Top Destination Highlight: Solomon’s Island
The Chesapeake Bay has no shortage of destinations on the more than 5,000 miles of coastline. The soft bottom and predictable winds make it one of the world’s top cruising destinations. When you plan your Spring 2020 charter on the Chesapeake, we highly recommend making Solomons Island a stop on your trip.
Solomons Island is a charming, working fishing village located where the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River meet. With a large selection of waterfront restaurants, shops, and historical maritime attractions, it has quickly become a favorite for our charters. From our home base in Annapolis, it’s best to sail to Solomons Island in two days. A good itinerary is stopping at Harrington Harbor on the way to Solomons Island and visiting St. Michaels on the way back.
The island is home to several marinas including Zahniser’s Yachting Center, located in the heart of the historic area. It’s a convenient place to stop for their refueling facilities and other recreational amenities. Another spot, Back Creek Inn, is located at mile marker 5 in Back Creek and offers boat slips along its 70-foot pier.
Being on an island, the area has plenty of waterfront dining options. The Island Hideaway is dog-friendly and offers a great selection of fresh seafood, happy hour specials, and inside and outside dining. If you’re looking for a tapas and steakhouse experience, visit Charles Street Brasserie. The Mediterranean-influenced cuisine coupled with live piano and movie nights makes it a one of a kind experience.
The Calvert County Marine Museum is a must-see stop with its popular aquarium portion that includes turtle, fish, otters (watch the live otter indoor cam here!), and stingrays (children will love their “please touch” policy!). The museum also includes regional paleontology and the maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay— there truly is something for everyone! If the paleontology portion piques your interest, fossil hunters will love going to Calvert Cliffs where the high cliffs on the beach have eroded away to expose evidence of prehistoric life that once lived there.
Another popular attraction is the Drum Point Lighthouse, an 1883 screw-pile cottage-style lighthouse that is one of only three lighthouses of this type on the Chesapeake Bay. Back on land, Annemarie Garden is a public sculpture park that combines scenic views with modern and contemporary art. The garden often hosts fun local events like Maker’s Markets that sell handmade and homegrown products.
Are you ready to plan your charter trip to Solomons Island? Our charter specialists can help you plan your trip whether for a day or several nights. Contact us today!