Looking for an easy weekend getaway packed with waterfront views, fascinating history, outdoor adventures, and plenty of great food?
Solomons Island delivers all of that in one compact destination, making it one of Maryland’s most enjoyable spots for a quick escape.
Over the course of a weekend, you can wander scenic shoreline paths, cruise past beautiful Chesapeake Bay scenery, and enjoy some seriously tasty seafood along the way.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family trip, or a fun weekend with friends, this itinerary will help you make the most of every hour while uncovering some of the island’s most memorable experiences.
1. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center sits on 30 wooded acres and combines outdoor art and nature trails, just minutes from the Patuxent River.
You can follow a scenic walking path through the forest to see more than 30 sculptures on display, including works on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, all displayed among towering trees and plants.
The center also features rotating art exhibitions inside the Murray Arts Building, family-friendly workshops, summer camps, and special events throughout the year.
One of its biggest draws is the annual Annmarie Garden in Lights, when thousands of sparkling lights transform the trails into a glowing winter attraction.
2. Calvert Marine Museum
Next, head to the Calvert Marine Museum, where the focus shifts to the fascinating history of the Chesapeake Bay.
Inside, you’ll find everything from model boats and fishing artifacts to displays about local oyster harvesting, while the paleontology gallery features fossils from nearby Calvert Cliffs, including the massive skeleton of a Miocene-era whale.
Don’t miss the outdoor boat basin, where historic vessels are docked along the waterfront, or the playful river otter habitat, home to rescued North American river otters.
3. Drum Point Lighthouse
Take a closer look at Drum Point Lighthouse, one of only a handful of surviving screwpile lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay and one of Solomons’ most famous landmarks.
Built in 1883, the lighthouse originally stood offshore on iron screw piles before it was carefully relocated to the museum grounds in 1975 to preserve it for future generations.
You can step inside the compact keeper’s quarters to see period furnishings, interpretive exhibits, and the small rooms where lighthouse keepers lived and worked while guiding vessels through local waters.
From the surrounding waterfront, you’ll get beautiful views across the harbor, making this historic beacon a great spot for photos while connecting with more than a century of Chesapeake Bay maritime heritage.
4. Big Kahuna Cruises
Once you’ve explored Solomons from shore, hop aboard a Big Kahuna Cruises tour for a completely different view of the area from the waters of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay.
Departing from Solomons Harbor, these cruises take you past waterfront homes, marinas, historic landmarks, and scenic stretches of shoreline.
Depending on the season, you can choose from sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, and special themed trips that turn an ordinary boat ride into one of the most memorable experiences of the weekend.
Keep your eyes on the water as you cruise, because it’s common to spot ospreys soaring overhead, great blue herons along the shoreline, and even playful dolphins that occasionally make appearances in the bay.
5. Cone Island Ice Cream Shoppe
After your time on the water, treat yourself to something sweet at Cone Island Ice Cream Shoppe, a longtime Solomons favorite located right in the heart of the island’s waterfront district.
This classic ice cream shop is known for its huge selection of soft-served ice cream, sundaes, ice cream floats, and milkshakes that make it hard to choose just one.
Grab your cone and take a stroll along the nearby boardwalk, where you can enjoy views of boats bobbing in the harbor and watch the activity around Solomons Harbor Marina.
Whether you go for a simple scoop of vanilla or a towering sundae piled high with toppings, this local institution is the perfect way to cool off after a day packed with sightseeing, museums, and boat cruises.
6. Solomons Island Riverwalk
After satisfying your sweet tooth, slow things down with a walk along the Solomons Island Riverwalk, one of the best places to soak in the town’s waterfront scenery.
This paved path stretches along the harbor and Patuxent River shoreline, connecting marinas, restaurants, parks, and public gathering spaces while offering uninterrupted views of the water.
As you stroll, you’ll pass colorful boats and docks filled with sailboats, as well as plenty of benches and photo spots where you can pause and watch life on the harbor.
The Riverwalk is especially beautiful near sunset, when the sky lights up over the water and the Solomons Island Bridge creates a striking backdrop for an easy evening walk.
7. The Lighthouse Restaurant and Dockbar
Wrap up your Solomons Island weekend with dinner at The Lighthouse Restaurant and Dockbar, a waterfront favorite where you can enjoy fresh seafood while watching boats glide through the harbor.
Located right on the water near Solomons Harbor, the restaurant features indoor dining and a spacious outdoor deck with front-row views of the harbor and passing vessels.
The menu highlights Maryland classics such as crab cakes, steamed shrimp, seafood platters, oysters, and locally inspired dishes that pair perfectly with the coastal setting.
As the sun sets over the marina and the harbor lights begin to reflect across the water, it’s an unforgettable spot to relax, enjoy a great meal, and toast the end of an action-packed weekend on Solomons Island.
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