SOUTHERN MARYLAND Eat & Drink Tour and Pour at a Local Winery Move over Napa—Maryland vintners have arrived. The Port of Leonardtown Winery, a renovated state garage, is now a perfect space for enjoying fantastic wines, among them the Petit Verdot Reserve, which brought home a gold medal from Napa, and their 100 percent apple wine, McIntosh Run NV, which has been recognized as best in its class for five years. The winery has also won international competitions and houses one of the few winery co-ops in the United States, the Southern Maryland Winegrowers Cooperative. Sample varietals elsewhere in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties on the Patuxent Wine Trail. dishes with a selection of award-winning signature craft beers on tap. Relish Maryland Cooking at Chaptico Market A one-stop shop for groceries and sundries, plus fried chicken and stuffed ham regarded among the best in the county—high praise indeed in Southern Maryland, where standards are high and competition is fierce. CHARLES La Plata CALVERT Prince Frederick See & Do See Maryland’s Original Colonial Settlement Historic St. Mary’s City—Maryland’s original colonial settlement and capital—dates back to the 17th century. Today, the museum is a National Historic Landmark where archeologists, researchers and historians are preserving early American history. From the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation, a working colonial farm, to the replica Maryland Dove, visitors will find educational and unique experiences, including a lab on the campus of St. Mary’s College helping to preserve more than five million artifacts. ST. MARY’S Leonardtown Dine Al Fresco on the Waterfront At the Ruddy Duck Seafood and Alehouse, diners arrive by land or sea for housemade fare and views of St. George Creek and the Potomac River. The menu offers everything from artisan pizzas to crab cakes, with ingredients largely sourced from local farms and seafood producers. Pair Let Your Imagination Take Flight The Patuxent River Naval Air Station Museum takes you up close and personal with the jets that made naval history. Take flight in an actual F-14 Tomcat simulator and watch the skies as real-life Top Guns put the Navy’s newest aircraft through their paces. Watch a Drag Race Looking for speed and high octane thrills? Check out Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville. Its legendary track, tucked into a scenic valley, has welcomed U.S. Grand Prix motorcycle racing and other world-class events. The region is also home to Maryland International Raceway (MDIR), which hosts drag races, car shows and special events for the entire family. Explore Nine Millennia of Life Situated on 560 acres along the Patuxent River, the Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum boasts approximately 65 archeological sites (some have been excavated) and 9,000 years of human history. It’s home to the Maryland Archeological Conservation Laboratory, with more than eight million artifacts. Besides an Indian Village, hiking YELP’S TOP DINING DESTINATIONS IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND CD Café, Solomons Local favorite with creative dishes like Gumbalaya, Bangkok Scallops and a signature Crab Cake Sandwich. Bollywood Masala Indian Restaurant, La Plata Indian restaurant beloved by locals for the attentive service as much as the tasty menu. Jessie’s Kitchen, Leonardtown Asian fusion and American dishes including Ramen varieties and a tender Reuben sandwich. Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, St. Leonard 100 ✥ VISITMARYLAND.ORG | 1-877-333-4455
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2018 Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 100
