Welcome to Solomons Island! Stroll marinas filled with bobbing sailboats, slurp Old Bay-sprinkled crab cakes with a view of the water, and toast golden-hour sunsets from the deck of a river cruise — Solomons Island is where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay, drawing visitors from all over to soak in classic coastal Maryland charm.
☑️ Solomons Checklist
- Book your Flight: Fly into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), about 90 minutes north of the island
- Reserve your Hotel: Stay at a waterfront inn or harbor-view suite right along the boardwalk
- Join your Tour: Book a Patuxent river cruise or lighthouse boat tour ahead of time for the best seats
⚓ Day 1: Waterfront Wander
- Calvert Marine Museum: Get up close with otters, lighthouse history, and a giant fossilized megalodon jaw all under one roof
- Drum Point Lighthouse: Climb into this 1883 screw-pile lighthouse and picture what life was like guarding the bay
- Lunch on the Deck: Sit outside and dive into a crab cake sandwich with chips and a killer water view
- Patuxent Riverwalk: Meander the wooden boardwalk past crab shacks, ice cream spots, and quiet docks full of herons and sailboats
- Annmarie Sculpture Garden: Wander shaded trails dotted with whimsical art, fairy houses, and tucked-away benches
- Sunset River Cruise: Hop aboard an evening boat and watch the sky melt from orange to purple as the bay breeze kicks in
- Tiki Bar Overlook: Grab a tropical drink and snag a seat where the Patuxent opens up wide — great people-watching too
🦀 Day 2: Bay Traditions
- Solomons Island Heritage Tour: Start with a local-guided walk through the island’s fishing past, shipyards, and waterfront tales
- Crab Picking Demo: See how locals crack and pick Maryland’s iconic blue crabs — then roll up your sleeves and try it yourself
- Trawler Pier Visit: Watch commercial boats unload the day’s catch or chat with fishermen mending lines right on the dock
- Oyster Tasting Stop: Slurp freshly shucked Chesapeake oysters with a splash of lemon or dash of hot sauce
- Solomons Pier Stroll: Wander past bobbing boats and toss a line off the public fishing pier — you might pull up a croaker or two
- Lighthouse Replica Photo Op: Snap a classic Solomons pic by the mini-lighthouse at the entrance to town
- Live Music by the Water: Grab a drink and sway to acoustic tunes at a marina-side bar with twinkling lights and salty air
🐚 Day 3: Island Keepsakes
- Cove Point Lighthouse Grounds: Walk the shoreline near this iconic beacon and admire the views where the river meets the Bay
- Kayak Morning Paddle: Drift past marsh grasses, osprey nests, and maybe even a jellyfish or two — quiet and peaceful before the crowds
- Taste of Solomons Tour: Sample chowder, soft shell crab, and sweet corn hushpuppies at a few of the island’s most popular haunts
- Navy Recreation Pier: Watch aircrafts cruise overhead from nearby bases while locals fish off the long dock
- Solomons Boat Rental Lookout: Rent a small skiff or watch families cruising by with kids waving from the bow
- Souvenir Stop on the Boardwalk: Pick up a tin of Old Bay, hand-carved driftwood decor, or a Solomons-branded crab mug to remember your trip
- Dinner with a View: Wrap up your trip Maryland-style — steamed crabs on a paper-covered picnic table, cold beer in hand, and the sound of gulls calling
📅 Solomons Calendar
- Oyster Gardening Workshop (March): Learn how locals help restore the Bay one oyster cage at a time
- Patuxent River Wade-In (June): Join locals as they “walk in” to check water clarity — a fun, muddy community tradition
- Solomons July 4th Fireworks (July 4): Watch colorful bursts explode over the river from a beach blanket or boat deck
- Sharkfest at the Marine Museum (July): Celebrate all things sharky with fossil hunts, jaw displays, and ocean games
- Taste of Solomons Food Crawl (August): Stroll and sample your way through crab dip, rockfish tacos, and local brews
- Annmarie Garden in Lights (Dec): Walk glowing paths through the woods as sculptures and trees twinkle with creative lights
- Solomons Christmas Walk (Dec): Sip cider, see boats lit up with holiday flair, and listen to carolers in the crisp night air
💡 Solomons Tips
- Weekends Get Busy: Come early to snag parking and waterfront seats
- Bring Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can sneak up on you near the water at dusk
- Check Tide Charts: Some beach walks and paddling routes depend on low tide
- Don’t Rush Meals: Most places are casual and on “island time” — enjoy the view
- Ask Locals for Fishing Tips: They’ll tell you what’s biting and where
- Watch for Osprey: These birds love to perch on signs and fish right offshore
- Wear Deck-Friendly Shoes: Whether it’s boats or piers, grip is key
🦀 Solomons Menu
- Maryland Crab Cakes: Big lumps of blue crab with barely any filler, broiled and served with lemon and slaw
- Cream of Crab Soup: Rich and velvety, this local favorite mixes cream, sherry, and crab in every spoonful
- Rockfish (Striped Bass): Grilled or blackened, this is Maryland’s state fish and a Solomons staple
- Steamed Blue Crabs: Covered in Old Bay, dumped on paper, and cracked open with mallets — messy, perfect, iconic
- Oyster Po’ Boy: Crispy Chesapeake oysters stuffed into a soft roll with lettuce, tomato, and zesty sauce
- Fried Soft Shell Crab: Entire crabs fried until golden and stacked on sandwiches or salads
- Smith Island Cake: Thin layers of moist yellow cake and fudge frosting — Maryland’s official dessert with serious chocolate payoff