Traveling to Leonardtown / your suggestions on visiting things (Frederick, Annapolis: hotel, house)

[Aerio]

I was invited to a wedding that will take place in the summer months in Leonardtown. I will be driving from Illinois, so I only expect to be at the wedding two or three days at a hotel and do some additional local sightseeing before going back to the daily grind.

I have done some research, but I don't know how long any of these activities take (for example, seaside attractions, parks, historic stuff) I'm into anything: scenery, shopping, landmarks, historic, nature hikes, etc. Do you have any suggestions in the area to visit? I appreciate your answers and plan to research them more to help me plan this fun adventure!

From what I've gathered, Solomons looks interesting? Any highly recommended parks (Elms Wildlife, St. Mary's, Point Lookout)? Seems the shopping is decent, though I could probably skip that unless there are some regional/local things I wouldn't be able to find elsewhere? Thank you.

[tercel95]

St. Mary's county is pretty rural in general. You should definitely spend some time on Solomon's island. There are a number of nice restaurants with good scenery on the island. You could also check out the Calvert Marine Museum. Point Lookout State Park is worth a look but it is a little bit of a drive from Leonardtown. Greenwell state park has decent scenery, over 16 miles of trails (some on the water) and is right down the street from Leonardtown.

There is really no shopping to speak of other than big box stores. If you want good shopping, a nice downtown and more MD history, take the 1.5 hr drive to Annapolis.

[slowlane3]

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I used to live in Leonardtown. I would recommend the charming town of Solomons, MD, just across the bridge, including the Calvert Marine Museum and tiny light house, a cruise boat tour, numerous seafood restaurants, some with live music, and the boardwalk. On the outskirts of Solomons in the Anna Marie Sculpture Garden. At Calvert Cliffs park a few miles north, you can hike to the cliffs overlooking the bay, filled with millions of prehistoric sharks teeth. Battle Creek Cypress Swamp park, near the town of Prince Frederick MD, is the northernmost habitat of these odd-looking trees whose long roots stick out above the swamp.

Leonardtown itself has in its walkable downtown, the North End Art Gallery, a used bookstore, and a charming pet store, "Korner Kritters."

Another sight is "St. Mary's City" - not a city at all, but a peaceful, reconstructed village where the first immigrant settlers landed in 1634, including the reconstructed immigrant ship which you can walk onboard. A college campus is adjacent, near the River.

Point Lookout State Park, way down at the very furthest tip of land, has a beach, fishing, and a monument to the many Confederate soldier prisoners who were confined there. On the way there near Ridge MD, are a couple of noted seafood restaurants overlooking the shore.

There is a Mennonite community near Loveville MD, and an Amish community near Charlotte Hall, MD who have a Saturday farmers market beside the busy highway there. They live very traditional lifestyles. There is a small Mennonite furniture store in Hollywood MD. There is a craft and antiques store "Apple" (something or other) by itself on the highway between Mechanicsville and Hollywood. There are also two craft and art shops (across from each other) at the historic "Cecil's Old Mill" a former flour mill, on Great Mills Road at Great Mills MD.

Naval Air Station, Patuxent River (where some famous astronauts were trained), is the largest employer in the County, and it has a free aviation museum.

If you've never eaten hard-shell crabs, you must try this unique experience at one of the many "crab house" seafood restaurants, along with some beer. Diners sit at a long table covered with brown paper. Breaking each one open with your mallet is a bit messy, but a real experience everyone should try.

Further north, the colonial-era waterfront city of Annapolis MD is very historic, charming, and touristy, and also contains the US Naval Academy which can be toured.

[PeteU]

I'll echo other's comments on Solmons, Calvert Marine Museum, Calvert Cliffs, St. Mary's City and Point Lookout.

I also remember St. Clemant's Island State Park. Seemingly insignificant--it was simply the first landing spot for settlers of the Maryland colony, but I do recall there being a boat ride out there which was scenic.

[rwfloberg]

St Clements island is awesome if you have a boat to go. Its cool going to an island in the river with a house and no roads to get to it