Solomons
Solomons, MD
This scenic island off the coast of Maryland—where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay—is home to fewer than 3,000 people and is a popular destination for Baltimore and Washington DC residents looking for a weekend escape. An expansive boardwalk, easy boat access, and plenty of fresh seafood restaurants make this an idyllic spot. Once a bustling oystering and shipbuilding center, Solomons maintains its maritime heritage.
The basics
During a visit to Solomons, travelers typically swing by the Calvert Marine Museum, an ancient lighthouse-turned-museum that provides a bit of historical context to the area. You can also embark on a harbor cruise or hit up one of the outdoor summer concerts. Check out the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, which is affiliated with the famed Smithsonian, then stop by the lively Tiki Bar, where tens of thousands of visitors gather each year to drink delicious fruity cocktails and enjoy impressive water views.
Things to know before you go
Fishing charters let travelers try to catch rockfish (a striped bass that’s Maryland’s state fish), redfish, bluefish, flounder, black and red drum, and blue catfish.
Search for shark teeth and fossils at Calvert Cliffs State Park.
At the nearby Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the US Navy regularly performs exercises with stealth jets and helicopters.
Solomons does not have a public beach.
How to get there
Solomons is located at the mouth of the Patuxent River in southern Calvert County, Maryland. It is about a 90-minute drive from Washington DC, and about 60 miles (97 kilometers) to Annapolis. The Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge connects Solomons with St. Mary's County via Route 4 over the Patuxent River. Public transportation is provided by the Calvert County bus service, but the majority of residents and visitors prefer to get around by car.
When to get there
The warmest and busiest time to visit Solomons is in the summer (June, July, and August); the spring months (March through May) are the second-busiest. Keep in mind that some businesses operate seasonally, like the Tiki Bar, which opens in late April and closes in October. Up to 5,000 people have been known to pack the bar on opening day.
Visiting the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
One of the top attractions in Solomons, the Smithsonian-affiliated Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center contains dozens of permanent fixtures as well as installations on loan from the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institution. Visitors can stroll along the park's walking path that meanders through wooded areas dotted with sculptures by regional and national artists.
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