elm's.)
59 locals recommend
Point Lookout State Park
11175 Point Lookout Rd50 minute drive (Southernmost point of Maryland!). This whole state park is a popular fishing and camping destination. The beach is a little smaller, but there's a neat lighthouse and some short walking trails. Go early in the spring and summer, because it reaches capacity! (If you want to chill/play in the sand, would recommend Myrtle Point, Snow Hill, or Elm's.)
Getting out on the water
Experience a sunset cruises with some focus on waterman life on the Chesapeake; departs from South County area (40 minutes away)
http://www.mdcharterfishing.com/
Fish The Bay Charters
50126 Dove Cove RdExperience a sunset cruises with some focus on waterman life on the Chesapeake; departs from South County area (40 minutes away)
http://www.mdcharterfishing.com/
Cruise around Solomons Island and where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake bay; departs from Solomons Island (15 minutes away). https://www.halfshelladventures.com/
(I could not find pictures of this on my phone, but it's cool!)
8 locals recommend
Half Shell Adventures
14470 Charles StCruise around Solomons Island and where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake bay; departs from Solomons Island (15 minutes away). https://www.halfshelladventures.com/
(I could not find pictures of this on my phone, but it's cool!)
Pax Adventure Center offers kayaks and SUP boards for rentals as well as tours on the water. They are located about 5 minutes away at the Leonardtown Wharf as well as right next to Port of Leonardtown Winery.
Patuxent Adventure Center Paddle Sports
23190 Newtowne Neck RdPax Adventure Center offers kayaks and SUP boards for rentals as well as tours on the water. They are located about 5 minutes away at the Leonardtown Wharf as well as right next to Port of Leonardtown Winery.
Food scene
(3-5 minute drive) - Southern-style food in victorian-era home turned restaurant. We’ve generally had very good service there. Sitting out on the porch is nice.
23 locals recommend
The Front Porch
22770 Washington St(3-5 minute drive) - Southern-style food in victorian-era home turned restaurant. We’ve generally had very good service there. Sitting out on the porch is nice.
(3-6 minute drive) Popular pizza joint that does pizza by the slice. Great beer selection as well. Can be tough to find a seat, so suggest going “off-hours” or with a backup plan. Pretty much one of the reasons we moved to Leonardtown though!
13 locals recommend
The Slice House
41565 Park Ave(3-6 minute drive) Popular pizza joint that does pizza by the slice. Great beer selection as well. Can be tough to find a seat, so suggest going “off-hours” or with a backup plan. Pretty much one of the reasons we moved to Leonardtown though!
(3-5 minute drive) Classic pub food in a bar popular with the locals. Pretty wide variety of food. The buffalo wings have a cult following!
11 locals recommend
Olde Town Pub
22785 Washington St(3-5 minute drive) Classic pub food in a bar popular with the locals. Pretty wide variety of food. The buffalo wings have a cult following!
(3-6 minute drive) - Classic American-style food and bar; they do trivia and live music on various nights of the week. Nice outdoor seating right on the square.
9 locals recommend
The Rex
22695 Washington St(3-6 minute drive) - Classic American-style food and bar; they do trivia and live music on various nights of the week. Nice outdoor seating right on the square.
(3-6 minute drive) - Hip coffee/breakfast/lunch/bar spot off of the trendy and eclectic Fenwick Street in Leonardtown. We stop in for a latte and pretty solid bagel sandwich.
12 locals recommend
Social
41658 Fenwick St(3-6 minute drive) - Hip coffee/breakfast/lunch/bar spot off of the trendy and eclectic Fenwick Street in Leonardtown. We stop in for a latte and pretty solid bagel sandwich.
(3-6 minute drive) One of the more “fine dining” establishments that has a modern, DC-ish vibe. Very good cocktails that are also at DC prices, if you will. Good vibe though.
15 locals recommend
Sweetbay Restaurant & Bar
22680 Washington St(3-6 minute drive) One of the more “fine dining” establishments that has a modern, DC-ish vibe. Very good cocktails that are also at DC prices, if you will. Good vibe though.
(3-5 minute drive) If you’re craving ramen, go here! Asian fusion type restaurant with a culinary feel. They also have wraps and burgers and thing.
Jessie's Kitchen
22845C Washington St(3-5 minute drive) If you’re craving ramen, go here! Asian fusion type restaurant with a culinary feel. They also have wraps and burgers and thing.
(3-5 minute drive) The only Italian restaurant in St. Mary’s County, one has usually needed a reservation, so book ahead. The food is pretty good. I loved the ravioli. It has a modern open feel.
IL Piccolo Morso
22845 Washington Street(3-5 minute drive) The only Italian restaurant in St. Mary’s County, one has usually needed a reservation, so book ahead. The food is pretty good. I loved the ravioli. It has a modern open feel.
(3-7 minute drive) Hip beer garden serving local brews, good cocktails and modern American-German fare in a cool indoor-outdoor space. There are lawn games around, so good for people of all ages. Recommend as a pre or post dinner thing, because there's not too much variety on the food menu. You can bring ice cream in from the Salted Scoop next door!
9 locals recommend
Brudergarten (Bru)
22725 Duke St(3-7 minute drive) Hip beer garden serving local brews, good cocktails and modern American-German fare in a cool indoor-outdoor space. There are lawn games around, so good for people of all ages. Recommend as a pre or post dinner thing, because there's not too much variety on the food menu. You can bring ice cream in from the Salted Scoop next door!
(5-10 minute drive) Mexican restaurant that’s good, fast, and very affordable. Also a local favorite in the area.
Salsas Mexican Cafe
25470 Point Lookout Rd(5-10 minute drive) Mexican restaurant that’s good, fast, and very affordable. Also a local favorite in the area.
(15-20 minute drive) Seafood. Hang out on the restaurant’s sandy beach bar area overlooking the Potomac River. Open dining room setting indoors is a little cavernous, but great for big groups. The views are great and the service is good.
Fitzies Marina Restaurant and Pub
21540 Joe Hazel Rd(15-20 minute drive) Seafood. Hang out on the restaurant’s sandy beach bar area overlooking the Potomac River. Open dining room setting indoors is a little cavernous, but great for big groups. The views are great and the service is good.
(15-20 minute drive) Seafood. Family-owned establishment with 4-5 tables and some outdoor space. The food is fresh and delicious. You are there for the food, scenery, and ambience.
Morris Point Restaurant
38869 Morris Point Rd(15-20 minute drive) Seafood. Family-owned establishment with 4-5 tables and some outdoor space. The food is fresh and delicious. You are there for the food, scenery, and ambience.
(20 minute drive) - Hole in the wall type restaurant that’s been featured in The New York Times. Very local and very casual, and they take good food seriously. Highly recommend the stuffed ham eggrolls.
13 locals recommend
Chief's Neighborhood Bar
44584 Tall Timbers Rd(20 minute drive) - Hole in the wall type restaurant that’s been featured in The New York Times. Very local and very casual, and they take good food seriously. Highly recommend the stuffed ham eggrolls.
(25 minute drive) Solid seafood restaurant with unbeatable views of the Potomac River. Try to catch the sunset! We recommend bringing bug spray just in case.
27 locals recommend
Ruddy Duck Seafood & Alehouse
16800 Piney Point Rd(25 minute drive) Solid seafood restaurant with unbeatable views of the Potomac River. Try to catch the sunset! We recommend bringing bug spray just in case.
(Only open on weekdays, suggest looking up their hours) (30 minute drive) This bakery and sandwich shop is in the kitchen at Historic St. Mary’s City. Get there earlier as they will sell out. Grab a pastry or sandwich and eat at a nearby picnic table next to the St. Mary’s River in the view of Maryland’s First Capital.
Enso Kitchen
47414 Old State House Rd(Only open on weekdays, suggest looking up their hours) (30 minute drive) This bakery and sandwich shop is in the kitchen at Historic St. Mary’s City. Get there earlier as they will sell out. Grab a pastry or sandwich and eat at a nearby picnic table next to the St. Mary’s River in the view of Maryland’s First Capital.
(35+ minute drive) Seafood restaurant and boutique hotel right on the water in South County. Here you can sit by a bonfire on a sandy beach of the pier while waiters serve you. Pretty nice South County experience and worth the drive if you are up for it.
17 locals recommend
Pier450 - Restaurant, Hotel, & Boutique
48342 Wynne Rd(35+ minute drive) Seafood restaurant and boutique hotel right on the water in South County. Here you can sit by a bonfire on a sandy beach of the pier while waiters serve you. Pretty nice South County experience and worth the drive if you are up for it.
(15 minute drive) - This restaurant right on the water boasts a variety of classic American fare. It’s a solid choice.
41 locals recommend
The Island Hideaway
14556 Solomons Island Rd S(15 minute drive) - This restaurant right on the water boasts a variety of classic American fare. It’s a solid choice.
(15 minute drive) Lotus Kitchen offers more healthy, local, organic type options. The older home turned restaurant has a cozy feel to it and you can eat outside with water views as well. You order at a counter and they bring the food to you.
21 locals recommend
Lotus Kitchen featuring Kim's Key Lime Pies
14618 Solomons Island Rd S(15 minute drive) Lotus Kitchen offers more healthy, local, organic type options. The older home turned restaurant has a cozy feel to it and you can eat outside with water views as well. You order at a counter and they bring the food to you.
Local ice cream shop is REAL good. It’s at the SOF Market in Leonardtown. You can visit their outdoor ordering window or go inside. Highly recommend getting an ice cream “flight” (six scoops of different flavors).
The Salted Scoop
22966 Duke StLocal ice cream shop is REAL good. It’s at the SOF Market in Leonardtown. You can visit their outdoor ordering window or go inside. Highly recommend getting an ice cream “flight” (six scoops of different flavors).
Our favorite coffee spot. Cozy decor and great made to order drip coffee make this a great place to recharge. The coffee shop is separated into two sides, one for adults and one geared for adults with kids. Parents hang out while their kids play with toys and things. Excellent baked goods as well.
6 locals recommend
St. Inie's Coffee
46915 S Shangri-La DrOur favorite coffee spot. Cozy decor and great made to order drip coffee make this a great place to recharge. The coffee shop is separated into two sides, one for adults and one geared for adults with kids. Parents hang out while their kids play with toys and things. Excellent baked goods as well.
Forrest Hall Farm is a fun stop for baked goods, locally-made groceries, and farm exploration. The doughnuts are ‘a thing’ locally. Fall season visitors, the farm is well known for its corn maze! Search Forrest Hall Farm and find their website to make sure it’s up and running.
Forrest Hall Farm
39136 Avie LnForrest Hall Farm is a fun stop for baked goods, locally-made groceries, and farm exploration. The doughnuts are ‘a thing’ locally. Fall season visitors, the farm is well known for its corn maze! Search Forrest Hall Farm and find their website to make sure it’s up and running.
Shop Local
Indoor boutique shopping experience inside a recently restored/renovated/revived industrial space. Retail entrepreneurs rent out space and you can explore lots of locally made and sourced goods. There's also a coffee/sandwich shop, ice cream shops (The Salted Scoop), and beer garden (Brudergarten)!
10 locals recommend
SOF Market
22725 Duke StIndoor boutique shopping experience inside a recently restored/renovated/revived industrial space. Retail entrepreneurs rent out space and you can explore lots of locally made and sourced goods. There's also a coffee/sandwich shop, ice cream shops (The Salted Scoop), and beer garden (Brudergarten)!