Free Southern Maryland Travel Guide & Mobile App

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Southern Maryland
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Explore Southern Maryland for Chesapeake waterways, colonial history, fossil cliffs, seafood, rural roads and waterfront towns near Washington, DC.

Southern Maryland occupies the broad peninsulas and tidewater country south of Washington, DC, where the Potomac, Patuxent and Chesapeake Bay shape a landscape of creeks, marshes, working farms and wooded roads. In contemporary travel usage, the region usually refers to Calvert, Charles and St Mary’s counties. It is close enough to the national capital for an easy excursion, yet its dispersed settlements and maritime setting give it a distinct character within Maryland.
Read more about Southern Maryland
The region’s historical centre is St Mary’s City, established in 1634 as Maryland’s first capital. Its reconstructed colonial buildings and archaeological sites interpret the early English settlement, the colony’s experiment in religious toleration and the interactions between newcomers and Indigenous peoples, including the Yaocomico community. Elsewhere, historic plantations, churches, courthouses and riverside communities reveal the long influence of tobacco agriculture, slavery, maritime trade and later farming economies. Sotterley Plantation near Hollywood is especially valuable for presenting both the lives of the plantation’s owners and the experiences of enslaved people who worked there.
Water is central to the region’s identity. Solomons Island, at the mouth of the Patuxent River, combines a harbour, galleries, seafood restaurants and the Calvert Marine Museum, whose displays explore local fossils, estuarine ecology and maritime history. Along the western shore of the bay, Calvert Cliffs State Park protects a fossil-bearing shoreline beneath high cliffs, while Point Lookout State Park occupies a narrow peninsula where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake. Beaches, marshes and tidal creeks support boating, fishing, birdwatching and walking, although access and conditions vary with weather and season.
Southern Maryland is not a single urban destination. La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick and Solomons serve as useful bases, while St Mary’s County extends towards the lower Potomac and Patuxent River and Charles County includes historic villages, farms and river landscapes. The Naval Air Station Patuxent River area gives the region a modern aerospace and research dimension, contrasting with the quieter roads of the rural interior. Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center near Solomons adds a contemporary cultural presence through outdoor sculpture, exhibitions and family programming.
Food reflects both land and water: blue crab, oysters, rockfish, local produce and Southern Maryland stuffed ham appear alongside modern Chesapeake cooking. The best way to understand the region is to combine a historic site with a waterfront town, allow time for country roads and check access arrangements before visiting parks, islands or seasonal attractions. A car is generally the most practical way to connect these widely spaced places, while cyclists and paddlers can explore a slower, more local scale of the landscape.

When is the best time to visit Southern Maryland?

Best: May–June, September · 23–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January565
February760
March1280
April1885
May (best)2395
June (best)28100
July31105
August30100
September (best)2690
October1975
November1370
December875

Getting to and around Southern Maryland

How to get there

Southern Maryland is primarily reached by road from Washington, DC, Baltimore and the rest of Maryland. US Route 301 crosses Charles and Calvert counties, while Maryland routes 4, 5 and 235 provide important approaches towards Prince Frederick, Solomons, Leonardtown and St Mary’s County. The region has no major commercial passenger airport; Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is outside Southern Maryland and is usually the most practical large airport for many visitors, while Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport are also outside the region and can be useful depending on the itinerary. Amtrak services are available outside the region, with onward travel generally requiring a hire car or other road connection.

Transportation

A car is usually the most convenient way to travel between Southern Maryland’s counties, historic sites, parks and waterfronts because attractions are spread across rural roads and public transport is limited outside the larger towns. Local buses serve some population centres and corridors, but they are not designed as a comprehensive sightseeing network. Taxis and app-based services may be limited in rural areas, so arrange transport in advance when visiting remote sites. Cycling is rewarding on quieter roads but requires care around traffic, narrow shoulders and changing terrain. Kayaking and boating are practical ways to experience the region’s tidal waterways, subject to weather, tides, launch access and water-safety knowledge.

Top city travel guides in Southern Maryland

The cities of Southern Maryland, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Southern Maryland

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Southern Maryland

Southern Maryland’s attractions combine Chesapeake landscapes with unusually deep colonial, maritime and military history. Historic St Mary’s City interprets Maryland’s first capital through archaeology, reconstructed buildings and exhibitions, while Sotterley Plantation examines plantation society, enslavement and the changing agricultural landscape. In Charles County, Thomas Stone National Historic Site and the Dr Samuel A Mudd House Museum provide different perspectives on the region’s political and Civil War history. Calvert County’s Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons brings together fossils, estuarine wildlife, maritime collections and the Drum Point Lighthouse. Outdoor choices range from fossil hunting and shoreline walking at Calvert Cliffs State Park to birdwatching and beach time at Flag Ponds Nature Park and Point Lookout State Park. Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center offers a contrasting cultural experience, with sculpture set among woodland paths. Boating, fishing, kayaking and wildlife observation are especially rewarding on the Patuxent, Potomac and Bay shores, but tidal conditions and access arrangements should be checked in advance.

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Best landmarks in Southern Maryland

St Mary’s City is Southern Maryland’s most important historic landmark landscape: the site of Maryland’s first capital preserves archaeological remains and reconstructed colonial buildings beside the St Mary’s River. St Clement’s Island, in the Potomac near Colton’s Point, commemorates the 1634 landing of the Maryland colonists and is reached by seasonal or arranged boat access rather than by road. In Solomons, the Drum Point Lighthouse is a recognisable nineteenth-century navigational landmark now preserved at the Calvert Marine Museum. Calvert Cliffs form one of the region’s most distinctive natural features, their fossil-bearing sediments rising above the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. At the southern end of St Mary’s County, Point Lookout’s peninsula, lighthouse and Civil War associations give the landscape historical as well as geographical importance. Historic courthouses, churches and tobacco-era buildings in Leonardtown, Port Tobacco and other established communities add smaller-scale architectural markers, while the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum reflects the region’s modern identity as a centre of naval aviation research and testing.

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Explore Southern Maryland on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Southern Maryland

Dining in Southern Maryland is closely tied to the Chesapeake and the region’s farming country. Blue crab, oysters, rockfish and other seasonal seafood appear in waterfront restaurants, crab houses and casual local establishments, while farm stands and markets supply fruit, vegetables and other produce. Southern Maryland stuffed ham, a kale-filled cured ham traditionally associated with the region, is a notable local speciality, although it is not available everywhere throughout the year. Solomons, Leonardtown, La Plata and waterfront communities along the Patuxent and Potomac offer the broadest choice of restaurants, from seafood counters and cafés to contemporary dining rooms and relaxed pubs. Rural areas are better known for family-run eateries, bakeries, farm products and occasional country inns than for dense restaurant districts. Menus change with catches, harvests and seasons, so regional food is often best approached as a connection between the working landscape, tidal waters and Maryland’s wider Chesapeake cuisine.

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Best bars in Southern Maryland

Evening life in Southern Maryland is generally low-key and dispersed rather than centred on a major nightclub district. Solomons Island has the strongest waterfront concentration of restaurants, pubs and bars, with a seasonal atmosphere shaped by boating and the harbour. Leonardtown, La Plata and Prince Frederick provide additional options for drinks, casual dining, live music and community events, while breweries and taprooms in the wider region offer locally produced beer in a relaxed setting. In rural areas, historic inns, neighbourhood pubs and restaurant bars are more typical than late-night clubs. Entertainment schedules and opening arrangements vary, particularly outside the larger towns, so check locally rather than assuming a venue operates every evening. Visitors seeking extensive club culture generally travel beyond Southern Maryland to Washington, DC, or Baltimore, both outside the region.

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Best nightclubs in Southern Maryland

Evening life in Southern Maryland is generally low-key and dispersed rather than centred on a major nightclub district. Solomons Island has the strongest waterfront concentration of restaurants, pubs and bars, with a seasonal atmosphere shaped by boating and the harbour. Leonardtown, La Plata and Prince Frederick provide additional options for drinks, casual dining, live music and community events, while breweries and taprooms in the wider region offer locally produced beer in a relaxed setting. In rural areas, historic inns, neighbourhood pubs and restaurant bars are more typical than late-night clubs. Entertainment schedules and opening arrangements vary, particularly outside the larger towns, so check locally rather than assuming a venue operates every evening. Visitors seeking extensive club culture generally travel beyond Southern Maryland to Washington, DC, or Baltimore, both outside the region.

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Best shops in Southern Maryland

Shopping in Southern Maryland is based largely around market towns, independent businesses, waterfront galleries and local food rather than large luxury retail districts. Leonardtown’s historic centre has galleries, cafés, small shops and community events, while Solomons combines maritime views with art galleries, seasonal businesses and practical visitor services. La Plata and Prince Frederick provide broader everyday retail, supermarkets and national chains, but the region’s more distinctive purchases are found at farm stands, craft outlets, farmers’ markets and specialist food sellers. Look for Maryland seafood products, preserves, baked goods, local produce, regional beer and gifts inspired by the Chesapeake. Galleries and craft shops may offer paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and other work by artists from Southern Maryland and the wider Mid-Atlantic. Market schedules and seasonal trading can change, so check before making a special journey, particularly in the rural parts of Charles and St Mary’s counties.

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Southern Maryland essentials

Currency and Payment
Southern Maryland uses the United States dollar (USD), as does the rest of Maryland and the United States. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, attractions and established restaurants, although smaller rural businesses, market stalls, boat operators or seasonal vendors may prefer cash or have minimum card charges. Carry some dollar notes for parking, minor purchases and places with unreliable mobile reception. Tipping is customary in American table-service restaurants, bars and many personal services; the amount depends on service and the type of establishment rather than on a special Southern Maryland practice.
Safety
Normal urban and rural precautions are appropriate, including securing vehicles and belongings and taking care at night in unfamiliar areas. Outdoor visitors should watch for heat, ticks, poison ivy, uneven trails and rapidly changing weather. Chesapeake Bay beaches and tidal rivers can have strong currents, boat traffic and slippery banks, while cliffs and shorelines may be unstable; follow park signs and do not climb restricted formations. Rural roads may have limited lighting and shoulders, so drive carefully after dark. During summer, check for thunderstorms and high heat, and use insect protection around marshes and wooded trails.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 throughout Southern Maryland for police, fire and ambulance emergencies; this is the national emergency number rather than a region-specific service. Give the dispatcher the county, road name, nearby landmark or park entrance and, where relevant, the name of a waterway or trail. Mobile coverage can be inconsistent in rural areas and around wooded shorelines, so download maps before setting out and tell someone your plans for remote walks or paddling trips. For incidents on navigable waters, emergency services can coordinate with the appropriate maritime authorities; follow posted park instructions for rescues and water emergencies.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect private property, working farms, historic structures and marked archaeological areas, and stay on designated trails in parks and nature preserves. Do follow Maryland fishing, boating and wildlife regulations, including seasonal rules and licence requirements where applicable. Do treat plantation and Civil War sites as places of serious historical interpretation rather than simply scenic backdrops. Do use patience on rural roads and allow pedestrians, cyclists and farm vehicles room. Do not remove fossils, shells, artefacts or plants from protected places, and do not enter restricted shorelines, military areas or private land without permission.
Local Tips
Organise visits around the region’s three main travel clusters: the Calvert shore and Solomons, the Charles County interior and Potomac waterfront, or St Mary’s City, Leonardtown and the lower peninsula. Combine a museum or historic site with a waterfront meal, as distances between individual attractions can be greater than maps initially suggest. Check seasonal access before visiting Point Lookout, St Clement’s Island or nature parks. The Calvert Marine Museum, Historic St Mary’s City and the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum provide useful context for the region’s maritime, colonial and modern identities.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[Ha-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya later[See ya lay-tuh]
YesYep[Yep]
NoNah[Nah]
Please/You're welcomeNo problem[No prob-lem]
Thank youThanks a lot[Thanks a lot]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[Par-don me]
How are you?How ya doin'?[How ya do-in'?]
Fine. And you?Good. And you?[Good. An' you?]
Do you speak English?You speakin' English?[You speak-in' English?]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' it[I ain't gettin' it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[Can I see the men-u?]
I don't eat meatI don't do meat[I don't do meat]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check, please?[Can I get the check, please?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Get lost![Get lost!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![Call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![Get a doctor!]
I'm lostI’m turned around[I’m turned around]
I'm illI ain't feelin' good[I ain't feelin' good]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsin'[Just brows-in']
How much is it?What’s the price?[What’s the price?]
That's too expensiveThat’s way too high[That’s way too high]
Can you lower the price?Can ya bring it down?[Can ya bring it down?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time ya got?[What time ya got?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[It's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMornin'[Mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[Evenin']
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the nearest...?[Where's the nearest...?]
What's the address?What’s the address?[What’s the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya point it out?[Can ya point it out?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[When's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to...[A ticket to...]

History of Southern Maryland

Indigenous Chesapeake Communities Before European Settlement

Long before Maryland became an English colony, the lower Chesapeake region was occupied and used by Indigenous peoples, including communities associated with the Piscataway and Yaocomico. Rivers, wetlands and forests supported fishing, hunting, farming and extensive movement through the peninsula landscape. When English settlers arrived in 1634, they established St Mary’s City near a Yaocomico settlement, entering a world with existing political relationships and territorial understandings. Archaeology and interpretation at St Mary’s City and other regional sites continue to place Indigenous history alongside the colonial narrative rather than treating European settlement as the beginning of the region’s history.

St Mary’s City and the Founding of Maryland, 1634

English settlers led by Leonard Calvert founded St Mary’s City in 1634, making it the first capital of the Maryland colony. Its location on the St Mary’s River connected the settlement to the Chesapeake’s waterways and to Atlantic commerce. Maryland was established under the proprietorship of the Calvert family, whose Catholic faith influenced the colony’s early identity, although Protestant and Catholic settlers lived alongside one another. Archaeological remains, reconstructed buildings and museum interpretation at Historic St Mary’s City explain how an early colonial town developed and why this site remains central to Maryland’s political and religious history.

Tobacco, Plantations and Enslaved Labour

From the seventeenth century onwards, tobacco shaped Southern Maryland’s economy, settlement pattern and connections to the wider Atlantic world. River landings allowed planters to ship harvested tobacco, while plantations and smaller farms occupied the peninsulas between the tidal rivers. This system depended heavily on the labour of enslaved Africans and African Americans, whose work sustained agricultural wealth but whose lives were long marginalised in traditional accounts. Places such as Sotterley Plantation interpret the architecture, landscape and records of plantation society while also examining enslavement, resistance, family life and the community’s later history.

Religious Toleration and Colonial Political Change

Maryland’s early reputation for religious toleration was shaped by the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649, which offered legal protection to Trinitarian Christians while reflecting the limits of the period’s ideas about religious freedom. St Mary’s City was the setting for important colonial debates, including disputes over authority between the proprietary government, settlers and religious communities. The capital later moved to Annapolis in 1695, reducing St Mary’s City’s political importance. Its surviving archaeological landscape nevertheless preserves evidence of the colony’s early institutions, faith communities and evolving government.

The Chesapeake in the War of 1812

Southern Maryland’s waterways made it part of the strategic landscape of the War of 1812. British forces operated in the Chesapeake, and the region’s rivers, creeks and farms were exposed to military movement, raids and disruption. Communities around the Patuxent and lower Potomac were connected to the broader campaign that culminated in the British attack on Washington and the burning of public buildings in 1814. The war reinforced the importance of local waterways and left a historical legacy that can be explored through regional museums, maritime interpretation and sites associated with the Chesapeake campaign.

Civil War and the Point Lookout Prison Camp

During the American Civil War, Point Lookout at the southern tip of St Mary’s County became a Union military complex and the site of a large prison camp for Confederate soldiers. The location was chosen for its strategic position between the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, but the camp became notorious for overcrowding, disease and harsh conditions. The wider Point Lookout landscape also included a hospital and military defences. Few camp structures survive, yet markers, interpretation and the geography of the peninsula help visitors understand the site’s military and humanitarian significance.

Naval Aviation and the Modern Patuxent River Economy

The establishment of Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St Mary’s County during the Second World War transformed the regional economy and connected Southern Maryland to the development and testing of naval aircraft. Research, flight testing and defence technology brought new employment, infrastructure and population to an area previously dominated by agriculture and maritime activity. The base remains an important presence, while the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum interprets the history of naval aviation and the technical work associated with the installation. This modern identity sits alongside the region’s older colonial and farming landscapes.

Southern Maryland in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Southern Maryland

Discover Southern Maryland with Evendo, a 100% free travel guide app covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan your perfect trip today!

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, and restaurants
  • Easy hotel, tour, and experience bookings
  • Rich local tips and recommendations
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More about the Evendo app

Explore Southern Maryland like never before with Evendo, the ultimate free travel guide app. Discover attractions, book experiences, and navigate easily through the region.

  • Comprehensive maps and contact details
  • Free to use with no in-app purchases
  • Global coverage with over 7,000 destinations
  • 'Near Me' feature for nearby discoveries

Welcome to Southern Maryland, a land rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. With Evendo, your travel guide to Southern Maryland, you can explore this charming region like never before. Whether you're visiting the historic St. Mary's City, the scenic Chesapeake Bay, or the thrilling Calvert Cliffs State Park, Evendo offers detailed insights and tips to make your journey unforgettable.

The app provides comprehensive information on must-see attractions such as the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Sotterley Plantation. Dive into the local culinary scene with recommendations for top restaurants like The Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill and The Front Porch. Evendo ensures you won't miss any hidden gems, offering local tips and favorite spots known only to insiders.

Planning your trip is a breeze with Evendo's seamless hotel, tour, and experience booking feature. Forget the hassle of searching for tickets or figuring out logistics—everything you need is in one place. With a 'Near Me' feature, you'll easily find attractions, shops, and eateries nearby, ensuring you make the most of every moment in Southern Maryland.

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