If journeying north into the big city doesn’t appeal to you, why not plan a stay-cation right in Southern Maryland? With plenty of historic areas and natural wonders to explore, this region makes for a great weekend destination for families and adults alike. With a budding foodie scene and some lovely B&Bs where you can make yourself at home, you can have a relaxing vacation without the large price tag you’d find in Washington D.C.. Here are some spots I’d recommend including in your next Southern Maryland stay-cation:

Attractions:

Historic Sotterley Plantation

Where: 44300 Sotterley Ln., Hollywood, MD 20636

 

A visit to Sotterley Plantation is a great choice for those who want to experience a National Historic Landmark right in Southern Maryland. This beautiful plantation features buildings dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, with an educational look back in time. You can walk their nature trails, explore the Colonial revival gardens, and check out their exhibits and occasional events. They’re open year-round for self-guided grounds tours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM-4PM, and Sundays from noon-4PM. They offer guided tours in-season from May 1st through October 31st.

Hike at Calvert Cliffs State Park / Calvert Marine Museum

Where: 9500 H. G. Trueman Rd., Lusby, MD

 

Journeying over to Calvert County takes you to Calvert Cliffs State Park, a prime hiking and adventure destination. The park includes hiking trails that lead through tidal and freshwater marshland and lead out to a scenic sandy beach. Here, visitors frequently search for fossils and prehistoric remains from creatures like sharks and whales. While you’re in the area, check out the Calvert Marine Museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits which highlight the cultural and natural history of Southern Maryland. They touch on themes of regional paleontology, the estuarine life of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay, as well as maritime history. Be sure to check out the Drum Point Lighthouse, a landmark that’s been restored and furnished with early 20th century artifacts.

 

St. Mary’s City

A staycation in Southern Maryland isn’t complete without spending some time in St. Mary’s City, Maryland’s first capital. It’s home to the most well-preserved English colonial archaeological site in North America, so it’s truly worth checking out. Just note that the outdoor sites are mostly open for visitors in-season, from mid-March through November. Their outdoor living-history museum includes costumed interpreters who help give you a sense of the past, a tall ship, a tobacco plantation, and more. People recommend spending at least a few hours here exploring.

 

St. Clement’s Island State Park and Museum

Where: Museum: 38370 Point Breeze Rd., Coltons Point, MD

 

St. Clement’s Island State Park is located on the Potomac River off the coast of St. Mary’s County, and their museum is back on the mainland. At their museum, you get the chance to learn about the early European colonists who first arrived to Maryland on the island in 1634, as well as that history in connection with today’s watermen. On most weekends from March through October, you can board a ferry over to the island where you can explore more than 40 acres of state park land, with hiking trails, picnicking, fishing, and hunting. If you can time your visit accordingly, visit St. Clement’s Island and their museum in October during the Blessing of the Fleet, where they celebrate Maryland’s founding with a traditional blessing of the Southern Maryland watermen’s fleet of boats. The event includes tours of the island as well as live entertainment, wine tastings, and fireworks.

Where to stay:

Brictoria Cottage

Where: 7535 Poplar St., Charlotte Hall, MD

 

This cottage is made for vacationers who want to escape the bustle of everyday life and retreat to a quiet hideaway. Brictoria Cottage is located in St. Mary’s County among 8 wooded acres of country solitude. Even though they offer a little quiet in the woods setting, you’ll still be close enough to attractions and conveniences.

 

Solomons Victorian Inn

Where: 125 Charles St., Solomons, MD

 

If it’s luxury and a historic setting you’re after, check out the Solomons Victorian Inn. They’re one of the top-rated bed and breakfasts in Southern Maryland, with their 1906 Queen Anne house across from the harbor of the Patuxent River. Each of their rooms boasts harbor views, as they’re situated at the tip of the island. The location here is central to the island, making it easy to explore on foot or by bike.

 

Places to grab a bite:

Ruddy Duck Seafood and Alehouse (Piney Point)

Where: 16810 Piney Point Rd., Piney Point, MD

 

If you’ve spent your day exploring St. Mary’s City, journey over to Piney Point where you can check out the famed lighthouse and cap off the day with a bite at Ruddy Duck Seafood and Alehouse. This is their St. George’s Island location, but they have an additional location in Solomons, the Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill. The atmosphere and scenic views here at their St. George’s spot are unmatched, giving diners a scenic water-view location to enjoy with their meal. As far as their food goes, they’re highly reviewed for their seafood dishes like their crab cakes, which pair well with their freshly-made brews.

 

The Cow and the Fish

Where: 25188 Three Notch Rd., Hollywood, MD

 

Further north in California lies the Cow and the Fish, a family-owned cozy restaurant which serves up locally-sourced steak and seafood dishes. For being a small spot, they have a fairly extensive menu and wine list, as well as daily lunch and dinner specials. This makes for a convenient spot to grab lunch after a visit to the Sotterley Plantation.

 

 

 

If you’re opting to plan a relaxing stay-cation in Southern Maryland, be sure to take advantage of everything this exciting region has to offer. Start with a few from this list, and you’ll likely encounter even more interesting spots along your route. Do you have any favorite ways to spend a vacation in Southern Maryland? Share with us in the comments.