Solomons, MD Road Trips

1 Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 Solomons Island Rd (Route 4, just before the Thomas Johnson Bridge). 10AM-5PM. The premier marine museum of Maryland. Extensive exhibits showing the history of the Chesapeake Bay, including local fossils, an impressive set of aquariums highlighting various Bay ecosystems, and historical artifacts. Historic boat exhibit showing classic Bay watercraft. Children's Discovery room with period costumes, a boat to play in, touch-and-feel animal exhibits, and dig your own fossil sand box. The Drum Point screwpile lighthouse, which was relocated to the museum grounds after being retired, has been restored and can be toured every hour. During summer months, take a cruise on the bugeye Wm. B Tennison every afternoon at 2PM. Home of the Patuxent small craft guild, which works to preserve historic Chesapeake Bay boats and boatbuilding skills. $7 adult, $6 seniors, $2 children. 2 Sotterley Plantation, 44300 Sotterley Ln, Hollywood (Route 4 south, turn right on Route 235, heading north 4-5 miles to Route 245 (Sotterley Rd), turn right at the Burch Mart/Shell gas station and proceed approximately 4 miles to Sotterley). M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. Older than Monticello or Mount Vernon, Sotterley is the only Tidewater Plantation that is open to the public. The original house was built in 1703 by James Bowles, a member of the Maryland Lower House of Assembly. The mansion was completed by George Plater III, the sixth governor of Maryland.

1 Solomons Island Fishing Pier (near Route 4 and the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge). Fhishing pier in the Patuxent River. (updated Nov 2020)

1 CD Cafe, 14350 Solomons Island Rd (Route 2), ☏ +1 410-326-3877. Fabulous fresh seafood, great burgers and salads and desserts that are divine. (updated Nov 2020) 2 Lotus Kitchen featuring Kim's Key Lime Pies, 14618 Solomons Island Rd South, ☏ +1 410-326-8469. (updated Nov 2020)

1 Tiki Bar, 85 Charles St, ☏ +1 410-326-4075. Opens the third Friday in April and closes in October. Up to 5,000 people pack this open-air bar on opening day. Order the Mai Tai. (updated Nov 2020)

1 Hilton Garden Inn Solomons Island, 13100 Dowell Rd, Dowell, ☏ +1 410-326-0303, fax: +1 410-326-0366. Pleasant, new hotel. Very quiet, despite convenience to major road (Route 4). About a half mile from the restaurant areas. Free internet access. Spacious rooms, with mini-refrigerators and microwaves. Very comfortable beds. Standard single rooms or suites (with half-wall between living area and bed, no close-able door). Suites have pull-out couches for an extra bed. Would be a good place to stay for a vacation or for business at Pax River. Has a small, well-equipped gym and an outdoor pool. (updated Nov 2020)

Solomons Island Rd (Route 2/Route 4) is the only road in and out of Solomons. Route 4 connects Solomons with Washington, D.C., and Route 2 connects Solomons with Annapolis. South of Solomons, Route 4 connects with Route 5, which continues east to St. Mary's City and west back to Washington, D.C. Route 5 westbound also connects with Route 301, which leads south to Interstate 95 in Virginia just south of Fredericksburg. The three primary marinas on the island are 1 Solomons Harbor Marina, 2 Spring Cove Marina, and 3 Zahnisers Yachting Center, all of which are on Back Creek/Solomons Harbor, and offer long- and short-term dockage.