St. Mary’s County has been welcoming travelers since 1634, when 140 adventurers aboard two small English ships – the Ark and the Dove – first stepped ashore at St. Clement’s Island and established the colony of Maryland.
Shaped by the Chesapeake Bay and its mighty tributaries – the Patuxent and Potomac rivers – this verdant peninsula provides a pleasant lifestyle anchored in the natural allure of the region.
Travel back in time at Historic St. Mary’s City, the state’s colonial capital, where you’ll receive a welcome from the crew of the Maryland Dove – a re-creation of the 17th-century vessel. Visit with the mistress of Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation or explore the Woodland Indian Hamlet. Move a century ahead, just a few miles up the peninsula to Sotterley Plantation. Take in the panoramic waterfront setting. Stop by rambling Tidewater Manor House and listen to stories about life at the Slave Cabin.
Stand watch as Union Soldiers did, at Point Lookout – where the Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Climb to the top of the Potomac’s Piney Point Lighthouse. Now, move into the present and future at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, where you’ll learn about the U.S. Navy’s quest for aviation excellence.
Juxtapose that with a trip to the Farmers Market as you observe the gentle Amish driving their buggies along the county’s scenic byways. Then, chart new courses on a skipjack cruise of the bay and sample the bounty of the Chesapeake at one of St. Mary’s friendly waterfront eateries.
Visit the St. Mary's County web site.
