Overview
For the island chain in the South Pacific, see Solomon Islands.
Solomons (Solomons Island) is a resort area in Southern Maryland, near the Patuxent Naval Air Station. Solomons within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis. Solomons is also close to the Calvert Cliffs State Park, which is fun for fossil hunting. Located where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay, it is a popular destination for fishing and boating. Solomons also has a nice, short boardwalk at the tip of the peninsula and a lively restaurant scene.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Solomons
Calvert Marine Museum
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. …
Sotterley Plantation
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 ma…
Solomons Island Fishing Pier
Fhishing pier in the Patuxent River.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 47 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SBY Salisbury Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport, Salisbury — 52 mi away. Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons Island Fishing Pier
- Lunch CD Cafe
- Afternoon Sotterley Plantation
- Dinner Lotus Kitchen featuring Kim's Key Lime Pies
- Evening Tiki Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
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.
By boat
The three primary marinas on the island are Solomons Harbor Marina, Spring Cove Marina, and Zahnisers Yachting Center, all of which are on Back Creek/Solomons Harbor, and offer long- and short-term dockage.
See
See Calvert Marine Museum
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.
See Sotterley Plantation
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. In the 1800s it was the home of one of the largest group of enslaved African Americans in Maryland, and the grounds have a very rare standing slave cabin as well as a full array of other outbuildings. The grounds also have classic 19th century formal gardens as well as kitchen gardens and orchards. A National Historic Landmark.
Do
Eat
Eat CD Cafe
Fabulous fresh seafood, great burgers and salads and desserts that are divine.
Eat Lotus Kitchen featuring Kim's Key Lime Pies
Drink
Drink Tiki Bar
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.
Sleep
Stay Hilton Garden Inn Solomons Island
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.
Go next
- Just southeast of Solomons is the historic St. Mary's City, one of the very first British settlements in North America.
- The chalk cliffs at Calvert Cliffs State Park, a few miles north of town, are a fun spot for fossil hunting. The park is very popular, and its public beach is usually picked over by noon; however, even casual visitors can expect to find common fossils. The park also offers an elaborate playground constructed from used tires and excellent wildlife spotting along its marsh.
- To the north, in Lexington Park, you can visit the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
Nearby
Lexington Park
City / town · 19 listings · 5 mi away
Leonardtown
City / town · 7 listings · 10 mi away
St. Mary's City
City / town · 8 listings · 10 mi away
Hooper's Island
City / town · 5 listings · 14 mi away
Prince Frederick
City / town · 8 listings · 16 mi away
Point Lookout
City / town · 11 listings · 21 mi away
Cobb Island
City / town · 6 listings · 21 mi away
Chesapeake Beach
City / town · 19 listings · 25 mi away
My experience
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